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The day was unlike anything Fundy expected of the day his life would change.
Unlike what he thought, the day was cold, rainy, and every so often, the brief sound of thunder would invade the chapel. The hallowed halls echoed with those soft booms and the sound of the organ playing music. Fundy adjusted his tie and waited for the music to shift to a more appropriate selection for his bride to walk down the aisle to.
The doors at the end of the chapel opened with a flourish, and out came Fundy’s bride, the love of his life: Dream. At his side was his best friend, walking Dream down the aisle when his father couldn’t. In a brief moment, Fundy didn’t recall if he even knew if Dream’s father was still alive.
Dream wore the wedding gown Fundy had gotten him, and he wore it well. Despite the traditional nature of it, it still suited Dream’s lean form. The dress was strapless in a sweetheart neckline with a plunging back that showed off Dream’s muscular back and frame. A slit ran down the side of the sleek silk dress, showing Dream’s calf every time he stepped forward. In Dream’s hands were a bundle of yellow roses and red dahlias. It had been Dream’s choice of flowers, and the vivid reds and yellows made a striking comparison to the white of Dream’s wedding dress.
Dream approached the pulpit, his face only half hidden by the mask he normally wore. The smile of the mask hung down near Dream’s chin, only hiding Dream’s own smile (Fundy assumed he was smiling). Dream’s vivid green eyes were visible at the moment, and from the moment Dream stood in front of Fundy, Fundy was lost in them. Perhaps it was why he missed things.
The first thing he missed was the looks from the few people in the pews of the church. They had only invited friends. Really, Fundy had only invited friends. Dream requested three attendees: Sapnap, to walk him down the aisle; Wilbur, Fundy’s father; and George, an old friend of Dream’s according to him. Fundy knew he was going to invite his father in the first place, so that was an easy yes. The other two were easy to say yes to, since Fundy only knew of them and had never met either man personally.
The wedding began once Dream stood firmly in front of Fundy, the priest beginning to go on about “true love” and such. Fundy could only stare at the green eyes in front of him.
Dream thought it was bullshit.
Meeting Fundy had been a coincidence at best, but Dream was never one to pass up opportunities. For years now, he had been playing the game of power, and he was determined to win. He would manipulate people here, sabotage people there, even fighting a few people in order to get what he wanted. Dream had set his sights on his next target: a little kingdom by the name of L'Manberg. Dream thought it was a stupid name, but the King of the place was passionate, and he stirred up the hopes and dreams of the people. King Wilbur was a thorn in Dream’s side. He had fought to get the power he had, and suddenly this King thinks he could just come out of nowhere and just have all the power Dream had worked so hard for? No. Not if Dream could help it.
Dream stayed hidden from the prying eyes with his mask. When fully worn, it not only hid his true face and identity, but it also had some lingering magical effects. If someone were to see Dream with his mask fully on, they would forget that he was there as soon as they broke eye contact with the two dots that made the eyes of the mask. It was a helpful tool for conquering, and when Dream built his empire, he built it from the shadows. He existed as a name, but never a face. And when someone went out of line, Dream made an example out of them.
Dream tried to use his physical abilities rather than any of his magical ones. He didn’t know exactly where he came from, but he knew that whoever his parents were, they left him with magic that not many understood beyond Dream himself. The mask was one thing he enchanted himself. But another thing he discovered were his real eyes. His green eyes could be hypnotic if he wanted them to be, luring people in only so Dream could stab them in the heart. At least, that is what he normally used them for.
His physical abilities, though, were still impressive. He learned them in the streets, fighting to get whatever he could. Dream fought anyone he could and only ever came across a few people who he couldn’t immediately best in a battle.
Dream remembered when he first met Fundy. It was not too long after a fight with a guard that he got into the L'Manberg castle. He wore his armor and mask, as usual, sneaking through the halls and getting a good look at the place.
“Um… who exactly are you?”
The voice surprised Dream, as he hadn’t heard anyone sneak up on him. Dream whirled around to see a young man, just about his age, standing a few feet away from him.
“I’m nobody.” Dream said, breaking the mask’s eye contact so the man would forget before taking off down the hall, leaping out the window and into the bushes below.
He met Fundy again in a much less… serious way. Dream figured that his way into the castle was through their security. The guards were numerous, but if Dream could infiltrate the guard himself or with one of his men, then they could take down L'Manberg from the inside.
All he had to do was kill King Wilbur Soot, and he could take it from there. Without a leader, the kingdom would have no one to rally behind. There was the King’s kid brother, but he was barely interested in leading anything, so Dream didn’t worry about him.
Fundy had noticed Dream from the moment he walked in with the guards. Dream’s mask was on, but his eyes were visible, the mask hanging on his nose. He needed his eyes in case anyone questioned why he was there. Dream stood in the line of guards as the head of the guard walked down the aisle, looking the news recruits up and down. He looked even younger than Dream, probably even younger than Fundy. He was probably there because of his close relationship with the King’s brother. Dream rolled his eyes. Nepotism was something he never used in his own empire, and it got him far.
Once Commander Tubbo released them, Dream immediately went to search the grounds, but was stopped, yet again, by Fundy.
“You look familiar. Do I know you?” Fundy asked. Dream didn’t typically talk to people after they were affected by his mask, so he frowned, even if the man couldn’t see it.
“I don’t believe we’ve met. My name is Dream. I’m one of the news guards.” Dream said, putting an arm over his chest and bowing to the man he knew was the Prince. “You must be Prince Fundy. I was told about you by Commander Tubbo.”
“Oh, oh yes. Please, just call me Fundy. I hate being called “Prince”. So please… just… Fundy.” Fundy asked, staring into Dream’s eyes.
Fascinating. The kid was enamored with Dream just from talking with him for a few moments. Dream figured he could go along with it for now.
“Please forgive me then… Fundy,” Dream made sure his voice went a little lower when he said the Prince’s name. Dream stared right back at Fundy, making sure that his voice was just as suggestive as his eyes. “I believe I will need a tour of the castle, then… to ensure I know where everything is. Including you. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
It was like Dream had just reeled in a big fish as he watched Fundy melt at his words. Perfect .
From there, it had been easy. Dream would use his eyes and his voice to make syrupy sweet promises to Fundy, telling him that he would always be there for him, that Dream would protect Fundy forever. Fundy lapped it up. The closer Dream got to Fundy, the closer Dream got to the King.
Dream found out that King Wilbur wasn’t entirely… sane. He had this idea that if someone or something came for his kingdom, that the idea of “all or nothing” would apply. He didn’t exactly know what that meant, but it was certainly interesting. Fundy always talked about the arguments he would have with his father about the kingdom and what was best for it once Wilbur was gone.
It was a sunny day when Dream found what would bring him to control L'Manberg. Apparently, if Fundy married someone, Fundy and that person would become the rulers. Wilbur did not want his brother to become King, citing his age and inexperience. This apparently drove a wedge between Tommy and Wilbur, and Fundy would often tell Dream that he didn’t even want to be King, Wilbur wanted him to be King.
Dream was quick to reassure Fundy with an easy look that Fundy would be a great King, and that some day (if they were married) they could rule L’Manberg together.
The proposal came as no surprise only three months after they met.
It was very romantic, Dream had to admit. He wasn’t one for romance, but had he actually been in love with the poor fool, Dream would have been impressed. A string quartet, a fine dinner, and a show in the theater with only the two of them. As Fundy took Dream home, Fundy asked Dream to remove his mask.
Dream hesitated, as he didn’t normally remove it all the way, but he was confident Fundy was so pulled in that it wouldn’t matter. Dream untied the straps that kept it fixed to his face, and he let it dangle in his hand by his side.
Fundy ran his hand through Dream’s sandy hair, letting his hand drift down to cup his face. “Dream, I am head over heels in love with you. I can’t imagine my life without you, and I have no intention of ever letting that happen. Dream, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride, my Queen, my partner?” Fundy asked, kneeling down and holding out a ring with a diamond that was even bigger than Dream expected.
Playing the part of the surprised lover came easily. He covered his mouth, let tears fall from his eyes as he quickly agreed and held his hand out for the ring to slide onto his finger.
As Fundy prepared the wedding plans, Dream left for a few days to “tell his family”.
“The plan is simple. Sapnap, after you walk me down the aisle, you will be able to sit right behind Wilbur. You inject him with the poison once you sit down and make sure he doesn’t realize what happened. George, your job is distraction. Once the marriage is finalized and only then, stand up and make a scene. I don’t care what it is, but make sure its enough to ensure Wilbur doesn’t know about Sapnap behind him. By the time everything is settled, Wilbur should be falling dead.”
Before the wedding, only George helped Dream get ready in his room.
“You don’t have to marry him, you know.” George said idly as he zipped up the back of Dream’s dress. Dream’s mask lay abandoned on the nightstand. George and Sapnap were the only two people in his life who always saw his true face.
“What? You know I do.” Dream said, adjusting himself in the mirror before stepping to grab his weapons.
“I just don’t understand why you have to marry this one. You’ve killed so many other people, manipulated so many others. Why do you have to marry someone now when you could just have easily killed Wilbur and moved on?” George demanded. He seemed upset, and it surprised Dream.
“Because then the people wouldn’t follow me. They would rise up against me and I would have to kill more people. This way, the people love their Prince and his lovely bride. And how tragic it will be when the terrible bandits come on our honeymoon to murder the newly crowned King. His poor bride Dream will have to take control of the country, now will full support of the people.” Dream explained, confused as to why he had to explain this.
George looked away, looking out the window at the budding storm. So many words went unspoken in that moment.
“George. I have to do this.”
“I know you do. Just don’t be an idiot, alright?”
Dream grinned at George and put a dagger in the thigh holster that was conveniently hidden by the dress.
“No promises.”
“Friends, family, Kingdom of L’Manberg. We are gathered here today to join together these two people in holy matrimony. Fundy Soot, Crowned Prince of L’Manberg and Dream…” The priest looked for a last name, but there was none, so he continued. “Love is a blessed thing…”
The priest rambled on as Dream kept his eyes on Fundy, making sure he went through with it. Dream was nothing if not dramatic when it came to his final moments of a plan, so he made sure that everything was perfect. He even got flowers that represented betrayal. No one knew but him, and it made it all the sweeter.
Finally, the vows came.
“Dream, I know that we haven’t known each other very long, but each and every day that we spend together is a gift. You make me smile like no one else, you know me better than I know myself, and I truly feel like we can be truly great as both a couple and rulers. I love you now, and I will love you until the day I die.” Fundy vowed. That’s the idea. Til the day you die.
“Fundy, I didn’t know what love was until I met you. Every day of my life was hiding behind a mask, hiding because I didn’t know someone could love the real me. I wore this mask to hide myself, but today…” Dream took his mask off completely for one of the first times in a group, really wanting to sell this. He let the mask fall, only being caught by the white ribbon he had tied to it. “Today I drop the mask, and become your bride.” Dream said. Fundy had tears in his eyes by the time Dream finished.
“Does anyone present have any reason why these two should not be wed?”
The silence in the room was unnaturally thick, punctuated by a boom of thunder, now seeming closer than before.
“Wonderful, then let’s continue. Fundy, do you take Dream to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“And Dream, do you take Fundy to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss.”
Before the two could close the gap and kiss, a cry rang out.
“STOP!”
Dream and Fundy looked for the source of the cry, only to see George standing up from the crowd. “I object!” George insisted.
Dream frowned. Was this the distraction?
“You can’t exactly object, they’re married now.” The priest said in confusion as George squirmed his way out of the pew and towards the front of the church.
“Well I object anyway. Dream, I don’t want you to marry him because I want you to marry me. ”
WHAT?
“What?!” Fundy asked, stepping between Dream and George. “Stop it! You… you can’t do that! I’m married to Dream. He’s my wife now and you can’t take that away.” Fundy snapped.
In three long strides, George closed the gap between him and Dream so they were face to face. Dream inhaled sharply, his eyes wide as George looked at him intensely. George glanced at Fundy, then picked up Dream’s mask and covered their faces as he pressed his lips to Dream’s.
The murmur of the crowd turned to full on chattering and anger, people starting to stand up.
Fundy grabbed George by the shoulders and ripped him off Dream, making Dream fall to the ground, watching the two grapple with each other. “Stop, stop it!” Dream shouted, standing back up quickly despite the dress hindering him. Fundy stopped and looked at Dream, heartbreak in his eyes.
“I don’t know why you did that, George. But I’m married to Fundy. You need to leave!” Dream said, going to Fundy’s side and checking to see if he was okay.
“Do I need to get the guards, or will you leave yourself?” Fundy asked, his voice hard. George looked around the church, then sighed.
“No, I’ll leave.” George said, his shoulders slumping as he left the chapel and walked out into the rain.
“Fundy, I’m so sorry. I had no idea he would ruin our wedding like that.” Dream insisted, putting his mask back on halfway, as it was before. Fundy shook his head.
“It wasn’t your fault. You had no idea that would happen. Why don’t we get ready for the afterparty? I’m sure you need some time alone. I know I do. I will meet you in the ballroom in an hour?” Fundy offered, leaning up to give Dream’s mask a peck. “Then I can kiss you for real.” He smiled at him, letting go of Dream’s hands.
Dream left and went to the room he had gotten ready in.
There, soaking wet, was George. Sapnap followed within a few moments of Dream.
“You moron. If that had gone any further, people would have gotten suspicious of my intentions.” Dream muttered as he took his mask off again.
“Come on, its hard seeing you like that! I couldn’t stop myself.” George insisted.
“I’m already married to you! Don’t you think I’ve shown you that I love you and no one else?” Dream snapped as he turned to face George. He turned his mask to show George the inside. On the inside of the mask, as always, was a simple golden ring that surrounded one of the eye holes. “And your ring is right there. It always is.”
“Ladies, ladies, if you’re done bickering…” Sapnap interrupted. He held up an empty syringe. The plan had worked flawlessly.
The trio grinned at each other.
“Perfect.”