To the detriment of everyone who wasn’t in the know, the tradition for halfing weddings was for the entire guest list to take a lap around the town the couple was married in. In short, it was a race to get to the reception food. 

While the party had the hindrance of not knowing of such a tradition, they had the advantage of stride length. Percy easily dashed from the venue to the back of the crowd to the top ten runners. His legs burned as he pushed himself closer and closer to the front.

As he edged closer to Brianna and Poppy running side by side, he heard an exasperated cry from the ex-fairy.

“Poppy!” He saw Brianna falter a bit in her pace as she reached out for her wife, “I can’t…” With a smile, Poppy swooped Brianna in her arms and carried on, her pace only slightly slowing. A grin split across Percy’s face as he gradually caught up to the two.

“You sure you want to take on the handicap?” Percy barely managed to say without losing air. Poppy readjusted her grip and kept her eyes forward with a grin.

“I can’t leave my wife behind. Especially when we’re so close!” Poppy said, pushing ahead as Percy caught a glimpse of the Quility Center Square. His eyes lit up at the sight before him.

The cobblestone had been painted with bright reds and oranges with speckles of blue and purple. Small lanterns were strung across from building to building, crossing and making endless lines in the dusk sky. A small ensemble of musicians were gathered by the entrance of town hall beckoning for the party to enter.

“I can smell the meat from here!” Yekatarina practically salivated, her pale yellow dress rippling behind her as she dashed to dinner. 

Paxus swiftly passed her as he yelled out, “Dibs on the shoulder cut!”

“Oh no you don’t!” Jooley called from behind, “Kri, go!” Percy barely had time to look behind him as he saw a blur of clothing and the doppler effect of a scream fly over his head. 

Kri sailed into the doors, his monk training easily allowing him to land on his feet. A burst of giggles beckoned Percy’s attention as he whipped his body around to see Rein laughing into his hand. He only had a few moments to enjoy the scene before his foot caught itself on the stone step of town hall. Oops.

His life flashed before his eyes before two pairs of hands caught his arms and continued to drag him inside.

“Watch where you’re going!” Lani called out from his left. To his right, Celena rolled her eyes and helped pull him up to his feet.

“Thanks, ladies,” Percy winked at the both of them before whipping back around to grab a plate, “Are there bagels here?”

_______

After the mad rush to get the best pickings of food, the festivities officially began. Guests either ate and mingled inside the white bricked walls of town hall or they were dancing and cheering outside on the painted cobblestone of the center. As the night went on, the lights began to shine brighter against the void of the sky. 

Many went up to the couple to give their congratulations. Poppy beamed as she lauded her wife around, boasting about the best that Brianna had to offer. With a flush of pink on her cheeks, Brianna could only quietly admonish Poppy with a look of ‘But don’t actually stop’ on her face. 

Percy sat on the steps, his back to a stone pillar. He whooped and cheered as he watched Yekatarina spin around and dance with grace as she easily picked up the traditional dance a few halflings taught her. 

“Percy!” Yekatarina called out as she sashayed towards him, “Won’t you join me?” She held her hand out. Percy shook his head with an apologetic smile.

“I think I went a little overboard on the food. It’s still trying to settle,” He patted his stomach as Yekatarina rolled her eyes.

“You and your portion control, your mother was the same way!” She chastised as Percy guffawed.

“Where do you think I got it from?” He leaned his head against the pillar and waved his hand, “Go. I’ll be out there eventually, the night’s only started!”

Yekatarina huffed and said, “Alright, but if I don’t see you out here before the clock strikes 9 I will assume you’re dead!” With that, she twirled around and grabbed the hand of an elderly halfling man and began to dance with him. Percy tapped his fingers along to the music, watching the guests stomp and clap along to the tunes. He was so engrossed he didn’t even notice someone sitting beside him. 

“Isn’t this that really popular tune that’s been gaining popularity around the country?” Rein propped his foot up on the steps and leaned his head against his hand. Percy almost jumped out of his seat.

“Woah, you sure know how to sneak up on a guy,” Percy laughed awkwardly, “I’ve heard it a few times, but I don’t often get the chance to listen to troubadours.” 

Rein hummed in agreement before adding, “It’s all the rage in Silvermore right now. I’ve heard it enough times that I at least know the first part”

“That so?” Percy leaned towards him with a raised eyebrow. Without looking back, Rein slipped into a soft voice, his melody barely sitting underneath the strings as he sang along.

“I have known so many lovers with a love that always lasts, while I've always been the lover who has had a loveless past.”

“So if I can't find a lover who can stop this loveless streak, well then hi dee di dee do, I’ll throw my heart into the creek.”

Percy’s heart quietly thrums as the drums pound and the guests continue to dance jovially. Rein’s eyes dart towards Percy, but quickly avert as pink tinges his ears.

“Sorry, I’m not much of a singer,” Rein coughed, “Dunno what came over me.” 

“No,” Percy smiled, “I thought it was nice.” 

Rein looked back at Percy, a small smile growing on his face before he caught himself and looked away. “I can’t get a handle on the rest though, I swear it changes from night to night.” 

Percy could only nod, unsure of what to say. The two sat alone together as rustic melodies filled the air interspersed with rowdy cheers and jeers. 

“High Wizard Gaia,” a middle-aged halfling woman came up with her arm outstretched, “It’s so lovely to meet you, I hope I’m not interrupting.” Rein looked at Percy for a split second before he stretched his hand out.

“Oh, um–”

“Not at all! I was just about to stretch my legs,” Percy bounced up from the steps. He leaned back into his hands, spine cracking as he applied more pressure. 

“Besides, it looks like someone needs a bit of a dance lesson,” Percy jabbed his thumb towards Lani and Celena, the former obviously struggling with some of the dance moves. Rein looked conflicted, eyes darting between Percy and the woman.

“I’ll see you later?” His voice barely wavered.

“I’ll be here all night, High Wizard,” Percy bowed a bit before nodding his head, “I won’t go anywhere you can’t find me.”

________

Teaching Lani how to dance was as disasteriffic as one might expect. For one of the best and brightest mages of possibly all of mankind, she could not wrap her head around a two-step. It certainly didn’t help that Celena’s jealousy kept him focusing on staying alive rather than teaching.

“You’re so close, Lani” Percy lied through his teeth. Lani’s dainty hands gripped Percy’s for life as he gently spun on his toe, dragging Lani along. She let out a yelp as she tripped on air, falling into Percy’s shoulder.

“Noooo,” Lani whined and pushed herself up, “I’m never gonna get this.”

“Maybe you just need a better teacher,” Celena signed as she hip checked Percy to the side and took his place. 

“Hey, gentle! It’s not like you were doing much better before I got here anyways,” Percy adjusted his tunic and pouted. Celena stuck her tongue out at him as Lani giggled.

“You’re both great teachers,” Lani assured the both of them, “I think the problem is just me. Maybe I should sit out and just watch you guys.” Panic struck Celena’s face as she shook her head vigorously.

“I can’t go with him! What if people get the wrong idea!?” Celena turned to Percy apologetically before signing, “No offense.”

“None taken,” Percy said with an incredulous smirk on his face, “Besides, it’s not about doing dancing right, it’s about having fun.” He looked down at the gentle grip Celena had on Lani’s elbows, an idea popping into his head.

“Besides, there’s no better teacher than jumping into the fray and doing it,” Percy shrugged.

“What’s that supposed to-” Lani’s voice cut off as Percy shoved the two of them into the sweeping crowd of dancing halflings. A handful of halflings cheered and easily took Lani and Celena into their circle, spinning Lani around as her limbs moved awkwardly.

“Percy!!!” Lani screamed, Celena cackling and clapping. With a quick salute and a sly smile, Percy left the two to their own devices. 

Striding back inside the building, he saw a few groups sitting at tables eating and having conversations. An iron spiral staircase adorned with ivy vines on the railing sat in the corner. He traversed up the steps, the stairs creaking slightly from the weight of a human rather than its usual halfling users. 

The second floor was dark, the only light entering was from the rows of windows along its side. Percy’s steps were muted on the plush velvet colored carpet as he approached one of the off hanging balconies. The small balcony sat adjacent to the center square, the cheers and music barely peeking around the corner.

Craning his head over the edge, he saw Yekatarina and Celena working in tandem to keep Lani on her feet, the three of them laughing and twirling. Valvyre and Quellena stood towards the corner chatting quietly over a couple drinks, only to insert the occasional cheer to Paxus and Kri who were currently in a dance battle. Percy barks out a laugh as he watches the scene before a more gentle dance catches his eye. 

Poppy held Brianna in her arms, Brianna’s head resting on Poppy’s shoulder. The two slowly circle around, smiling at each other as if there was no one else in the world. Percy sighed as he reached into his boot. 

The tin box sat dully in his palm as he popped it open. He quietly placed the paper roll in his lips as he continued to watch the guests celebrate below him. His hands patted against his body as he looked for his matches.

“Again?” He muttered to himself, swishing his cape around his body to get a better look at his pockets. A few moments were wasted searching his body up and down when a cough alerted him of a second presence. Percy whipped his head around to see Rein leaning against the door frame.

“Need a light?” a small flame flickered onto Rein’s finger, the light dancing in his eyes. Percy leaned back against the rail, holding the cigarette out with a smile.

“Second time this week,” Percy laughed under his breath, “I owe ya.” He watched Rein stride over to him, the flame hovering over the butt as embers dropped from the contact. Just as Rein was about to move his hand, Percy lightly jutted out his pinky to stop him.

“Hold on,” Percy took a long drag before he repositioned the cigarette in his mouth, “I need your light for something else.” He began to dig around in his cloak, Rein silently watching.

“Don’t tell me you need a second one already,” Rein joked. Percy shook his head with a smile, smoke slipping from his lips.

“Nope,” he said as a handful of papers drawled out of a hidden compartment in his cape. Rein’s eyes widened at the familiar sight of his handwriting and the wax seal insignia of House Gaia.

“Just getting rid of some old junk,” Percy smiled mirthlessly. Sensing Rein’s frozen shock, he tipped the papers towards the light only barely grazing the edges before Rein snapped back to his senses.

“What are you doing?” Rein’s voice shook with confusion. Nerve-wracked by the potential of Rein’s eyes, Percy chose to look ahead when he answered.

“Come on, they’re old letters. No one would even miss ‘em,” the heat of the cigarette was almost too intense, but Percy pinched tighter anyways, “Do an old friend a favor and burn them.” Rein shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh. 

“Percy, I am not going to burn those letters.”

“Why?” his voice edged dangerously close to anger. He took another long drag as he waited for Rein’s answer. Leaning silently against the balcony railing, Percy’s ears filled with a shuffling noise and then a snap of pages hitting each other. 

Turning his gaze to Rein’s outstretched hand, Percy immediately recognized his shoddy handwriting and stained envelopes. He looked up into Rein’s eyes. Eyes full of a determination that ended the apocalypse itself. A flush ran across Percy’s cheeks as he looked away.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Percy whispered as he took another drag. Rein stood silently watching Percy before he sighed and leaned his arms on the railing. The muffled mirthful music crashed against the sullen atmosphere on the balcony.

“How long did it take you to write that speech you gave me last night?” Rein turned his head to look at Percy. 

“Hmm,” Percy drew in a breath before exhaling a billow of smoke, “Everything except for the part where I got on my knee was improvised.”

“So how long?” Rein raised an eyebrow. Percy drew the cigarette to his lips, but didn’t take a hit. His eyes stayed glued to the ground.

“I wrote and rewrote the original letter for five months,” He said matter-of-factly.

“You never sent it,” Rein raised his eyebrows.

“Was afraid you'd agree to it,” the cigarette shook a bit in Percy’s grip. He bit down on his finger to quell the nerves. Rein softened.

“I would never.”

“How was I supposed to know?” Percy’s head snapped up before he could catch himself. He deflated, looking away from Rein, “You stopped writing.”

Rein opened his mouth to retort, but thought better. He slumped his shoulders and looked at the grass below them.

“I know,” He murmured quietly. The two of them stood in silence, the night dragging on as if trapped in molasses. Percy glanced at Rein from the corner of his eye, the festival light haloing Rein’s crown. Percy dropped his cigarette hand down to his side and sighed.