The officiant's voice was calm and melodic. It was clear, strong, and the easiness of his speech made it evident he had performed weddings many, many times before. This comforted Blue somehow, who was so overwhelmed with excitement and nerves he couldn't stop the strawberry flush from spreading across his pale cheeks. His heart began to flutter in his chest as his mate opened his mouth to speak. Like the officiant, Eivind's voice was clear and strong. The wolf had thought hard about what he wanted to say to Blue in this picturesque moment. Though succinct, Blue knew his lover's words were carefully chosen. Eivind believed in his own words, put himself into every single syllable. Blue could sense every good feeling inside of himself swell beyond bursting, filling him up and overflowing from every orifice. He was a fountain of deep, rich love, spilling over, and in that moment he could think of no better sensation in all the world.<br/><br/>It was his turn now. He grinned shyly, biting his lower lip before collecting himself, standing tall, and looking straight into his mate's dark eyes.<br/><br/>"Eivind," he began, slow and careful, unwrapping each word with his lips as if they were made of thin, fragile glass. "When we first met, I didn't know what to make of you. You were gruff, serious, and quiet. We knew nothing about one another, and yet when you looked at me, it felt as though you had known me for a lifetime. You looked at me, and you<i>knew</i>, and from that first moment you have done everything to show what a genuine man you are, and how deeply you could love."<br/><br/>He chuckled, salty tears welling at the corners of his eyes. "I'm a pain in the ass," he continued among soft giggles from the small gathering of guests, "but despite that, you love me, and you help me believe in myself. In my art, and my own inner strength. I don't need to be afraid anymore. I have you.<br/><br/>"So... thank you. Thank you for loving me so fiercely, and showing me I have the capacity inside of me for my own ferocious love. And, um, I'm stealing this last part, but I think it fits. It's an excerpt from my favorite poem."<br/><br/>A single inhale, paired with a smile. Eyes glittering.<i>"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride; so I love you because I know no other way than this: where I does not exist, nor you, so close that your hand on my chest is my hand, so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep."<br/>
</i><br/>He sniffled, squeezing Eivind's hands in return. "Okay, I'm done," he laughed, flashing a wide smile at the officiant.