#married fluff

before she could assure you she was fine again she covered her mouth with her palm and bolted to your bedroom. when you reached her again she was bent over the toilet. "i knew you weren't fine!" your knees met the cold bathroom floor as you gathered her hair behind her head. your free hand rubbed her back soothingly as she continued to throw up. ten minutes passed, "have you been sick all day?" she flushed the toilet and washed her hands as you followed. her head ducked beneath the spray of water, rinsing her mouth. "i'm not sick, y/n." the water stopped, "'ll go do the dishes." you grabbed her arm and lead her to lay down on your four poster bed. "just relax." after grabbing everything you needed you sat next to her. once pillows were comfortably behind her you grabbed a thermometer

"open your mouth." she reluctantly obeyed knowing fighting wouldn't get her anywhere anytime soon. "just as i thought." you turned the small device towards her, her eyes traveling over the numbers glowing in yellow. "you have a fever." you tossed the item aside, dipping a wash cloth into cold water.

"you're always the one taking care of me." you placed the cloth on her forehead, she sighed in relief, "let me take care of you for a change." after making her drink some water and take medicine you laced your fingers together. "you know we're getting married soon?" she smiled up at you, "of course i know. it's all i think about." her confession made you blush, "me too.. you know we'll vow to have each other through sickness and health?" she laughed, *i see where this is going." you licked your lips, *well, i need the practice." she hummed, "you're too cute." after kissing her lips you laid on her chest. "but seriously h/n, can you please tell me when you're not feeling your best? you always try to do everything for yourself, but i'm here to help. okay?" she exhaled,

"okay princess, i'm sorry." her lips met your forehead as wind blew through the open window the familiar noises of the lively city outside luling you both into a peaceful slumber.

"Hi," Zelda chuckled, patting his head.

"Hey," he murmured. "Guess what?"

His question earned a lazy hum from his wife. She turned to look at him, eyes sparkling, but before he could murmur about how much he loved her, something tiny shifted beneath the palms of his hands.

Link and Zelda stilled. Slowly, together, they breathed in, their chests swelling and fluttering with all the excitement of new parents-to-be. Even after so many months, the baby’s kicks still felt like magic.

Captured so completely by the spell of his child, Link brought his head down. His hand brushed his wife's face, a silent question on his lips. She matched it with a smile.

Slowly, gently, Zelda's eyes flickered shut as he kissed her.

Link melted into her, sighing deeply as she kissed him back, their baby nestled between them. He carded his hands through her soft, sunlit hair, just as hers pressed securely into his back, holding him fast. Link almost laughed at how absurdly blessed he’d become.

All of his family, his world, rested within his arms. His wife. His baby. That thought spun dizzily through his brain, and he kissed Zelda harder, palms now resting on either side of her stomach. She hummed, smiling against his face.

Link had just begun to trace little shapes over their baby when a soft, whiskery muzzle nudged his hands.

The Hylians jumped.

Catherine let out a big snuff, eagerly investigating Zelda's midsection. It was as if she could sense the tiny Hylian inside, and her lips suddenly combed over the spot in the same way she'd cleaned her foal.

Link moved his hands to block her. "Hey! Hey, easy, Catherine! That's my baby in there!"

"Oh, she's fine, Link!” said Zelda. “Can't you feel how gentle she's being?"

As if to prove her point, Link's horse took a step back, slowly blinking her big, soft eyes.

"...All right," Link sighed, his glare deflating. "Sorry Catherine. You're a good girl, I know."

Seemingly pleased, the mare turned back to her suckling infant, and Link couldn't help but swell with joy.

"Such a good, good girl..." he patted her neck. "Look what you've done, huh? You've got a good girl of your own, now. And she's a little cutie, just like you, isn't she, Cathy?"

Zelda giggled, hooking her arm in his.

Link looked at her. "...What?"

"You get really mushy when you talk about babies, you know."

"I do not."

"You absolutely do, your voice just kinda... melts."

"Yeah?" Link's hand brushed against Zelda's rounded abdomen again, and he couldn't deny how gooey his heart felt. "Well I... I can't help it."

"I know. I like it. It's sweet."

Link smirked. "Not as sweet as you, Princess."

"Ugh," Zelda groaned and shoved him. "Not the one-liners, Link!"

He laughed. "Hey, not my fault you walked right into that one."

"What? By saying 'sweet'? Am I not allowed to say random words now?"

"No, please do! They give me the best lead-ins."

Zelda rolled her eyes and fell back into Link’s arms. "You're awful."

"But you love me," he grinned.

Zelda sighed, hiding her smile in his tunic. "I do."

Link kissed her head tenderly, humming as Zelda held him tighter. Together they stood and swayed, watching the unnamed foal finish nursing and lick at her tiny striped nose.

Suddenly, Link was struck with an idea. The longer he watched the newborn, and the more he felt the flutters in Zelda's belly, the stronger that idea grew, until he was moving his wife back to arm’s length and grinning wildly at her.

"Zelda."

"L-Link?" she asked, mildly concerned.

"Why don't you name her?"

"Wh—me???" Zelda gasped. "But... are you sure? Catherine's your horse..."

"Yeah," he smirked, a particular white stallion coming to mind, "but I seem to recall your horse having a hand in all this, too."

Zelda's face flushed. "Ooh, that Storm..."

"It was so romantic! Two horses, running away together in the night—"

"After breaking down the stable doors."

"They were entirely too proud of themselves."

"Hmph. Well." Zelda flipped her hair and went over to the wobbling filly. "They have a lot to be proud of."

Link's eyes flickered to their unborn baby again, warmth surging through his chest. "They sure do, Sweetheart."

As Zelda ran her hands lovingly down the foal's neck, Link could practically see the cogs spinning in her head. She turned back to him.

"You're sure?" she asked, sounding much more eager this time.

"Dead set. Give me your best."

Zelda chewed her lip. "Well... both Catherine and Storm have impressive breeding histories. Many of their ancestors served as knights' horses or royal mounts all across Hyrule—"

"Only you would memorize the entire breeding history of the castle horses."

"I didn't memorize it," Zelda swatted him playfully. "I just know it's impressive. And that some of the names happen to be very beautiful."

"Promising, promising," nodded Link. "So… any of them fit this little wild card?"

The little filly shook her head, the force of it nearly sending her toppling. She bumped into her mother, giving a tiny squeak on impact.

Link and Zelda laughed as Catherine let out an enormous sigh.

A comfortable silence fell upon the stable as Zelda paced around it, thinking. She stroked Catherine's face, then her baby's, chewing her lip all the while.

Then, all at once, her eyes lit up.

"Epona."

"E...pona?" Link blinked. "That's an odd one."

"It's a perfectly respectable name. Lots of horses in Catherine's line had it."

Link shrugged. "Still sounds kinda unusual if you ask me."

"I thought you said I could name her?" Zelda sent him a look.

"I did! I did. I'm just saying it's a unique name, that's all."

Zelda raised an eyebrow.

"That's all," Link smirked. "Does it mean anything?"

Zelda's features softened, and she walked over to hold her husband’s hand. They watched quietly as the filly started to explore the stall, Catherine right beside her.

"Some say it means 'protector'," said Zelda. "Others think it originated from an ancient Hylian term for horses. But according to legend..." her eyes sparkled up at Link's, "Epona was often the name given to the steeds of Heroes."

Link's eyes widened. Catherine’s ancestors… the steeds of past Heroes? His chest flip-flopped. He looked back at Catherine in disbelief, watching her nuzzle her baby without a care in the world. She was Link's treasure, of course, his faithful friend to the end, but to anyone else, didn't she seem... ordinary?

Just like me...

Catherine nickered softly. She looked up from her baby, and for a fleeting moment, she appeared to stare directly at Link, a clever, all-knowing twinkle in her big brown eyes.

Link blew out a shaky breath.

"You... sure did your homework on that one, Zel."

She cocked her head. "Is that approval I hear?"

Link's face broke into a grin, and he was unable to stop the excited stirrings in his chest. "Yeah. Epona," he tested the name again. "Epona. I love it. Once again, you've won your case, Princess."

Zelda hummed, bumping her nose against his. "Even if I hadn't, I'd still feel like a winner."

"Pfft, are you stealing my one-liners now?"

"No," Zelda pulled him closer. "You're just a bad influence on me."

Link laughed. "Well, excu—"

His wife's lips cut him off, and he sank wholeheartedly into her kiss.

>>><<<

End of fic!

Fic Masterlist

Author's note: This is truly the fluffiest thing I think I have ever written and you’re gonna have to let me know if that’s a good thing or not, ha! >u<

Extra Note: I am a children’s book/family friendly author, so please keep all comments Safe For Work (no swearing please!) I want to do my best to make this a place for everyone. Cheers!

For Laila Shaw hearing Jalen’s return home was the best part of every day. It was confirmation of answered prayers, freedom by way of a single door chime.

She immediately checked her phone. 8:30 PM. Nearly an hour past Jalen’s promised arrival time. Her intolerance for lateness was reserved for those who believed time was an infinite resource to be wasted on good intentions and piss poor scheduling. Jalen had only ever kept her waiting to pursue justice on behalf of the unfortunate souls whose time had been stolen from them. In her eyes that made him a superhero without the cape and only a fraction of the praise he deserved.

Compared to last week’s restless night he was practically early. Funny how a tiny shift in perspective could suddenly feel like compensation for lost sleep. She knew her husband wouldn’t find humor in her joke and would instead find new ways to apologize for things beyond his control. Tonight, she vowed to shield him from his guilt in a way she hadn’t been able to previously.

There was a higher chance for success when he wasn’t climbing into bed at 2am believing his heavy steps had disturbed her slumber. Fortunately for him, she was a terrible actress, especially when forced to look him in the eye. Behind her gentle brown eyes he saw the lie she was attempting to sell, forcing her to admit she’d only managed to sleep in increments. Worrying about his safety was a part of loving him. She couldn’t stop any more than he could avoid being swept away in the details others easily missed. It wasn’t an obstacle to fix in couple’s therapy, or even a heartfelt conversation to be had over dinner but rather a necessity for the roles they’d chosen.

Acceptance made it a little easier to believe in miracles whenever she sent him out into the cruel world and the world returned him to live out another day in marital bliss.

_ _ _

She performed yet another miracle by presenting herself as a pretty picture to be gazed upon. The exhaustion instantly vanished from his expression at the sight of her lithe form resting in her obedience, right arm tucked beneath her head, the other draped over her waistline. He wanted her to spend her day off relaxed and focused on self-care. She hadn’t deviated from his instruction, which meant no lingerie tonight, just an oversized vintage T-shirt and fuzzy calf length socks. The rest was bare sepia colored skin, enticing him to solve the mystery nestled above the loose hemline. Panties or no panties. 

The book abandoned to her TBR list for over a month was now six chapters completed. Though discarded, she’d seen enough to guarantee she wouldn’t let another month pass before picking it up again. For now, it was no longer a priority as she compared the man standing before her to the one she’d ushered out the door shortly after breakfast.  

The full length black peacoat he left home in was absent from his chiseled frame. His tie was slack, his bare chest peaking through an unbuttoned dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up his tattooed arms past his elbows.

Notes of wood and spice mixed with sweat evoked the urge to throw herself into his arms and devour him whole. She managed to show a little more restraint and rose to her knees, meeting him halfway for a kiss, chaste but no less desirable. His morals wouldn’t allow them to get any closer. He considered it a criminal offense to lay unclean hands on her body. When she embraced him around the neck, pressing her breast against defined muscle, she felt the stress from the day melt off his bones taking the last of his restraint with it. For once he was going to take what belonged to him without stipulation, be it dirty or pristine.

The voice she missed rumbled in her mouth and settled low and heavy in her belly.  It was the sort of provocation one must respond to with open legs. Jalen recovered his balance before Laila could successfully pull him backwards, catching her by the wrist to guide her back into a kneeling position.

“You know better.” His tone was low and stern with a playful undercurrent made apparent when he interrupted their staring contest to swipe his tongue across her lips. She wasn’t in trouble. His generosity didn’t inspire more boldness either. Instead, she leaned back on her calves, hands in her lap and watched him with a concealed hope of being invited to join him in the shower. He said nothing, only smiled and pressed a kiss on her forehead before walking away, presumably with that smug grin she loved to hate on his face.  

It wasn’t until she heard running water that she forced herself back into repose with her eyes glued to the ceiling huffing out breaths to release her frustration. Every second felt like 20. When the act of counting became unbearable, she found herself on an invisible ledge contemplating whether to jump or tempt fate a little longer. Jalen emerged at the last second as both her tormentor and her savior offering liberation with a single question.

“You good over there?” He stood nearby with his arms folded over his chest, giving her a show she didn’t ask for. 

“Absolutely not. You took your sweet ass time.”

She’d already spent the last 12 hours deprived and impatient. There was no guarantee she’d survive 12 more seconds without being touched properly. Jalen dragged out her torture for 13. To no one’s surprise she was alive and well to discover the black towel secured low around his waist was only living out half its purpose as a torture device. Excess water rolled seductively along corded muscles and hard lines, falling away in intermittent streams where he stood. Under normal circumstances she’d be fussing about her hardwood floors. The way the water glistened off his tattooed skin was a scene pulled from her daydreams, something tangible and within reach to lay her fingers on, extend her tongue and drink the water right off his skin if she chose to. Laila kept her tongue behind her teeth and tracked his leisured steps across the room.

Upon reaching her, Jalen distributed his weight and all the water dripping off his skin along your body.  She stared up at him in partial wide-eyed shock. The rest was tranquil amusement now that her outward appearance matched her insides.

He was smiling too, like a predator claiming victory long before he decided to pounce. Her stomach clenched when he finally broke eye contact to admire the way the thin damp fabric clung to her breast, accentuating their fullness and the hard nipples resting at the center.

He was proud of his work. There was something else stitched beneath his boastful smirk, an indecisiveness that made it impossible for him to choose between claiming what belonged to him or spending the rest of the evening admiring his bounty from an intimate distance.

The avarice she wanted him to act upon remained a silent plea coiled tightly in her stomach; a power she rarely tapped into. She preferred feeling small in comparison.  Being at his mercy meant not having to think. All she had to do was feel his love and say thank you in return.

Given Jalen’s current predicament it wouldn’t hurt to influence her fate with something more than mindless obedience.  Laila’s heels settled at the dip in his back while her arms caged his neck and brought him to a restful position on her chest. Proximity took care of the rest, enticing him to latch on to a nipple over the fabric.

She hummed and kissed his forehead. “What are you doing home so early? I made plans to entertain myself tonight.”

He frowned, allowing the scrape of his teeth against her sensitive flesh to signal his disapproval. “So when I make plans for us, you’re just smiling and nodding to get me out the house?”

“I also smile and nod when you’re calling to tell me our plans have changed. It’s called protecting our peace.” She fired back. Jalen wasn’t offended. Neither was she despite the implications being made.

When he latched back on to her breast, she gave herself permission to focus on what his mouth was doing and not the words coming out of it. Her faith in him remained unbreakable. She blamed his phone for teaching her how to brace for life’s unexpected surprises. He’d discarded it somewhere in the house, but she was almost certain it was nearby with the ringer still on in case someone needed to reach him. “Make plans without me again and see what happens — When I give my word, I keep it.” Jalen sucked with intention. He didn’t need her to speak. The desperate whimpers spilling over her lips was the only confirmation of trust he needed to hear. The rest would take care of itself.

He moved on to more pressing matters like kissing her the way he intended, uninhibited and possessive. Each swipe from his tongue, every labored breath a confession. She moaned into his mouth, tracing her fingers along the ink running down both arms and down his back, needing to touch as much of him as possible. When he finally pulled away to admire her in silence the longing in his eyes broke her heart wide open. It felt like they were seeing each other for the first time all over again.

“You must’ve really missed me today.” She smiled up at him as she ghosted her thumb along his bottom lip.

He nodded and turned his face inward to kiss her palm. “I’ve been missing you since I woke up beside you this morning.”

If she could blush, she’d be red all over. She felt the color’s warmth spread over her face, down her neck and chest. “You can stop missing me. I won’t be leaving your side any time soon.”

He laid her palm over his chest where his heart pounded steadily underneath.  “Say that one more time for me here. Let’s see if it makes a difference.”

Laila bit back a smile and leaned forward, resting her lips where her fingers had been to repeat the words where he needed to hear them most. She ended with a kiss then covered the spot with her hand.

“Better?”

Jalen curled his much larger fingers on top of her as if to reinforce the seal she’d created but shook his head anyway. “Still missing you.”

Mimicking his pitiful droopy eyed expression, Laila made it her own with an exaggerated upturned pout. “My poor husband. Will more kisses help?”

He forced out a heavy sigh. “It might take a while to make up for the ones I didn’t get today.”

She kissed the corner of his mouth, fully prepared to pay what she owed with interest. “Like I said, I don’t have anywhere else to be Detective.”

Jalen committed the next several minutes to mending his aching heart with professions of love everywhere his lips touched, on her forehead, her cheeks, down the bridge of her nose and back to her lips. The result was a high incomparable to any drug she could have taken.

He was sucking her collarbone when he started listing off the gifts he’d collected for her throughout his busy day. Chocolate chip muffins from her favorite bakery were a weekly occurrence. The expensive perfume was an impulse buy after smelling it on another woman in passing.

She wasn’t concerned with disliking the fragrance he’d chosen. From the moment Jalen earned the right to her name and number he'd proven himself an expert at bringing her the desires of her heart, surpassing them with things she didn’t think she could love until they were presented as offerings at her feet.

Of course there was more. He wasn’t going to ruin the surprise by revealing what they were.

"Open them later." His voice was gentle and pleading as if there was a chance she’d venture beyond the love bubble they’d created for material possessions. She’d get to them later. Everything she could possibly want was already within reach. She touched him freely. Started at the firm cuff of his ass, then moved along his spine, brushing her fingertips up its length to his nape to trace her initials on case he forgot who he belonged to.

"I’d rather discuss you telling random women how good they smell. You do realize that’s considered flirting right?" She smiled and ran a finger down his nose, quickly snatching it away when Jalen lunged forward to catch it between his teeth. He grunted and tried again to earn the same bubbly reaction.

"Hmm. So that explains the disappointment when I brought up my gorgeous wife."

Laila promptly rolled her eyes. The wrinkle in her nose made it clear his charm was stronger than her ability to keep a straight face. "Maybe ask a salesperson for help next time and avoid breaking anymore hearts."

"What should I do about the women who stop me for directions, or the ones who strike up conversations while I’m waiting for lunch? Pretty sure the girlfriend of a suspect was undressing me with her eyes this morning."

She wasn’t pretending to be annoyed when she rolled her eyes for a second time. It wasn’t from a place of jealousy but rather the boastful lilt to his voice provoking her to sink her figurative claws into him and every woman who looked in his direction. "So what you’re saying is the ladies love Jalen Shaw and I should feel honored you come home to me every night."

"More or less."

“Wow. The first married man to admit to having a work harem. Is there anything else you’d like to say before I exile you to this here couch, Detective?”

He simply chuckled and pinched her chin to keep her from looking away. “Your statements are a gross misrepresentation of the facts. My only crime is looking good in a suit. And once I’m fully exonerated, I’ll be sleeping in my own bed preferably inside of my wife whom I love dearly.”

She clicked her tongue. “We’ll see about that.”

“We already have. Now quit playing with me woman.” He pulled her in for another open-mouth kiss. Laila wasn’t ready to abandon the game she’d started. She turned her face at the last minute. His tongue connected with her cheek instead. He exhaled slowly then licked her offering like he’d always intended to savor her there. She giggled but held on to her thoughts before she lost them to his antics.

“I suppose now isn’t a good time to tell you about the man who offered to pay for my groceries last week. Or the one who paid for my nails on my birthday.” Jalen’s lifted up, his expression unreadable at first. Then she caught the unmistakable hints of amusement beginning to form. It started in his eyes then moved downward, loosening his mouth into a crooked line that expanded in the lingering silence. He’d mastered the art of containing his jealousy behind smugness that never required words to get his point across. All she could do was whine and scowl over her failure to get under his skin the way he effortlessly got under hers.

"Didn’t happen.” He countered plainly and without emotion. “Not because you aren’t worth risking your life for. You’re just a liar.” Her mouth dropped open. A laugh originating from his gut spilled out into the room. He looked adorable with his eyes nearly closed and his teeth on full display. It took everything in her not to pounce on him to nibble his face. Then she remembered she was supposed to be mad and folded her arms over her chest in a desperate attempt to appear more intimidating.

“What? You hoping I’d get upset? Maybe threaten to arrest your fake ass boyfriends?” Jalen’s laughter continued to rattle her nerves.

She gave a weak nod. "Jealousy might look good on you.”

“Everything looks good on me.” He lifted his brow and held the pose longer than necessary. Laila glared in silence. Behind the mask her inner groupie was cosigning his arrogance at the top of their lungs. “My time is better spent showing my gratitude for being the man you chose to love.” Anything Laila responded with would’ve sounded trivial and childish in comparison. She resorted to pouting and left the rest for Jalen to figure out. He easily made it past her defenses, tugging on her arms hard enough to create an opening without being too rough, melting the frown off her face with kiss after kiss on her scrunched up lips until all she could think about was getting the next one.

“You mad?”

“Mhm. More please.” She puckered her lips and met him halfway only to have Jalen pull back right before their lips touched.

“And just so we’re clear any man attempting to lure you away from me with groceries and a nail set is a jackass.” His voice was steeped in conviction. The kind that didn’t rely on violence or competitive acts to exert his claim. His arrogance came from sending her out into the world with the evidence of his worship on full display for all to see.

"But I do apologize for ruining your fantasy princess." Jalen wasn’t laughing anymore. There was a hunger in his expression as if the goal were to crawl under each other’s skin. The warmth from his breath caressed a spot high on her neck. Then pressure from his lips. She hoped he left a mark behind. "You’ll have to settle with knowing I’m proud to call you my wife."

Every word he spoke was designed to keep her pliant and feeling like she was 10 feet off the ground. It was the most frustrating part about being married to a certified Loverboy, surviving one reverent act to the next, hoping she still had the energy to return the favor whenever the opportunity presented itself. "Can we talk about you now?" She posed the question with her fingers curled behind his neck to keep his mouth busy despite wanting to hear about his day.

"No."

"Jalen!" He grunted and begrudgingly left one final hungry kiss on her neck before raising up on his forearms to grant her his undivided attention.

“Thank you!” She sang the words as she smoothed out the harsh lines in his brows with her thumbs. "Any rants you need me to listen to? We’re you able to link up with your bff Nolan today? More importantly, who made you run?"

His plush lips spread into a wide grin. "I’ve got nothing sweetheart. Probably because Nolan and I stayed in our respective corners, thank God…Not much running today either. Although I do prefer chasing down suspects to getting knocked on my ass with metal chairs."

It took a second for his words to register as more than a joke. Once it did Laila began to panic like she was experiencing it with him as opposed to hearing about it hours later. "Someone hit you with a chair? Where? Are you okay?"

He immediately recognized his mistake. Eyes gleaming with the kind of regret she could manipulate if she were seeking revenge or even comfort. The adrenaline coursing through her system gave her the strength to push back against his weight and the hands reaching for her face. He relented and sat upright to make space for her to maneuver behind him to check for injuries only a concerned wife would notice. He eventually admitted to a little soreness but otherwise she found nothing worth a trip to the ER.

"See. Only the lumps and dents I was born with."

She snorted while leaving kisses along his shoulders where the chair had done the most damage. "Can your milk dud head ass be serious for once in your life?"

"Can’t do that. As your husband, I’m contractually obligated to make you smile." He pressed his thumb to the corner of her mouth and stretched it upward. "Mission accomplished."

The other side lifted on cue. "You’re also obligated to give me a damn heart attack."

"I regret opening my big ass mouth. You don’t need to hear about every fight I have throughout the day."

"I do." She wouldn’t tolerate secrets, especially not the ones for her benefit. To interrupt any justifications privately being made she nudged a fist into his shoulder. Jalen didn’t flinch from the impact. He chuckled as if she’d tickled his ribs. Pulling her fist away from its target, he uncurled her fingers and placed a kiss to each one.

"Relax baby. I was pissed too but I try to give these people a break. They’re living under constant stress. Couple that with their mistrust in the police. It doesn’t make it right, but I understand why they respond the way they do.”

“All valid points. I’m not going to care about their freakin sob stories when you end up in the hospital with a concussion or worse." Thinking about it made her want to throw up. Jalen pulled her into his lap away from the feeling, cradling her face with his large hands when she refused to look up.

"Hey…I waited my whole life to be your husband. I’m not letting anybody take me away from you. We go together. Preferably once we're too old to care."

Weak laughter sputtered from her despite being weighted down by imagery she couldn’t escape. It helped to stay close. She pressed her forehead to his and breathed him in, eye closed, fingers desperately fidgeting with his wedding band to keep her grounded to reality. "Can we go back to talking about me? It's safer."

She felt him smiling before catching the glint of teeth when she opened her eyes. A second later he was grunting and pulling her back into the security only his arms could provide, tight like the bear he was acting like. "Finally we get back to what I want to do." He was goofy in a way that brought levity into her life, filling in the empty spaces and making her the sum of each other’s whole. She couldn’t imagine having to do life without his antics. It didn’t stop her brain from trying.

She let out a shaky breath and fought like hell not to cry. Intrusive thoughts usually held no place in her heart. The world never missed an opportunity to remind her of its cruelty. No one cared that he was a good man and one of the few who still believed in justice. Out there he’d be judged for what people could see. Qualities she loved, his skin tone, his stature, his kindness all put a target on his back.

In their home they were a masterpiece compromised of intertwined limbs in similar earthy tones and aligned hearts. Because she could do nothing alone, he was right there with her fighting back against the demons and the tears she refused to shed. “It's okay.” He repeated the words until she believed in their power, until they were nothing more than gentle truths whispered on soft skin, until she was right back where they started.

 Even though he'd won it felt more like a personal reward when he laid her down on the altar where she first greeted him, refusing to let her up until he'd cleared her mind of anything not directly related to his worship. The outcome was her perched on his lap, hair disheveled and lips slightly swollen from too much kissing, all his favorite parts exposed and lightly touched.

All she wanted was to be made love to. First, some payback for not bending her over the furniture sooner.

“I love you J but I’m not really in the mood anymore. Let’s try again in the morning.” Laila’s assertion staggered to a halt as his head lolled back against the sectional with his bottom lip pulled inward. At some point she remembered to swallow the saliva collecting in her mouth.

He rolled his hips upward, kept his gaze steady and his jaw relaxed when her thighs spread over his erection. “Are you sure baby?” She knew Jalen felt it. Their combined heat soaking through his towel. Her fresh letdown. The subtle friction from a body that only responded to him.  “You’re doing a piss poor job at convincing me.” He sat upright and pushed out a heavy breath through his nose on to her cheek.  “We both know you can’t ignore how good this feels.”  

She did try. Her body was already carrying out its betrayal. It bowed into his touch, rocked shamelessly against the growing pulse beneath her a little harder. When she finally opened her mouth to speak embarrassment and need rolled off her tongue on the same honeyed note. She refused to give in so easily.

“Doesn’t matter what it feels like. I’ve gone to bed without dick before.” Laila hated how pouty and ridiculous she sounded.  “My oil is on the dresser. Go rub one out so I can go to bed. It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted.”

Jalen remained unfazed, dragging his tongue along his bottom lip with the same calculated grace he used to wrap his fingers around her throat.

“Are you done?” He mumbled against her lips. “Just admit you aren’t funny baby. It’s okay. I still love you.” His grip was ownership. The kind that granted permission to beg and surrender. His fingers tightened. A breath poorly disguised as annoyance revealed the truth. She wanted more.

Trembling fingers cloaked his grip, not trusting his strength alone to keep her from drifting away when he slipped his left-hand beneath her shirt to roll her nipple into a stiff peak.

“You’re lucky I need you.” Even the most stubborn parts of her couldn’t maintain a convincing lie.  She needed him like she needed air to breathe and a fancy roof over her head.

Jalen assented with a subtle nod to understate his feral nature. "Luckiest man in the world." He was going to ruin her. First, he admired her in explicit detail, giving her one last chance to breathe without him crowding her space.  

She felt his devotion everywhere, then the tactile confirmation of it as his fingertips outlined her breast and further still along her ribcage. They moved with purpose, around the joke and the invisible barrier keeping them separated. No panties, no towel, just a mutual desire to savor their reunion before lust finally had its way.

He explored her with intention. Let her soak his fingers before nestling the tip of his dick between her lips and pushed forward, claiming her slowly in inches. He buried himself in the parts no one else could reach then leaned back quiet and smug to witness the pleasure ripple through her like he hadn’t watched the scene play out countless times and directed its conclusion with his body.

Laila closed her eyes to escape his bravado. He pursued her with ease, reaching through the darkness to wrap a large hand around her throat again. One purposeful tug forward and he covered her trembling mouth with the sharp amused curve of his own. It made it easier to swallow the whimper she’d been holding when he added the right amount of pressure. It was a soft, desperate sound that unlocked a day’s worth of pent-up avarice.  

Eventually Jalen stopped kissing her long enough to let her breathe. His thumb remained firmly pressed to the spot on her neck where her pulse beat the strongest.

“Anything else you need to say to me?” Each word passed through her steady and sonorous like molasses dripping over cave stone. Her nails answered on her behalf, leaving behind tiny crescents in his biceps in place of the words she couldn’t speak. Jalen wanted to hear her voice. He earned it with a single thrust upward to stretch her open at new depths. Though half raised lashes she maintained eye contact as she moaned her gratitude in the shape of his name.

“Thank you for keeping your promise…” He never stopped moving. She didn’t need him to. Disturbing his rhythm would be unholy. All she needed was a few seconds to sing the praise she’d been holding since he returned home. Praise befitting of her soulmate.

“Not done.” She mewled with her fingers clamped down on his shoulders in a frantic contradiction to pull him closer and push him away.

Jalen deciphered her chaos with his face nuzzled to her throat, his wide tongue lapping up her pleas from the outside.  To prove he could be merciful he dragged her down his length by her neck to keep her firmly seated to him.

“Speak, baby.” He breathed heavy with his teeth latched on to her chin. The command jumpstarted her hips to chase after what she needed in a slow grind. Her brain trailed far behind. Once it caught up, she made a show of it. Both hands framed Jalen’s face at his jawline to show him what perseverance looked like beneath her blissed-out expression. “Shit…I deserve this…I deserve you. Never stop.” Her walls clench around him possessively.  The last coherent thought she’d have for the evening joined the mess gathering where their bodies met.

They weren’t the words she intended to say. They reached Jalen’s ego with the same intensity. He licked the submission off her lips and grunted filth in its place. “Fuck yeah. You deserve to feel good every day, baby. Long as I’m alive, this dick —­ everything I am is yours.”

His body and soul worked in tandem to keep her spread and weightless in the positions he chose. Fucked through one surface to the next. He took his time, used every orgasm, every kiss and hoarse confession shared between them to prove she was a gift he’d never take for granted.

“This is an exquisite hairpin,” Himeko remarked as she slid the lotus ornament into Stelle’s hair, completing the updo. Currently, Stelle sat in front of the small mirror in March’s room. Stelle had thought her room was perfectly fine until she realized Dan Heng wouldn’t have anywhere better to get ready since forcing him to use the archives was out of the question. Himeko had offered her room, but both March and Stelle had objected, worrying about the overwhelming smell of coffee. Hence, March had won out, insisting that her room was the best set up for all the girls to get dressed up in. “Dan Heng has good taste.”

“It’s not really my style,” Stelle remarked, turning her head to get a view of the silk flower in the mirror. “But, it’s tradition.”

“That may be,” Himeko continued, knowing glint in her eye. “But tradition doesn’t explain the gleam in your eye when you look at it.”

Bashfully, Stelle averted her gaze from meeting Himeko’s in the mirror.

With a soft chuckle, Himeko gave Stelle’s shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “Gifts from someone you love take on a different meaning. Even if they ‘aren’t your style’.”

“Except it totally is her style,” March argued. “That teal looks super good on her.”

Stelle stroked the petals of the flower, her fingers trailing down to the beads. It was beautiful, exuding a delicate and refined air. There were times she felt like it was too pretty for her. Yet, her heart leapt at March’s argument, wishing to cling to it as justification for her right to hold onto this precious gift. “You think so?”

“Yeah. Who would have guessed the ‘Galactic Baseballer’ could look like a certified dignitary?”

“Now you’re laying it on thick,” Stelle said, sticking her tongue out at March in the mirror.

“So what if I am?” March gave her a teasing wink. “You’re supposed to flatter the bride on her wedding day.”

“Speaking of,” Himeko continued, her lips pursed. “Where is the dress?”

“It’s still not here?” Stelle cried, finally turning away from the mirror to look at her two bridesmaids properly. “I thought it was that hanging on March’s dressing rack.”

“Those are the bridesmaid dresses,” March confessed in a tizzy. “Topaz said the tailor was putting on the finishing touches and she’d get it here as soon as possible, but that was last night.”

“Where’s my phone?” Stelle asked, looking around the room. She’d set it… somewhere. It was probably with the rest of her clothes she’d tossed aside after having changed into her wedding undergarments, the ones that doubled as shapewear. As of now, she was wearing a white silk robe that matched Himeko and March, a wedding gift from Himeko herself.

“Here,” March said, tossing the phone to Stelle from across the room.

She deftly caught it, already pulling up Topaz’s number when a knock sounded at the door.

“Please let that be who I think it is,” Himeko murmured, reaching for the door. When she opened it, her entire body sagged in relief. “Oh, thank the aeons.”

“The cavalry has arrived!” a booming voice resounded before a particular Xianzhou knight strode into the room.

Followed by a certain redheaded performer. “The precious cargo has been delivered, safe and sound.”

“I’m so sorry we’re late!” Topaz said, following Sushang and Guinaifen. Draped over her arms was a large black bag, a hanger protruding from one end. “There was turbulence on the way to pick it up, and then the detour to pick up the other wedding guests took slightly longer than expected.”

“Detour to where?” Stelle questioned.

“Jarilo-VI.”

Stelle’s jaw nearly hit the floor when Bronya appeared in the doorway. Behind her right shoulder was Seele, and her left shoulder, Serval. “Are you kidding me?!” Stelle stood, already approaching. “I didn’t think you’d be able to make it! That wedding invitation was supposed to serve as an announcement more than anything.”

“Rude,” Seele snarked. “As if we wouldn’t at least try to attend.”

“I know you would,” Stelle said, giving Bronya a handshake. “But I also know how much trouble it costs you to leave the planet.”

“I asked Topaz for a personal favor,” Bronya explained while Stelle gave her greetings to Seele with a fist bump. “Thankfully, she agreed to assist a small Belobogian Delegation to attend a ceremony of their saviors. For diplomacy’s sake.”

“Is that how you got out of work for a vacation?” March teased.

“In a way,” Bronya returned.

“We only get to stay for the day,” Serval said, giving Stelle a hug. “But even that is a blessing. And being able to attend your wedding?! We couldn’t stand to miss it!”

“I’m thrilled you were able to make it,” Stelle said. “Thanks for coming.”

“That said,” Bronya continued. “It is our fault that your dress was delayed.”

“Ha!” Topaz remarked, hanging the dress up on the clothing rack next to the dressing mirror. “Don’t listen to her. They boarded the ship in under five minutes with military efficiency. It was everything else that was the problem.”

“At least you all made it,” Himeko said. “That’s what counts.”

“We’re glad we did,” Seele said. “We wanted to wish you congratulations in person.”

“We should let the rockstar get ready,” Serval said. “Don’t want to waste any more of her time.”

“Then, the guards shall lead the way out of here,” Sushang announced. “By the way, Stelle, you look soooo pretty!”

“You really do,” Guinaifen eagerly agreed. “That hairpin? And the pearls in your hair? Stunning!”

Stelle giggled as everyone left. “Thanks.”

“Knock ‘um dead!” Guinaifen said, being the last to leave and closing the door behind her.

The moment the door was closed, March reached for the dress, only to pull back. “Stelle, you should be the one to reveal it. I’ll take pictures.”

“If you insist.” Stelle marched over to where the dress hung and carefully unzipped the black fabric bag. She only got halfway down before she gasped, pushing the garment bag aside to see the bodice. “Oh my aeons!”

Inside the bag hung a work of art. Then again, she should have expected as much considering her wedding dress itself was a gift from Topaz and Aventurine.

At the time, she’d only meant to inform Topaz of the ceremony, but Topaz had been traveling with Aventurine during that call. Since the former had her phone on speaker, the latter had heard everything. He’d instantly invited himself as Topaz’s plus one, then asked about details of the ceremony itself, particularly regarding where she was going to get a dress on short notice. When Stelle had said she’d just find something off the rack, Aventurine had been less than impressed. That sparked the ridiculous Stoneheart bickering match: Aventurine mentioning he knew a designer, Topaz warning him she doubted Stelle would be looking to spend that much money on a dress; Aventurine insisting he’d pay, Topaz pointedly wondering about Dan Heng’s outfit; Aventurine assuring he’d add that on, too, Topaz chastising him for being too flippant about everything. Next thing Stelle knew, the stoneheart duo had agreed they’d just have to split the bill for Dan Heng and Stelle’s wedding attire.

Hence, the dress Stelle was looking at wasn’t just something off the rack. It wasn’t even brand-name. It was a custom piece made specifically for her, taking into account every tiny detail she’d mentioned.

“Wow!” March said. “I knew it was going to be pretty but… wow.”

The designer had only come once with the base dress to tailor it to Stelle’s body, which meant this work of art would fit like a glove. The mermaid style had been something Stelle had mentioned during the brainstorming process, remarking how a friend on Amphoreus had given her that very shape. This dress was the same, except that instead of pure white, it was a deep scarlet to honor the wedding traditions on the Luofu.

What she hadn’t seen was the rest of the details. To honor the dress Aglaea had designed, this dress had a golden cape instead of the glittering, gauzy wings of Mnestia’s butterflies, but whereas Aglaea’s dress had been plain, this dress was heavily detailed. Embroidered around the bodice in glittering gold thread was a dragon, its tail trailing down the train of her skirt. Beaded lotus flowers also adorned the dress, protected by the dragon’s claws. Finally, lotus petals lined the hem of her skirt.

But that wasn’t the only thing in the bag, Stelle realized after a long moment. There was a second, much smaller velvet bag hanging from the hanger. Looking inside, a flash of red fabric caught Stelle’s attention, a stark contrast to the white envelope.

She pulled out the envelope first, only to spy Dan Heng’s tidy writing on the front.

To my wife, Stelle

She ripped open the envelope, yanking out the letter inside.

Even though the hairpin is a traditional engagement gift, I told you it is the lotus flower that is the mark of engagement. When I gave you the garter on Amphoreus, I did not realize it would disappear, hence I must make amends for that.

While it is disappointing I cannot gift this to you in person, I would be most honored if you wore this today for our wedding ceremony.

I love you.

Your husband, Dan Heng

She felt like she was on the verge of tears as she looked in the bag again, taking out the red fabric. A garter. Like the dress, a gold dragon wove around it, guarding a lotus flower as though with its life. Just as he would always guard her.

She pressed it to her lips, realizing too late that she was wearing lipstick. Hopefully, she didn’t smear makeup all over it.

“Is that a garter?” Himeko asked.

“Yeah,” Stelle said, her voice warbling with emotion. “That sneak of a husband kept it secret.”

“Dan Heng is surprisingly romantic. But as much as I’d love to give you time for this moment…”

“Dress,” Stelle finished. “Are we running late?”

“We’re... tentatively on schedule?”

Which Stelle interpreted as running late if they wasted even a second more.

Within moments, Stelle was out of her dressing robe and in the work of art that she did not want to know the price tag of. She made a mental note to be extra, extra careful at the banquet tonight.

Finally, the other two girls made it into their bridesmaid dresses. The teal color Stelle was so fond of, the same color as Lunarescent Depthsitself, looked great on both of them.

“The flowers!” March finally realized, pulling the bouquet from its safe spot on her windowsill. She handed Stelle the flowers, the white, yellow, and red peonies all wrapped in a teal ribbon.

“Where did you even get this?” Stelle asked. “I don’t remember adding a bouquet to the things I needed to get.”

“I took care of it, obviously,” March said. “The bride has to have a bouquet to toss!”

Stelle chuckled. “You know, half this wedding seems to have been planned without my knowledge.”

March’s expression wavered. “You’re not mad, are you?”

“Not at all. I just like teasing you.”

“That checks out.” March theatrically rolled her eyes, no hard feelings behind them. “What can I say? I just wanted to see my two closest friends get married.”

“No one’s gonna take away your ‘biggest shipper’ title.”

“Proudly. I even thought of a ship name for you two.”

“You did not.”

“I so did. But that’s my secret.”

“You stinker!”

The two girls shared a laugh before Stelle stepped forward, wrapping March up in a hug. “Thanks, though. For everything.”

March quickly reciprocated. “We’re family, aren’t we? It’s just what sisters do.”

They stayed like that a moment before Stelle pulled away to give Himeko a hug. “Thanks to you, too.”

“Of course,” Himeko returned, her voice warm. “It’s my honor.”

A knock sounded on the door. “Is the bride ready?” the muffled voice of Mr. Yang asked.

Himeko grinned as she headed to the doorway. “Just in time.” When she opened the door, it was only a crack. “You’ve come alone, right? No groom wanting to sneak a peek at the bride?”

Mr. Yang chuckled. “Dan Heng is at the altar, waiting. Boothill convinced him to follow the tradition, despite Dan Heng insisting it’s superstitious nonsense.”

“Superstitious or not, I’d rather avoid any omen of bad luck after everything we’ve been through.”

“I can’t disagree with that.”

Himeko finally opened the door wider, allowing Mr. Yang entrance. Except Mr. Yang only got a step inside before he froze. “Oh, Stelle,” he sighed, his expression tender. “You look beautiful.”

Stelle straightened, preening under the praise. “Thank you, Mr. Yang.”

“We should go, March,” Himeko spoke up. “And go take our places.”

“Right.”

“Wait!” Stelle cried, scampering back to her clothes pile and digging through it. “March, I have something for you.”

March froze. “That’s not how this works,” she spoke, confused.

“I thought the bride was supposed to get the maid-of-honor something, though.”

“Are they?” March questioned.

“Well, whether or not—” Having pulled a small gift box out of the pile, Stelle held it out to March. “I did. Hurry; open it.”

March took the box, untying the bow on top and lifting the lid. Inside lay a handkerchief, the lace around the edges looking like little snowflakes. March pulled it out, looking it over, only to spot the dark blue embroidery Stelle had ordered for it. Stelle and March, sisters forever.

Eyes red, March cradled it to her chest. “Stelle!”

Stelle’s vision grew watery. “I knew you’d cry, so I had to get something for you.”

Tears gathered on March’s lashes as she grinned. “That’s so insulting.” And yet, March threw her arms around Stelle one last time.

Stelle gave March a tight squeeze, their embrace short. When they pulled away, tears were already in March’s eyes. “Aeons, I really hate you. I don’t want to use this.” Yet, she dabbed the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief, anyway. “But I can’t not.”

They shared one last giggle before March followed Himeko out the door. “I’ll be waiting for your grand entrance,” she said, waving the handkerchief.

And then the door shut, leaving Stelle and Mr. Yang alone.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

She grabbed the bouquet from the bed, giving the petals a look over to ensure she hadn’t damaged them in her haste. “As I’ll ever be.”  

“Then…” He extended his elbow to her. “I would be honored to fill the role of escort on this lovely occasion.”

Happily, Stelle placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Thank you, Mr. Yang.”

“It is my pleasure.”

She followed him out the door, taking her first steps down the hall toward the parlor car where she knew everyone was waiting.

“Are you nervous?” he asked her.

The flutter of Mnestia’s butterflies all around her stomach was proof enough of that. “It’s stupid, right? I already married him once.”

“You may have, but this is still a big event.”

“…Maybe I’m a little nervous.”

He paused before they reached the door. “Then take a breath.”

Stelle did as told.

“You look every part the stunning bride,” Mr. Yang spoke, his voice low and reassuring. “And your groom is equally anxious as he waits for you to appear. It’s not just you alone. If you can be brave enough to face this moment, to walk into your future, then you won’t have to face any other challenge alone. Dan Heng will always be by your side from here on out.”

Emotion bubbled in Stelle’s chest, her heart so warm it overflowed. “I know he will.” Still, she wanted a little extra reassurance, reaching out for a hug. “You know just what to say.”

Mr. Yang easily embraced her, letting her take whatever strength from him she needed.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For playing the part of my dad here.”

He hummed, a warm sound. “It is my honor.”

They parted, but Stelle didn’t get far before Mr. Yang gently cupped her cheeks, tilting her head forward so he could press a kiss to the crown of her head. Even though bits and pieces of her past had returned to her, only in the faintest of flashes, she couldn’t recall what it was like to have a dad. That is, if she ever had one at all. But she wanted to believe that if she had… he would have loved her just like this.

“Are you ready?” he asked again. “Or do you need another minute?”

Stelle shook her head. “I’m ready.”

Mr. Yang tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow again before giving it a gentle pat. “Then, let’s not keep Dan Heng waiting any longer.”

He was right. Hence, Stelle took another fortifying breath as Mr. Yang pushed open the door leading to the parlor car.

There was a clamor of everyone rising from their seats. Music quickly followed. Despite knowing how much work went into decorating the parlor car, Stelle noticed none of it as her eyes narrowed in on a man in red at the end of the aisle.

Aeons, he looked incredible in that suit.

They’d spent time with the designer discussing what sort of styles he’d be most comfortable wearing, whether that leaned more into a common style or the traditional Xianzhou robes. In the end, he wore a deep scarlet suit that matched the color of her dress, the high-collared suit jacket trimmed with gold. He wished to keep as much of Aglaea’s own inspiration as he could, meaning he also wore a cape of gold, one that hung off both his shoulders. Instead of leaves to reference Cerces’ tree, the cape held an embroidered dragon, one encircling a star.

When this was over, Stelle and Dan Heng would have to look for the names the designer insisted she would hide within the scales of the dragons. It would be a fun treasure hunt for the two of them to partake in. For now, it was enough to know those names were there.

Finally, they reached the altar, and Dan Heng extended his hand to Stelle.

Mr. Yang took Stelle’s hand from his elbow, placing it within Dan Heng’s before encompassing their conjoined hands with his. “Take care of each other,” Mr. Yang whispered.

“We will,” Dan Heng and Stelle managed to say together.

Mr. Yang then pulled away, allowing Dan Heng to guide Stelle onto the raised platform. Stelle handed her bouquet to March behind her, then turned back to Dan Heng, standing before him, hand in hand.

“Dearly beloved,” Sunday said from her side. “We’ve gathered here today to join Dan Heng and Stelle in holy matrimony.”

It had taken a surprising amount of time and effort to convince him to officiate. Sunday had agreed to perform rites when he’d thought it would just be the Astral Express crew, but as the event grew, Sunday grew equally more hesitant. He insisted it was improper for a man of his poor standing to wed two prominent figures of the Astral Express in public fashion. Neither Dan Heng nor Stelle accepted that as an excuse. He’d been instrumental in bringing her and Dan Heng back to reality, and in their eyes, Sunday had become just as much of a Nameless as the rest of them. They saw no reason for him not to take the role.

In the end, Stelle wore him down. She was also ninety percent sure March had a role in that, as well, but she was keeping her suspicions to herself.

He did give a nice little speech… at least, Stelle would assume it was nice; she scarcely heard it. Heck, the only thing that called her back to reality after getting lost in Dan Heng’s eyes and their silent conversation of reassuring squeezes was the mention of the one word Stelle had mentally warned herself to listen for.

“The couple will now exchange their vows,” Sunday announced. He then pulled out a little slip of paper from his jacket pocket to hand to Dan Heng, quietly prompting, “Dan Heng, you may lead first.”

Dan Heng took the paper, unfolding it and glancing it over before turning his gaze back up to Stelle.

“Stelle,” he began, his eyes darting over the crowd of people watching on before focusing back on her.

It wasn’t common to see Dan Heng so nervous. Stelle found it endearing. Mentally, she sent him encouragement. Not like he’d hear them, even with their minds connected, but she still loved him enough to try.

Maybe it really was doing something because when he raised his head again, his shoulders squared with the confidence she’d come to associate with the proud bodyguard of the Astral Express. “Stelle,” he spoke. “There was a time in my life when I didn’t even consider marriage a possibility. Yet, I stand before you now as your husband, taking you as my wife.

“I’ve told you before, but I will reiterate: I vow to spend my life as your protector. Even though I know I have failed, I will never surrender my pursuit of keeping you safe, and if ever we are separated again, I vow that I will find you, no matter how long it takes. I vow to stand by your side through every challenge and hardship you face, just as I hope you will always be by mine. Finally, I vow to love and cherish you the best way I know how, in every circumstance, just as you’ve always shown that kind of love to me.

“Lucky feels too casual a word for this occasion, and fortune feels too flippant. Because I lack the words to describe how thankful I am for the blessing that is having you in my life, those sentiments will be best expressed through actions. I hope I’ve already proved them all to you, since the day you entered the Express, and particularly on Amphoreus, but I will continue proving these vows to you, until the heat death of the universe.”

Stelle needed a tissue. It was too late to hope she didn’t mess up her makeup; the tears had already broken free.

But a handkerchief with some lacy snowflakes made its way into her vision.

Dang it. Who would have expected her half-teasing gift would come back to bite her in the butt?

She swiped the hanky, dabbing at her cheeks. “Darn you,” she hissed. “You can’t do this to me, you closet romantic!”

There was a low chuckle among the audience. Dan Heng was clearly abashed, which probably meant the way he stepped in between Stelle and the audience was as much for him as it was for her. As short as his speech was, he’d just poured his heart out in front of all their friends. It was raw, beautiful, and sincere, and most of all, it was words he probably wished only she knew. Yet, he’d announced them publicly, each word holding its weight in gold. He was already living out his vow to love and cherish her. How could a girl be so lucky?

Stelle shoved down the rest of her tears before taking advantage of her human shield to throw the hanky at March without being noticed.

March just smirked, tears in her eyes as well. “Who’s the crier now?” she whispered.

“Still you,” Stelle teased.

March scrunched her nose at Stelle, likely knowing she couldn’t get away with sticking her tongue out. Yet, she collected herself quickly and returned to her position behind Stelle.

Seeing as Stelle had pulled herself together, Dan Heng returned to his position as well, once again standing face to face with her.

“Stelle,” Sunday prompted, seeing as everyone was back in position. He took a second paper out of his pocket to hand to her. “You may now recite your vows.”

Gathering her own courage, Stelle took the paper from Sunday. She’d spent every spare minute thinking of and crafting this speech of hers. She’d wished she had the time to memorize it, but wanting it to be perfect, she’d been working on it until the very last minute.

She took a breath, looking to Dan Heng before turning her attention to the paper in her hands.

“When I started trailblazing with the Nameless,” she began, her vision bouncing back and forth between the words and Dan Heng, “I knew I would explore a bunch of places, meet a bunch of new people, and forge relationships along the way, but I never would have guessed that one of those relationships would be a romantic one. Even though I thought you were handsome when we first met, becoming anything more than friends never crossed my mind. The more I got to know you, the happier and more thankful I became that we were friends, coworkers, and traveling companions. By then, I’d already considered you family.

“Then I fell for you. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say I’d been falling for you without realizing it. Finally, I couldn’t deny my crush on you any longer, but how do you confess to a guy when taking that step could alter the friendship I couldn’t bear to lose? That’s why even though the scene of our crash landing on Amphoreus was the least romantic place ever, I wouldn’t change a thing about the way we confessed, because what if any little difference would have given me a different answer? I’m too greedy; I can’t risk any change.

She lowered the paper, finally staring Dan Heng in the eye as she rambled forward. “That’s why, however much of an absolute disaster the trailblaze mission to Amphoreus was, I was so thankful that I was able to trailblaze it with you. It was where we dated, where we fell in love, where we got fake married and real married and just existed together. It wasn’t perfect, but I don’t need it to be. I just want you by my side every trailblaze mission from now on.”

Dan Heng’s eyes were growing misty. Or maybe her own watery vision was playing tricks on her.

She turned back to the paper. She had to finish this before both of them were crying again. “Dan Heng, you aren’t the fugitive of your past; you are strong and smart and capable and all-around awesome. There’s no one else I want by my side to explore the stars with, and if you’ll have me, I vow to follow you all over this galaxy for as long as we both live. And no matter what dangers we face or what happens to us along the way, through the good and the bad and the worst, I’ll always stay by your side. I love you so much, and I’m so freaking lucky to have you. Just as you promised to protect me, I’ll protect you. And promise to love and cherish you…” She looked up at him, ignoring her own words in favor of echoing, “Until the heat death of the universe.”

There was a sniffle off to the side. Probably March. Stelle tried to focus on the hilarity of that instead of the emotion swelling up in her chest caused by watching Dan Heng’s reactions. It was an impossible endeavor, her emotions far stronger than any urge to laugh, but she tried.

“Lastly,” Sunday spoke, producing two rings from another jacket pocket. “The exchanging of rings.”

He dropped one in Dan Heng’s awaiting hand. The ring looked identical to the one on Amphoreus. At least in Stelle’s eyes. It’s possible the cut of the stone was off or the metal twisted differently, but those differences didn’t matter compared to the one difference she knew was there. The endearment My Starlight was engraved on the inside of her ring, just as My Moon was on the inside of Dan Heng’s. A custom touch to their already custom rings.

That had been Asta’s wedding gift. Stelle should have known better than to mention ring shopping to a girl with no concept of money. It had started as a friendly conversation, catching up after all the chaos, but the moment Stelle had mentioned the wedding rings she and Dan Heng had gotten on Amphoreus, Asta had insisted she knew someone who could recreate them. Stelle had tried to politely decline, only to make the foolish misstep of saying she worried of the price. Within the hour, Asta had physically wrestled her credit cards away from Arlan and called up this jeweler on the phone. The only thing Stelle could do at that point was apologize to Arlan for her failure to restrain Asta.

Arlan, kind soul he was, hadn’t blamed her for a second.

“Dan Heng,” Sunday spoke. “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” With that, he took Stelle’s hand, yet again sliding a ring on her finger. No matter how many times it happened, her heart gave a little flutter. Maybe it gave an extra one this time because this ring was real and tangible, no longer a figment of her imagination constrained to a false world.

It was a ring she finally got to keep.

“Stelle,” Sunday continued, placing a ring in her hand. “Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” She returned the favor, sliding the ring onto Dan Heng’s hand.

“Then by the power vested in me,” Sunday announced. “I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, but Stelle hardly noticed. Dan Heng demanded her full attention, taking her cheeks in his hands and pulling her in for a kiss. There was no other way to respond than to throw her arms around him and press in closer.

When they pulled away, a little breathless but all smiles, they finally turned to the crowd. All her companions from Herta’s space station were in the front, from the geniuses to the Space Station crew. As for the IPC, Stelle was glad it was just two certain stonehearts. There was the delegation from Belobog that, to Stelle’s surprise, consisted of more than just the three who had come to crash her room. Gepard, Luka, Natasha, and even Hook were there. The Xianzhou alliance took up the most space; Stelle’s entire ghost-hunting crew had made an appearance, as  well as Jing Yuan followed by Yanqing and Bailu. The trio from the Yaoqing even made an appearance, but their attendance was based on slightly different circumstances than the others. The Penacony crew even made their appearance, Robin, Boothill, and Rappa lingering in the back.

“Shoo!” March whispered, already pushing their shoulders.

Taking Stelle’s hand, Dan Heng led her off the platform and down the center aisle, only to immediately get pelted by a shower of rice.

Giggling like a schoolgirl who’d just gone out with her crush, Stelle ducked against the shower. She ran down the aisle after Dan Heng, each serving as the other’s shield against the onslaught of well-wishes.

But that rice suddenly turned digital, causing Stelle to blink in surprise. She glanced to the side, catching sight of four holograms lined up in a row.

Her heart skipped an odd beat. The Stellaron Hunters all stood there, dressed up in finery that, admittedly, might be a digital illusion. Firefly looked like she was going to explode with excitement, a sharp contrast to Blade who looked about as content as a drenched cat. He still gave Stelle a slight bow. Silverwolf seemed as amused as winning the ultimate game, chucking digital rice by the handful, while Kafka politely applauded. And when Stelle looked Kafka straight in the eye, her smile widened as she blew Stelle a kiss.

Not knowing what else to do, Stelle gave them a polite nod of her head, raising her bouquet of flowers to them as if in a toast before following Dan Heng out of the parlor car.

“I hope Pom-pom was prepared for the mess that they left on the ground,” Dan Heng remarked, brushing some rice from Stelle’s bangs.

The touch brought her back to reality. She shouldn’t be surprised at the stellaron hunter’s appearance, especially with all the times that Silverwolf had made a digital appearance on the Astral Express, but it was a little awkward seeing them now, given what she’d learned about her still foggy past. “If not,” Stelle said, focusing on picking a couple grains of rice off Dan Heng’s shoulders, “then I’m sure Pom-pom will gladly put everyone to work.”

The door opened again, and in popped March. “Okay, let’s grab some pictures before you two break into the reception! I can already smell the food cooking. It’s going to be amazing.”

~~

Dan Heng had never been one to willingly submit to countless photos. He’d grant March one or two before insisting she put the camera away. This time was incomparable. He was happy to let March pose him and Stelle in whatever ways she saw fit or to simply follow Stelle’s lead. He would be curious to see which of those photos turned out well, and which were simply superfluous. Considering Dan Heng and Stelle wished to stay on the Express and avoid whatever chaos the next adventure would undoubtedly bring, they would have time to debate over photos.

Then came the time to make an appearance at the reception, something Dan Heng was surprisingly reluctant to do. After the ceremony, he’d rather spend his time privately with Stelle, but there was a group of friends and comrades who all wanted to wish them well. Dan Heng wouldn’t be so rude a host as to disappear.

With Stelle’s hand on his elbow, he led her into the party car, where everyone would be gathered. Just like when they ran out of the parlor car, they were equally greeted with cheers and whistles as they made their way over to a special table set up just for them at the head of the room.

Dan Heng pulled the chair out for Stelle, but as he took his own seat beside her, the clinking of a glass rang throughout the party car. Jing Yuan stood, the crowd falling silent as he commanded their attention. “Thank you for your attention,” he began. “I’d like to be the first to propose a toast to the groom and his beautiful bride. Individually, I see two brave warriors, strong pillars who face battlefields and adventures with a bravery and tenacity that is rarely found amongst the cosmos. How fortuitous that you two have found each other. May all your battles be fought side-by-side instead of head-to-head, but I pray that even those battles be few and far between. Instead, may the adventure you two embark on together be full of joy and blessings. To Dan Heng and Stelle!”

“To Dan Heng and Stelle!” the crowd repeated, raising their glasses of the best wine Jing Yuan could possibly bring in toast.

During the speech, Moze had slipped behind them, silently setting two full glasses on the table. Glasses that were now raised in the air by the bride and groom.

“I’ll drink to that,” Stelle said, tapping the edges of their glasses together.

“As will I,” Dan Heng said. He brought the cup to his lips, watching for her so they could sip from their cups at the same time.

The banquet was slated to be several courses long. Dan Heng nor Stelle had been particular about the menu, instead leaving all planning up to their chef of the night. A chef they’d acquired much the same way they’d acquired the rings and wedding attire: through conversation gone awry.

It had begun when Jing Yuan had called Dan Heng to check in on him after the events with Irontomb. After all pertinent information was shared, Jing Yuan continued the conversation with small talk. Following the flow of conversation meant Dan Heng informed Jing Yuan of his marriage to Stelle. Of course, the chatty general demanded details, and said details led Dan Heng to admit he and Stelle would have a small ceremony on the Astral Express, one that was actively being planned.

General Feixiao had then made herself known over the phone, apologizing for having eavesdropped while also boldly imposing a question upon him: would he and Stelle be willing to let Jiaoqiu cater the event. She’d said that after losing his sight, Jiaoqiu had become somewhat despondent and withdrawn, even though he was doing his very best to hide that fact. She thought that if he was given an important task like this, it might lift his spirits. Dan Heng had talked it over with Stelle for approximately twenty seconds before they’d agreed.

“He hasn’t lost his touch,” Stelle remarked, taking a bite of the meal before her.

“Stelle, it’s the first course. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Don’t be mean to the blind guy,” Stelle said, gently elbowing him in the side. “Furthermore, don’t be mean to the blind guy who has the ability to poison our food. No, scratch that; don’t be mean to the blind guy who has two very protective bodyguards.” Stelle then motioned out to the tables, where Feixiao and Moze were currently acting as servers for the night.

Regretably, he couldn’t argue with that.

As the meal went on, guests approached in small groups to congratulate the bride and groom. Dan Heng left most of the talking to Stelle, chiming in here and there with appropriate responses and gratitude.

But there were a couple conversations he was in charge of leading. Such as one with Boothill and Robin. Dan Heng had to admit it was a pleasant surprise to see the Galaxy Ranger decked in a proper suit for the occasion. The clasp holding together his string tie had a refined look to it, leading Dan Heng to speculate that a certain woman had a hand in such a detail. The boots and the hat remained, though.

“Shoot, partner,” Boothill remarked, slapping a hand on Dan Heng’s shoulder. “You really outdid yourself here. Found yourself a fine woman to settle down with.”

“That I did,” Dan Heng agreed.

Boothill tipped his hat. “Wish you two all the happiness in the cosmos.”

“Likewise,” Robin said from Boothill’s side. She had one hand resting in the crook of his arm, her smile sweet and bright. The ornament on her choker necklace looked quite similar to Boothill’s tie clasp, Dan Heng noticed. “May your journey together be infinitely brighter than your ones apart.”

“I’m sure it will,” Stelle said. “But hey! We’re super glad to see you two could make it!”

“Agreed,” Dan Heng added, unwilling to ever admit how glad he was Boothill could make it today. “I know this was short notice, and you mentioned you might not be able to make it on such a tight schedule.”

Robin giggled. “I shouldn’t have had the time, but I reorganized my schedule to make an exception.”

Boothill scoffed, his lips tipping up in a lopsided smirk. “Darlin’, that’s stretchin’ the truth mighty thin.”

A light dusting of pink appeared on her cheeks as she put a finger to her lips, shushing him. “My brother doesn’t need to know that.”

Boothill looked over her head to where Sunday was shooting glares his way. “Fair ‘nough.”

“Nuh-uh,” Stelle hissed, leaning in. “You gotta spill now.”

Robin shot Stelle a wink. “A lady has her secrets.”

“Oh, come on,” Boothill coaxed, using her grip on his elbow to tug her a half-step closer to him. “It’s my buddy’s wedding, and his woman’s askin’. Besides, this is some of my finest work. Tell ‘um.”

“On the contrary, it’s a wedding, and I don’t want to spoil the mood.”

“Why does this feel illegal?” Dan Heng questioned.

“It ain’t… illegal, per se,” Boothill countered.

“But highly suspect?”

“Yeah, that’s probably the right word for it.”

Stelle’s eyes were shining brighter than her stellaron as she leaned in closer. “Now we’re talking. Spill!”

Blush deepening, Robin’s wing feathers fluttered as she hid her mouth from the crowd. “I might have agreed to stage a kidnapping.”

The lightning that blitzed through Dan Heng consisted of equal parts horror and vexation as he aimed the sharpest warning glare he could manage at Boothill.

Stelle, on the other hand, was more enamored with this nonsense than she was at a golden Lordly Trashcan. Excitedly slapping her hands on the table, she somehow wiggled even closer to the edge of her seat. “No way!”

Robin’s wings completely covered her cheeks and mouth, but her eyes were pinched with amusement. “It was most thrilling.”

“Was that necessary?” Dan Heng challenged.

“Look!” Boothill defended. “No one got hurt, and it ain’t tresspassin’ when you get permission ahead of time.”

Stelle had lost the war of holding her composure. Her hands slapped on the table as she bent over in laughter. Dan Heng didn’t know what disappointed him more: that he was friends with someone who thought this way… or that he’d just married a woman who would have the exact same line of reasoning.

Still wheezing, Stelle stuck out her hand, giving Boothill a fist bump. “Amazing,” she said, her voice pitched with laughter as she dabbed the joyous tears from her eyes. “Bravo!”

“Thanks, partner!”

“You aren’t worried about this backfiring?” Dan Heng questioned. “Won’t this just make your bounty bigger?”

“Who cares? No one’s gonna catch me.”

“Well, Robin,” Stelle continued, finally catching her breath. “I’d say write a novel because that sounds like a romance plot, but maybe I should say write an album instead.”

Robin tittered. “We’ll see.”

Thankfully, they brought the conversation to a swift end before Sunday could gather the courage to approach the table and question just what was so amusing. Dan Heng knew the only reason Sunday hadn’t approached was the level of propriety and general politeness he was given to.

Once everyone had had the chance to approach the bride and groom with their well-wishes, the wedding cake was brought out. The songlotus sponge cake stood two tiers high, decorated in whipped puffergoat cream and some golden accents. On the top of the cake lay a sugar lotus flower.

Clearly, Stelle had been correct in her early assessment of Jiaoqiu’s talents. With skills like this, not one person would assume this man was blind. His talents hadn’t faded in the slightest. Dan Heng and Stelle ought to reward the man handsomely, not only for the effort, but for agreeing to take the task on, even with his believed shortcomings.

Stelle was the one to reach for the knife first. Fitting, Dan Heng thought. Even more so that he was the one to wrap his hands protectively around hers and follow her lead as they cut the first slice of cake together. Carefully, they pulled it onto the shared dessert plate. All the while, a million flashes were going off, just as they had most of the night. March was going above and beyond Maid-of-Honor duties, evidently determined to capture every little moment of the night.

“Boop!”

Dan Heng blinked. Having been distracted by the camera, he’d missed Stelle take a swipe of the whipped cream with her fingertip, only to tap it against his nose.

He stood shocked for only a moment before he remembered just whom he’d married. He sighed. Too much fondness flowed through him to succeed in giving her an unamused look. “Really?”

Like the star she was, her smile only brightened as she tapped her nose with a clean finger. “Your turn.”

An idea flashed through his mind before he could follow her instruction. Instead of swiping his fingers through the whipped cream, he ran them through her hair. Cupping the back of her head, he pulled their faces closer until their noses touched.

That camera went off repeatedly as a round of ‘aww’s brought him back to reality.

Heat flooding his cheeks, he pulled away. That cold embarrassment settled in his gut, but the warmth in Stelle’s laugh countered the chill. “Even better!”

Trying to ignore the fact that everyone had just seen that rather blatant act of affection, Dan Heng grabbed the nearest fork, scooping up a bite of cake and holding it in front of Stelle’s mouth. “Here.”

Seeing the dessert before her, Stelle quickly reached for her own fork and mirrored his action. Together, each sporting matching whipped cream dollops on their noses, they fed each other the cake. Yet another intimate gesture that had taken some convincing on Stelle’s part. Dan Heng hadn’t thought it necessary, but to see the unadulterated joy on Stelle’s face… maybe it hadn’t been so bad to cave to her plans this time.

Ha. “This time”. More like… every time from here on out. He was weak to her. This had not been the first time he’d caved to her whims, and it most certainly would not be the last.

After their little show that March would surely rib him about later, Dan Heng and Stelle took over the task of cutting and serving the cake. They could have allowed Feixiao or Moze to take on that job, but Stelle had wanted to be the one to do it, insisting it would give her more time to mingle among the guests and chat. Dan Heng once again followed her lead. It allowed him to give one last round of thanks to all the people who had kindly shown up today.

The dessert course easily flowed into a more casual mingling, people chatting in huddles instead of at tables. It meant that this course ended up lasting the longest of the bunch. By that time, Feixiao had brought out Jiaoqiu. Dan Heng had made sure he and Stelle went over and thanked him profusely for the delicious meal. Dan Heng wouldn’t pretend to know the man well at all, but he did seem to soak in that praise.

“Congratulations to both of you,” Jiaoqiu finished. “It was a great honor to be the one serving your wedding.”

“It was delicious,” Stelle assured. “And who knew the general and her retainer made such great servers?”

Feixiao laughed it off. “Please, it was hardly difficult. But it was a lovely ceremony. We wish you the greatest of blessings moving forward.”

“Agreed,” Moze chimed in. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Dan Heng said.

The trio gave a bow before walking toward the nearest table. Feixiao gently guided Jiaoqiu, hand on his elbow, while Moze managed to balance three plates.

“We need to send him something nice,” Stelle whispered as they walked away.

“We’ll find something,” Dan Heng agreed. “But I believe now is the time to—”

“Bouquet toss!” Stelle shouted, finishing his sentence for him.

There was a twitter amongst the girls in particular as Stelle made her way through the now swarming crowd.

“Fighting is encouraged!” Stelle called out as she climbed the first couple of stairs to their bedroom, the slight height allowing all the girls to see the bouquet clearly.

“How about not?” Dan Heng returned from his spot near the bar, far away from the chaos that was sure to ensue. The women gathering were an eclectic bunch, some with martial prowess and others with powers. However, that didn’t automatically tilt the scales. Dan Heng knew the tenacity and git held by all those women; not a one was to be underestimated.

“What’s a wedding without a bouquet brawl?!” Stelle challenged.

“A safer one.”

“And far less memorable.”

Boothill and Aventurine, who’d each made their way to Dan Heng’s side, laughed.

“Why let the girls have all the fun?” Aventurine started. “I propose a small bet on who comes out on top.”

“What kinda friendly wager is on the table?” Boothill questioned.

“Nothing too extravagant. Losers have to buy the winner a drink whenever we next cross paths.”

“I’ll take that bet.” Boothill then elbowed Dan Heng. “What about you?”

“Must I?” Dan Heng flatly questioned.

“Call it late bachelor party shenanigans,” Boothill dismissed. “Since we didn’t get to go drinkin’ the night before.”

Dan Heng sighed. If he was going to get himself mixed up in a bet with these two, it couldn’t get any lower of a risk than this. “Alright, I’ll join.”

“Wow,” Aventurine mocked. “Marriage really does change a man. Never thought I’d see the day you were affected by it, though. Since it’s your wedding day, we’ll let you make the first call. Who do you think’s going to nab the bouquet?”

Dan Heng looked over the crowd. “Either Bailu or…” His brow suddenly furrowed. “Jing Yuan?”

The trio of men all looked on in confusion as Jing Yuan walked into the middle of the fray, hands raised high. In only a few seconds, the women all ganged up on him, trying to drag him down or push him out of the crowd entirely.

Judging by the grin on Jing Yuan’s face, Dan Heng hypothesized he did it on purpose just to elicit that reaction.

“Bold man,” Aventurine said. “Not even I’m that daring to step foot into a gaggle of greedy girls.”

“Nah, you gotta let them have their fun,” Boothill said, watching as Feixiao threw the laughing general over her shoulder before removing him from the girls who were now cheering behind her. “Doubt any one of them doesn’t secretly hope they're next in line to be the bride.”

“Well,” Aventurine remarked, giving Topaz a look. “I wouldn’t make that bold an assumption. I’m sure some would rather take their time. Either that, or they don't give a damn about tradition in the first place. Regardless, Dan Heng, did you make your final choice? Bailu?”

“March.” Dan Heng’s gaze landed on the young woman whom he considered his sister. There was a certain hardness in her eyes that he knew meant she wasn’t beyond playing dirty, and considering March thought of Stelle like a sister, he had no doubt March would do whatever it took to make sure she was in possession of that bouquet.

“Good call,” Boothill said. “Family’s always a good bet.”

“You next, Boothill,” Aventurine gracefully spoke. “I’ll gracefully take last call.”

Boothill grimaced. “Considering your luck, that’s the least you can do.” He surveyed the crowd. “Not that I don’t believe in Robin, but my money’s on the one with the orange hair.”

“That’s… Guinaifen, if I have the names right.” Aventurine remarked.

“Yes,” Dan Heng confirmed.

“I can see the reasoning in that choice,” Aventurine conceded, “but I’m going to go with Himeko.”

“Not bettin’ on that fellow stoneheart?” Boothill challenged.

Aventurine shook his head. “Not this time. I don’t involve Topaz in any wager I lack confidence in.”

By now, Feixiao had returned to the center, having deposited Jing Yuan… somewhere. Dan Heng would assume somewhere far behind the bar and out of sight. She was bowing theatrically at the applause.

“Locking in your bets?” Aventurine asked.

“Deal,” Boothill said, holding out a fist.

Dan Heng was almost, almost amused at this nonsense. He stuck out his fist to meet Boothill’s. “Deal.”

“Deal.” Aventurine was the last to bump fists with them.

Having hyped up the crowd enough, Stelle finally turned around, ready to throw. The girls screamed, each reaching for the bouquet. And then chaos descended.

Why was Dan Heng not surprised?

Seele leaped into the air, a violet phantom, but before she could snatch it, Bailu used water to shoot the bouquet out of her grasp. Feixiao leapt for it, but so did Sushang, and the two collided midair, dropping the bouquet in surprise. Then it descended below the mass of raised hands.

Boothill was laughing at the chaos. Aventurine muttered something in amusement under his breath. Dan Heng could only watch the scene for so long before he looked to Stelle, who was looking on at the brawl with full delight.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was her reaction the least surprising of all?

The chanting screams gave way to the chanting of two names: Guinaifen and March. It seemed those two were in the lead.

And then the victor raised the bedraggled bouquet high into the air. “I got it!” March cried.

The girls all clapped and cheered. That was about as peaceful an end as one could hope for. Dan Heng watched as Stelle quickly hopped down the stairs, rushing to March and giving her a raccoon-sized hug.

“Well,” Aventurine said, holding out his hand to shake. “It looks like I’ll be owing you drinks next time we cross, Dan Heng.”

Dan Heng shook his hand. “I accept.”

“Same here,” Boothill said, dropping a hand on Dan Heng’s shoulder. “But I probably woulda anyway in honor of you gettin’ hitched.”

Boothill pulled his hand back and stood straight from the bar. “But that drink better come before March’s wedding. She seein’ someone?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” Dan Heng said, his eyes newly narrowing on March, who was grasping the bouquet like it was the grandest of trophies.

“If the old adage holds true,” Aventurine started, “and she’s next in line to get married, I do wonder who that could be. Maybe… Sunday! Come join us.”

At the same time, Dan Heng and Boothill turned to face the man who was approaching. A man who had a brow lifted quizzically. “Should I fear whatever conversation is being had here?” Sunday questioned.

“Not at all,” Aventurine breezily dismissed. “Not unless you’re less than amenable to the possibility of the three of you becoming brothers-in-law.”

Sunday’s already carefully crafted façade flattened further. “In what world would that ever be possible?”

Aventurine pointed over to March. “The woman just caught the bouquet and is in need of a groom. Don’t think I didn’t notice how close you two were. I’d wager you’d do the job just fine.”

There was a wave of panic that flashed across Sunday’s face, yet he quickly suppressed it. “Even in that hypothetical situation,” he said, squaring his shoulders uncomfortably, “how does Boothill play a part in this?”

Aventurine simply pat Sunday’s shoulder. “Your delusions never fade, do they?”

While those two continued their verbal spar, Dan Heng felt a tap on his shoulder. “I’m…” Boothill whispered. “I’mma take Robin and skedaddle. Congrats again, buddy.”

Boothill probably had the right idea. Dan Heng didn’t want to think of any implications Aventurine had just implied, particularly since Aventurine had caught what Dan Heng was beginning to notice: Sunday and March had grown oddly close as of late. “I’ll go get Stelle. I believe the night is coming to a close, anyway.”

Gradually, people did start heading out. Boothill and Robin were the first to leave, Rappa trailing behind them. The geniuses soon followed with their polite goodbyes. Dan Heng was surprised they’d stayed as long as they had.

After gathering the Belobogian Delegation, Topaz and Aventurine took their leave as well. Asta and Arlan lingered only a little while afterwards before saying their farewells. Lastly, Jing Yuan had managed the impressive feat of gathering Yanqing, Bailu, and the Ghost Hunting Group.

Technically, the Yanqing trio were the only ones remaining, but they’d offered to help clean up the kitchen before they headed out. Dan Heng thought he overheard Himeko insisting they stay the night and get proper rest before they left. He hadn’t stuck around long enough to hear if Feixiao would take her up on that offer.

Although Dan Heng felt somewhat bad about leaving the cleanup to everyone else, he knew there were far more important things that involved the woman by his side.

A gleam in her eye, Stelle wrapped her arms around Dan Heng’s neck. She was a vision in that dress. When he’d first caught sight of her walking down the aisle, he felt the air leave his lungs. She looked every bit a queen in that red dress. Add on the adornments he’d given her, the garter with his protective dragon and the lotus hairpin that signified she was a taken woman, and an overwhelming pride washed over him. Everyone, look but don’t touch, the dragon inside of him screamed. This beautiful woman was his, and he reveled in that fact.

“Isn’t this the part where the groom whisks the bride away?” she teased.

The only correct response was to hoist her in his arms in a truly proper bridal carry.

She squealed in delight, holding on to him tighter. As he carried her up the stairs, she teased him with kisses on his jaw, his ear, the corner of his eye.

His grip on her tightened, fire quickly being stoked in his heart as heat flooded every inch of his body. “I’m going to drop you,” he muttered.

“You wouldn’t.” Her fingers slid through his hair, rubbing tantalizing circles at the base of his neck. She then nibbled on his earlobe.

He sucked in a breath, gritting his teeth.

She giggled, the sound right next to his ear.

This woman. The way she could break past every defence and wall of logic should have terrified him far more than it did.

They crossed the threshold, Dan Heng kicking the door shut behind him a little harder than he’d anticipated.

“Uh-oh.” Stelle giggled. “That was hard enough to make me think I’m in danger.”

“You are the danger.”

“I don’t know. I’m beginning to wonder if a vidyadhara has the power to subdue a stellaron.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because water and fire don’t mix,” she said. “But I’m willing to find out which one comes out on top.”

Dan Heng shook his head at her. “What am I to do with you?”

“Get me out of this dress, obviously.”

That sounded like a wonderful idea.

Yet, as Dan Heng carried his bride over to the bed, a flash of color caught his attention.

“Look.” He tipped his chin toward the windowsill, where a row of eleven potted flowers were. A gift from Black Swan, right before she had disappeared from the Express. The note she’d left with them had read:

To Stelle and Dan Heng,

A hearty congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. May your lives together be full of the sweetest memories. As for the memories you two have already made together, I pray they may remain untainted by the turmoil that surrounded them.

I’m certain you wished the friends you made on Amphoreus could have attended this joyous event. My only consolation is to remind you they will forever live in your hearts. While to the rest of the cosmos, they will only be simulations, the memories you all made were just as real as any other. So real, in fact, that I was able to pull small pieces of their memories for you to keep. I hope this will suffice as a wedding gift. Do take care to nurture them, for if you do, they are bound to grow into something beautiful.

Elusive memokeeper that she was, Black Swan hadn’t signed that letter. She hadn’t needed to. At the time, their focus had been drawn more to the flower pots, each bearing a familiar titan insignia. The dirt in each pot glittered an odd blue, almost as though touched by mermoria. Since receiving them, Dan Heng and Stelle had given the flowers the utmost attention, watching as green stems gradually emerged from each pot.

But they weren’t only green anymore.

“The flowers bloomed!” Stelle exclaimed. Dan Heng set her down, only for her to run to the sill and look over the twelve new blossoms.

“Orchids,” Dan Heng recognized.

“They’re so pretty!”

“Do you know what is so ironic about them?”

Stelle turned her expectant gaze up to him.

“They are given at Amphorean weddings,” he explained.

“They are not!”

Dan Heng’s smile grew as he turned back to the blossoms. “Orchids are commonly associated with fertility, so they are given to couples at weddings as a blessing for children. But more than that, they are associated with the creation of all living things, from plants to animals.”

“So like… Georios’ domain?” Stelle asked.

“Exactly.”

“Then how appropriate.” Stelle leaned against his side. “I guess it’s my job to protect them, then. As the worldbearing titan and all. If my Georios gives me something, then shouldn’t Kephale  watch out for it?”

Tenderly, Dan Heng pressed a kiss to her temple.

“Wait…” Stelle wiggled out of his grasp. “Dan Heng, do you… do you recognize them?”

His brow furrowed. “Pardon?”

“It’s them.” Stelle reached out to the nearest flower. The blossom was pure white with golden veins, the two largest petals pointed to almost resembled butterfly wings. “It’s Aglaea.” She then pointed to the symbol on the bottom. Romance. “Mnestia.”

She pulled her hand away, blue mermoria crystals forming on her fingertips and lighting in her eyes for the breifest of moments. Stelle blinked them away, tears soon taking their place. “Oh, Aglaea...”

“What’s wrong?” Dan Heng took her by the shoulders.

“She wishes us well.” A tear broke free, dripping down her cheeks.

“What?”

“Touch it.”

Brow furrowed, Dan Heng reached out, tenderly cradling the bud of the flower.

Dan Heng, he heard in his mind. Remember what I told you about romance and reason. Take care of each other, and be each other’s balance. That is the only way anyone can truly make a marriage as blissful as yours deserves to be.

Dan Heng stared down at his hands, watching the little fragments of mermoria crystals disappear.

He looked to Stelle, but she was already reaching for the next flowers, a trio of cascading blossoms in the most brilliant red. “Tribios.”

Dan Heng’s eyes widened as he noted the symbol for Janus on the pot.

They went down the line. Mydeimos, Castorice, Anaxa, Hyacine… they were all here.

And then came the last two, the ones that stood the tallest of the bunch.

“Phainon,” Dan Heng said, looking at the lopsided orchid. The two biggest petals stood in stark contrast, with one strong and hearty and the other withering away. A brilliant blue center bled out into a white petal, the golden stamen standing strong. He touched the petals.

Take care of each other, Phainon said. Don’t worry about being the hero in any one elses stories but each others. But... heh, knowing you two, I’m pretty sure I’m talking to the wrong people. So be happy, and be heroes, together.

“And Cyrene,” Stelle finished, looking at the pastel pink petals spattered with darker pink spots leaking out from the center. And yet, the very edges of the almost translucent petals were almost iridescent. “They’re all here.”

Dan Heng reached out with Stelle, cradling the bloom together.

Oh, you two! Cyrene cried. I’m so happy for the both of you! I wish I could be with you, wish I could travel alongside you, but... I can’t. The only thing I can hope for you is that you write a story of your own that can rival the romantic one of Amphoreus. May you two be the true “Most Romantic Tale” amongst the stars!

“They were able to attend our wedding,” Dan Heng said, his hand falling away, the mermoria disappearing with it. “Albeit, not in the way we would have preferred.”

“Them being able to make it at all is the best gift they could have given us,” Stelle said, tucking herself into his side. “I’ll take it.”

He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her in close enough to lean their heads together.

“Hey, Dan Heng.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for not being mad at me for carrying all their memories into the stars.”

He sighed. “It’s a very… you thing to do. But... if you see fit to bear the world, then the least I can do is help you shoulder the burden.”

“I know. I can always count on you for everything. Just…” She turned to face him, her hands reaching up to cup his cheeks. “Tell me if you ever get frustrated before you ever actually get mad at me?”

“Stelle, I won’t get mad at you for trailblazing in your own way. I promised to stand by your side, and I will do so regardless.”

“I know, but… that goes both ways. I want us to write our own romantic tale, but you can’t do that alone. So, promise me?”

Warmth blooming from his heart, he wrapped his arms around her, engulfing her entirely in his embrace. “I promise.” He leaned their foreheads together. “As for our romantic tale... the moon does not get frustrated with the sun for constantly lighting the world; it only reflects it in the areas it is lacking. Likewise, we’ll each go forward with our strengths and walk down this untraveled trail together.”

Her smile brightened, her grasp on him tightening in admiration. “I love you so much, My Moon.”

“And I,” he spoke, leaning in so their lips brushed together, “love you. My starlight.”

~~

That night, eleven orchids were there to pour out their blessings as the couple took their first steps into a new adventure, one the couple themselves weren’t even aware of beginning. But they were Nameless, proudly striding down the path of the Trailblaze. This new adventure would be tackled with the same courage and strength as any other.

Most importantly, they would do it together. As the Moon and Star promised.

~

A/N: As for that adventure they're bound to go on... well, I think I'll let everyone else imagine what kind of family they'll build together. ;)

And for that, we've reached the end of the main story! Thank you all SO VERY MUCH for joining me on this ride. Thank you for all the comments, kudos, and support everyone has given me throughout. It's been such a blessing.