A full-length mirror with an ornate silver frame stood in front of him. Blue wondered how many nervous brides and grooms had stared into it before him, fingers shaking as they fussed with the final details on their elaborate outfits. The black bow tie around his neck looked the same no matter how many times Blue fiddled with it. His long fingers simply needed something to do, and buttoning and unbuttoning his dinner jacket over and over to ensure the fit was just right had gotten too redundant, even for him. "You really think I look okay?" Blue asked weakly. "You don't think they cut my hair too short? I hope he doesn't hate it." Hours before arriving at the venue, after Blue and Eivind kissed their goodbyes, Stellan and Sig had taken Blue to the stylist to tame the wild, shaggy mess of loose curls he had grown over the long months. His dark hair was now closely cropped and cleanly trimmed, highlighting the sharp prominence of his cheekbones, his severe jaw. He looked older now, no longer the youthful man barely out of adolescence Eivind had met on his deathbed.<br/><br/>"I think the suit looks nice," Blue conceded. His face twitched into a smile. Never one to settle for the typical, Blue had opted for slim-fit black trousers with a<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.theblacktux.com%2Fproducts%2Ftuxedos%2Fmidnight-pin-dot-tuxedo%2F1_20160811_HolidayEcom_BlackAndPinDotJacket_2238_w1_1812x1875.jpg%3Fimpolicy%3DPDPdesktop&amp;hash=9009a6ea7f54f66fe90493b51d9229a7" href="https://static.theblacktux.com/products/tuxedos/midnight-pin-dot-tuxedo/1_20160811_HolidayEcom_BlackAndPinDotJacket_2238_w1_1812x1875.jpg?impolicy=PDPdesktop" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">midnight blue pin dot dinner jacket</a>made from merino wool. When closed, the jacket emphasized Blue's narrow waist, hugging him closely without becoming uncomfortable. The dark blue of the jacket made his light eyes pop, encouraging Blue's natural piercing gaze. A single diamond stud sat in his left ear lobe, replacing the steel hoop he normally wore, adding that last bit of finery to a man who had come to enjoy rolling around in the dirt with his earthy lover.<br/><br/>He jumped when Stellan came in, hypnotized by his own image. He laughed at himself, rubbing at his clean-shaven face with cold fingers. "Thanks, Stellan," he replied. They had gone over how all this would happen. Once the guests were seated, a musical cue would begin. Eivind would take his place at the altar, where he would be joined by Sig and Stellan. Little Bird and Chrysanthemum jumped at the opportunity to stand next to their older brother on his big day. Styled in flowing deep navy chiffon, with layers of translucent fabric that would catch the light just right when they moved, they would stand tall with their humble bouquets of lavender and wildflowers Sig had collected. At the precise moment, Blue would descend one one the man-made staircases bookending each side of the altar,<a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic1.squarespace.com%2Fstatic%2F5684a44cdc5cb4c79e8bc7ef%2F573a93528a65e27efe301a72%2F573a953a20c647c93d50d31b%2F1463513077185%2FNestldown%2B3.jpg&amp;hash=efa9c68a3bd72e5ae1deab3cf39acf44" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5684a44cdc5cb4c79e8bc7ef/573a93528a65e27efe301a72/573a953a20c647c93d50d31b/1463513077185/Nestldown+3.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">dug into the natural ground of their woodsy venue</a>and lined with wooden planks. Reluctant to walk down the aisle like a bride, Blue had thought this alternative best. Different, but still maintaining a surprise for his mate.<br/><br/>"Okay," he whispered, giving himself a final look-over. "I'm ready."<br/><br/>The procession proceeded without fail, each member of the tiny wedding party taking their place, smiling. Blue waited behind a curtain of thick, bright green foliage, unable to see his mate, his friends, or his sisters as they gathered together in front of the small group of wolves and humans who had congregated for the ceremony. His heart was racing, fingers trembling as he nervously pat at his trousers, staring down at the impossibly shiny state of his patent leather dress shoes. "He must be so uncomfortable," Blue whispered to himself, chuckling as he imagined what his down-to-earth lover, comfortable in a pair of ragged jeans or nothing at all, looked like all dolled up.<br/><br/><i>Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out</i>, he reminded himself, wringing his hands together. He closed his eyes, seeing his lover, smiling. Eyes crinkling at the corners as he imagined rough hands drawing an invisible line down the length of his body. He inhaled one last time, holding his breath as he recalled the vision of Eivind dipping down onto a single knee. When Blue's musical cue sounded throughout the trees, he exhaled, and his fingers no longer shook.<br/><br/>The melodic plucking of an acoustic guitar accompanied Blue as he descended the steps. The raw sounds seemed more appropriate than any classic wedding march, pairing more naturally with their earthen venue. As he followed the curve of the stairs, he briefly caught glimpses of some of their guests. Devin and her date were there. Alaric, Synnove, even Sieger, who despite his strained history with Eivind still maintained a respect for their relationship. Blue was pack. A handful of others Eivind knew from work, though the solitary wolf was never one for seriously making friends. On Blue's side, Mom and Papa, and a few classmates of whom Blue had grown somewhat fond. He smiled shyly as he spotted his parents. Mom was beaming. Papa looked as stiff as ever, but he was there, and Blue was grateful for that.<br/><br/>When Blue's eyes finally settled on his mate, waiting for him at the end of the winding steps, all the rest melted away. His heart, racing wildly before, seemed to halt in his chest, suspended in the moment as Blue approached. He looked stunning standing there, wrapped up in a fine tuxedo, hair combed, beard trimmed, hands scrubbed clean. A wild man tamed, if only for a moment, but Blue couldn't help but smile, toothy grin stretching from ear to ear as he took his place beside his mate.<br/><br/>"Hey," he whispered, giggling, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth in mild embarrassment. "You look hot."