There was no wedding.

Aster had simply produced the necessary documents almost as soon as Calixtus had accepted his proposal, pulling them out of a leather bag Calixtus hadn’t paid much mind to until then. It was very clear he’d been well prepared. Or maybe Aster was just incredibly confident that his proposal would be accepted in the end. Not that Calixtus could complain when that had proven to be all too true in spite of his hesitation.

Calixtus looked over what was largely a normal marriage contract. He’d had a feeling Aster might have included some more out of the ordinary clauses and so took his time in reading it through before even thinking of signing his name. Surprisingly, that precaution proved to be completely unnecessary. The contract—as far as Calixtus could see—was entirely ordinary.

“I’ve also prepared an additional contract,” Aster said as if reading Calixtus' mind. He pulled out another couple of pages from the case he’d arrived with and handed them over to Calixtus. “I thought you might appreciate having written proof of our agreement.”

Calixtus read over the new contact, taking note of the fact that the addition of Aster’s magic had been included. Clearly, Aster had anticipated it being enough to convince him to go through with the ridiculous idea. There was the sum he’d been promised, and the time frame of their agreement was clearly stated. Calixtus still had no idea how Aster planned to hand him his magic, something he knew he’d have to ask about, but his thoughts on that matter were cut short by a particularly alarming line. He paused as he came to a specific clause, unexpected as it was.

“‘In case of my untimely death, I, Aster Vespertine, hereby bequeath all property I have ownership of at the time of my death to Calixtus Ducasse,’” Calixtus read aloud before looking up at Aster, absolutely incredulous. As was usual, Aster looked absolutely unbothered by the rather morbid addition to what was their wedding day. “Why does this sound like a will?”

“Well, I thought it might be more efficient to cover everything at once. Unless you’d rather sit here and sign contract after contract.” The way Aster said it almost made it sound reasonable for him to leave everything he owned to Calixtus at the same time they were wed. “That contract isn’t meant to be anything more than a sort of assurance for you that my end of the deal will be fulfilled regardless of what may happen in the future. You will get what you’ve been promised, Mr. Ducasse. If it’s any consolation, no one will need to see that particular contract if all goes well,” Aster elaborated when Calixtus continued to stare at him in disbelief.

“And if it doesn’t?”

“I’d rather not focus on such morbid matters. It is our wedding day, after all,” Aster said, almost smug. Calixtus was starting to wonder just what he’d agreed to and whether Aster would be just as evasive in the months to come.

Resigned to whatever fate awaited him in the next half a year, Calixtus took up his pen and began the process of signing the various pages he was required to. He started with the contract of their agreement since it was the one in front of him at the moment. Once he was done with it, he passed it over to Aster, who easily added his name next to Calixtus' in flowing letters that looked far more graceful than anything Calixtus could ever hope to produce. He supposed good penmanship was a must when one dedicated their lives to writing sigils and drawing magic circles. He knew all too well the price that came from a simple mistake when dealing with magic.

The marriage contract came next and, at this, Calixtus found himself hesitating. He knew it was only meant to last for a few months, and yet there was something about entering such a contract that gave him pause. As was to be expected, Aster was quick to notice.

“Is there an issue?” he asked, head tilted slightly in a way that reminded Calixtus of the sparrows that usually flitted about the garden.

It was an amusing thought. Even if it did little to distract him from the fact that he was about to go through his first marriage knowing it would most definitely end in divorce. The saddest thing was, it was better than anything Calixtus could have hoped for. After a moment, Calixtus shook his head and looked back down at the pages before him.

“No, none,” he said, and tried not to think too much on what he was signing as his pen scratched softly at the paper, following the familiar, winding trail of his name. When he slid the contract over to Aster, he didn’t hesitate in the least before signing his own name. He finished with a flourish, visibly satisfied to have the issue done with. Calixtus couldn’t say he disagreed.

He’d never given much thought to how his wedding day would go, but he’d never thought it would be so lacking in fanfare. In a way, he was relieved to not have to endure the attention of everyone he knew for an entire day.

Calixtus had never been fond of parties, particularly ones where he was the main focus, so perhaps it was all for the best. Aster didn’t seem like the type to partake in such events either. Or, at the very least, Calixtus couldn’t see him enjoying social gatherings. He supposed it would be nice to have one thing in common with his new spouse.

And that particular thought was really throwing Calixtus for a loop. He looked at the simple stack of papers they'd both just signed as if they were not life-changing contracts and could hardly believe he’d gone through with it. Even if it was little more than a much too casual signing of an agreement, it still held a certain weight to Calixtus. Aster had taken the documents and then promptly produced a pair of gold rings.

When he was handed his, Calixtus had to pause at the sight of the tiny magic sigils inscribed upon them. Aster—because he was clearly the sort of person who couldn’t help but notice every little detail—didn’t miss Calixtus' hesitation. Calixtus felt his face heat up, embarrassed at being caught in the midst of a bout of panic over such a small thing. Aster said nothing about the obvious apprehension on his new husband's face. For that, Calixtus was grateful.

“I’ve inscribed a contract of sorts onto the rings,” Aster said before Calixtus could put it on. “I thought you might want the reassurance that I will not renege on my promises and, more importantly, that I will agree to a separation once the six months are over. Wouldn't want you to feel trapped in a loveless marriage.”

Calixtus ignored the sudden sense of warmth on his ears and cleared his throat. “What happens if you decline any part of the agreement?”

Aster simply smiled in a way that told Calixtus it wouldn’t be pleasant. He supposed that was good enough. He slipped it on and was glad to not have it blow up on him.

“Perfect fit,” he muttered.

“I’d be very disappointed in myself if I couldn’t manage that simple bit of magic,” Aster deadpanned in a way Calixtus suspected was how he showed humor. “Well then, I should get going.”

Calixtus blinked, confused about what Aster meant by leaving.

“Aren’t you going to stay here?”

“Of course, but I currently have a room at the local inn and it’s a bit late to bother making the trip back.” Calixtus gazed out the window of the sitting room and realized for the first time that it was late in the afternoon. The sun was steadily sinking behind the horizon, a trail of bright oranges and hazy purples dimming as the sky began to darken. Soon enough, night would be fully upon them. “You’ll have to forgive me for leaving you on our wedding night.”

Calixtus felt his cheeks grow warm, even as he caught the tiny tilt of Aster’s mouth and the accompanying sparkle in his eyes. He cleared his throat once more and found that he couldn’t look at the other man, instead averting his gaze back out the window.

“You’ll return tomorrow, then?”

“For good, I’m afraid,” Aster confirmed with a nod.

Calixtus supposed it was for the better. At the very least it would give him time to have a room prepared. And to prepare himself for whatever life with Aster would be like. He was only glad that his siblings were away at school. He wasn’t sure how he would have handled things if he’d had them around. Which brought to mind another detail Calixtus had neglected to consider.

He’d need to tell his mother.

“I do hope we can get along for the next couple of months,” Aster said, breaking Calixtus out of his thoughts right before he could fully descend into a fit of panic.

“Yes, as do I,” he answered, distracted.

He showed Aster out and watched the carriage he was in head down the winding road. All the while Calixtus did his best not to think of how that was his husband leaving. It was an idea that would need some getting used to. More importantly, it was an idea that he’d have to successfully sell to the rest of the world.

Once again, Calixtus had to wonder just what it was that he’d gotten himself into.