Archive of Our Own ^beta

Sebek was, quite honestly, about to throw up.

He'd barely been able to sleep, and his only solace was the fact Silver had slept soundly without waking due to a nightmare, as he knew he'd never be able to explain to Silver why he was still awake. An anxious nausea simply grew throughout the day, despite the frantic text messages he'd sent to his family whilst Silver was in the shower, or the months of preparation, or the repeated double-checking.

Today had to be perfect, and Sebek was spiralling over every little thing that could go wrong. It'd been difficult to coax Silver out of bed, as his boyfriend snuggled close and kissed him lazily after wishing him a happy anniversary. Sebek had been coaxed into staying a while longer when Silver rolled him onto his back and slowly deepened the kiss, his hand trailing indulgently along Sebek's bare chest, and that hadn’t helped the anxiety at all once they’d finally left the comforting blankets hours later.

Silver advised him they weren’t in any rush. They’d not booked any restaurant reservations, weren’t seeing any theatre productions or orchestras, and Sebek tried to keep his overbearing worry settled despite that. Sure, they weren’t on a schedule—the only plan they’d made together was an evening walk—but Sebek was now growing concerned their lack of plans was a detriment. Maybe Silver expected them to do something fancy, something romantic to celebrate, and was quietly judging Sebek’s laziness.

Reminding himself he did have plans, that he was simply wishing to surprise Silver, only settled him somewhat. After all, they had to wait until those plans came to fruition, and Sebek had no appetite when he cooked them both a late breakfast—so much so that Silver had commented on it. He’d no excuse for his behaviour, he knew he likely looked a mess, but Silver was wonderful as always and tried to settle him. It’d come in the form of soft hands, a softer voice, and Silver coaxing Sebek into the garden to train together in the hopes exercise would bring Sebek’s appetite back.

It surprisingly had done, and this time Silver made them both lunch to eat out in the garden, wanting to make use of the wonderful spring weather considering it’d been raining for most of the week, and Sebek didn’t mention he’d petitioned Queen Maleficia—with Malleus’ support—for the weather to be perfect today. That had been outrageous of him, but the idea of it raining today was too distressing to imagine. At least spending time with Silver outside was as wonderful as always, and for a time his anxiety settled. Of course it spiked any time he thought about that coming evening, but Silver’s gentle laughter would always quieten it again.

When it grew closer to sunset, and Sebek suggested they go for their walk, that was when his second major panic of the day came. What if Silver didn’t dress appropriately? They were going on a hike, after all, so there was a chance Silver would change into his casual hiking clothes, but Sebek managed to stammer through an explanation that this was a date. A date for their anniversary. Their first anniversary, even if to others this was just another of many.

Sebek was going to be sick.

He'd packed food the night before, triple-checked the ring was still hidden and untouched, and roped his family and Malleus into setting up their picnic site, but Sebek couldn't shake the nerves. Couldn't shake the idea of this going wrong, of his meticulous planning falling through, and Sebek only grew worse as they walked hand-in-hand towards a river on the outskirts of the city.

When trying to decide where to propose, Sebek knew it had to be where they'd celebrated their knighthood. It was a lie their relationship first started here, all those years ago, but the lie still brought them together. Brought down walls neither of them realised they'd put up, and Sebek wanted to prove to Silver how serious he was about keeping those walls down. About spending his life by Silver's side, no matter what.

He knew this would be fine, he'd planned it out to perfection and Silver had already admitted he wished to spend his days with Sebek, but he still felt nauseous. A happy, fairytale ending with the love of his life felt impossible. Felt like something he didn't deserve, something he couldn't have, considering he kept messing everything up so badly. He wasn't the kind of person who was allowed a steady place in the world, always restless and needing to prove himself, but Silver bade he rest at his side a moment and reassured him he was safe. That he was loved.

How badly Sebek loved Silver was the only reason he kept walking forwards, his legs feeling like lead.

The riverside was exactly as Sebek remembered, surrounded by hundreds of meadowsweet flowers. The overly familiar scent filled the air, Sebek's heart quivering at how much this unassuming flower meant to them both now, and his insides bubbled like the nearby stream. Though that was where the similarities to his memory ended, as Sebek's plans otherwise transformed the space.

Firstly, he had the ground decorated with rose petals. In hindsight this was a little too much, too over the top, as roses didn’t grow here. It’d be obvious Sebek planned something, and Silver would surely find it gaudy. Every step in silence just made that feeling worse, as it felt like Silver was judging him despite the idle swinging of their joined hands between them, until Sebek’s other decorations came into view.

He’d laid out a picnic blanket in the same spot he’d done so all those years ago, and really he was thankful his past self had such an eye for detail. It was a beautiful and romantic spot, nestled underneath a willow tree—a pop of light green and dark wood amidst a sea of white—and Sebek felt his breathing stop. His decorations had been meticulous, the man trying to make the location look beautiful yet natural at the same time, and seeing it all assembled like this almost made Sebek feel like he’d succeeded.

The willow tree was decorated with hanging lanterns, the warm yellow glow looking like fireflies dancing between the bending leaves, and they swayed with the gentle wind. Some of the lights were conjured, Sebek could immediately tell, and he felt his heart stuttering at the fact Malleus added to the scene just to bring Sebek’s vision to life. That Malleus wanted Sebek’s proposal to succeed that badly.

It was a dizzying thought, considering a year prior Malleus had threatened Sebek in warning to never harm Silver. Now, he was blessing their union, and Sebek felt his throat growing tight as he feared Silver suddenly saying no. What if he’d changed his mind? What if Sebek hadn’t done enough?

In the middle of the picnic blanket was a simple wicker basket, Sebek having prepared the contents with his mother the day prior at his grandfather’s house. He’d been tempted to keep the ring with the basket, he knew his grandfather would keep such precious cargo safe for him, but the thought made Sebek far too nauseous. Everything right now was making Sebek nauseous, and so his grandfather reassured him he’d preserve the food with magic and deliver it as instructed.

It was a relief to see, especially when a bottle of red wine and two glasses were leant artistically against the container. Sebek was overly sentimental, he knew he was, and he’d gone out of his way to find the same bottle of wine they’d drunk all those years ago. Maybe it was a stupid idea, the wine was nice but certainly neither of their favourites, but Sebek sought reassurance in the small details. If he proved he remembered and cherished everything about his life with Silver, even the mediocre parts, then maybe that would show how dear Silver was to him when words failed him.

Words certainly seemed to be failing him as Silver let out a quiet gasp.

“Oh, wow, this is…” Simple, Sebek supplied silently, his nerves twisting his self-esteem. It’s overly simple.

Silver turned to look at him, smiling such a sweet smile, his face warmed by the lights hanging from the nearby tree. “This is beautiful, Sebek.”

That nausea came back, Sebek feeling like he was carrying a mountain in his pocket, and he was slowly being crushed. He nodded, unable to trust his voice, and Silver’s expression only softened as he led them both towards the picnic. Their hands separated, and Sebek looked around the area to try and catch his breath. It wasn’t helping, and he wondered if maybe he should’ve asked his grandfather for more support—but what more could he have done? If he were here watching, Sebek knew he’d spiral more than he already was.

Looking towards the river, Sebek’s nerves almost made him run into the water to drown himself until he calmed down. He knew he was shaking, his hands uncomfortably clammy as he fussed with the box in his pocket, and that twisting in his stomach made him feel faint. What if he did faint? That’d ruin everything, and Sebek took in a sharp breath to calm himself. To steel his nerves. If he didn’t manage to ask at all, he knew he’d have failed everyone, but especially himself. Another sharp breath came, and Sebek started to speak—his voice trembling.

“S-Silver…” He turned, feeling like he was facing a monster and not the love of his life, but when he looked down at Silver on the blanket, the man wasn’t sitting there comfortably and calmly.

No, Silver was on one knee.

That dizzying nausea returned tenfold, the heat in his stomach jumping up into his face with the sight before him. Immediately he could feel his shaking growing worse, his grip on the box in his pocket far too tight, and he watched as Silver squared his shoulders. His cheeks were lightly flushed, and Sebek could see the faintest of tremors to his movements as Silver took a steadying breath and moved to pull something from his pocket.

Sebek’s reaction was instant. His chest tightened with nerves, with panic, or perhaps outrage—he couldn’t tell. All he knew was he had to stop Silver right now.

Of course, that meant he started screaming.

“NO!!! SILVER! I— I REFUSE TO LET YOU—!” Sebek was stammering with the intensity of his emotions, Silver flinching and staring up at him in confused horror. At least he’d stopped moving as Sebek continued his shouting. “I’M THE ONE WHO SET THIS UP!!! YOU ARE NOT STEALING MY PROPOSAL FROM ME!!!”

The silence that followed those words sank heavily in Sebek’s gut, the man feeling ashamed and mortified as Silver blinked up at him for several moments. Every second made Sebek’s nausea worse, made him feel like he could cry, and then the tension settled slightly with the slow shifting of Silver’s expression. It grew fond, so painfully, utterly fond, and Silver looked entirely in love.

Silver put that box back into his pocket, and instead shifted to sit down on the blanket. He patted the space beside him, and Sebek knew his heart couldn't beat any faster. He felt dizzy, and faint, and queasy, and he didn’t know how Silver could look so calm. But then why was Sebek so nervous? Silver's outrageous behaviour already made it clear how he felt, what his answer would be to Sebek’s question, but maybe he'd put Silver off with his own actions. Maybe he'd say no because Sebek stole his own attempt at proposing.

His legs trembled as he moved onto one knee, Silver's expression somehow softening further, his eyes crinkling with mirth, and the sight made his stomach flip. “Would you like me to stand…?” Silver spoke in a quiet tease, and Sebek didn't know if he could get his voice to work.

But he could glare at him, his eyes turning glassy, as he moved to his own pocket to pull out a box. His hands were shaking violently, and when he looked back at Silver he tried to focus on the way his cheeks turned pink despite his earlier teasing.

When Sebek spoke his voice was raspy. He could barely remember what he'd planned to say, and felt like he was screwing everything up already.

“I… I-I thought I'd live my life alone.” Was that where he was meant to start? His voice didn’t sound like it was coming from him, the sound so trembly and his senses numbed from the overwhelming nerves he felt. “I… I wanted to fall in love, so badly, but I was… sc-scared. Because I'm gay.” Sebek saw Silver's expression turn briefly pained, briefly sympathetic, and he needed to look away. His shaking only grew worse, his grip on that small box turning clammy and tight. He was going to be sick, but Sebek took another slow breath and forced more words to leave him.

“W-What if I fell for someone and they… th-they broke my heart? I couldn't… bear the thought, so I-I stopped looking and tried to forget what I wanted.” Sebek felt so much pain admitting to how he'd intended to live his life alone, intended to focus only on work, and he felt himself starting to cry. It made his voice even harder to force out, and he tried to compose himself to no avail.

“But you…” Sebek managed to look back at Silver with a breathless exhale. “Y-You snuck into my heart, maybe you were always there, a-and I was so terrified when I realised. I w-w-was so scared of being hurt, of losing you, of hurting you, but you just… You held my heart so gently.”

Sebek couldn't stop the sob from bubbling out of his lips, the man's nerve so shaky he looked back at that box, at his trembling hands. He felt his heart stop when Silver brought his own hands up to cradle them. They were warm, maybe a little clammy, with a familiar set of callouses on his palms. They soothed him enough to look back at Silver, at his endless warmth, and keep speaking.

“You were gentle, and wanted to hold m-m-my heart, and I want you to keep it. I want you to hold it forever, and keep loving me like I will forever love you, s-s-so would you—” Sebek felt himself stammering, felt his hands grow clumsy, as he moved to open that small box. “W-Would you marry me, Silver?”

The nausea in his stomach was so potent Sebek felt dizzy, and breathing only made it worse. He was barely able to register Silver's changing expression, how he lit up like the sun as he held Sebek's hands tighter. “Yes, Sebek. O-Of course I'll marry you.”

His voice sounded wet when it reached Sebek's ears, the man unable to fully register it even as Silver tugged Sebek into a fierce hug. All he could feel was that dizzying relief, the rush of blood in his ears, before his stomach dropped out finally with his nerves.

Sebek pulled sharply back from their embrace, which was difficult as Silver was holding him so tightly in his joy, before he shakily placed the box in Silver's hands and stood up. He needed to move quickly, his legs unsteady as he stumbled over to the water’s edge, and he felt his legs give out when his stomach finally did.

Throwing up in the river after proposing was not how Sebek expected this to go, and Sebek felt mortified this was happening as he emptied his stomach. He tried to keep his breathing steady, tried to settle his racing heart, but it was so difficult when he was faced with such an overwhelming outcome: Silver had said yes.

A gentle hand came to his back, Sebek feeling himself crying again as he registered how badly he was shaking. That hand was steady, and warm, and rubbed his back slowly and firmly. Soft words reached his ear, just as soothing as that hand. “Shh, it's alright, my dear. I'm here. I'm here for as long as you want me to be.”

The words weren't helping his tears, but they were settling his nerves as Sebek felt soft lips press to his temple. It was overwhelming, but wonderful, and Sebek brought a shaky hand into the river to clean his face. He was slowly calming, and slowly realised he'd gotten himself so worked up he'd actually been sick. Silver was still stroking his back, even as Sebek turned to look at him.

He looked radiant, the light from the willow tree reflecting off his hair like a dazzling suncatcher, and his smile took over his whole face. His eyes sparkled with joy—or perhaps his own unshed tears—and there were faint crinkles in the corners of his eyes. Those sharp cheekbones were flushed, and his fringe was being tousled gently by the breeze.

Silver was the most beautiful sight in the world, and he'd said yes.

Turning fully, Sebek tugged Silver into a desperate kiss, and that was when Silver's own tears started falling with a giggle of joy. That sound made his chest flip, his lungs burn, and Sebek shuffled closer, settling Silver's knees between his own, as he cradled Silver’s face and kept pressing kisses against his skin. Kept pulling those soft giggles from him as Silver eventually brought a hand up to his lips to make him stop.

“Sebek, please… I-I just said I'd marry you, that's all.” Silver was clearly embarrassed, trying to dismiss the situation to settle the heat blooming across his face, but such an idea was unacceptable.

“‘That’s all’?! You have agreed to become my husband, that is not— This is the happiest day of my life, Silver!!” A shaky hiccup left Silver as Sebek's outraged glare only grew, but Sebek watched as his fiancé—his fiancé—started to sob openly. He brought their foreheads together, Silver trembling faintly as he hiccuped again but brought his left hand up to caress Sebek's cheek. Their other hands were already intertwined without Sebek even registering the movement.

“I-It's the happiest of mine as well.” Silver spoke, his voice trembling with emotion, and Sebek nuzzled gently to try and coax Silver into speaking further. He clearly wanted to say more. “I-I love you, S-Sebek.”

Sebek just kissed him again, nuzzling him again, as he spoke those same words with so much fluttering warmth in his chest. “I love you too, Silver.”

The gentle giggle from Silver, shy and overjoyed and perhaps a little overwhelmed, tugged Sebek back to reality. It took a while longer for him to move, to pull back enough to suggest they return to the picnic blanket, but as they sat down Silver let out a quiet murmur.

“You… really have a better vision than me.” He’d clearly been speaking to himself, as he’d grown embarrassed when Sebek looked at him in question, and the darkening of his cheeks was beautiful. “I— I-I just asked Malleus to light up the tree, but you did so with lanterns, and this picnic…”

Watching as Silver picked up the bottle of wine, his expression turning so tender when he realised what it was, made Sebek’s own heart quiver at the knowledge those magical lights had been from Silver. From Silver’s own desire to propose, in this same spot, and Sebek dropped his pride and let out a shaky breath.

“I’m… I’m sorry I yelled at you, I got overwhelmed.” Silver simply smiled, giving him a gentle nudge to get his attention back.

“It’s fine. I-I admit I was terrified you were refusing my proposal outright, before I could even ask, until I realised I was stealing your moment from you. I should’ve realised you’d have set this up for something important.” Something about Silver’s words bristled Sebek, who felt his brows furrowing defensively.

“I set it up for you. That was the important thing, regardless of the proposal.” Sebek watched as Silver’s cheeks flushed darker, that timid and gorgeous smile taking over his face again, and the silence which settled afterwards was finally relaxing. Well, at least it had been for Sebek, but he noticed Silver was shifting slightly and he brought a hand out to gently hold his own. “What’s wrong, my dearest?”

There was a glance, Silver worrying his lower lip, before he murmured quietly. “I… know you proposed but…” Sebek felt his heart fluttering as Silver trailed off, moving to his pocket to bring out his own small box. “Would… I be allowed to do so as well?”

Sebek’s stomach flipped, and he nodded immediately. The sight of Silver’s bright smile was worth it.

“Um, so… I-I don’t think my speech is in any way comparable, but…” Silver squared his shoulders, looking at Sebek directly. At least Silver could actually look at him, as Sebek had been so nauseous during his proposal it made looking at Silver impossible. “Sebek. I-I… To this day, I don’t know whether what I feel for you can be accurately described as love. I doubt myself, constantly, and fear I’m a strain on our relationship.”

This was taking an immediate turn Sebek didn’t expect it to, his chest twisting as he felt a growing ache at Silver’s unearthed insecurities. “But… you make it so easy not to worry so much. To not doubt. Who cares if what I feel for you isn’t love, or at least not the same kind? I know what I want from life, and that’s you, at my side, for the rest of my days. I only hope I can make you happy, and provide you with the kind of life you want as well, a-and so if… i-if you wish for me as well, it would bring me all the joy in the world if you would marry me.”

There hadn’t been a question at the end, and Silver’s voice was quiet and tight with nerves, but Sebek still felt overwhelmed. Still felt his lungs filling with endless love, and warmth, and he watched as Silver opened the ring box with faintly nervous hands. The sight made him smile brightly, Sebek feeling like he’d cry all over again, as he nodded frantically.

He suddenly couldn’t speak, an embarrassed laugh leaving him at how ridiculous such a notion was, and he watched as Silver brightened just as much as Sebek had. Out of every smile he’d seen on Silver, which there were countless of, none of them could rival the pure and unmitigated love mirrored back in this one. He almost wished he had a camera, to capture such an expression, and as Silver moved to slide the ring on his finger he felt himself crying again. The ring was beautiful.

The band was gold, which was an unexpected metal for Sebek as he’d assumed Silver would’ve gone for something more classic to Briar Valley, and something less expensive, but the more he looked at the ring, the more obvious Silver’s intentions became. There were three gemstones in the setting, two either side and one in the center, and the band tapered in towards the two side gems—which had been cut into sharp diamonds laid in the direction of the band. He couldn’t tell what the gems were, he wasn’t an expert, but they were dark in colour and almost mottled like smokey glass.

Either way they were beautiful, and framed the round gem in the center. This wasn’t a diamond, not that Sebek cared about being proposed to with a diamond, but instead another gemstone Sebek didn’t recognise. It was a beautiful glassy green-blue, with streaks of reddish purple, and Sebek was in awe at it. It was like someone had pulled the aurora from the sky and encased it into a gem, and he didn’t know why someone as plain as him was being gifted this. The ring fit perfectly on his finger, Sebek’s sobbing growing worse, and when he looked back at Silver the man was trying not to cry as well.

Not wanting to be the only one in this state, Sebek moved to his ring box and presented Silver with his own. This band was silver, and was a ring incredibly familiar to Sebek—with its twisting vines along the edges of the band tapering out to the large marquise-cut gem in the middle. The gemstone was a dark teal sapphire, the tones shifting between green and blue, and Sebek felt his heart racing in his chest as he held it out to Silver.

It was the ring his grandfather proposed to his late grandmother with, and when Baur originally offered him the ring, Sebek broke down into a fit of hysterics. It wasn’t as customised as the ring Silver had picked, perhaps even commissioned, but the sentimental value and overwhelming acceptance such a ring portrayed tugged sharply at Sebek’s heart. Especially when the ring fit when Sebek slid it onto Silver’s finger, and Silver burst into his own tears.

“Th-This— Th-This is your grandfather’s…?” The fact Silver knew this ring belonged to his grandfather twisted at Sebek’s insides, the warmth spreading through him so overwhelming he once again couldn’t speak as he nodded. “O-Oh, Sebek, I— H-He really— f-for me?”

“Y-Yes. He— He’d be proud to call you his grandson.” Sebek’s voice croaked towards the end, and with a stuttering sob Silver’s tears grew worse. They gravitated towards each other, foreheads pressing together as they held each other through their overwhelming emotions. Though they were both smiling, wet laughter leaving them between soft kisses, and slowly Sebek felt himself calming. Felt himself falling further and further into Silver’s orbit, thankful he was allowed to stay there.

Though Sebek heard a click, the sound odd, and he wondered if they’d bumped their rings together and he wasn’t familiar with the noise yet. He moved to tap their rings together, but it sounded nothing like what he’d just heard, and Sebek sniffled as Silver looked at him with confusion. Rubbing his face, Sebek looked around but couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, and Silver squeezed his hand to get his attention again. “S-Sorry… I just heard something, i-it’s nothing.”

There was a moment where Silver stiffened, his expression growing surprised but also understanding, and it slowly dawned on Sebek the man knew something. It was something embarrassing, considering his cheeks were swiftly turning pink as he rubbed at his own tears.

“A-Ah, um… That…” Whatever the noise had been was really embarrassing for Silver, the man growing even darker in his silence, and when he managed to speak it was such a quiet mumble Sebek only heard him due to his fae genes. “That’s my father.”

His stomach plummeted, and Sebek looked around in growing alarm as Lilia had seen his embarrassing attempt at a proposal?! That sinking feeling grew worse, however, at the fact the noise hadn’t sounded like a branch snapping. Sebek would’ve recognised that sound, and he looked back at Silver with alarm. “What do you MEAN?! HE— W-WHY DID YOU ASK HIM TO BE HERE?!?”

A teasing, painfully familiar chuckle filtered through the air, and Sebek felt himself grow cold at the reality Lilia was truly here. When green wisps of magic formed and revealed the visage of none other than Lilia Vanrouge holding a camera, Sebek felt faint. All the blood in his body rushed to his face, he’d never flushed so darkly in his life, as he thought they’d been alone. He’d been open, and vulnerable, and overly affectionate in front of an unknown audience and he didn’t know how to handle it.

“He wanted me to take pictures!” Lilia chimed in, laughter tinting his words, and Sebek felt so uncomfortably stiff as Lilia approached and turned the camera around. “I think I’ve outdone myself, if I’m entirely honest!”

“F-Father, please, he’s—” Silver cut himself off when he looked at the camera, his expression growing suddenly awed and soft, and Sebek hesitantly glanced towards it as well—his heart racing—only to grow awed himself. He imagined he’d look weird, and awkward, as candid photographs of him never looked good, but this was breathtaking.

Maybe it was because Silver was there as well, but the photo was from a moment ago. Their foreheads were pressed together, but they’d tilted their heads so their faces were more visible—revealling the pair of them smiling so brightly. The act of capturing Silver smiling on camera was already a feat in itself, as Silver struggled to smile naturally, but Sebek was amazed by his own smile. It was so warm, his eyes sparkling with tears as he looked at Silver as though he was his entire world. Like he was the sun and his very reason for existing, and Sebek felt his heart trembling at how much love radiated from a single photo.

Their hands were clasped together, and Silver’s ring was primarily on display due to the angle, but you could see Sebek’s as well with how he held Silver’s hands so reverently. The soft light from the tree behind them made the image so warm, and intimate, and Sebek wanted a copy of this photo immediately. He would put it on his desk at work— No, he’d have it enlarged and framed on the wall— Or maybe—

Lilia clicked through to another photo, and this was just as wonderful. It was Sebek knelt during his proposal, Silver’s hands clasped around his own helping him to finish, and maybe he’d forgive Silver for the secrecy. If he’d known he had an audience, he would’ve been more stiff and awkward, and clearly Silver had been swept up by the moment and forgotten he’d asked his father to be there.

Although Sebek was still far too embarrassed, especially when Lilia pulled back and held the camera up again—gesturing for them to scoot together. “Smile up at the camera! You’ll need a picture for your announcement letters, right?”

Sebek didn’t see why they needed to send announcement letters, seeing as all of Sebek’s family knew of his plans to marry Silver, and if Lilia and Malleus had been involved with Silver’s intentions as well, then everyone important already knew. But he humoured the fae, smiling warmly—ignoring how flushed he still felt—up at the camera. He hoped that would be all, but when Lilia gestured for them to stand, Sebek felt his stomach twisting with annoyance.

“Oh! Maybe by the riverbank? You can stand slightly together and show off your rings~” Lilia was clearly having too much fun with this, and Sebek felt his annoyance growing when Silver moved to stand as asked. He reluctantly followed, and when Lilia gestured towards the meadowsweet field and suggested another pose, Sebek was at his limit. Especially as he was getting hungry now that the day’s anxiety was fading, and he just wanted to enjoy the picnic he’d set up.

He couldn’t hold back his annoyance when Silver moved towards the meadowsweet field, clearly amused by his father’s enthusiasm. “Master Lilia! Surely you have enough?! I— I would like to celebrate with my fiancé, and my fiancé alone!”

Lilia waved a dismissive hand, and Sebek only grew more annoyed. “It’s only a couple pictures!”

“MASTER LILIA PLEASE, I JUST WANT TO ENJOY THE EVE—” A loud, horrendous growling came from his stomach, the noise cutting him off and leaving the trio in silence for a moment as Sebek grew mortified. He didn’t think he’d stopped flushing since Lilia appeared, and this only made things worse, when suddenly the silence was cut off by trilling, bell-like laughter as Silver fell into a fit of giggles.

Sebek wanted to be annoyed, Silver was laughing at his expense after all, but the sound was so bright and joyful that he couldn’t help but adore the sound as well. He knew Lilia was going to tease—knew Silver was going to tease—but that beautiful laughter made it worth it. Especially with the knowledge he’d spend the rest of his life being blessed enough to hear it.

—

There was a fae tradition where a couple to be betrothed would be engaged for exactly a year and one day, as an almost ‘trial’ marriage. Considering Sebek's heritage and Silver's upbringing, they decided to honour the tradition, even if a part of Silver—an impatient one—felt it was unnecessary.

They'd been together for so long, loved and lived together for so long, that their lives up to this point had already been a trial period for the rest of it. And of course, at the end of that year and a day, they both fully agreed to go ahead with their wedding the next day. There had never been any doubt in that decision.

Of course, they hadn't spent the past year and a day waiting until the moment they could marry. They'd blissfully been left alone the rest of the evening of their proposal, once his father was satisfied with the number of photos he took, but the next day had turned into a whirlwind of activity—starting with Malleus inviting them both into his office. At first Silver believed they'd been called in due to something going terribly wrong during their joint day off, but no. Malleus was simply demanding an update on their engagement and, upon learning they were to be wed, immediately got carried away with planning it.

Silver knew Malleus adored their relationship, but he'd never believed it went this far. He'd already drafted up invitations—which they inevitably went with once they decided on a surname—and considered a guest list, and Sebek had matched their liege's enthusiasm in an instant. Really, he'd been swept up by the dual whirlwind, and it'd been an overwhelming year, but a wonderful one all the same. Especially as Sebek would always take a quiet evening to go over everything with Silver again, ensuring every detail was perfect for them both.

Honestly, Sebek had nothing to worry about. The man was so attentive, and already knew Silver so well, that he'd been accommodating his tastes from the start. It was going to be a wonderful wedding, and Silver was so excited to celebrate the first day of the rest of their lives together.

And yet when the 22nd of April came about, Silver was so incredibly, utterly, nervous.

They'd separated the night before, after they'd both wholeheartedly agreed to continue with the wedding, and Silver had been awoken by his excited and overjoyed father. At first his enthusiasm swept Silver through his morning, sitting through having his hair and makeup styled for him, but by the time he'd gotten changed into his outfit his nerves had fully gripped him.

Silver was pacing around his room at his father’s cottage, his white boots clicking against the wooden floorboards and his long shoulder cape swaying with his agitation. The high collar of his white tailcoat felt suddenly restrictive, and Silver kept tugging the asymmetric fabric down in case it would ease the tightness in his chest. He was only thankful he wasn't wearing gloves, as his palms were uncomfortably sweaty as he kept telling himself to breathe.

"Oh, goodness, you're making me dizzy, Silver." His father spoke up with the same joyful glee he'd had in his voice all morning, and it wasn't helping Silver's anxiety. "Stop pacing, you almost look like Sebek."

Hearing his future husband's name right now made his heart tremble, but Lilia had a point. Pacing on the spot wouldn't help matters and would simply wind him up, so Silver reluctantly sat down. His leg was still jittery, and he fussed with the edge of his cloak—the magical shifting of fabric between pink and blue as turbulent as his stomach felt in that moment.

A sigh met his ears, and Lilia shook his head. "Honestly, stop worrying so much. Everything is going to be fine."

Silver's jittering didn't stop, and he brought a shaky hand up to tentatively check his side braid was still in place. It seemed fine, and he hadn't lost any of the small meadowsweet flowers on the floor either, but his hand was still trembling violently. His father's gentle hands moved to hold his, and Silver finally let out a shaky breath he'd been holding in since he began pacing.

"S-Sorry…" Silver mumbled, well aware his reaction was ridiculous. This was meant to be the happiest day of his life, so why was he so nervous? He knew he wanted to marry Sebek, he was excited to marry Sebek, so he shouldn't be on the verge of emptying his stomach. His father brought a hand to his cheek, his thumb brushing gently against his faintly glittered cheekbones in an attempt not to smudge his makeup.

He'd not gone for anything too extravagant, a shimmery iridescent eyeshadow and a soft dusting of silver glitter, but it'd taken the makeup artist ages to try and make it look as delicate as it did. Silver wondered how Sebek was doing right now, whether his makeup was holding up against the intense emotions Silver was certain he'd be going through as well.

"Don't fret, my dear son. You look mesmerising, and I'm sure Sebek will burst into tears of joy at the sight of you." Silver felt a timid smile tug onto his lips at his father's words, at the open affection on his face, and Silver leant into his gentle touch. It was grounding, and Silver closed his eyes as he let the warmth seep through him from that point of contact.

Silver thought he'd have a moment to steady himself in the calm quiet presence of his father, but Lilia spoke up in reminiscent musing. "To think my little boy's all grown up… It felt like yesterday you were saying your first words, and now you're getting married? You've become such a fine man. I-I couldn't be prouder of you."

Those words started to tremble, and Silver opened his eyes in alarm to discover Lilia's gaze glassy with unshed tears. He was smiling so brightly, so warmly, but it was clear he was growing just as overwhelmed as Silver was moments ago. Moving to stand, Silver gently tugged Lilia into his embrace—his father shuddering and pressing into his chest. He felt so small in his arms. Silver had been taller for well over a decade now, but Lilia had never seemed small. He'd always been a stable foundation, dangerous and nurturing at the same time, but something about this shook Lilia to his core.

Silver held Lilia tighter when he heard a quiet sob leave him, but his father looked up at him with such a bright smile despite the tears which flowed so freely. He'd only seen his father cry a handful of times throughout his life, and just like in those moments, Silver felt lost. Bringing a hand up, Silver carefully wiped away Lilia's tears with his thumb, and a wet laugh followed shortly afterwards.

"Oh my beautiful boy, my soft-hearted child, don't worry about your old man. I-I'm just feeling sentimental, that's all." ‘Sentimental’ was an understatement. It looked like Lilia was reliving the entire life they'd spent together in a single moment, but when his father moved to hold his hand and gave it a firm squeeze, he knew he was alright. That steady hand in his own was something Silver would never forget, and he felt his own throat tightening with the sudden rush of emotions.

Taking a careful breath, Silver tilted his head back to try and stop his eyes from watering, and his father's gentle laughter only helped so much. He reminded himself he wasn't losing his father with this next step, his father was already a constant in his and Sebek's relationship, but a part of him felt like he was. From this day forward he'd no longer be Silver Vanrouge, Lilia Vanrouge's beloved son.

He'd be Silver Zigvolt-Vanrouge, beloved son and grandson, brother and uncle-to-be.

It was different, but not less. Not worse. He was becoming something so much more, a testament to his lifelong dream that fae and humans could live together, could be a family. And he was lucky enough to take that step with all his loved ones by his side.

—

There'd been a rather heated discussion when it came to the topic of where they would both be getting married. Malleus had insisted on them getting married in Castle Blackscale, explaining that national heroes—his two closest companions—should be celebrated publicly. ‘There would be no Malleus Draconia without the two of you,’ Malleus had stated plainly when Sebek profusely refused the gesture, claiming they were not worthy of such a thing, ‘in my full apertness, you are far more deserving of such a boon than even I.’

Sebek hadn't handled that admittance, and it'd taken Silver almost a week to get Sebek to come to terms with it.

To his amazement, Sebek had genuinely refused the offer. Not out of low self-esteem or perceived unworthiness, but because he simply didn't wish to marry Silver within the walls of Castle Blackscale—or even within its grounds. No, the man's incredibly tender heart was fixated on them getting married somewhere important to them both, and he'd settled on the riverbank where they'd proposed to each other. Silver remembered how fond he'd grown at the suggestion, and wanted to fulfil Sebek's dreams, but such a thing was a logistical nightmare.

Malleus' guest list—although narrowed down—was still rather large. There was no way they could comfortably fit all their guests along a soggy riverbank, not without making some significant changes to the landscape, and that was the last thing either of them wanted. It just didn't seem possible, and Sebek had almost agreed to Malleus' original suggestion, when Silver had an idea.

He'd honestly been rather nervous to bring it up, a little embarrassed by it, but Silver knew Sebek was just as sentimental as he was. Knew small moments were just as important as the big ones, and this location was home to such a quiet memory, but one that changed Silver's life more than any other.

Silver suggested they get married in the place they first met, which had been his father's secluded little cottage. There was enough open space for their guests, for a dance, and every inch of that garden—that cottage—was home to cherished memories. Of sleepovers, and childish arguments that seemed like the end of the world back then, but also the apologies. The forgiveness, and camaraderie, and love that only came from moving through life together, and despite worrying his idea was too simple, Sebek had immediately agreed with him.

Still, when his father walked him down the forest path where they were to be married, Silver worried it wasn't good enough.

It was just those nerves again, Silver knew that much, as Sebek had been meticulous with his planning—and Malleus had spared no expense or effort on achieving Sebek's vision. They'd found the oldest oak tree in the surrounding forest, and weaved a living briar arch beneath its boughs. Despite Malleus' offer, Sebek and Silver had been adamant about weaving the arch together, and the several weeks it'd taken had been worth it in the end. The sweet briar roses had bloomed with their labour, and Sebek looked radiant beneath the fragrant pink flowers.

Silver would see him beneath them again, today, and his nerves weren't settling at that prospect.

The forest path was lined by candles and scattered white petals, and Silver felt it looked magical. It was another tradition in Briar Valley to wed at night, considering the vast majority of its inhabitants were nocturnal fae, but this was a tradition they decided to change—although the candles were still needed. They decided to wed at dusk, in that liminal space between day and night, as they felt it symbolised their union. Dusk was a threshold between worlds, and so too were their families.

A dusk wedding brought their differing natures together, and Silver had to admit there'd been a selfish reason for his part in the decision as well: Sebek looked more beautiful in warm golden tones than he did under the silvery light of the moon.

As they neared the altar, the number of candles only increased, and so did the types. Several lanterns hung from branches, and strings of lights stretched across the canopy. If you looked ahead you could see the trail of lights guiding you towards the ceremony grounds, and as the faint sound of a violin reached Silver's ears, he gripped his father's hand tighter.

Silver was to arrive first, he wasn't approaching an altar that already housed his beloved, but that didn't mean he was any less nervous. He could feel his arm trembling in his father's grasp, and could hear his heart racing in his chest. A strange sensation overcame him, and Silver was suddenly hyperaware of every step he took down the forest path. His legs were shaking faintly, but as they entered the small clearing which housed their arch, it only grew worse.

Their guests were already standing and watching his approach, and Silver struggled to take in people's faces. He could feel their joy, their warmth, as they smiled at his entrance. The sound of the violin only grew as he neared the altar, and Silver finally managed to register someone specific at the sight of Malleus performing off to the side.

He'd ended up being Silver's best man, and he felt his heart skip when Malleus gave him a fond smile midway through his performance. It was at this point his father let go of his hand, and Silver felt adrift suddenly—but he didn't go far. Lilia may be giving him away at that moment, but his love would always remain. It was incredibly difficult to not cry when his father stood to the side, and Silver looked back towards the crowd.

They'd not bothered with splitting the seating, considering how intertwined Silver and Sebek's lives already were, but it was still amusing to see the small groups that had formed. Despite Malleus' overzealous list of invitations, they'd only invited twenty two people in the end, and of those three of them didn't attend.

Floyd hadn't explained, he'd just not shown up with his brother and Azul—according to his father—and Silver had been a little disappointed to hear of the sudden change of heart. Leona didn't respond to their invitation at all, which Sebek informed him would happen, but Silver had genuinely been confused by it. He thought Leona was a friend of Malleus', and Silver felt they'd gotten along back in college, so he decided to believe Leona was simply too busy with the affairs of the Sunset Savannah.

Vil Schoenheit had also been too busy to attend, but he'd sent them a letter of apology and an extremely heartfelt wedding gift despite it all. Sebek had cried at the letter, in fact, and seemed particularly wobbled by the fact Vil had called him a cucumber. He really didn't understand the reaction—Vil was more Sebek's friend than Silver's—but it'd seemed genuinely fond and Sebek wrote him a lengthy letter in return.

They'd basically become pen-pals in the time leading up to the ceremony.

The fond memory helped settle his still buzzing nerves, and Silver tried to ignore how clammy his hands felt as he looked at the rest of their guests. Of course Sebek's entire family was in attendance—even if Baur and Sebek’s father weren't currently sitting in the stalls. Baur stood on Sebek's side of the altar, and had been chosen as Sebek's best man even before Silver had announced he wanted Malleus as his own.

Out of everything that happened during the leadup to their wedding, that'd been the most surprising decision. Not that Baur wasn't a perfect best man, and it'd been such an incredibly touching moment when Sebek had asked him, but the fact Sebek hadn't considered Malleus honestly astounded Silver at first. Though he eventually worked out why, even if he'd never directly asked Sebek: he likely thought it'd be outrageous to ask Malleus in the first place.

Silver was smiling quietly to himself at just how stubborn his future husband could be. He was essentially marrying Malleus' younger brother, and yet still couldn't treat Malleus like family. Though he hoped to one day reassure Sebek that Malleus saw them all as a family. Maybe marriage would be the first step, and Silver felt his gaze shifting nervously—his father giving him a thumbs up when they made eye contact.

He straightened and forced himself to look ahead again, even if his heart was racing with each passing second.

Sebek was on his way, the fluttering in his chest growing unbearable with that simple fact, and Silver had no idea what Sebek looked like currently. They'd not discussed outfits with each other, except for the understanding they were both going to wear white. Well, white besides Silver's cloak which continued to shift under Malleus and Lilia's enchantments.

His mind wandered to what he could've picked. Silver could imagine a double-breasted tailcoat, made out of fabric with a faint briar weave to it. The design was traditional, but elegant, and Silver could imagine a sash or a cloak similar to his own. Maybe it'd be in a vivid green, and the idea they could be matching made Silver turn incredibly soft.

At least until Malleus suddenly changed what song he was playing, and Silver felt his throat tighten sharply. It was the song they'd chosen for Sebek to walk down the aisle to, and Silver felt his previous nerves return ten times worse than before. The trees blocked his line of sight, but he could see the pure white of Sebek's outfit as he slowly approached, and Silver was surprised to discover there wasn't any colour at all.

Though the next thing Silver noticed was the drifting, ethereal fabric behind Sebek, and he felt his breath stolen from him at the realisation Sebek was wearing a veil which trailed far behind him. It was embroidered with flowers, shimmering in the low golden sun and the flickering candlelight, and Silver had never seen someone so beautiful in his entire life. He didn't think he could breathe.

He felt his eyes start to sting at the next thing he noticed on Sebek's approach: the man was holding a bouquet of meadowsweet flowers. It took all his effort not to burst into tears with the overwhelming devotion he felt welling up inside him, and he instead tore his eyes away to take in every detail he could of his future husband.

They were going to be married within the hour.

Sebek was wearing long white boots and tight white trousers, much like Silver, however that was where the similarities ended. At the back of his trousers was a layered bustle, the white and gold lace shimmering like insect wings as it caught the light and bounced faintly with every step closer. His shirt was tight fitting and high-collared, and almost looked like a waistcoat was sewn into the garment, it was tailored that well.

It reminded Silver of figure skaters, with the glittering embroidered fabric dazzling all those who looked upon it, but unlike a skater his sleeves were draped and loose, like Sebek's arms had become a set of wings or some delicate flower. He looked so delicate, that was the feature Silver couldn't stop fixating on, and it left his insides swirling with so many emotions they were impossible to name. They were warm, and overwhelming, and Silver couldn't see Sebek's face behind that beautiful floral veil.

Silver knew Sebek was half-fae, it was a key part of the man's identity and a fact he refused to let you forget. His fangs and slit pupils had always fascinated Silver even when they were young, and his hair colour was rich with the magic of the fairies, but in that moment Sebek had never looked more fae. More otherworldly.

And yet it was his father, not Baur, who was walking him down the aisle. He almost wanted to cry with the weight of what he was feeling. It was relief, and adoration, and love—so much love—but he couldn't cry. He could cry once they were married, once Sebek was his husband for the rest of his days.

The scent of meadowsweet flowers drifted over him as Sebek neared, and Silver could see the tight grip the man had on that bouquet. He was likely trembling just as much as Silver's insides were, and he wanted nothing more than to hold him and reassure him that everything was alright. To tell Sebek, the whole world, how breathtaking he looked. To swear his love and loyalty for all eternity.

But he could barely breathe when Sebek stood before him, a nervous nod towards his father as he stepped aside as well, and then they were facing each other.

Silver could tell Sebek's hair was down, the curls dancing across the side of his face behind his veil, but he couldn't quite see his eyes. With his own trembling hands, Silver moved to slowly lift that veil—draping it against Sebek's hair—before he expelled a trembling breath.

There was no stopping the tears, warm and overpowering, from spilling down his cheeks at the sight of his beloved Sebek.

His eyes shimmered with metallic gold eyeliner, pulling out the same tones in his bright eyes, and those sharp cheeks of his were painted with a faint swipe of gold glitter. Sebek was smiling so brightly, his eyes swimming with their own tears, and when it became apparent Silver couldn't contain his tears, Sebek took a step forward.

Sebek's forehead pressed against his own, warm and grounding and bringing with him the scent of a forest in summertime. He was wearing the cologne Silver adored, the one that reminded him of this very garden they were standing in, and Silver couldn't see himself settling anytime soon. Not when he suddenly realised exactly why he adored this scent on Sebek so much: his father's garden reminded him of Sebek just as much as it did Lilia. Most of his memories of days spent outside had Sebek at his side, and he was overwhelmed he was going to stay there.

Moving to hold Sebek in return, Silver pressed more against Sebek's forehead and struggled not to kiss him. They weren't meant to kiss yet, that was later after their vows, and rings, and declarations of devotion, but it was so difficult when his chest was so full to bursting. Though as his hand came around Sebek's shirt, he paused at the feeling of skin. Much like a figure skater's, Silver discovered Sebek's shirt was backless—his hands trailing over the warm expanse of skin barely covered by lengths of drooping beads.

Truly this man was secretly royalty. There was no holding a candle to him, not when he looked so radiant and wore such a stunning outfit so naturally.

Sebek nuzzled against him more, trying to settle his tears, and Silver took careful breaths to try and calm as well. He could hear their guests sitting, knew the ceremony was waiting to start, and it took all the strength in the world for him to pull back.

He barely pulled back, but it was enough to smile brightly at Sebek, and feel his legs grow weak at the smile Sebek gave him in return. Sebek had been crying as well, but for once had been quiet about it as their officiant addressed the crowd and Sebek handed his bouquet over to his father—who looked on the verge of tears himself.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Silver Vanrouge and Sebek Zigvolt." The officiant began, and Silver's heart was racing nervously in his chest when he felt Sebek take his hand. Silver held him firmly in return. "Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

The silence was comforting, and Silver had never felt more sure of anything in his entire life.

A moment later, she instructed the pair to face each other, and Silver felt his heart skip all over again at the sight of Sebek. He was worried he would cry again. "I am aware many guests present are not native to Briar Valley, and as such I shall explain the tradition of handfasting which is common in our culture. It uses a weaved length of cord."

With a gesture, Silver watched Etta stand from the front, presenting the silver and green cord they'd made together for the ceremony. He couldn't stop smiling at the sight of it, and almost missed the officiant speaking again. "In many times rings were only for the very rich, while love knows no such bound. The cords are not permanent like metal, but perishable, as a reminder that all things eventually return to the earth, unlike the bond and the connection of love which is eternal. Please join your left hands."

Silver moved to take Sebek's left forearm, pressing their pulsepoints together, and he could feel just how much Sebek was trembling. His grip was still firm, and certain, and Silver knew his own heart was racing just as fast. He held Sebek tighter, and felt dizzy as Etta draped the cord over their arms and moved to sit down.

He again reminded himself to breathe, and when he looked up Sebek was already looking at him. They were meant to be looking at their hands right now as the officiant continued her speech.

"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as you build your future together." Silver could feel his eyes watering again, and he looked down at those hands she described. He felt Sebek's grip tighten to keep him steady.

"These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy."

Sebek's hands had already been fulfilling that role. They were an extension of Sebek's love, of his heart, and his devotion for Silver. Silver could only wish his hands provided the same support for Sebek, and he supposed the fact they were here today joining them together meant they did. He couldn't be more thankful for that fact.

"And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch." Silver's grip tightened with her words, feeling Sebek's heartbeat against his skin, and he ran his thumb gently against Sebek to try and soothe its racing.

Though it was going to be difficult, considering Silver knew they would be saying their vows next. They'd opted to write their own, and Silver would be lying if he said he didn't struggle. He wasn't romantic like Sebek, or good with words, but he'd wanted to try and capture how he felt. He suspected he'd fallen short, but he also knew he had a lifetime to try and portray his feelings to Sebek. And he was confident Sebek knew already.

Still, when the officiant gestured for him to speak, Silver felt a shiver go through him. He'd put a lot of effort into memorising his speech, and knew he could recite it, but as he looked up into Sebek's eyes his nerves were overwhelming—until Sebek's fingers stroked gently against his skin in reassurance, in encouragement.

He took a steady breath.

"Sebek. When I first met you, I didn't understand why father was taking on another apprentice. You were rude, and frustrating, and so loud, and I'll admit on first impression I didn't exactly like you. But… I rather swiftly realised I did not want to lose you. Father taking you on as his apprentice was the best thing that could've ever happened to me."

Silver watched as Sebek's expression softened, his eyes growing so unbelievably fond, and he felt like his heart was in his throat as he continued. "You were an important, missing piece in my life. You challenged me to become a better person, and the day you first called me by my name I…"

The hesitance made him grow quieter, but his voice was still steady and sure. "You opened a door. You'd only left it slightly open, too embarrassed to do so fully, but I could feel the warmth from inside. Could see the kindness in your actions, in your words, and as time went on you opened that door wider and wider.

"I didn't know when I'd stepped inside, when I felt that warmth all around me for the first time, but… when I realised, I again knew I did not want to lose you or that warmth. I could not bear to lose it. Sebek, you are the kindest and warmest soul I have ever met. You made me the man I am today, a-and I want nothing more than for you to keep pushing me towards the man I am still to become."

Silver could feel his eyes turning damp, looking down at their joined hands with a shaky breath, and he tried to steady himself when he looked up again. It didn't entirely work, not with how much love he could see reflected on Sebek's own face. "Sebek, you have always been my best friend. My greatest ally. I trust you with every piece of me, and the fact you tr-trust me with every piece of you is— I-It's overwhelming, th-that I— sorry."

Those tears fell suddenly, Silver sucking in a breath as he looked back at their joined hands. Sebek was stroking his skin again, but his spare hand moved up to cradle his cheek—gently wiping at those tears. Silver pressed against him, basking in that endless warmth, and he slowly found himself starting to calm. He forced himself to keep speaking.

"I love you. The idea of never saying that again terrifies me, so I will do everything in my power to ensure you will keep letting me tell you. That you will keep that door open, will keep letting me in, and will keep letting me share our lives together." There was a quiet nod from Sebek, and Silver felt his heart fluttering all over again, but he didn't have much left of his speech so tried to keep it together.

"This is my promise to you, now and forever, that I will keep telling you I love you. That I won't chastise you too badly for stealing the covers at night. That I'll try not to drool on you when I accidentally fall asleep. That I'll strive to make you laugh, and that I'll be there to share your every burden. Like I always have."

There was a moment of silence where Silver could hear himself sniffling, could see Sebek was barely holding back his own tears, and he stroked Sebek's arm in comfort in return. That didn't seem to help, Sebek needing to look up at the sky briefly, and Silver was once again mesmerised by the way the light caught Sebek's golden makeup.

It was like he was marrying the sun, but he couldn't sit and admire it forever, as Sebek started to speak in turn.

"I struggled to convey how I feel for you into words, my dearest Silver." Immediately Silver felt his heart trembling, and he knew he was going to turn into a mess. "You'd think this would come easily to me. I read so many books about romance, about finding that one person in your life you can't live without, can't stop dreaming about, but nothing I've read even comes close to the real thing. No one talks about how safe love makes you feel. How understood it makes you feel.

"I wasn't scared to let you know me, a-as you have always known me. You mentioned how I opened a door for you and— th-that was the easiest decision I have ever made. Loving you is effortless. You are such a light in my life, such a constant reassurance, and a warmth to fend off the coldest of nights. It's a disservice that it took me so long to realise what you mean to me, because you've been the other part of my soul since the day we met, perhaps even before then."

That sentiment was shared by Silver, and he'd never been able to put it into words, but hearing Sebek manage to do so caused him to tremble and a quiet sob escaped him. Sebek just took a half step forward, his warmth settling over Silver like a comforting blanket.

"People always questioned how you were my friend. How you put up with someone so standoffish, and cruel, and insufferable. But you never truly saw those things in me." Silver nodded, another sniffle leaving him as Sebek was right—he'd never once seen this man in a negative light, even when he was an insufferable teenager. "You saw through all the layers of insecurity, and pride, and fear that turned me ugly, and understood what I really meant to say. A backhanded compliment was meant as a genuine compliment. An arrogant correction was meant as encouragement and support. I still don't know how you would turn to people who asked you why you put up with me and, without hesitation, you would say: ‘he’s really kind, and cares a lot about others’. A-And you meant it every time."

Those tears started falling again, and Silver was relieved when Sebek started to cry in turn. Yet somehow when he spoke his voice was steady, and his face lit up with such a fond smile.

"You say you don't know how I could entrust myself to you, and to that I say I-I’d be a fool not to. Why wouldn't I wish to be in your gentle hands? Why wouldn't I wish to bask in your smile, in your gentle patience, in your true and perfect love? You deserve everything from me, and I promise my all to you today, in front of everyone. I swear, on my pride as a Zigvolt and from the very depths of my heart, to always love you. The fact I get to walk through life at your side is a blessing I can never hope to repay, but I shall endeavour to do so."

I'll endeavour to do the same, my dear Sebek.

"I promise to protect you, your smile, and your heart. I promise to fill your life with joy, a-and laughter, a-a-and—" Sebek let out a breathless sob, his face lit up with bright euphoria. "And endless love. I promise to be a good husband, and hold you when you need me, and buy you coffee when you're tired. I promise to kiss you goodnight, and let you use me as a pillow whilst you sleep. I promise to fend off any nightmares, and kiss you when you wake, and I promise to always love you. Now and forever."

Those promises filled the space between Silver's lungs, the man having given up on stopping his tears at this point. Sebek wasn't doing much better, his arm was trembling so much in his grip, but he kept hold of Silver like he was the only thing keeping him steady right now. Maybe he was, and if so Silver would do everything in his power to keep hold of him.

The officiant moved onto the next part of the ceremony, Zachary moving to stand and presenting them with their rings. Silver took the one for Sebek, the cool metal warming quickly to his touch, before carefully sliding it onto Sebek's left hand. They didn't separate to do so, Sebek simply lifting Silver’s finger and reverently settling the band onto his finger.

Silver was calming, slightly, and his face was starting to ache from smiling so much but he wouldn't complain. This was the happiest he'd ever felt, and there'd been a lot of things in his life to be happy about.

They moved to take the ends of the cord in their spare hand, weaving them together and tying their left hands, and Silver felt soft at the slight struggle Sebek was having with the movements. This wasn't something they'd practiced, and Sebek wasn't right handed, so Silver slowly coaxed him through the movements until they'd tied their hands in an elaborate and decorative knot.

"Silver and Sebek, may you know and feel and remember always that together in this marriage, you are each deeply known and deeply loved." The officiant spoke, and Silver smiled warmly up at the man who was so close to being his husband. "Silver and Sebek, it is now time to complete your bond."

She held out a small wooden cup, and Silver tried to get his hand to stop shaking as he moved to grasp it. The liquid smelt sweet and fragrant, and had an overly familiar amber hue, and Silver knew exactly how it tasted. "Silver, as you drink from this cup, know that you now have a husband to have and to hold. Please take a drink."

Silver did so gladly, his hand only shaking slightly, and the familiar taste of meadowsweet mead spread along his tongue. It wasn't traditionally meant to be mead, it was normally wine, but they'd both immediately decided on the cup containing this drink. They were both as sentimental as each other, after all.

Holding out the cup towards Sebek, Silver felt his stomach flutter as his soon to be husband took it from him—the warmth of his fingers lingering against his skin. The half-fae didn't take his eyes from him, his warm gaze locked with his own, as the officiant spoke up again.

"Sebek, as you drink from this cup, know that you now have a husband to have and to hold. Please take a drink." Sebek still didn't look away, even as he brought the cup up to his lips and drank. It left Silver feeling breathless, his skin prickling at how much devotion those eyes held, and when Sebek handed the cup back to the officiant, Silver felt dizzy with giddiness.

They were married. Sebek was his husband. All that was left was to kiss, to exchange their souls and seal their union.

"Now, with great joy in front of all your closest friends and family, by the authority given to me by the crown, I pronounce you both husbands." They both carefully pulled their hands free from the knot, handing it over to the officiant to be returned to them later, and Silver felt his heart racing.

Sebek was smiling at him so brightly, stepping closer, and Silver felt unsteady when Sebek's hand settled at his waist. He brought his hand up to Sebek's cheek, the ring on his finger catching the light of the setting sun, and he suddenly feared this was a dream. But he couldn't cast his unique magic, and Silver felt his own smile growing as he leant up to kiss Sebek tenderly.

Those lips met his just as passionately, the hand at his waist tugging him closer, and Silver felt his entire body shudder in response. Though it was difficult to reach Sebek, his boots gave him more height than he would ever need, and Silver decided to take matters into his own hands. He pulled back slightly from the kiss, his hold on Sebek shifting, before he suddenly turned them both and tugged Sebek into a dip.

His husband's—husband's!—face bloomed pink with a blush, and Silver couldn't stop smiling as he leant down to kiss Sebek more easily. Their friends and family stood to clap and celebrate their union, and Silver was surprised Sebek wasn't clinging to him out of fear of being dropped. Instead he held him reverently, and gently, and kissed him slowly. Like he knew he was in safe hands, and the comfort such an act brought Silver was overwhelming.

They pulled back from each other, Sebek a little flustered as he was brought upright once again, before they joined hands. This was the first step they would take, together, as a married couple and Silver had long since given up trying to stop his tears. Sebek clearly felt the same, his own tears flowing freely, and as they walked back up the aisle under a flurry of petals, Silver relished the fact he did so alongside his husband.

—

Sebek was struggling to let go of his husband's hand, but luckily it didn't seem like anyone had noticed yet. They'd retired to the less forested part of Lilia's garden for the rest of the celebration, and now that Sebek's nerves no longer had him in such a vicegrip, he finally worked up an appetite. There was still time before their meal, which Malleus had insisted on the castle preparing for them both, but for once Sebek could be patient.

Especially as Silver looked striking in his suit. He looked like the prince he always claimed he wasn't, and Sebek had never imagined Silver could look so put-together. Those meadowsweet flowers in his hair looked like a crown, and the fit of his jacket was perfect to attach a sword to his side—particularly because he could hide it under his cloak. When Silver stepped the cloak shifted in colours, and it reminded him of Silver's birthday almost twelve years ago now.

Sometimes he wished he hadn't been so stubborn, so blind, so naive, to have not noticed the breathtaking man before him sooner, but Sebek wouldn't complain too loudly. Not when, in the end, Silver still ended up as his husband.

Every time he thought that word, Sebek's heart spasmed with so much love he could almost choke, and yet it soothed an ache in his soul he'd been unaware existed until that very moment.

They'd both grabbed themselves a glass each of that same meadowsweet mead, Silver taking the quiet moment to tell Sebek he was the most captivating sight in the world, before they were ambushed by their guests. Or, at least ambushed by Kalim Al-Asim. For once the man wasn't dressed in an extravagant amount of jewellery, but he was still overly emotional and still seemed to refract the evening sun with every step.

Kalim was bawling his eyes out, gushing about how happy he was for Silver and Sebek, how it was the most romantic thing he'd seen in his entire life, and honestly Sebek was struggling with the conversation a little. It was overwhelming after the strong emotions he'd just gone through, and he'd tried to focus on a more grounding presence only to make eye-contact with Jamil Viper. Instinctively he stiffened, remembering how Jamil had somehow realised they'd been in a false relationship over a year ago, and he didn't want a repeat of the situation. Not on their wedding day.

Watching as Jamil rolled his eyes, Sebek felt some of the tension leave him with the gesture even if it wasn't helped by him stepping closer.

"Really, I already apologised." Jamil muttered, but Sebek still felt oddly defensive as he held Silver's hand tighter. "You're clearly in a real relationship, you just got married, please don't lecture me about how wonderful Silver's laughter is again."

It was difficult to do that when Silver's same, lighthearted laughter bubbled up in response. He leant against Sebek, blinking up at him in mirth, and Sebek realised he'd never elaborated on his conversation with Jamil. Silver had only caught the end of it. "A fake relationship. Really."

Silver took another sip of his mead, and if Sebek didn't know his giddiness was obviously caused by the elation of getting married, he'd accuse Silver of getting drunk already. He narrowed his eyes at his husband, who just blinked innocently up at him, and part of him feared Silver was challenging him to admit to the truth after all this time.

There was no point. Jamil had been wrong when he accused them of not loving one-another during the autumnal ball. Silver had been in love with Sebek at the time, his smiles had been strained and he'd kept a fixed distance from Sebek because he was worried about how Sebek would react to that fact. They hadn't been indications of their relationship being forced, so Jamil had been wrong.

Luckily Silver didn't say anything, and Jamil managed to eventually coax Kalim into leaving, but he'd immediately headed towards Lilia who was speaking to his grandfather. Sebek made a mental note to apologise to Baur later, but couldn't focus on what Kalim was doing for long when they were approached by another guest.

It was Riddle Rosehearts, the man smiling gently and politely, but there was still that commanding presence behind him. This was still an incredibly powerful man, an incredibly intelligent man, and Sebek was honestly surprised he still considered them friends. In fact he felt that way towards most of their guests. The pair of them really weren't the best with technology, they'd not kept in touch with their old schoolmates, and yet when Riddle stood before them both it was like a decade hadn't passed them by—ignoring the fact Riddle had a pair of reading glasses attached to a chain.

"I wanted to extend my congratulations to you both, Mr and Mr Zigvolt-Vanrouge. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I must admit I'm surprised at how… romantic some of the customs are in Briar Valley." Sebek struggled to listen to most of Riddle's words, which was completely outrageous of him, simply because the sound of their joint surname had been so wonderful to hear. Deciding on a surname took a while, and was honestly the most difficult part of their wedding preparations.

Silver was—understandably—attatched to the Vanrouge name. He'd only been given the name officially when he turned eighteen, and he didn't want to lose it so soon, but Sebek was also attached to the Zigvolt name and his fae heritage. Granted, Vanrouge was also a fae surname, but Sebek was a Zigvolt. The name Sebek Vanrouge didn't have the same ring to it, didn't feel right, and Silver refused to go by Silver Zigvolt.

So they'd eventually decided on a double-barrel surname, and then came the long debate on which name should go first. Alphabetically it should've been Vanrouge-Zigvolt, which was a fair and impartial way to order their names, but Sebek didn't think it flowed naturally. Thankfully Silver agreed, and they'd finally settled on Zigvolt-Vanrouge.

It suited them perfectly, and he was glad others liked the name enough to use it. Riddle and Silver spoke briefly on their careers, on how Silver and Sebek were in charge of the forces at Castle Blackscale, and how Riddle owned his own practice within the Queendom of Roses. Apparently he still rode horses, and suggested they could go for a ride whilst Riddle was still in Briar Valley. It was a calm, and comfortable, conversation—until it wasn't. It'd been cut off by childish squabbling happening nearby.

Sebek still had no idea why Silver invited Ace and Deuce.

Well, he understood inviting Deuce. Deuce really came into his own in his third year after being made Housewarden, and Sebek could rightfully call the man an honour student. He'd… struggled to get there, but Deuce did inevitably end up becoming a magical enforcement officer like he dreamed. Once an idea got stuck in that—admittedly empty—head, it was incredibly difficult to remove, and so Deuce stubbornly kept at his goals until he ended up there.

Ace, however. Ace was insufferable.

Sebek did not like him, they'd never liked each other, and he had absolutely no idea why Ace agreed to show up. He was already squabbling with Deuce—apparently they were partners on the force?—and he was surprised Deuce could put up with such a man for so many years. But then… Sebek was surprised Silver put up with him for so many years, so perhaps Deuce saw something in Ace that others couldn't.

Something others really couldn't see in Ace. Riddle had exhaled sharply, clearly irritated but trying to avoid an outburst, and he again thanked them both before heading off to speak to one of the other guests. It was Ruggie, surprisingly, who was busy talking animatedly to his sister.

That didn't bode well. Ruggie was always scheming something, and so was Etta, and Sebek knew it would likely be at his expense. Though if he stayed close to Silver, he might be safe… unless Silver also got involved.

His concerns were cut short by them needing to take their seats for dinner. They'd set up several tables underneath a canopy of lights and hanging plants, as by this point the sun was low in the sky and it'd set by the time they'd finished eating. Sebek did briefly regret his choice in outfit as the sun dipped below the horizon, a shiver going through him when Silver's warm hand landed against the skin of his back, but he wouldn't regret the way Silver looked at him like he was mesmerising.

Silver was the only one mesmerising here. They'd sat at the head of the table, both Lilia and his father giving separate speeches that of course drove Sebek to yet more tears, but Silver hadn't judged. He'd just continued stroking his back soothingly, and gladly let Sebek feed him most of his food after he'd asked. Really he just looked too beautiful, too iridescent, and after filling themselves with good food and company, they were summoned to cut the cake.

They'd debated whether to bother with a cake. Malleus hated them, after all, and Lilia kept offering to bake them one which was a terrible option, but they figured their guests would enjoy one. Though the flavour was rather simple, just a sponge cake with strawberry, but they'd truly been out of their depth when made to try so many variations of cake made by the castle pâtissier. Still, the cake did taste nice, and cutting the cake and having the first slice together was something Sebek would only ever get to experience once at his wedding.

Though as he and Silver went to cut the cake, their hands once again clasped together around the knife, he'd felt his husband's grip turn slack. An odd spasm went through Silver, a noise of discomfort, before suddenly he lurched forwards.

If it hadn't been for Sebek's twenty years of practice, he wouldn't have been able to catch Silver before he landed head-first into the cake. Luckily he'd steadied him quickly, Silver instead sagging back against him in his sleep—summoning a couple laughs from friends who were amazed Silver was still doing this.

Honestly he'd done amazing to make it up to this point, and really it'd been the most likely point for him to fall asleep as well. Food was often a large trigger for Silver, and it was getting late at this point, so the combination made sleep a difficult obstacle for him. Gently Sebek tapped at his cheek, trying to rouse him, but he wasn't stirring at all.

For a brief moment he recalled Lilia's words, back when they'd been pretending to date, about how a kiss could wake sleeping royalty. The idea of kissing Silver no longer brought fear and trepidation, not with the knowledge Silver adored them from him now, but he was still asleep. Even as his husband, Sebek didn't wish to cross a boundary, so he instead carefully carried Silver over to a nearby bench and tried to get him comfortable until he woke.

Of course he kept trying to wake him, and he was surprised when Epel, Deuce and Ortho approached and shouted loudly for Silver to get up already. The entire situation had been baffling to watch, especially as Silver hadn't stirred, and the trio admitted they'd recorded that same shouting as an alarm tone for Silver over a decade ago.

Sebek didn't recognise this alarm, he was sure he'd recognise an alarm that sounded like their screaming schoolmates, and they'd debated why Sebek didn't remember. They first assumed Silver would've recorded over the alarm tone with something different, something louder, but Sebek still didn't recall any alarm clocks sounding like him either (as of course they'd concluded Sebek was the louder voice).

There was always the possibility the alarm broke, or got misplaced, but Silver wasn't clumsy or careless like that.

Luckily Silver eventually stirred, Sebek's fingers having idly stroked through his hair as they spoke, and he apologised for falling asleep so suddenly on them all. It was revealed the reason Sebek didn't recognise the alarm was due to the fact the batteries ran out years ago, and Silver had absolutely no idea how to replace them. Ortho immediately offered to change them, and Sebek immediately requested he didn't. The last thing he'd want to wake up to every morning would be the sound of Deuce Spade's screaming. The other alarms were bad enough.

With the cake cut, they announced they would be doing their first dance as newlyweds, and Sebek watched in awe as Malleus stepped onto a small stage they'd set up for him to perform on. The sound of his violin was phenomenal, Sebek almost moved to tears at the sound of it, and he felt so blessed by the fact he was performing at their wedding.

Though Silver tugged him from his reverie, amusement clear on his face, as he brought them both into the starting position of a waltz. This was a dance they knew intimately at this point, the pair having attended several balls as a couple by this point, but Sebek would always remember their first. The way Silver looked under the ballroom lights, their matching outfits, and the unmasked adoration in Silver's gaze.

They'd requested Malleus play the same song they'd danced to back then, despite the confusion why such a song would be significant to them, and even on a solo violin the music took Sebek back to that moment. Only this time was much better, Silver's adoration having only grown, his smile wide and beautiful, his eyes glittering like the wings of a butterfly. His cloak was still shifting in colour like something out of a dream, and they danced pressed against each other like they couldn't bear to be separated for even a moment. Yet even so, as Malleus' song rose to a crescendo, they separated to allow Silver to spin.

Separating had been worth it.

Although this time Silver's hair was much shorter, so it didn't twirl like a silver ribbon spinning around him, Silver didn't look any less phenomenal. His smile was so much brighter, so carefree, so loving, and his gaze was filled with such easy devotion it almost brought Sebek to tears again. How Silver could love him so much was a mystery, but Sebek would do anything in his power to show Silver how much he adored him in return.

They spun and danced with so much grace and passion that Sebek almost forgot where they were for a moment. It was like they were dancing on clouds, the pair of them the only two people in the world, until the music started to lull and signalled the end of the song. As Silver pressed back against Sebek, instead of ending the waltz as they were, Sebek tugged him closer still and turned him into a dip.

Silver made dipping Sebek earlier seem effortless and easy, but Sebek had to admit dipping Silver was difficult. Not because he was heavy (although he was rather dense due to his muscles), but because the sight of Silver looking up at him with such unguarded awe made his heart weak. His eyes were sparkling under the fairy lights, under the moon which had started to rise, and Sebek couldn't help but kiss him.

It was almost too much knowing he could keep kissing Silver until the day he died. Silver's hand lost itself in his hair, the man kissing him back just as eagerly, and it wasn't until they'd gotten a small cheer from his sister and Ruggie that Sebek was forcibly reminded they had an audience.

Once Silver was upright again, Sebek was more than a little embarrassed and moved to sit back on the bench—watching as others moved to the dancefloor in their stead. He caught sight of Azul and Jade speaking to his brother Zachary (who looked unbelievably bored), and he nudged Silver before directing his attention towards them.

"Why did you invite those two again?" Sebek asked, as it was clear they were trying to sell Zachary something, but Silver didn't seem to fully grasp their current behaviour.

"I was good friends with Jade, and it felt strange to not invite Floyd and Azul as well. They seem to be having a good time." Silver's voice was soft and calm, and Sebek didn't have the heart to inform him they were being opportunistic.

Though he did take the moment to people watch. Ortho was talking animatedly with Malleus (and Idia, he supposed, even if Idia kept stepping closer and closer to the nearby tree). Their liege seemed just as engaged in the conversation, and Sebek recalled the pair had started sending electronic messages to each other. In fact Malleus spent a lot of time trying to use the internet as of late, and Sebek suspected it was the younger Shroud's influence.

His contemplation was cut short by someone approaching them directly, however, and Sebek felt his heart clench with slight trepidation as Jack Howl neared.

There'd been an internal debate on whether or not to invite his ex boyfriend to his wedding.

Sebek wanted to apologise to Jack, for his ridiculous behaviour in the past and the fear he'd be rejected if they ever went public with their relationship, but he was also beyond thankful they'd broken up. Every decision, every mistake, led Sebek to this moment where he had the love of his life beside him as his husband.

Jack just gave him a bright smile, and the first words out of his mouth were the last thing Sebek imagined he'd say. "I knew there was something going on between you two!" Despite being an accusation, Jack's voice was filled with humour and he let out a deep laugh as he shook his head. "God, it's vindicating. At least I know it wasn't me, it was literally because the competition was Silver Vanrouge."

Heat rushed to his face and Sebek felt his hands turning clammy and his tongue grow thick. "Y-You've got it wrong!! We weren't— We really were just friends back then!! I-I was just afraid and, really, I'm sorry for being such an awful boyfriend!"

Those words seemed to stun Jack a little, the man straightening a little in surprise, before he shook his head with a warm amusement. It was strange, looking at someone he once believed he'd loved and realising the feelings were absolutely nothing alike. Especially when he felt Silver's head press against his shoulder and such a small touch made his heart race. He'd suspected Silver was drifting off again, but when he looked down Silver was staring at him with a teasing amusement, and his stomach dropped.

He was going to tease him about this for weeks.

"No, really, Sebek. Don't sweat it. I know you were goin' through some stuff." Jack spoke, pleasant as before, and he grinned when Sebek looked back at him. "But I ain't blind either. You two have always been perfect for each other, and I'm honestly real happy for you both."

Sebek felt a warmth fill his chest, Silver snuggling more against his shoulder, and he tried to think back on those days. He'd been full of so much anxiety. Malleus had just overblotted, he didn't know whether his liege would ever wish to see him again, and neither of them really knew what was going on with Master Lilia. He'd been worried about Silver and his arm, about how he could be feeling about everything as well, but Silver had been there in the same hospital room with him.

As usual, he'd taken Silver's physical presence for granted, and hadn't looked beyond that. Jack had obviously looked beyond it, saw the fact Sebek's concern for Silver outweighed his concern for Jack, and pieced things together quicker than either of them. Again, Sebek wondered about wasted time, but reminded himself reaching this point was never a guarantee. They'd had to work to get here, had needed time to get here, and they were allowed to revel in their success.

"Thank you, Jack. That means a lot to hear." Sebek murmured, and Jack gave him a small nod, before turning to give Silver a nod in turn. It looked like he was about to leave, but Silver shifted from Sebek's shoulder with some difficulty. He'd clearly been falling asleep again.

"How have you been doing, Jack? It's been a long time." Silver's soft words made Jack grin.

"I'm great, thanks. I've been working up in the Shaftland's snowy regions as part of a mountain rescue team, but most of the time it's like. Guide stuff." Jack looked happy as he spoke about his job, and Sebek could tell he truly enjoyed his career. "Plus I work with my boyfriend, and I'm sure you both know how rewarding that can be."

The mention of a boyfriend made Sebek perk up, his own warm smile spreading onto his face. Silver was smiling softly as well. "Yes. It's wonderful getting to share a lifestyle with your partner. If… You're happy to share, how long have you two been together?"

"Huh? Oh, like six years now. I think…?" The idea Jack couldn't remember how long his relationship was almost made Sebek baulk in outrage, but Silver's hand on his own warned him to settle down. "Yeah, six. It'll be seven in a couple months."

"That's a while." Silver murmured, his words oddly weighty, and Sebek wondered what his husband was thinking. Luckily he shared his thoughts shortly afterwards. "Have you thought of getting married? Sebek and I… We married rather quickly after getting together."

Sebek felt his chest tightening at Silver being so honest about how long they'd been together, but then he supposed Jack didn't know about the lie, and it felt oddly… relieving, being able to talk truthfully about their relationship for once. Though his heart twinged when Jack shook his head.

"Nah, not really. He's… Well he ain't anywhere near as private as Sebek was—no offense—but he doesn't really see the need to have some formal celebration to just tell people we're committed. When we started our relationship, we were already committing to each other then, so a wedding's just for other people. If that makes sense?" Jack's perspective did make Sebek pause, not in regret—of course he'd never regret marrying Silver—but simply because it was a perspective he'd never considered.

As soon as the option of marrying Silver became a possibility, Sebek had thought of nothing else, but Jack's perspective reminded him of his relationship with Silver before the romance. When they'd joined the royal guard together, there'd been an unspoken commitment to each other. When they'd started renting together, there'd been yet another.

When they'd both become Lilia's apprentices, way back as children, they'd committed to working alongside each other for what was essentially the rest of their lives, seeing as they both shared the same goals. They hadn't needed the fancy knighting ceremony, just a quiet picnic together to bask in their achievements, and Sebek smiled warmly and gave Jack a nod. He knew exactly what Jack was talking about.

Before he could speak, however, sharp and loud laughter came from the dancefloor, and Sebek looked towards the noise in sudden confusion. The person laughing was almost in hysterics, and Sebek could recognise that laughter anywhere.

Lilia was doubled over, almost struggling to breathe; he was laughing so much, and Sebek truly wondered what could've set him off so badly until he noticed. There in the middle of the dancefloor was a bright and cheerful Kalim, excitedly trying to get his grandfather to dance with him.

Silver chuckled softly at his side, before coughing to smother the sound when Sebek leered at him.

Baur looked truly alarmed, uncertain what to do or how to get out of this situation, and his concerned expression was only growing alongside his obvious annoyance. It was clear he wanted Kalim—this random human—to cease touching him and to apologise for his behaviour, but he was also desperately trying to not cause a scene at his grandson's wedding. Briefly their eyes met from across the garden, Baur's gaze desperate and afraid, as he silently begged Sebek to help. To get him out of this situation, which was swiftly growing out of control when Kalim started to spin them both.

The sound of Lilia's laughter kept growing, the man almost in tears over it, and Sebek heard Silver let out a gentle sigh at his side. To his surprise he moved to stand, pressing a kiss to Sebek's cheek, before he started to make his way over.

"I'll go rescue our grandfather. I'll be back shortly, dear." The sound of Silver calling Baur his grandfather threw Sebek for several moments, and he wasn't sure what to make of it at first as it'd been so disorienting, but then a slow warmth started to fill him. Silver was Baur's newest grandson, his engagement ring was proof of that alone, and when Silver calmly spoke to Kalim to encourage him to stop, Sebek could see the adoration and love Baur held for Silver reflected in his gaze as well.

This was a dream come true, and Sebek couldn't have asked for a more perfect family.

"I would like to congratulate you personally, Sebek." The sudden sonorous voice of their liege Malleus Draconia reaching his ears made Sebek flinch, as he'd not registered Malleus' approach at all. He thought he'd been busy speaking to Ortho, but a quick glance showed Ortho was talking to a tree and it didn't take a genius to realise the tree likely had his brother hiding behind it.

Still, it was disgraceful being caught off guard by their liege! Sebek sat upright, nodding swiftly and trying to make up for his blunder. "TH-THANK YOU, MY LIEGE! I-IT IS AN HONOUR TO RECEIVE YOUR BLESSING."

Sebek was struggling to keep his voice down, his flustered nerves turning him loud, and Malleus raised a placating hand, his eyes glittering with soft joy. He gestured for Sebek to stand, who did so immediately, only to suddenly be caught off guard a second time when Malleus moved to pull him into a hug.

He had no idea what was happening.

There was no way Malleus was hugging him.

His heart was racing in his chest, Sebek feeling his face flushing darkly where it was pressed against Malleus' chest, and he was going to pass out. He was going to pass out.

Malleus pulled back after nineteen seconds—two seconds longer than the last time Malleus hugged him—before placing a hand on his shoulder. That didn't help to steady him at all, Sebek feeling his legs growing weak as Malleus smiled at him. Him! Directly!!

Maybe he'd fallen asleep on the bench with Silver, and he was having a wonderous dream, but Sebek knew he'd never be able to imagine something so outrageous even in his sleep. It only grew worse when Malleus spoke again. "There is no need to refer to me as your liege, Sebek. Especially not at your wedding. You are my newest brother, and there is no need for the formalities in a private setting such as this."

Sebek's legs did give out on him, and he felt lost and confused when Malleus gently guided him to sit back down.

Did Malleus truly mean that?

Did Malleus just call him his brother?

Malleus Draconia considered someone as insignificant as himself to be as close to him as a brother?

Sebek was swiftly spiraling, struggling to comprehend such a thing, and Malleus only seemed to grow concerned the longer he silently sat with his whirring thoughts. Another person approached, and it took a moment for him to even recognise they were Lilia. He still seemed to be smothering laughter, wiping at his eyes and the tears that'd escaped him, before he flopped down on the bench next to Sebek with a relieved sigh.

"Oh, goodness, that was better than I could've imagined." Lilia spoke about Baur and Kalim, but Sebek was still firmly trapped inside his head and Malleus spoke up with his quiet worry.

"He has been silent ever since I advised him not to call me his liege in private. I do not understand what happened." He sounded mildly fretful, likely concerned he'd broken his brother's new husband, and Sebek still couldn't comprehend the fact Malleus had called him his brother.

Lilia just let out a quiet chuckle. "I think I know what's wrong. Call it a father's intuition, but I think my new son-in-law is struggling to process the fact he's part of your family now. Isn't that right, sonny~?"

The teasing grin on Lilia's face made it clear he was trying to make things worse, and Sebek wanted to not rise to the obvious bait, but the sound of Lilia calling him his son was swiftly pushing him into another spiral. The legend Lilia Vanrouge, his mentor and a significant role model in his life, was his father.

He couldn't firmly grasp a single thought right now. Occasionally something would flit through his mind—usually just the word 'son' in Lilia's voice, or 'brother' in Malleus'—but his head was mostly blank. The most disorienting thought that crossed his mind, however, was the strange idea he now had a fae father.

Surprisingly, that thought wasn't as comforting as he imagined it would've been. His father was—and should be—his mundane, average and overly doting human father who'd walked him down the aisle today.

Another presence appeared at his side, Sebek assuming Malleus sat next to him during his internal crisis, but familiar fingers laced with his own a moment after. He could feel Silver's ring brushing against his fingers, felt the comforting way Silver's body fit against his own, and when Silver's gentle lips pressed against his cheek he felt the dam on his emotions suddenly burst.

Sebek broke down into thunderous, hysteric tears, and he felt Silver stiffen at his side. He was clearly baffled as to where this came from, and Sebek wouldn't be able to answer him even if asked. He couldn't pinpoint why he was crying, only that he'd never felt so blissful, or warm, or full of so much joy in his entire life.

The hand in his own squeezed, the pressure grounding and comforting, and Sebek couldn't stop smiling as he looked at the three new additions to his family. He couldn't feel more blessed, and when Silver leant his head against his shoulder in a comforting love, Sebek leant his head against Silver's to reassure him that he was alright. 

It was a simple fact, after all, that happy endings always did this to him.