The sun was setting over the horizon as a burning orange dusted over the treeline. Poppy sighed and stretched her arms above her head, relishing the slight pops and cracks as her spine readjusted. 

After receiving the first deer, Poppy had hauled it to the tavern to be processed by the cooks. By the time she had finally got it to the Tavern, Paxus arrived with Valvyre and Quellena with Yekatarina, Kri, and his spouse, the dragonborn they had met in the hells, arriving only half an hour later. It took the rest of the afternoon, but Poppy had finally settled her guests in. She could only hope that everyone else was able to finish their tasks for the day. 

As she approached her home, a shrill shriek pierced her ears. 

That’s definitely from the direction of my house, anxiety coursed through Poppy as she used the thrill to push her body into a full sprint.

“I’m coming!” Poppy yelled as she ripped through the streets of Quility, “I’m here to he–” Her monk slippers scraped against the ground as she skidded to a stop. Lani was breathlessly laughing, leaning on Celena for support who looked just as amused if not more. 

The scene in front of her was…something out of a fever dream. Her beloved fiancè was beating Percy over the head with an old broom saying particularly nasty things as Rein casually sat atop a pile of very large and very dead bison. 

“Welcome back,” Rein said a little too casually for her liking.

“Ah! Brianna stop! We’ll move them, we swear! We just got here, stop hitting me!” Percy cowered in a fetus position on the ground as Brianna mercilessly assaulted him.

“YOU’RE A FUCKING TROUBLEMAKER! YOU’RE THE WORST! I AM UNINVITING YOU FROM THE WEDDING, GO HOME!”

“Woah, ok!” Poppy rushed over and confiscated the cleaning tool from Brianna, “Ok let’s calm down before we do things like uninvite people from important events!” Seeing that she could no longer beat him with a broom, Brianna huffed and sat on the ground.

“What in the world is all this?” Poppy asked as she eyed the large pile. Percy cackled and shot a thumbs up at her.

“Your reception dinner,” He grinned. Poppy’s eyes grew wide in shock, utterly speechless.

“It’s only about six or seven, but it should be enough to feed all the guests,” Rein said as hopped down from his bison throne.

“...and maybe also provide seconds for everyone,” Percy groaned as he stood up. Poppy shook her head.

“I mean this is great, I’m impressed! Grateful, even! But how are we gonna get all this…meat to the tavern?” Poppy warily eyed the pile.

“Don’t worry, I messaged Paxus to bring the cart here, it should be big enough to fit everything,” Lani managed to say through tiny giggles here and there. 

“Thanks, Lani,” Rein winced a little and held his side.

“Woah, Rein, are you alright?” Poppy rushed to him, but he stopped her.

“I’m ok, just need to get these bison delivered and then take a really long nap,” he smiled and leaned on his staff. Percy rolled his eyes.

“Poppy, can you tell him to go inside and get some rest? He went a little overboard on the bison hunting, and I’m afraid he might’ve sprained something,” Percy sighed and looked at Rein with his hands on his hips.

“I finish my tasks like a good High Wizard, I can last until we get that cart to the tavern.” Percy was about to argue when Poppy held a hand up.

“No, you’re gonna be a good High Wizard and rest up inside. I’ll ask Quellena to stop by and look at you,” Poppy paused as she saw Paxus pull up to the cottage.

“Those are in the wrong place,” he said as he pulled the horses to a halt.

“Perfect timing! Percy and I will go and take these to the tavern,” Poppy nodded her head at Percy who smiled in response.

“But–” Poppy’s look immediately shut him up. Rein sighed and trudged into the house. Percy caught her eye and mouthed a silent thank you. 

“Ok…” Paxus hopped down from the cart, “What now?”

—-

Percy leaned his cheek against his hand as Poppy drove the freshly empty cart through Quility’s quiet streets. The moon graced the night with a gentle glow as the stars dotted the sky. 

“Man, I’m so glad that’s over with now. Bison? Really?” Poppy shook her head amused. Percy yawned as he laughed, covering his mouth.

“Figured it would be faster than hunting for the deer in these parts,” Percy smacked his lips.

“I do appreciate you and Rein going out and doing this last minute…speaking of,” Poppy turned and gripped his shoulder, “How was it?”

“Huh? How was what?” Percy lifted his head up and gave Poppy an incredulous look. 

“Hunting with Rein!” Poppy shook him a little.

“I mean, you saw how many bison we caught–”

“No!” Poppy shook him even harder, “I mean did you have a good time with him!” Percy blushed a little, but dismissed her excitement.

“I dunno, it was…good? It was nice to see him,” he rubbed the back of his neck. 

“Oh please, I know you two missed each other so much,” Poppy scoffed and bumped her shoulder into Percy’s.

“Ha, well I can’t speak for him, but…” Percy sighed, “It’s really nice to see him. And you, and Brianna, and Lani, and everyone.” Percy’s shoulders shook in silent laughter as Poppy groaned and face palmed. 

“Percy…be honest with yourself,” Poppy said gently. She gazed into his eyes with a knowing and empathetic look, and he swallowed.

“I am honest with myself,” Percy propped his leg up on the seat and leaned his cheek into his knee, “And the truth is that we’re not together anymore. That’s all it is. Nothing more or less to it. Besides, why are we talking about my love life? You’re getting married tomorrow!”

“Yeah, I’m good in that department!” Poppy laughed, “Well, has Rein at least kept you up to date on the exchange program with Isles he’s leading?” Percy perked up, foot dropping back to the floor.

“The what?” his brows furrowed together. Poppy gave him a look of confusion.

“The exchange program? I don’t know, it’s a specific thing, but he told me about it a few months ago over letter, and I told him he should bring you in on the project,” Poppy shrugged, “I mean they needed a translator and all these other things, maybe bodyguards? I don’t remember, but–”

“Wait, hold on,” Percy reeled in his seat, hand hovering over his chest, “Why would he write to you about something like that?” Poppy raised an eyebrow at him.

“What do you mean by that? He writes me letters, not often, but he’s kept in contact with me. I assume it’s the same with you and Lani…right?” Percy didn’t respond. Poppy’s voice drowned out, a tight and piercing feeling burned in his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut and let out a weak laugh.

“Percy?” Poppy’s voice was laced with concern, “Percy, are you ok?” Percy bit the inside of his cheek, floundering to calm his nerves. 

“Sorry,”another weak laugh escaped him, as he took in a shaky breath and lied through his teeth, “I just thought of a really funny joke I heard earlier.”

“O-oh. Well, maybe he just forgot to mention it or something. Or the letter got lost in the mail!” Poppy faltered on the last statement.

“That’s 6 years of letters that got lost in the mail,” Percy muttered under his breath. 

“What was that? I couldn’t really hear you…” 

Finally, Percy opened his eyes again to find his tavern on the next block. He slapped the bench and hopped out of the cart to Poppy’s surprise.

“I think I’m gonna walk the rest of the way, it’s right there and I need a stretch,” Percy gave her the most convincing grin he could muster.

“You sure?” she asked, the reins twisting under her fingers. Percy nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

“I mean, I’m already out of the cart!” He chuckled, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Poppy.” Poppy smiled sadly at him, but nodded.

“Sleep well,” and with a light crack, the cart was on its way again. He watched the vehicle slip down the street and turn the corner back to her home. When the cart vanished from sight, Percy frantically dug around his pockets as he marched back to the tavern.

“Where the hell are they?” he groped desperately for a tin box he knew he must've brought. He sighed in relief as he pulled it out of his left boot, gripping it tightly as he turned to the sorry halfling working the night shift.

“You guys have an outdoor space we’re allowed to use, right?” He asked impatiently. The halfling jumped and nodded, pointing upstairs.

“The garden is closed for repairs, but the balcony is still open.” Percy nodded in thanks. He popped open the tin box as his boots thumped lightly against the oak stairs. Rows of thin white paper rolls sat patiently within the container. With a swift and practiced motion, he picked a single roll and shoved it into the corner of his mouth. With a click, he shut the box and put it back in his boot.

Moonlight shone through the screen door leading to the public balcony. With an aggressive shove, he threw the doors open as he began searching for a set of matches in his cloak. 

“Damn, where the fuck are my–” Percy stopped in his tracks to see a wide eyed Rein leaning against the far corner railing of the balcony. 

“Evening,” Percy gave a little salute. Rein nodded back, giving him an awkward look. Percy opened his mouth.