Chapter 28: The Shape of Forever
The apartment smelled like lavender, coffee, and paper.
There were catalogs spread across the table, laptop tabs open to venues, playlists, suit styles, and flower arrangements. Julian was barefoot, glasses slipping down his nose as he scribbled notes and circled menus.
Elliot?
Sitting cross-legged on the couch, watching him.
And smiling like a fool.
"You know you're doing 90% of the work, right?" Elliot said, amusement in his voice.
Julian shot him a look. "Because you keep saying 'whatever you want, babe,' and that's how people end up with lavender-themed weddings in a sunflower field."
Elliot chuckled. "I trust your taste."
Julian paused. "That's dangerous."
"Not really." Elliot got up and walked to him, leaning over to kiss the top of his head. "You are my taste."
Julian flushed, smiling despite himself.
---
They spent the afternoon making decisions together.
Venue? Somewhere by the ocean. Intimate. Sunset ceremony.
Food? Local, fresh, seasonal. Julian insisted on lemon tartlets. Elliot demanded mini steak sliders.
Music? A live jazz quartet. Elliot's idea. Julian approved immediately.
Guest list? Small.
Only the people who mattered.
Elliot's parents. Julian's sister. Anna and her husband. A few colleagues they trusted. No pretenses. Just realness.
Julian hesitated at one point, eyes scanning the list. "Do you think… people will judge?"
Elliot looked up. "For what?"
"For us. Two men. Fancy suits. Rings. Vows."
Elliot put his pen down.
"Jules," he said softly, "let them. Let them judge while we kiss in front of the ocean and promise each other forever. Let them choke on their opinions while you wear a ring that means you're mine."
Julian swallowed. "God, I love you."
"I know," Elliot teased. "That's why we're doing this."
---
That night, they slow danced in the living room — no music, just breathing and the shuffle of socks on hardwood.
Julian rested his head against Elliot's shoulder. "Do you think we'll make it?"
Elliot held him tighter. "We already did."
Julian smiled. "Still… I want forever to be soft. Not just fireworks and passion. I want the quiet mornings. The grocery lists. The post-fight forgiveness. The routine."
Elliot pulled back just enough to kiss him. "Then let's build it."
---
Later in bed, Julian stared up at the ceiling. "Do you want to write your own vows?"
Elliot nodded. "Yeah. I want every word to be mine. I want you to feel it."
Julian smiled. "Same."
Then softer, almost shyly: "What if we cry?"
"Then we cry."
"And what if you mess up your hair?"
"Then I'll still be the hottest man in the room."
Julian burst out laughing and shoved a pillow at him. "Arrogant."
Elliot leaned over, eyes sparkling. "Your arrogant husband-to-be."