Guests trickled in slowly, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the gentle candlelights intermingled with the botanical garden of a room. Light harp music filled the room, the halfling musician smiling and moving their body along to the melodies.

Percy stood alongside the wall admiring the intricate weaving of braids in Poppy’s hair. The chestnut color acting as a perfect background to the bright red flowers in her locks. She glowed in her deep red robes, the golden trim reflecting the light of the sun in subtle beauty. 

“You did a great job,” Yekatarina slid next to him and squeezed his shoulder.

“I was taught by the best,” he looked back at her with a raised eyebrow. Yekatarina smiled with a soft sadness in her eyes.

“Your mother truly was the best,” she almost whispered. She nuzzled her forehead into his hair for a moment before pulling back. Percy smiled gently at her.

“Anyways, thanks for earlier. I wasn’t sure what I was gonna do if you hadn’t jumped in,” his lips drew into a tight line.

“You didn’t say anything, but I could tell what was on your mind,” Yekatarina said, “You don’t have to give me the details, but I am here for you when you need me.” Percy’s heart swelled and he rested his head onto his aunt’s shoulder.

“Thank you.” The two stood there silently watching the room slowly fill with more bodies. A dark-haired individual caught Percy’s eye as her sea green sailor skirt twirled in the light. Lani beamed as she took in the room. 

“Poppy!” She squealed in delight as she took her hands, “I can’t believe you’re getting married!” Lani surged forward enveloping Poppy in her arms. The two squeezed each other in the embrace.

“It’s all so surreal…but I’m happy. I’m so happy,” She giggled before her head snapped to face a figure outside the doors, “Look at this tall glass of water!” Percy froze. Stepping into the building, Rein’s purple divination robes flowed behind him. A small smile graced his face when he looked down at Poppy.

“Congratulations, Poppy,” He said as he bent over to embrace her. Percy felt a reassuring squeeze on his hand from Yekatarina.

“I’m ok,” He squeezed back with a smile. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a short dwarven man approach them. Behind the thick salt-and-pepper beard was Kri’s welcoming smile and warm eyes.

“I’m glad to see the two of you,” He held out his hand for a handshake. Yekatarina responded in kind, followed by Percy.

“Kri, you look dashing!” As they began to chat, Percy found himself hanging back in the conversation. His palms felt clammy, senses all too aware of the Wizard in the room. He could hear the bits of conversation between Lani, Poppy, and Rein but he couldn’t focus in on the words. He shut his eyes, squeezing hard as if to block out any light.

It’s nothing. This is nothing. I’m gonna get through this wedding and then life is gonna move on. Percy steeled himself and took a slow breath in. He looked over to the group at the entrance.

Rein was looking at him. His heart panged. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to cry. What the hell was wrong with him? Percy felt bile burn his esophagus. Why was Rein looking at him like that?

“Percy?” Yekatarina’s voice snapped Percy back to the present. He looked back at Kri and Yekatarina with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry, what was the question?” He asked with practiced coolness.

“I was asking what regions in Northwest Derma you’ve been to,” Kri said with a smile on his face.

“Oh well–” lush arpeggios followed by the percussive hit of finger cymbals interrupted him. Jooley, Kri’s spouse and the officiant, entered the venue and put a hand on Poppy’s shoulder.

“It’s time,” a hint of amusement danced on their tone as Poppy nodded vigorously. The guests filed into their seats as Poppy and Kri’s spouse stride their way to the front waiting for the bride and her escort to arrive.

Percy took his seat in the front row next to the aisle. He caught Poppy’s nervous eyes and gave her a smile.

“You’re gonna do great,” He whispered. Poppy nodded, fingers twisting around the lace of her bluebell bouquet. Three lush chords striked unto the strings of the harp. The guests turned in their seats as the oak doors of the building revealed the star of the show.

Light blue fabrics that shimmered in the light adorned Brianna’s figure. The layers of thin tulle floated in the air, almost wing-like. Golden jewelry melted into the color of her bronze skin, illuminating her beauty. Her hand lightly rested on Celena’s arm, the dark navy blue suit jacket flowing behind her like a cape.

The guests watched in awe as the two practically floated down the aisle, the white veil over Brianna’s head dancing behind them. Even meters away, Percy could see the look of true bliss on her face as she laid her eyes on Poppy. Looking back at Poppy, the tears in her eyes were apparent, her body bouncing nervously.

Looking down at her feet, he saw a couple vines keeping her feet from moving from her place. He locked eyes with Valvyre and they nodded at each other. It would take some effort to keep Poppy from running into her love’s arms after all. 

Brianna and Celena finally reached the end. Turning to each other, Celena lifted the veil over Brianna’s eyes and kissed her forehead.

“She would be so happy for you,” Celena signed with slight tears in her eyes. Her lips quivered as she stretched them into a smile. 

“Thank you, Celena,” Brianna reached up on her tip toes and gave her a kiss on the cheek. With a final squeeze, Celena released Brianna and sat down in the front row next to Lani. 

“You did great!” Lani assured Celena with a squeeze of her hand. Percy watched the exchange go down from across the aisle. From his peripheral, purple and green robes stuck out in his vision. His eyes flicked onto Rein meeting the other’s eyes. Before Percy could tear his eyes away from him, movement from Rein’s lips sent a message.

“Can we talk?”

Percy swallowed. He gripped his cape in his hands, unsure of what to do or say. Rein’s eyes sparkled in the light of the candles. It hurt how beautiful he was. It wasn’t fair, Percy thought. Percy blinked once. Twice. Rein searched his face for a proper response.

“What is marriage?” Jooley began in a booming voice. Rein deflated before he turned his attention to the front. Percy followed suit. 

“Is it a declaration of love? A business transaction? Perhaps in extreme cases, it’s a peace treaty,” they looked over the crowd, “In the eyes of the law, a marriage simply dictates legal ownership, taxes, boring things like that.” A few chuckles swept over the guests before they continued. 

“But I’m not here to define marriage to you. I’m here to bind these two beautiful souls, to help you understand what marriage means to them,” Jooley gestured to the couple in front of them. Poppy squeezed Brianna’s hands in hers and Brianna giggled in response.

“Brianna Highland,” Jooley nodded to her, “Why have you chosen Pearl?” Brianna exhaled shakily and smiled.

“I choose Pearl because she is strength. Because she is passion,” Brianna’s voice trembled with emotion “Because she is brighter than the light of the sun itself.”

“And Pearl?” Jooley turned to Poppy, “Why do you choose Brianna?”

“I choose Brianna for so many reasons,” Poppy laughed, garnering more chuckles from the crowd, “But I choose Brianna because she’s laughter and because she’s kindness.” Poppy paused to wipe tears from her eyes.

“I choose her because she is the peace inside of my heart.” 

“Marriage is many things, but most of all it is a choice,” Jooley smiled at the two of them, “And how lucky you are to have a choice. So when you come across an obstacle, when your fate together is tested, will you still choose each other?” Poppy and Brianna give each other a grin before they answer in unison.

“Yes.”

“In times of hardship and strife?”

“Yes."

“In moments of anger and sadness?”

“Yes.”

“Even at the end of the world?” Jooley asked, giving them a knowing smile. They look into each other’s eyes before they answer with ease.

“Even if the end is now,” they say with confidence.

“Let it be known that these two individuals have now entered a new stage in their life as officially married,” Jooley looked at Poppy and Brianna with a smirk, “You may now kiss the bride.” Brianna brought her hands to Poppy’s cheeks and gently cradled them as Poppy grabbed Brianna’s waist and pulled her in for a soft kiss. Violet petals rained over them as a cheer roared across the guests.

The two of them pulled apart and grinned at each other before taking each other’s hand and running down the aisle. Petals upon petals rained down upon the crowd, the sound of cheers making Percy’s ears ring. The guests jumped from their chairs and chased after them. Kri startled at the commotion.

“What’s going on now? This wasn’t in the rehearsal,” Kri shouted to his spouse. Jooley grabbed Kri’s hand and dragged him along to follow while laughing.

“It’s a halfling tradition! Now come on before they eat all the food!” Kri laughed and followed. Yekatarina jumped from her chair, turning back to look at Percy with fear.

“If their appetite is anything like Poppy’s then we better get ahead of the crowd!” Yekatarina warned with wide eyes before sprinting off. Percy attempted to spring up when his foot got caught on the chair. His pulse spiked as he began his descent to the ground, but a sudden warmth enveloped his body.

“Watch out,” Rein gripped Percy in a strong hold. Percy swallowed the lump in his throat and stood straight.

“Thanks,” he said with his eyes to the ground. When Rein made no move to remove his grasp, Percy pushed against arms that refused to budge.

“Rein, can you–”

“Talk to me. Not now, but soon,” Rein’s voice shook, “Please.” Percy looked up and into the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. A familiar sensation washed over him, one he knew almost right away. Percy could only nod. Rein smiled and opened his mouth when someone yanked his other arm.

“Ow! Lani, be gentle! These robes are made of some fragile material!” Rein struggled as Lani and Celena worked in tandem.

“Come on! We gotta go! Percy, hurry up!” Lani called back.

“I’ll find you!” Rein shouted as he was forced out the door. Percy suddenly found himself alone surrounded by fallen petals and haphazardly tossed chairs. The sun began to dip and an orange haze crossed his face. Water began to flood behind his eyes, and he simply could not hold back any longer. He sobbed into his hands as he recollected that blessed sensation from before.

“You are the peace in my heart,” He sobbed to himself, “Even if the end is now.” He squeezed his eyes and hands shut, forcing himself to calm down. Percy drew in a breath. Two. Three. The air grew stale in his lungs before he forced it out in a puff. He stood there for a moment before he steeled himself and broke into a full sprint.