Chapter Text
For most of his life, Jared has considered himself to be fairly lucky. Lucky to have been rescued by CPS, lucky to have gotten a full ride to Vassar, lucky to have survived that measles outbreak unvaccinated. When he first met Richard, Jared figured he was the luckiest man in the world. To be able to work side by side with a man like Richard, to talk with him, laugh with him, was a dream come true. Now, sitting on a flight from Oklahoma City to San Francisco, with his fiancé’s head resting against his shoulder, he realizes that lucky doesn’t begin to describe it.
Richard mumbles in his sleep, and rubs his face against Jared. Jared smiles. Gosh, he’s handsome, he thinks. I can’t believe he’s mine.
His mind drifts to that morning. Richard’s whole family had come out to see them off as they loaded into Rhonda’s car for the drive to Oklahoma City.
“It’s great to see you again, Jared,” Maggie had said, laughing. “Also, when you’re picking out bridesmaids dresses, please keep in mind that I look best in jewel tones.”
“Oh, but I pop in bright colors,” Alexa said. “But seriously, Jared, it was so great to meet you.”
“You guys should come to Kansas City sometime, we’d love to have you.” William, who was holding Lily in one arm, gave Jared a hug with the other.
“Yeah, and if it doesn’t work out with Richard, we’d be open to a third.”
“Third!” shouts Lily.
“Oh jeez, Alexa, you’re corrupting our daughter.”
“If I didn’t say it, you would have said it.”
“Can you guys maybe just stop hitting on my fiancé?” Richard interjected.
“Aw, Ricket, don’t be jealous,” William said. “Jared’s crazy about you.”
“I am.”
Being with Richard comes with a whole world that Jared had never thought he’d get to have. It comes with family, with laughter, with drawn out games of Scattergories in the afternoon sunlight. It comes with obstacles he never imagined as well.
After Richard’s siblings had said their goodbyes, Tom, had approached them awkwardly. Jared held his breath as Tom shook his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Jared,” he said solemnly. Jared nodded, unsure of of how to respond.
He didn’t have to respond though, because Tom quickly moved on to Richard, who looked even more scared than Jared had.
“Son,” Tom said.
“Dad.”
“It’s good to see you. I’m glad you’re happy.” And then he extended his arms to pull Richard into what might have been the most awkward hug Jared had ever seen.
It would seem , Jared muses, as he accepts two packs of almonds from a flight attendant (Richard needs more fiber in his diet), that I have a family now, for better or for worse. And mostly, he decided, it was for the better.
As they drove to the airport, Rhonda discussed wedding plans, without any input from either groom.
“Jesus Christ, Mom,” Richard said eventually, cutting her off in the middle of a list of potential vegetarian options. “If you’re gonna be like this, we’ll just elope.”
Jared felt his chest go tight.
“I don’t think we should elope, Richard, that seems a bit excessive.”
Richard turned around in his seat to look at Jared. He smiled with one side of his mouth.
“I’m kidding, don’t worry. Obviously we can’t elope, I want to share this moment with the people we care about.” He turned back in his seat. “Besides, I actually have a lot of thoughts on the venue.”
“Y’all are gettin’ married in a church, right?”
“Mom!”
Jared laughs out loud at the memory, which disturbs Richard. Richard clutches at his arm, urging him to be a better pillow.
“Richard wake up,” Jared says softly, running a hand through Richard’s curls. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Richard blinks open his eyes. He scowls, but Jared can’t help but find it endearing.
“What is it? What do you need to tell me?”
“I love you.”