She knows what's coming as soon as he opens his mouth. She turns to face him, the man she loves. He's not looking his best, still too gaunt, too pale, too thin for her liking. But there's a life behind his eyes that makes her excited where she might have once spooked and fled. Vex laughs.
"I'll only ask you the one time if you're sure, darling," she says, mostly teasing. She wants no one else, and she doesn't think anyone else would be a worthy match for a man like Percy. A keen eye, such as one right before her face and with the help of spectacles, might see the faintest twinge of pink on her cheeks and the tips of her ears.
"Am I sure I want to marry you?" he asks, unable to keep a laugh from bubbling into the words. It's pure joy, the same kind of manic-ish sensation that comes over him when he solves some stubborn little problem with his weaponry. Tinkering until he gets something right - and in this case, right means Vex'ahlia at his side for the rest of their lives - has always served him well. And how beautiful she looks right now, soft-eyed and blushing, with no need to say sure, let's do it when it's written all over her face. "I can't think of anything I want more than to be your husband."
In his haste to embrace her, he drops his cane - but they're standing still, and he'd like to think he's mastered that, at least. Percy kisses her like nothing else in the world matters, because right now, it doesn't.
The clatter of his cane hitting the path is a distant noise to her ears. He wouldn't need it even if he did find himself unsteady on his feet, not with the way Vex wraps her arms around him as they kiss. To have and to hold and all that. She kisses him deeply and strongly and she knows he knows he's her heart.
Her lungs, however, call for a proper breath, though she only just takes her mouth off his. His glasses are crooked. It's cute. It's good to see him messy rather than just unwell, so she doesn't bother to straighten them for him.
"Do you think we could?" It feels awfully soon, but he has the feeling that waiting's going to be impossible, now that they've decided on it. He runs a hand awkwardly through his hair, the wheels turning in his head. "Keeper Yennen would be willing, I'm sure - and Cassandra could serve as witness..."
It's a pity Vax isn't here to help with the witnessing bit, but Percy's not going to raise the subject now. Vex knows her own heart better than anyone else; if this is something she's willing to do without her twin's presence, then they'll do it without him.
It is a pity her brother isn't here. It's a pang in her chest that's quickly covered by the thought that he and Keyleth and everyone else can be present when they want the pomp and circumstance.
"We can do whatever we want. That includes waiting until tomorrow, if you'd prefer," she offers, voice warm. Today is soon. But she has no idea how they're supposed to act anything near normal, now that there's this plan between them. She feels almost giddy. People will definitely notice, but then again, they can simply avoid people under the guise of Percy's recovery.
"I know," he says, resting his forehead against hers, "and that's why I don't want to wait."
Not every plan has to be executed immediately; he managed to spend years stalking the objects of his vengeance, on and off. By comparison, this is a rush job, and some part of him wonders if they might regret marrying in haste. But it's a very small part of him, easily drowned out by the idea of calling Vex his wife. He pecks her on the mouth. "I'll find my sister, if you'll look for Keeper Yennen. We could have it done by suppertime, if we wanted."
He'll bring Trinket along to steady him, if he has to. But he's determined not to show up to this wedding empty-handed.
Vex has scarcely left his side, and it's clear the idea of letting him go bothers her with the way her smile falters. He's fully capable--well, mostly--and she'd not let him go far without Trinket to be there to cushion any falls. Still...
"We're not in such a rush that we need to save an hour's time. I'll go with you to find your sister, and perhaps she'll do us the favor of fetching Keeper Yennen."
If a somewhat more domesticated life has done anything to Vex, it's made her stop and think. Eloping is great. Good. Amazing. She'd do it right now if they had all the parts, but she also knows Percy isn't at his best.
His lips press thin as he thinks. It's a kind offer, and likely a wise one - they both know he shouldn't go trekking all over the castle when he's still struggling with a single garden - but it'll throw a wrench into his plans.
"I'd like to speak to her privately, if I could." There's guilt written all over his face at the admission. The last thing he wants to do is shut Vex out in any meaningful way; he doesn't even want to give the impression of doing so. "For - reasons. I promise you'll know why as soon as we're wed."
The moment he hesitates, she knows he's about to decline her offer. It does sting slightly, but she knows if Vax were present, she'd want a moment in private to talk to her brother, eloping or not. Whatever he has to say to Cassandra is their business. She understands.
"... you don't need to explain to me, darling," she promises after a moment, but she's stubborn. "Let me take you halfway, at least. Then I'll go see how much of a heart attack I can give poor Keeper Yennen."
She's sure assumptions will be made about a quick and sudden wedding.
The tension running through him eases as soon as she agrees. He could kiss her - and does, with a little laugh, after she brings up Yennen. It's probably not high on the woman's list of plans for the day, after all.
(He hasn't considered just how this might look to her, mostly because he hasn't thought of anything except how dearly he wants her. After...well, it'll be easy to clear up, at least.)
"All right." Percy gives her a little squeeze, letting go only so he can turn back and start walking to the door. "You can come with me the whole way, if you like, and I'll leave you at the door. We'll meet again at...where should we do this?"
Our room was on the tip of his tongue, but it's hardly occasion-ready. Maybe they can come back outside, someplace in the golden glow of the late afternoon. It's cool out, but he can't think of anywhere else that might match the mood.
It's impossible to feel anything but happiness when he looks at her like that, kisses her like that. Her hand finds his as they walk, squeezing affectionately. They're doing this.
"Somewhere private," she says. Our room? She tries to think if there's anything left out that would add to his poor sister's trauma. Not that there's been much time or energy to get up to anything, lately.
"I imagine the whole thing is rather quick..."
The romantic in her would say under the Sun Tree, but they can save that for the real wedding. Besides, that's far too open.
"Surely there are some vacant rooms in this place."
Vex feels lucky she knows how to get from the front to their room without having to leave breadcrumbs.
"Too many," he says, and it's rueful despite his good mood. Whitestone is a home in need of family - and while there's more love here than there has been in years, it's still nothing like it was. The two of them are a fine start, though, and if Cassandra meets someone, that won't hurt...and perhaps someday, there'll be children sliding down banisters and shrieking through the halls again.
(And that thought is a breathtaking one, impossible and suddenly far nearer to hand than it was twenty minutes ago. They'll have to talk about that - but not right now. They've enough to do this afternoon.)
"There's a balcony one floor up," Percy says, nodding up toward it as they come up to the stone walls of the castle, "if you trust me with stairs."
Too many. She knows Whitestone is impossibly changed from when he was a boy, when he'd yet to see how cruel and unjust the world could be. Her hand tightens around his for a moment, and she thinks it would be nice to one day raise children here that would grow up with loving parents that kept the reality of the world at bay until they were ready.
And she doesn't need to think twice about whether she'd want children with Percy, because she does, without question. It's a discussion she knows is on his mind, because it's been on hers, too.
She tears her eyes away from Percy's profile to look upwards at the balcony. Private, but out in the sunlight. It'll do.
"In this instance, I would say to hell with your pride and hoist you over my shoulder," Vex says all too casually. She's probably joking.
But she's also probably at least a little bit serious.
"I don't think that will be necessary," he answers, pausing for a moment at the door to catch his breath. They've made it back in record time - by his current standards, at least - thanks to his newfound desire to see this plan through. If he could sprint to the room Cassandra's adopted as her study, he would (and no doubt survive a tongue-lashing from his soon-to-be-wife after). "I'd crawl up there if I had to."
It'll look more like the uncertain steps of an old man, though, or the first faltering attempts of a toddler. Slow work, going up there, but to a worthy end.
Inside, he starts toward Cassandra's office, still trying his best to maintain some speed. "Is there anything else we'll need to do? This seems too easy, somehow."
This little jaunt is turning into a bit more than a small break to get some fresh air and sunshine. Vex is sure once the excitement wears off he'll be stuck in bed for a day or two, but that's fine. Healthy or not, that's where he'd be after marrying her.
Still. He's not about to undo all her hard work of keeping him from overexertion. So she does slow their stride, free hand reaching over to give his arm a little warning pinch.
He knows perfectly well what she's saying, without actually saying it - and he sighs, not nearly as annoyed as he might sound. Yes, yes, my health, I know. But he does slow down.
A little.
"Neither have I. I never thought I would be." It seemed resoundingly unlikely that someone would be interested in the possibility, even after he and Vex became involved. "I'm starting to wonder why anyone bothers making a fuss over the whole thing - this is so much more straightforward."
In theory, he knows why a big wedding might appeal to people; in practice, he might be a little too practical for the kind of frippery that'd be required. And yet, he keeps asking himself things like Should I change clothes for this? and What in the hell am I going to do if I can't find a ring for her? Pragmatism can only take him so far, it seems.
Soon enough, they're at Cassandra's door; Percy turns to Vex and gives her hand a squeeze before letting go. "I'll meet you upstairs as soon as we're finished here."
Vex already has a full heart. A ring isn't even on the table, for her. After all, a secret wedding is a little less secret with a rock on her finger.
There might be a pause where someone, a kinder someone, might reassure Percy he would have found someone. Vex, however, would be the first to (lovingly) say he could be a magnificent prick upon first meeting, depending on the situation, and there are all too many that would marry for money. Even if Whitestone had burned to the ground and they were living from inn to inn, making camp under the stars like they once did, she would still want to marry him.
They've both come too far to lose any more time.
"I suppose we'll find out soon enough." It's said with a helpless, but happy smile as she takes a deep breath. "Please make sure your sister knows I'm not knocked up."
And with that, she turns to head off to first and foremost let Keeper Yennen this isn't a shotgun wedding, so please pick your jaw up off the floor. Thank you.
He blanches - rather impressive, given just how pale he is normally - at the request. It's evident the possibility hadn't occurred to him, and he barely manages to sputter out a yes, of course before Vex is heading down the hall.
Telling Cassandra is wonderful, and it's embarrassing, and perhaps that's how it should be. She hugs him, tells him how happy she is for him, and asks why they decided to get married today. Which means, he realizes, that everyone's thoughts really will stray immediately towards whether Vex has been knocked up (ugh), even if his didn't. Whatever colour he lost outside her door comes back in full force, and she laughs, and for a moment he's a teenager again and she's the most irritating kid sister any one person could have.
He loves it, truthfully. Even when he asks about their mother's rings, and her face falls, everything about this afternoon feels right. The two of them make their way upstairs slowly, Cassandra even more studious than Vex about keeping him from hurrying. ("If you show up sweaty and about to faint, Percival, you can't marry her.") By the time they get up there, the sun's beginning to slip past the mountains, the sky alight with orange and red.
Keeper Yennen is surprised, both brows lifting when Vex approaches her and asks to speak on a personal matter. The fact she begins with before you jump to conclusions, no, I'm NOT pregnant doesn't help. But once Vex expresses why she's there, it makes much more sense. Keeper Yennen's surprise is still there, but with a warmth. A private affair suits them both, especially after all Percy's been through as of late. Something public and loud can wait until he's ready for it.
Fortunately, there's nothing complicated to be done. Vex is relieved, and she tells herself Vax and the others aren't really missing out on anything. They'll be there on the big day, when there's wine and dancing and food. This is just for her and Percy. She knows much of their lives will belong to Whitestone, in the future. But not now, not this.
They're quicker than Cassandra and Percy. Vex, ladylike as ever, is seated on the railing of the balcony, one leg crossed over the other, arms crossed, trying not to look nervous or anxious or excited when she's all that and more.
The way she jumps to her feet when she hears the telltale sound of Percy's gait betrays that, and Keeper Yennen doesn't bother to hide her amusement.
There's a moment, while clunking up the stairs, his sister poised to catch him if he stumbles, when he doubts. With time to marshal his own thoughts, he finds his worries coming to the surface first: Vex will regret this as a hasty decision, or she'll grow weary of waiting for his health to catch up to their dreams, or he'll find the close companionship of marriage stifling. Some awful vision of their lives diverging within the too-empty estate, Percy holed up in his workshop and Vex escaping to the forest whenever possible. Tedium ahead, or endless bickering and misery.
None of it's true or real, and on some level, he knows it - why would a few words spoken between them change the life they've been living for weeks now? But it's only when he sees her that he can banish every unreasonable concern. She's already standing by the time he comes into view, but he knows her too well to miss the unspent energy running through her; she's as nervous as he, and they're both trying their best not to show it. That's more reassuring than anything else could be.
Cassandra remains at his side until Vex is within arm's length, and she doesn't leave without giving him a hug and murmuring, "Be good to her, brother," in his ear.
As she takes a step back, Percy turns to Vex, his smile earnest and irrepressible. With his free hand, he reaches for hers. "Ready?"
Just as he knows her, she knows him. He must be worried about several things. So is she, really. But whenever she thinks about it, that fight or flight instinct that's driven her for years, she thinks of what it felt like, holding his body in her arms. How hollow she felt, putting him to rest. The grief and regret that threatened to smother her. She would fight for this. It's been a relatively short amount of time that she's openly stood by his side as a lover, but it's been some of the happiest moments of her life. She could never let that go.
Vex's eyes are suspiciously bright when she takes Percy's hand, and she carefully reaches for his cane. She can support him for a few moments as they stand before Keeper Yennen, and Cassandra looks eager to have something to hold and keep her hands busy.
"Absolutely, darling." Despite the steadiness of her voice, the wide smile, the hands gripping Percy's might have the slightest of trembles to them. Just excitement.
Percy gives up his cane without hesitation and takes Vex's other hand as soon as it's free - he'd like to believe he's unlikely to collapse all that easily, standing still. Besides, feeling the little tremor running through her, he can't help but want to hold her in any way he can. Her nerves are his nerves, right about now, and only the need to keep himself upright generally is keeping him from shakiness.
"We're ready," he tells Keeper Yennen, whose smile suggests she'd already figured that out.
The ceremony feels far shorter than the one wedding Percy remembers from his childhood. He hasn't the faintest idea if that's because Yennen knows to keep them moving at a steady clip, or if his memories are colored by the boredom of a fidgety eleven-year-old with a long list of things he'd rather be doing. Yennen does keep it short, though, saying all the old familiar words without too elaboration.
"Percival, Vex'ahlia, this is the time when I would normally ask you to exchange rings," she eventually says, her voice warm and steady as well-stoked fire, "but under the circumstances -"
"Actually," Percy says, and he can't help feeling a little smug as he lets Vex's hands go in favor of reaching into the pocket of his waistcoat, "I do have something. If I may?"
At Keeper Yennen's nod, his attention settles entirely on Vex, his expression softening once more. This feels vulnerable in a way he's not sure he'd ever thought himself capable of - how things have changed in the time he's known her. "It's not a ring - though I am going to make you one, once I'm allowed to make things again - but I wanted you to have something for the occasion. This was...well, it belonged to generations of de Rolo women, but most recently, it was my mother's."
Reaching for her hand, he sets a necklace in her palm. Spaced evenly along the well-wrought golden chain are five diamonds; on her, it'll circle her neck without dangling far past her collarbone.
"Five stars for Whitestone's crest," he tells her, and it's only because Yennen and Cassandra are quiet that he can forget their presence enough to add, "and you, a sixth."
Percy's proud little actually is both unexpected and not. She hadn't expected more than his hands in hers, and yet it wouldn't be Percy if he didn't have something up his sleeve. Or pocket, really.
The necklace is so stunning it takes her a full heartbeat to register that he's giving it to her. It sits in her palm, heavy and glimmering in the retreating sunlight, and for a long moment she's speechless. Quite the feat. She looks panicked for a moment, then--this is the most gorgeous thing she's had in her possession, weaponry aside, and perhaps she's not worthy, and shouldn't it go to Cassandra--but when she looks over at Percy's sister, she can see her nod, blinking back the mistiness in her eyes.
"You have to put it on her, brother," Cassandra helpfully points out, but any attempt Percy might make to do that is thwarted by Vex using her free hand to grab the lapels of his coat and pull him in for a kiss. She still has no words. Only love for the man before her, that's loved her so fully and in ways she never imagined anyone could.
Keeper Yennen sighs before remarking that part was to follow... but regardless of their haste, they're officially husband and wife.
Vex kissing him is both unexpected and not - he's expecting it at some point soon, but nothing in him is ready for her fervor. If she didn't have her hands on him, he'd probably be in danger of stumbling; as it is, his arms come around her as much to steady himself as to hold her.
Percy returns the kiss with the same ardor, a hand coming up to cup her cheek once he's surer on his feet, his other hand settling at the small of her back. Nothing is different, and everything is. Distantly, he hears Keeper Yennen declaring that in the eyes of the Dawnfather and all mortal beings, they're married, and in that moment he couldn't care a copper coin. If they're wed, and they most certainly are, it's by feeling - the recognition of anyone else feels like happenstance by comparison.
Eventually, he breaks the kiss, the tip of his nose brushing against hers. "Cassandra is right, you know."
Were she not at least vaguely aware that they weren't entirely alone her tongue would be down his throat and her hands shucking off his layers of clothing, but Vex controls herself. See, she's got this Lady thing down. And she supposes ladies don't weep at their own wedding, but the joy and love she feels is so overwhelming. It's threatening to come out of her eyes.
But if anyone is deserving to see her so vulnerable, it's Percy. Her husband. Vex smiles against the palm of his hand, her own coming to cover his and give a squeeze as she composes herself with a breath.
"Get to work, then," she says, the words lacking all bite and full of warmth. She presses the necklace back into his hand and turns so that he doesn't have to deal with moving behind her.
It gives her a moment to quickly wipe at her eyes.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2025-01-06 04:05 am (UTC)"I'll only ask you the one time if you're sure, darling," she says, mostly teasing. She wants no one else, and she doesn't think anyone else would be a worthy match for a man like Percy. A keen eye, such as one right before her face and with the help of spectacles, might see the faintest twinge of pink on her cheeks and the tips of her ears.
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Date: 2025-01-06 04:39 am (UTC)In his haste to embrace her, he drops his cane - but they're standing still, and he'd like to think he's mastered that, at least. Percy kisses her like nothing else in the world matters, because right now, it doesn't.
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Date: 2025-01-06 04:53 am (UTC)Her lungs, however, call for a proper breath, though she only just takes her mouth off his. His glasses are crooked. It's cute. It's good to see him messy rather than just unwell, so she doesn't bother to straighten them for him.
"Today?"
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Date: 2025-01-06 04:59 am (UTC)It's a pity Vax isn't here to help with the witnessing bit, but Percy's not going to raise the subject now. Vex knows her own heart better than anyone else; if this is something she's willing to do without her twin's presence, then they'll do it without him.
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Date: 2025-01-07 03:38 am (UTC)"We can do whatever we want. That includes waiting until tomorrow, if you'd prefer," she offers, voice warm. Today is soon. But she has no idea how they're supposed to act anything near normal, now that there's this plan between them. She feels almost giddy. People will definitely notice, but then again, they can simply avoid people under the guise of Percy's recovery.
"At the end of the day, regardless, I'm yours."
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Date: 2025-01-07 04:27 am (UTC)Not every plan has to be executed immediately; he managed to spend years stalking the objects of his vengeance, on and off. By comparison, this is a rush job, and some part of him wonders if they might regret marrying in haste. But it's a very small part of him, easily drowned out by the idea of calling Vex his wife. He pecks her on the mouth. "I'll find my sister, if you'll look for Keeper Yennen. We could have it done by suppertime, if we wanted."
He'll bring Trinket along to steady him, if he has to. But he's determined not to show up to this wedding empty-handed.
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Date: 2025-01-11 11:27 pm (UTC)"We're not in such a rush that we need to save an hour's time. I'll go with you to find your sister, and perhaps she'll do us the favor of fetching Keeper Yennen."
If a somewhat more domesticated life has done anything to Vex, it's made her stop and think. Eloping is great. Good. Amazing. She'd do it right now if they had all the parts, but she also knows Percy isn't at his best.
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Date: 2025-01-12 01:09 am (UTC)"I'd like to speak to her privately, if I could." There's guilt written all over his face at the admission. The last thing he wants to do is shut Vex out in any meaningful way; he doesn't even want to give the impression of doing so. "For - reasons. I promise you'll know why as soon as we're wed."
It still feels a little awful, though.
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Date: 2025-01-12 01:21 am (UTC)"... you don't need to explain to me, darling," she promises after a moment, but she's stubborn. "Let me take you halfway, at least. Then I'll go see how much of a heart attack I can give poor Keeper Yennen."
She's sure assumptions will be made about a quick and sudden wedding.
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Date: 2025-01-12 03:09 am (UTC)(He hasn't considered just how this might look to her, mostly because he hasn't thought of anything except how dearly he wants her. After...well, it'll be easy to clear up, at least.)
"All right." Percy gives her a little squeeze, letting go only so he can turn back and start walking to the door. "You can come with me the whole way, if you like, and I'll leave you at the door. We'll meet again at...where should we do this?"
Our room was on the tip of his tongue, but it's hardly occasion-ready. Maybe they can come back outside, someplace in the golden glow of the late afternoon. It's cool out, but he can't think of anywhere else that might match the mood.
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Date: 2025-01-12 03:22 am (UTC)"Somewhere private," she says. Our room? She tries to think if there's anything left out that would add to his poor sister's trauma. Not that there's been much time or energy to get up to anything, lately.
"I imagine the whole thing is rather quick..."
The romantic in her would say under the Sun Tree, but they can save that for the real wedding. Besides, that's far too open.
"Surely there are some vacant rooms in this place."
Vex feels lucky she knows how to get from the front to their room without having to leave breadcrumbs.
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Date: 2025-01-12 03:43 am (UTC)(And that thought is a breathtaking one, impossible and suddenly far nearer to hand than it was twenty minutes ago. They'll have to talk about that - but not right now. They've enough to do this afternoon.)
"There's a balcony one floor up," Percy says, nodding up toward it as they come up to the stone walls of the castle, "if you trust me with stairs."
He's teasing, mostly.
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Date: 2025-01-12 04:11 am (UTC)And she doesn't need to think twice about whether she'd want children with Percy, because she does, without question. It's a discussion she knows is on his mind, because it's been on hers, too.
She tears her eyes away from Percy's profile to look upwards at the balcony. Private, but out in the sunlight. It'll do.
"In this instance, I would say to hell with your pride and hoist you over my shoulder," Vex says all too casually. She's probably joking.
But she's also probably at least a little bit serious.
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Date: 2025-01-12 04:25 am (UTC)It'll look more like the uncertain steps of an old man, though, or the first faltering attempts of a toddler. Slow work, going up there, but to a worthy end.
Inside, he starts toward Cassandra's office, still trying his best to maintain some speed. "Is there anything else we'll need to do? This seems too easy, somehow."
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Date: 2025-01-12 04:34 am (UTC)Still. He's not about to undo all her hard work of keeping him from overexertion. So she does slow their stride, free hand reaching over to give his arm a little warning pinch.
"Wouldn't know. Never been married before."
And she only plans to be married the one time.
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Date: 2025-01-12 04:48 am (UTC)A little.
"Neither have I. I never thought I would be." It seemed resoundingly unlikely that someone would be interested in the possibility, even after he and Vex became involved. "I'm starting to wonder why anyone bothers making a fuss over the whole thing - this is so much more straightforward."
In theory, he knows why a big wedding might appeal to people; in practice, he might be a little too practical for the kind of frippery that'd be required. And yet, he keeps asking himself things like Should I change clothes for this? and What in the hell am I going to do if I can't find a ring for her? Pragmatism can only take him so far, it seems.
Soon enough, they're at Cassandra's door; Percy turns to Vex and gives her hand a squeeze before letting go. "I'll meet you upstairs as soon as we're finished here."
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Date: 2025-01-12 05:15 am (UTC)There might be a pause where someone, a kinder someone, might reassure Percy he would have found someone. Vex, however, would be the first to (lovingly) say he could be a magnificent prick upon first meeting, depending on the situation, and there are all too many that would marry for money. Even if Whitestone had burned to the ground and they were living from inn to inn, making camp under the stars like they once did, she would still want to marry him.
They've both come too far to lose any more time.
"I suppose we'll find out soon enough." It's said with a helpless, but happy smile as she takes a deep breath. "Please make sure your sister knows I'm not knocked up."
And with that, she turns to head off to first and foremost let Keeper Yennen this isn't a shotgun wedding, so please pick your jaw up off the floor. Thank you.
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Date: 2025-01-12 05:34 am (UTC)Telling Cassandra is wonderful, and it's embarrassing, and perhaps that's how it should be. She hugs him, tells him how happy she is for him, and asks why they decided to get married today. Which means, he realizes, that everyone's thoughts really will stray immediately towards whether Vex has been knocked up (ugh), even if his didn't. Whatever colour he lost outside her door comes back in full force, and she laughs, and for a moment he's a teenager again and she's the most irritating kid sister any one person could have.
He loves it, truthfully. Even when he asks about their mother's rings, and her face falls, everything about this afternoon feels right. The two of them make their way upstairs slowly, Cassandra even more studious than Vex about keeping him from hurrying. ("If you show up sweaty and about to faint, Percival, you can't marry her.") By the time they get up there, the sun's beginning to slip past the mountains, the sky alight with orange and red.
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Date: 2025-01-12 05:47 am (UTC)Fortunately, there's nothing complicated to be done. Vex is relieved, and she tells herself Vax and the others aren't really missing out on anything. They'll be there on the big day, when there's wine and dancing and food. This is just for her and Percy. She knows much of their lives will belong to Whitestone, in the future. But not now, not this.
They're quicker than Cassandra and Percy. Vex, ladylike as ever, is seated on the railing of the balcony, one leg crossed over the other, arms crossed, trying not to look nervous or anxious or excited when she's all that and more.
The way she jumps to her feet when she hears the telltale sound of Percy's gait betrays that, and Keeper Yennen doesn't bother to hide her amusement.
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Date: 2025-01-12 02:20 pm (UTC)None of it's true or real, and on some level, he knows it - why would a few words spoken between them change the life they've been living for weeks now? But it's only when he sees her that he can banish every unreasonable concern. She's already standing by the time he comes into view, but he knows her too well to miss the unspent energy running through her; she's as nervous as he, and they're both trying their best not to show it. That's more reassuring than anything else could be.
Cassandra remains at his side until Vex is within arm's length, and she doesn't leave without giving him a hug and murmuring, "Be good to her, brother," in his ear.
As she takes a step back, Percy turns to Vex, his smile earnest and irrepressible. With his free hand, he reaches for hers. "Ready?"
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Date: 2025-01-12 05:52 pm (UTC)Vex's eyes are suspiciously bright when she takes Percy's hand, and she carefully reaches for his cane. She can support him for a few moments as they stand before Keeper Yennen, and Cassandra looks eager to have something to hold and keep her hands busy.
"Absolutely, darling." Despite the steadiness of her voice, the wide smile, the hands gripping Percy's might have the slightest of trembles to them. Just excitement.
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Date: 2025-01-12 07:42 pm (UTC)"We're ready," he tells Keeper Yennen, whose smile suggests she'd already figured that out.
The ceremony feels far shorter than the one wedding Percy remembers from his childhood. He hasn't the faintest idea if that's because Yennen knows to keep them moving at a steady clip, or if his memories are colored by the boredom of a fidgety eleven-year-old with a long list of things he'd rather be doing. Yennen does keep it short, though, saying all the old familiar words without too elaboration.
"Percival, Vex'ahlia, this is the time when I would normally ask you to exchange rings," she eventually says, her voice warm and steady as well-stoked fire, "but under the circumstances -"
"Actually," Percy says, and he can't help feeling a little smug as he lets Vex's hands go in favor of reaching into the pocket of his waistcoat, "I do have something. If I may?"
At Keeper Yennen's nod, his attention settles entirely on Vex, his expression softening once more. This feels vulnerable in a way he's not sure he'd ever thought himself capable of - how things have changed in the time he's known her. "It's not a ring - though I am going to make you one, once I'm allowed to make things again - but I wanted you to have something for the occasion. This was...well, it belonged to generations of de Rolo women, but most recently, it was my mother's."
Reaching for her hand, he sets a necklace in her palm. Spaced evenly along the well-wrought golden chain are five diamonds; on her, it'll circle her neck without dangling far past her collarbone.
"Five stars for Whitestone's crest," he tells her, and it's only because Yennen and Cassandra are quiet that he can forget their presence enough to add, "and you, a sixth."
dying to tag this all day 🥹
Date: 2025-01-13 01:12 am (UTC)The necklace is so stunning it takes her a full heartbeat to register that he's giving it to her. It sits in her palm, heavy and glimmering in the retreating sunlight, and for a long moment she's speechless. Quite the feat. She looks panicked for a moment, then--this is the most gorgeous thing she's had in her possession, weaponry aside, and perhaps she's not worthy, and shouldn't it go to Cassandra--but when she looks over at Percy's sister, she can see her nod, blinking back the mistiness in her eyes.
"You have to put it on her, brother," Cassandra helpfully points out, but any attempt Percy might make to do that is thwarted by Vex using her free hand to grab the lapels of his coat and pull him in for a kiss. She still has no words. Only love for the man before her, that's loved her so fully and in ways she never imagined anyone could.
Keeper Yennen sighs before remarking that part was to follow... but regardless of their haste, they're officially husband and wife.
ugh same 🥲 having the best time over here
Date: 2025-01-13 01:39 am (UTC)Percy returns the kiss with the same ardor, a hand coming up to cup her cheek once he's surer on his feet, his other hand settling at the small of her back. Nothing is different, and everything is. Distantly, he hears Keeper Yennen declaring that in the eyes of the Dawnfather and all mortal beings, they're married, and in that moment he couldn't care a copper coin. If they're wed, and they most certainly are, it's by feeling - the recognition of anyone else feels like happenstance by comparison.
Eventually, he breaks the kiss, the tip of his nose brushing against hers. "Cassandra is right, you know."
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Date: 2025-01-13 01:49 am (UTC)But if anyone is deserving to see her so vulnerable, it's Percy. Her husband. Vex smiles against the palm of his hand, her own coming to cover his and give a squeeze as she composes herself with a breath.
"Get to work, then," she says, the words lacking all bite and full of warmth. She presses the necklace back into his hand and turns so that he doesn't have to deal with moving behind her.
It gives her a moment to quickly wipe at her eyes.
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From:maybe everything's kind of a bummer, lmfao
From:typical!!!
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From:claws out of the abyss
From:😍😍😍
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