[center][h2][color=1a7b30]Aisik[/color] and [color=darkturquoise]Izabella[/color][/h2][img]http://img.tatler.co.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/400x600/d_f/Florrie-1_HP_400x600.jpg[/img][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/95333138-dcbf-45e5-bdbe-0f6afdad1179.jpg[/img]
[i]A collab with [@Dirty Pretty Lies][/i][/center][hr]
Aisik contented himself with watching as the others conversed, all of them caught up in either each other or memories of the past. The meals had just come out and Aisik thanked the waiter as she set to food in front of him. She winked, causing him to blush and twist his ring around his finger nervously.

Having just finished her conversation with Vincent, Bella took a moment to take a sip of water before turning her attention to Aisik instead. Her eyes wandered the foreign features of her old crush: his dark hair, so different from Jude’s. His eyes, brown as luxurious pieces of chocolate. Skin tanned with a great complexion, muscled arms, and on the ring finger on his left hand…

Izabella gasped, placing her glass on the table. [color=darkturquoise]“Oh, Goodness!”[/color] she exclaimed, eyes locked on the golden band in Aisik’s hand. [color=turquoise]“Are you truly married, Aisik?”[/color]

His blush now held for a different reason, and he smiled at Bella good naturedly. [color=1a7b30]“Yes, Neshema, it's true,”[/color] he revealed, taking his anxious fingers off the ring to better make it visible to her. Bella took the ring from his hand, smiling wide while she examined it before he returned it to his finger. [color=1a7b30]“We've been together almost nine years now, romantically, and married for five, but known each other since just after I returned home.”[/color]

He thought back on meeting his husband; how the man's dark eyes melted his heart with one look as he helped him off the floor. It was in the true fashion of someone who acted in a Drama for three years that they met, in college, by Aisik colliding with him, books flying everywhere as he hit the ground, Alter having barely stayed standing. 

Aisik had been literally swept off his feet by the other man, but had doubted that Alter felt the same way. So they became close friends, Aisik sharing secrets with the other man that he'd never told anyone else. About his attraction to guys, about his mother and the abuse. About Gavriel. He became content with just being friends, and suspected it would always be that way.

That is, until a year later, when Alter made his move on Aisik’s birthday. That kiss was the best present the young actor had ever gotten.

His smile turned softer as he lost himself in the memory for a second before returning his attention to Bella. [color=1a7b30]“We actually had to go to Spain to get married and have the union recognized, but it was such a beautiful place to fulfill that part of our lives, you know?”[/color]

Izabella could only smile, her heart bursting with love by seeing her old friend so happy. [color=darkturquoise]“Well, then all that’s left from me is to wish you a very late congratulations.Your wife is a very lucky woman indeed.”[/color] Bella said with a laugh. It was then when his comment about Spain registered with her. [color=darkturquoise]“Why could you not have your union recognized in Israel? I would have though Spain was chosen merely as a destination for the ceremony to take place.”[/color]

[color=1a7b30]“Oh, I'm sorry,”[/color] Aisik laughed nervously. [color=1a7b30]“I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression. Um...I'm married to a man.”[/color] His smile wavered for a second, worried about Bella’s response. [color=1a7b30]“You cannot legally get married to someone of the same sex in Israel, but it recognizes all marriages from outside of it. Alter and I thought Spain would be a nice place to do it…”[/color]

A momentary expression of shock crossed Bella’s features. Aisik’s coming out was something she wouldn’t have imagined, if she was honest. But instead of being judgemental, Izabella’s expression was now beaming. She took hold of Aisik’s hand and gave it a squeeze, oblivious to his surprised flinch as her eyes teared up. Even in this time and age, she knew of all the struggles Aisik’s community went through on a daily basis. They were discriminated against, insulted, assaulted and even killed for simply loving who their heart desired. To see that Aisik had chosen to not care about anyone else, to follow his heart and was happy made Izabella’s heart swell with emotion.

[color=darkturquoise]“I am so happy for you, dear.”[/color] she began, a tear rolling down her cheek, but her smile still in place. [color=darkturquoise]“You both are so incredibly brave for choosing to live your lives and not hide your true selves. I wish everyone else would see that there is no crime or sin on simply loving another human being.”[/color]

[color=1a7b30]“Thank you,”[/color] Aisik whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. [color=1a7b30]“It means a lot that you're supportive.”[/color] He paused, wiping at his eyes before the tear could fall. [color=1a7b30]“I know...I know I disappeared on you all and cut off contact, so the fact that you all welcomed me back so readily and have been so accepting...it means a lot.”[/color]

Bella squeezed his hand again. [color=darkturquoise]“Darling, I'm sure you had your reasons for doing so. Whatever they were, it is all in the past now. What matters now is that you are happy and well and back with all of us who care for you so. Just know that, no matter what happens, you can be absolutely sure you will always have me on your side. I care deeply about you, Aisik, and nothing will change that.”[/color]

Aisik felt his chest tighten at Bella’s words. Despite the love he got from Gavriel when they were kids, and the love he receives from Alter now, knowing that there are people out there that care for him in a true and strong way without any ultimatums, well, it was always an amazing feeling. One he didn't have much experience with. 

He squeezed Bella’s hand in response before giving her a small nod in thanks. [color=1a7b30]“You are, and always have been, a very special woman, Izabella Wellington.”[/color]