Work Text:
As Beetle stood for her fitting, she looked into the mirror with a bit of a scowl, which Tataru noticed.
"What's the matter?" she said, "Aren't you excited? You get to get married all over again!"
She sighed.
"I look like a feckin' marshmallow in this, Tataru," she said, "Lumpy and white and… fat. I don't think Urianger will like it."
She smoothed over the bodice with her hands.
"I've gotten bigger since we got married…"
Tataru smiled.
"Ohh, stop it, that just means you're happy. And you are, aren't you?" she said, zipping up the back, "There we go. Aw, look at you… so beautiful. Urianger will love it."
Beetle turned around, looking at the massive ivory silk bustle. It was beautiful, but she just felt so ridiculous in it. Ah well, it was still a very generous gift. Not a single bit of this wedding was coming from her own coffers, which she of course appreciated.
"I suppose…"
Tataru smoothed over her hair, brows furrowing.
“Is something on your mind?” she said, “You’re not telling me you’re getting wedding jitters, are you? Bit late for that, isn't it?”
Beetle laughed.
“No, no, it's not that.”
"So it is something?"
Beetle’s lip trembled, parting to allow her to speak, but then she sighed, smiling, thinking better of it.
“Mm. Just something Urianger and were talking about yesterday. Nothing serious. Nothing bad.”
Tataru fixed up the last few stitches of the hem, rising to take a look at her work.
“Glad to hear it,” she said.
The big day came, and on their first anniversary; the wedding had been put off so many times that she Beetle decided to make it an anniversary celebration. She climbed down the stairs to the kitchen, yawning, only to find an absolutely lovely breakfast laid out on the table.
“Happiest anniversary, my beloved,” he said.
“Ohh, Urianger,” she said, “You made breakfast?”
“There certainly was an attempt made at breakfast,” he said, “Thou art a far better cook than I. Still, I think I hath made a serviceable dish.”
“You made cinnamon pancakes!” she said, excitedly sitting down to eat, “Ohh, I’m sure it’s just fine.”
She took a bite as he sat down to eat with her.
“Ah! Better than fine. They’re delicious,” she said, “Thank you, love. Happy anniversary.”
“Thou art most welcome, beloved.”
From every moment after, it was an endless flurry of running about. No one, of course, was doing more than Tataru. She had her finger to her linkpearl almost the entire time, chattering away about logistics, making sure everyone and everything was in their proper place.
Beetle sat in the chair in her robe, her hair in curlers from the night before. Though she had done her own curls many times before, these were done with bigger, heavier rollers, and had made sleeping a bit difficult. Ah well. At least she could blame her mental fog on a lack of sleep.
She knew she should be focusing on getting ready, but all she could think about were the dreams. The dreams both she and Urianger had been having, increasing both in detail and frequency. It had, for the past couple of weeks, become a daily practice for the couple to discuss the dreams when they awoke. Almost always happy, soft, gauzy dreams, and some, lurid, even. But as usual, they could not remember any important details. No names, no faces, just a feeling that they were connected to Emet-Selch - no, to Hades .
It bothered her so much today, and she had no idea why. Everything seemed to bother her: the bustling noises, the light coming in through the stained glass, the pins sticking every which way in her hair, digging into her scalp. She could feel her chest tighten, her head begin to throb, and she had begun to wring her hands, her eyes glancing back and forth.
Am’ii, her maid of honor this time round, turned to her, tilting her head.
“Is aught amiss, my lady?” the Xaela said, concerned.
Beetle’s lips trembled, and she shook her head slightly. Her words were unable to find purchase as her mind tried to process the onslaught of sights and sounds among her mental state.
Serella, knowing overstimulation when she saw it, instantly perked up, subtly motioning for everyone to quiet down.
“What do you need, Beetle?" she asked, gently, "What would help you right now?”
Beetle looked up at her friend, inhaling as she was pulled out of her own mind.
“I… yes, yes, could, erm… could someone go fetch Urianger?” Beetle replied, “I… I think I need to speak with him alone for a moment.”
“I’ll go get him at once,” she replied, already beginning to usher people out, “Come now, let’s give the blushing bride some space.”
Beetle sighed, relieved to have the peace and quiet, but soon after came the silent tears she could no longer hold back. Ah, well. At least no one had started on her cosmetics yet.
“You gentleman decent?” Serella asked, knocking on the groomsmen’s dressing room door.
“As decent as we’ll ever be,” Estinien replied, motioning for Farleau to get the door as he fixed up his tie. Farleau, already ready, opened it:
“Yes?” he said.
“Beetle has asked for Urianger,” she said, “She’d like to be alone with him for a moment.”
No sooner had Farleau turned to inform the groom, however, was Urianger pushing through the room to get out.
“Wherefore hath she called upon me? Is aught amiss?” he asked, nearly running ahead of Serella.
“Oh, I think she’s just a little overwhelmed,” Serella replied in a calming tone, “She could use a calming presence.”
This did little to assuage his worries, but he took her words to heart as he was let in.
“I’ll be a little ways away. Let me know if and when it’s alright for me to let the beautician in,” she said.
“Of course.”
And with that, Urianger was left with his sniffling wife.
“Beloved? Wherefore dost thou weep?”
Beetle looked up at him; he had said those very words to her nearly a year and a half ago.
“Wherefore dost thou weep, my love?”
“I… I keep thinking about him.”
“Of whom art thou speaking?”
“…Emet-Selch.”
She motioned for him to come near.
“Just, come here, hold me, please,” she asked.
His arms were around her the moment the words left her lips.
“Art thou unwell? Shall I have the wedding postponed?”
“No!” she said, her tears coming back in full force, “It’s been postponed several times already, I don’t wanna postpone it again… I just… I don’t know if I can really do this. It’s all so much, there’s so many people here… and I know they’re all so happy for me, they’re doing this all for me, I should be grateful - but it’s just so much!”
He nodded.
“I understand, beloved,” he said, “I know this is not what thou held in mind when thou didst discuss nuptials with Mistress Tataru… thou knoweth how she runneth away with her ideas.”
“No, it’s not her fault,” she replied, “I’ve been so distracted lately, I haven’t made what I wanted clear. I didn’t tell her I didn’t want such a big wedding. I didn’t tell her that being watched by such a massive crowd would overwhelm me. I should’ve been… should’ve been clearer.”
She made a rather loud, wet sniffle, prompting Urianger to fetch a handkerchief for her.
“Ugh, thanks,” she said, “Ah. I feel a little better already, just having the space… gods. I wish the whole Hades business wasn’t bothering me so much. It’s all I can think about lately. I just want it to stop. I wanna get past it already. Yeah, yeah, I killed my lover from a past life. I get it, can I stop dreaming about him already? Feckin’ hells.”
Urianger could not help but smile at her sense of humor. He gave a deep breath through his nose.
“Thou wilt find solace someday, my love,” he said, “Mayhap not today. Mayhap not soon. But someday. Thou must needs have faith.”
Beetle gave a wry smile.
“You said the same thing to Ryne, a while back,” she said, “You really do always know what to say, don’t you?”
He blushed.
“Wert thou watching me?” he asked.
Beetle laughed, looking up at him.
“I couldn’t help myself. It was sweet,” she said, “You’re so good with kids. You’d make a great father.”
His nervous laugh in response amused and relieved her. They spent the next few moments in silence, Beetle cleaning herself up.
“Ohh, alright,” she said, “I’m okay now. Go ahead and tell them I’m ready to finish getting all done up and dressed.”
Urianger smiled, placing a kiss at the top of her head.
“As thou sayest,” he said.
The procession at the chapel was beautiful; Beetle was delighted to see how nice everyone looked, all lined up in their rows: Am’ii, Serella, Lyse, Krile, and Tataru on the bridal side, opposite Urianger, Farleau, Aymeric, Francel, Estinien, G’raha on the groomsmen side. The ladies looked lovely in their long, powder blue gowns, and the men looked so dashing in their suits. She could not help but giggle at Estinien standing there, thoroughly unamused, but behaving, surely due to Tataru and Krile’s insistence.
Rielle, bless her, looked so sweet in her pretty little gown, the powder blue tulle skirt and white, lacy, long-sleeved bodice. She seemed to handle tossing the white rose petals everywhere just fine, considering the massive crowd. Beetle looked from where she could see in the waiting wing, and she smiled as she saw Sidurgu watching her from the crowd. He was sitting far in the back, and even she could tell how happy he was to see her.
Next came Alpha - expertly tracked down by Tataru - carrying a basket of the rings in his beak, to which the entire chapel could not help but coo and squeal at. Beetle herself found herself resting her chin on her hands; he was even wearing a little custom white suit. It was absolutely darling. He obediently took his place by Tataru, who pat his head for a job well done.
The next piece of music began. Oh. It was her turn now, a fact made more clearly known to her when she was ushered to Edmont’s side.
“Thank you so much, Edmont,” she whispered, “I’m sorry I couldn’t have you at my first wedding.”
“Nonsense,” he said, with a warm smile, “I am only too pleased to be able to do this for you now.”
She took a deep breath as her dress was fluffed out by assistants, and he extended is hand to her.
“I do hate to make you reach so,” he whispered, to which she merely laughed.
She took his hand, and exhaled, the doors opening as the music began. It was majestic, and the guests standing - good gods, there must have been hundreds of people there - only emphasized this fact. Her steps faltered a bit as her eyes scanned the crowd, and Edmont silently squeezed her hand, which eased her spirits.
The priest motioned for everyone to be seated, and after a moment, he turned to Edmont.
“Who gives away this woman to be married?”
Edmont smiled.
“She is not mine to give away,” he said, “But I will happily present her to her beloved.”
A quiet wave of laughter radiated through the crowd, and Edmont knelt to give her hand a small kiss.
“You are doing fine, Beetle,” he whispered, only loud enough for her to hear.
She smiled, joining her husband on the altar for a second time.
“Now, this shall be a bit different,” the priest said, “I can rightly say that I have never officiated a ceremony in which the two parties were already married. So, I will ask you simply to reflect on the vows you have already made to each other. If I could have the rings, please.”
Alpha gave an adorable kweh! and handed the basket to Tataru, who in turn passed it all the way up to the priest. He gave Urianger Beetle’s ring.
“Do you promise to continue to have and to hold this woman, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, all the days of your life?”
“I do,” Urianger said, sliding the ring back into its rightful place.
“And do you promise to continue to have and to hold this man, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, all the days of your own life?” he said to Beetle.
“I do,” she said, her shaking hands managing to return his ring back to his finger.
“Then I have naught to do, but to present you as man and wife, from the day when you were first wed, for today, and for all the days you have left on this star,” he said, turning to Urianger, “You may kiss your bride.”
As Urianger knelt to kiss her, she smiled, both happy for the kiss, and for how blessedly short the ceremony was - something she knew had to be Tataru’s work.
The reception was, in a word, extravagant. But, once again, Tataru had been determined to make it easiest for her; there were no speeches, no first dances, nothing more than a good old fashioned celebration of their union. With plenty of expensive food and drink - something which Beetle thanked Aymeric for as he approached, Serella hooked in his arm.
“This is wonderful, Aymeric. I almost feel bad!”
“Not at all!” he replied, “You deserve it. Enjoy it!”
He went off for a dance with his own lover, but not before she stopped to talk to Beetle for a quick spell.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Oh, I’m just fine. A bit tired, but just fine,” she replied. Serella smiled warmly, giving her an affectionate pat on the shoulder.
“Good. Congratulations,” she said to the both of them, before slipping into the crowd with Aymeric.
Beetle sighed, resting her chin in her hand.
“How about you? You feeling okay?”
Urianger smiled, the hand at her back moving to the nape of her neck.
“I am well, my beloved,” he replied, “I am, as ever, overjoyed to be given another day with thee.”
She returned the smile, leaning against him, closing her eyes as he slung his arm around her.
“I love you,” she said.
The rumble she felt in his ribs as he gently laughed in response was comforting.
“I love thee as well.”