Title: First Day of Forever
Fandom: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
Rating: PG
Length: 547
Pairing: William De Lancey/Colley Grant
Notes: Set in the 'baking AU' where Grant and William meet at university and bond over cakes. The first fic I wrote in this universe was a Christmas proposal - this is the wedding that follows. Inspired by the fact that while wedding days are supposed to be one of the most memorable, they usually seem to pass in a blur.
Summary: Colley wakes up on the morning after his wedding





The past twenty-four hours have been a blur. Acute anxiety yesterday morning, over suits and rings and last minute preparations, made worse by enforced separation in the name of tradition. Reaching an unexpected breaking point over his stupidly rebellious hair and an ill-timed comment about second thoughts. Explaining to his eldest brother that he had never doubted for a moment that this was right, it was just the getting married part that worried him, until Alex had laughed at him and told him he'd be fine.

Then arriving early and standing waiting with Jon beside him, wondering if he was going to cry or something equally mortifying. His mum, in the front row with a big hat, hankie in hand as she had been for all his brothers' weddings in turn. The snapshot clarity of Will as he arrives, stunningly gorgeous in his suit, meeting Colley's eyes.

Thinking, my God, this is real.

Vows. In front of people. Somehow not stuttering. Or crying. Gaze locked with Will.
Photos and drinks to follow with dizzying congratulations, torn every which way but tied to Will with every breath, always aware of him. Food, long planned but somehow untasted. Speeches in varying levels of emotion and rudeness. His mother, having won a campaign for the right of the mother of the groom to make a speech when there was no father of the bride, held the room in the palm of her hand and spoke so warmly of Will that he looked somewhere between brimming joy and tears. Colley hopes someone got a photograph of that: he wants to treasure it.

The dancing was no less a blur than the rest, but a more relaxed one. He'd danced with everyone or so it seemed, and most with Will. Dazed with happiness. They'd been sent to bed by their guests in alarming state. Colley thinking horrified thoughts about Great Aunt Sarah waving him off to his wedding night, and telling him what a handsome young man he'd found himself.

Alone at last they'd been so tired suddenly, and so relieved to be together without the crowd. They'd dropped, fully dressed, onto the bed and laid there, asking each other if it was real. Realising with laughter that they really were too tired for sex. Tea, and sleep, Will spooning him from behind and mumbling 'mine' into his hair.

Now, waking in the cool of morning, he finally has time to take stock. Will is still sleeping beside him, breathing deeply, almost a snore. Colley feels so incredibly fond of him, with his hair sticking up and the creases from the pillow on his face. His husband. He almost giggles at the thought of it. He has a husband.

His laughter has woken Will, who stirs, opening one bleary eye. "Hey," he mumbles. He rolls closer and links their hands. The rings are shiny new on their fingers. Colley is almost looking forward to a time when they will look respectably worn in, marking the passage of time together. For now though, the day is young and their marriage not twenty four hours old. They have all the time in the world, and a wedding night to make up for.

"Hey yourself," he says, and begins as he means to go on.