Page 110 of Inked Desires

Not just because of the perfectly fitted suit or the light dancing on his skin. He’s beautiful because he’s Andrew, because he’s himself, with all he’s been through, all he’s become. Because he’s standing before me, ready to say yes.

The ceremony begins.

The priest’s words are background noise. I barely hear them, too absorbed by the presence of my future husband, by the fact that in a few minutes, we’ll be bound forever.

Andrew takes a breath, and for the first time since entering the church, I see him truly nervous. His fingers tremble slightly as he squeezes my hands in his. But when he speaks, his voice is clear, soft, achingly sincere.

— Ares… I could tell you I never thought I’d end up here. That marriage, to me, was a prison, something from the past, from memories I wanted to erase. And yet, here we are. Because you showed me love isn’t chains, but a choice. You never tried to hold me back, never tried to force me to be someone else. You loved me as I am. Even when I didn’t believe it. So today, it’s my turn. To choose. To say yes. To promise that no matter what awaits us, I’ll always be there. To love you, to support you, to make you grumble too, because I know you love that. I love you, Ares. More than I can say. And I promise you, wherever life takes us, my heart will always be tattooed with yours.

My throat tightens. I struggle to breathe, to think. How does he always do that? How does he always find the words to make me fall even deeper?

I squeeze his hands tighter and dive into his eyes. He waits, and I know it’s my turn.

— Andrew… I’m not good with words. You know that. I never knew how to express what I feel with pretty phrases or big speeches. But with you… with you, it’s different. Because you’ve always seen what I didn’t say. Because you understood my silences, my looks, my gestures, even when I thought I was a damn impenetrable wall. I love you, Andrew. In a raw, indelible way, like a tattoo carved into skin that can’t be erased. You and I, we carry scars. We have painful pasts. We know what it is to fall. But today, I promise you one thing: you’ll never have to get up alone again. I promise to be there, even when you do that damn habit of rubbing your temple when you overthink. Even when you grumble because I left my stuff lying around. Even when you want to strangle me because I ate the last burger. I promise to love you, in all your shades, in all your contradictions. To love you even when life sucks, even when nothing is easy. Because you, Andrew… you’re the most beautiful work I’ll ever carry.

His lip trembles slightly, and I know if I keep looking at him like this, I’ll break too.

The priest speaks, but honestly, I’m not listening. All I hear is the erratic beating of my heart and Andrew’s breath mixing with mine.

Then comes the exchange of rings.

I gently slip the ring onto his finger, savoring the moment as if it’s the only thing that matters. He does the same, and I feel a strange warmth spread through me as the cold metal touches my skin.

— You may now kiss your husband.

I don’t wait a second longer.

I take Andrew by the nape and pull him close, capturing his lips with a tenderness mixed with passion. He responds instantly, his hands clutching my suit as if wanting to anchor this moment in our flesh.

And at that precise moment, nothing else exists.

Nothing, but him.

Nothing, but us.