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Hassian smiled at the pins they had recently turned into a decoration, paired with the heartdrop lilies that had dried out years before. He glanced down and spun the gold ring on his finger, causing the bits of inlaid emerald and quartz to sparkle. His hand was still adjusting to its near constant presence, he wore it on a necklace while he was at the forge but was always quick to return it to his finger afterwards. Has it really been that long since we traded those lilies? His eyes turned back up to the decoration though the ring still spun as his thoughts drifted back to the events leading up to him wearing it.
. . .
The campus celebration of Path training completion for a slew of students was held several months prior and his mother decided to ask what must have been a harmless question in her mind.
“So when are you two going to get married?!” Her booming voice drew the attention of half of those attending, but the topic caught Xula and Hassian off guard.
“Mother! Now is not the best time-” Heat from embarrassment rushed up the back of his neck.
“What?” She interrupted. “You were waiting to finish the Path training weren't you? Now it's just training to take over the classes and become professors yourselves.”
“We haven't actually talked about it yet…” Xula answered quietly while staring into her drink.
“Well then, now you have a reason to!” Sifuu beamed.
Hassian and Xula slipped away from the crowd shortly after that, keen on avoiding having to answer any more questions that others may have for them. Tau trotted along with them and begged for ear scratches as they went. Kyla had convinced her sister to wear a dress for the celebration, so running was out of the question, though it didn't stop them from going for a walk through the park. The years had done little to curb Tau’s energy and he seemed disappointed by their slow pace as he did laps around them.
How have neither of us brought that up yet… Did we both assume the same thing that Mother pointed out? That we were waiting for today. Everyone must have thought the same, to have not mentioned anything to us about it, even at Reth and Kyla’s ceremony-
“Hassian?” Xula's gentle call and squeeze of his hand pulled him from his thoughts. He hummed in reply and glanced her way, though the concern in her eyes made him worry. “About what your mother said- um…” She blushed and looked at Tau instead, he had found one of his stashed chew toys and was flopped out with it further down the path.
It had been a long time since Hassian’s heart had raced as much as it did in that moment. He stopped and pulled her close, holding her tight so his heart would settle before he loosened his arms enough for them to look at each other. “I love you Xula and I do want to marry you.” There was no denying either of those facts.
“Was that a proposal?” Her eyes sparkled over one of the joyful smiles that used to send his thoughts flying. Now though, he returned it with one of his own.
“Yes.”
She chuckled and kissed him, her eyes still sparkling when she pulled away. “I love you too Hassian and I am happy to marry you.”
They continued their walk, discussing marriage plans, though he surprised her by suggesting that they follow one of the Human traditions and exchange rings. A matching pair that he ended up forging himself. One topic led to another and the couple found themselves with new hopes for their future.
They decided to wait until the next dry season, as the months of heavy rain and snow were coming up quickly. Though they chose not to tell anyone the news until Luna New Year. They knew it would be a constant barrage of questions if they mentioned anything sooner than that and had other things that they still needed to focus on. Things like beginning their professor training and moving from student to staff housing, which consisted of a tiny village tucked on the far side of the valley that allowed staff members and their families to have small homes of their own. Having Reth and Kyla as neighbors had been unexpected but Xula was thrilled upon hearing the news. Delaila agreed to train Kyla to be the next culinary professor while Reth was training to run the tavern and cafeteria.
. . .
Time seemed to fly as the weather began to dry out and plans started falling into place. It felt like Sifuu was the most excited of everyone about the news once they let it be known. She brought it up any chance she got, to anyone who would listen, so the rest of the university found out quickly, but they still informed their friends personally. Jel insisted on making Xula's dress as he had done for Kyla, and Tish insisted on helping. Reth and Kyla started working on ideas for food and desserts within moments of being told, after Kyla had squealed loud enough to cause everyone's ears to ring.
The ceremony was kept small and simple as planned, held in the park near the lake with close friends and family. The after-party, however, had quickly been crashed by students and the newlyweds ended up sneaking away from their own party.
. . .
Hassian stopped spinning the ring as the tips of his ears flushed from memories of that night. It wasn't something they had planned on but was wonderful nonetheless and Xula’s flexibility from keeping up with yoga had certainly made things interesting. He smirked at remembering how they had managed to make Reth blush by finally being able to tell him how their real first night together was.
“What's so funny, love?” Xula asked while she walked up beside him, wrapped up in a lightweight robe with her hair ruffled from being towel dried.
He snuck a quick kiss from her before answering. “Just reflecting on memories.”
She hummed with a soft smile and nuzzled up to him as he held her close. “Ready to make some more?”
“Of course.”