Chapter Text
Lizzie sighed as Bunny sat on her lap while pouting. It was something she hadn’t stopped doing since after the ceremony and Lizzie couldn’t help but feel bad, especially since none of the others had been so put off by how much they had to hold back from the traditional version.
At the ceremony itself they had let Cupid stand in as their witness, it was their best option because she was Iole’s close friend who she trusted, and the future goddess of love who seemed to have a much deeper understanding of how harem wives worked. Actually Lizzie was more than grateful for her since Cupid was the one who was able to clearly define what Lizzie wanted to Iole who was originally afraid that what Lizzie wanted was similar to the harems that Gods on Olympus had. Lizzie and Maddie learned that on Olympus when a God had a harem, they no longer saw that person as an individual who can make their own decisions anymore and they would lose a lot of rights as a person because everything becomes the choice of the God. Actually it turns out the only reason Iole’s parents had sent her to Ever After High was to specifically avoid a situation where one of the Gods or one of the God heirs would demand Iole join their harem.
After learning how much Cupid understood of both Olympus and Wonderland harems she became a great person to bridge the original gap and her help was so necessary whenever there was a slight misunderstanding early on in their relationship. Cupid was actually the one to witness all of their ceremonies so far and she always seemed more than happy to be there.
Bunny didn’t actually have a problem with Cupid as witness. She had also accepted that Lizzie wouldn’t be able to perform a hunt for her that would later be used as the main dish of a feast. The problem Bunny had was with the fact that she wasn’t allowed to wear her collar. The custom collar that Lizzie had made and had shown her during the ceremony, even announcing how it was hers just as much as Bunny now was. All she could do was touch it and read the engravings before Lizzie smiled sadly and told her she couldn’t put it on her. One of the most important parts of the ceremony, they had to skip it, all because the other students wouldn’t understand.
Bunny did understand, but understanding it and accepting it were two different things and she found it hextremely hard when she thinks back to how she dreamed of having her ceremony with Lizzie. The white haired girl bit her lip as she turned to bury herself in her future Queen’s arms.
Lizzie only held her closer while looking back on the table where said collar was closed in its case. The case was just decorated in red and black, a constant reminder of Lizzie for whenever she even looked at the box even without seeing the collar inside.
“I wish I could allow you to proudly wear your property, but with the way things are here I am unsure if it would be best, even more so when Iole and Cupid were the ones to point out how others here would view such a thing. Something I made as a symbol of our love would be viewed as twisted and wrong by those here and I would not allow those things to be said about it or any of you.”
Bunny nodded and let out a soft sigh. Kitty had gone on a long tirade before the ceremony about how backwards things were here and how unaccepting the populace could be, she knew of personal accounts of some students who did everything in their power to hide parts of themselves in fear of backlash from both adults and students alike. She had never seen her childhood friend so upset as she was then. It actually helped put things into perspective; if residents from Ever After even had to hide parts of themselves, then it was more than obvious they would have to do the same.
She shifted on her Queen’s lap so they were facing each other and she then cupped her cheeks. Lizzie looked just as sad and disappointed as Bunny felt and it instilled a sense of guilt in her. She was so hooked up on how upset she was over this that she didn’t stop to think about how Lizzie felt. She now had 4 wives who she loved and claimed for her own, and yet she would probably never be able to show it outside of Maddie and Kitty’s room. The only time they could truly all be themselves is when they’re in one dorm room that anyone could interrupt at anytime and they would again have to pretend to be nothing more than friends. They could also be themselves at The Mad Hatter’s tea shoppe but only when they use a private room. Lizzie was definitely the most hurt by all of this, while Bunny had dreamed of being a part of such a beautiful and intimate ceremony, Lizzie was promised it since she was born. She was told that it was basically a guarantee and was shown the entire process step by step since before she was 5. Lizzie was denying herself of something she was told was her right as future Queen of Hearts, and yet there wasn’t anything else she could do in this situation.
“I’m sorry for dwelling on this so much. A decision you made with the intention of protecting us, and I know it bothers you as well. I can manage just fine without the collar… besides, it’s only until we all go back to Wonderland right?” She asked the last question hopefully and the sad look in Lizzie’s eyes was replaced with something much more certain.
“Absolutely.” That answer was more than enough for Bunny as she then leaned forward to give her lover a kiss.
[-]
“I don’t think I made the wrong decision to leave the collar in Maddie and Kitty’s room, especially since Iole also leaves hers in there too but it’s still upsetting not being able to see it when I want, but it would be a problem if Faybelle came in the room while I was admiring it. She always bursts into the room so suddenly. I wouldn’t even have a chance to hide it.” Bunny sighed as she sat across from Darling who nodded in understanding. She had no trouble talking about how the ceremony went, especially since she had already told Darling about how they traditionally go in a past conversation.
“I can see how that would be worrisome. But at least it’s in a safe place, and you were given a key to the room correct? You’re able to go in there at any time then.”
Bunny nodded, “It’s basically our space to be ourselves. We don’t have to hide there. It’s so lucky that Maddie and Kitty are sharing a room and don’t have to worry about a roommate overhearing something strange or seeing something only we would understand. It’s nice to know we’re always going to have that space here.” A smile over took her face though as she remembered something else, “From what Kitty tells me, Iole is the one who uses her key the most. She spends many nights coming over to cuddle with Maddie while they sleep. I didn’t believe her at first because I didn’t think Iole was the type to break curfew like that, but Kitty proved it by embarrassing the two at our last tea party by bringing it up. Lizzie said she was disappointed that she wasn’t invited.”
Darling wasn’t sure if her smile truly reached her eyes as she watched Bunny speak so animatedly about her new relationship. She looked so happy, even with the adjustments they all had to make, and Darling felt both proud and a small bit of disappointment inside.
“A space to be ourselves.” The thought would stick with her as she listened. She would never hold it against Bunny for sharing her newfound happiness, she was happy the other girl still wanted to spend time with her even after making up with her Wonderland friends/partners. A small part of her was originally worried Bunny would just move on without thinking about her, but she realistically knew that wouldn’t happen.
“It sounds like you’re happy now.” Darling wasn’t even sure what tone she had used to say that, but she knew it wasn’t happy. Though Bunny didn’t seem to notice as she instead nodded in agreement.
“I am,” Darling didn’t know what to make of the soft look on Bunny’s face before she added, “and it’s thanks to you.”
She wasn’t even aware it would happen, and it felt way too sudden. There was a small flush on Bunny’s cheeks as she said that and the sudden awareness of it, along with the way Bunny was looking at her made her eyes slightly widen as she turned her head quickly to avoid eye contact. Why was she only now aware of how her heart was beating? This didn’t bode well for her.
“It wasn’t a problem. That’s what friends do right?” Her voice stayed steady as she spoke though she didn’t look back at Bunny until she was sure her face wouldn’t change colors from embarrassment.
“Yeah. I suppose it is.” Bunny wasn’t so sure she liked that answer.