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Their marriage had been arranged when they were infants.
It had never been a secret to either of them growing up that this marriage was for purely political reasons. An exchange of resources their parents and dynasties had arranged.
Meeting the other one for the first time as small children and being told that was their spouse had felt so normal. Like something every necrontyr did growing up. The inevitability of the marriage was easy to accept, as they had known about it for so long. If anything, it was preposterous for them to think that most people chose their spouses.
Their betrothal was rather unusual though. It was always risky to promise offspring to marriages so young, since there was always a decent chance they wouldn't make it to adulthood. For many years Zahndrekh's dynasty worried about it, since he was always so frail and wiry. Thankfully his brilliant strategic mind more than made up for his slight stature.
Not that Trazyn could ever complain about the physique of his spouse, as he himself was rather lacking in muscle mass as well. He was always more inclined towards academia and archiving rather than military might. Or perhaps his own lack of physical prowess led him to this path?
Either way, he always thought Zahndrekh was pleasant enough to be around. He could be mild mannered and introspective when they were alone, as he often got rather rowdy during large gatherings and feasts. Not being able to help the social butterfly in him.
He was also a reasonable man. Honorable. Someone who Trazyn was proud to marry.
-
Their wedding was just as grand as was required of Overlords. Several days of feasting, merriment and a ceremony planned to follow historic rituals perfectly. After all, they had a lot of papers to sign, alliances to confirm and connections to make.
The arrangement made two decades ago didn't actually change much with their marriage. The betrothal had been the binding contract and a wedding was simply a formality to establish further cooperation among their dynasties.
Zahndrekh did not have much patience for the paperwork of it all. What was the point of signing documents that have already been in motion?
The only change in his life now was that he was a married man as he and Trazyn were quick to find a balance in their lives.
They continued as they had before the wedding. Both of them were career driven and had their passions for them. It seemed unnecessary to start moving Trazyn's libraries to Gidrim or for Zahndrekh to start replanting his pleasure gardens to Solemnace.
Not like the terms of their wedding contract specified for them to share a palace on a planet. Besides, this worked much better for them.
They did meet up more often now though. Sharing news of research and campaigns, talking about history and gossiping about nobility. It was simple and effortless.
If not for them being announced as a married couple in courts, most would not even realize they were wedded. Some would say they were too friendly and not romantic enough, others would think they should be resenting each other.
To Zahndrekh it seemed all too complicated, especially when Trazyn was his partner.
–
Trazyn had never kept his …relationship with the royal astromancer a secret. Their rivalry was rather notable and well known in court. They would debate each other for days if not for the need for sleep, and even then they would argue in bed until early mornings.
Similarly Zahndrekh had never tried to hide his feelings for his vargard while on Gidrim or Solemnace. He wanted to protect Obyron so he could keep his more amorous speeches to himself or until private moments while in court or the field. But, in his home he wished to treat his fearsome protector as he deserved.
Early on in their marriage there had been some tension, trying to gauge what was and was not allowed. If the other would be offended when more attention was paid to someone else.
When no complaint was ever raised, and when they had run into each other trying to sneak their respective partners to the royal quarters they couldn't help but laugh about the situation.
Obyron had been mortified for days, but Zahndrekh still remembers that night rather fondly.
The diviner had not stayed for breakfast the next day either to Trazyn's dismay.
–
“Would you tell me about our wedding again? I seem to have misplaced the records I had of it.” Trazyn asked as he held the empty metallic teacup close to his death mask, mimicking drinking its contents.
Zahndrekh beamed at him as he set down his own cup on the small table in the wilted pleasure garden of his ship Yama.
“Have you already forgotten, you old coot? I'm only a few years older than you,” he joked as the tiles of his cape clinked with the motion of his skeletal arm.
Trazyn couldn't help a smile of his own as he looked at his husband. So much had changed in 50 million years and so much was lost. Yet, Zahndrekh hadn't changed at all.
At least as far as Trazyn's memory banks could tell him.
“You know I do not recall much of it, as I believe I had drunk quite a lot of chilled wine during it.” Obyron had been very clear to him since Zahndrekh's awakening, to not break the Nemesor's delusions.
Trazyn didn't mind playing along, as he still cared for his old partner.
Despite Zahndrekh's condition, Trazyn wasn’t sure if he could trust Zahndrekh's memory to be accurate of the wedding rituals or finer details, but it was nice to imagine what necrontyr weddings were like. Zahndrekh could be quite the wordsmith when he was in the right mood.
“That you did! Not that I fared much better by the end of the week.” Zahndrekh leaned his head against his palm, as if remembering a strong headache from a hangover.
“Obyron here had to carry me back to our room in the palace afterwards, where you had already passed out. Still dressed up and wearing your mountains of jewelry.” Zahndrekh recounted a night, like he could still see it so vividly. Trazyn envied that a little bit, mostly for historical purposes.
“I must have looked like Nihilakh vanity incarnate with those on.”
“On the contrary, I always found all of your little trinkets fascinating. You always have a good story to go along with a new necklace or hood ornament.”
What a charmer.
Shame that Trazyn could no longer remember any of the jewelry or stories Zahndrekh was thinking about.
But he always had new collections and items with him, so he surely has to tell Zahndrekh about those when they have a moment.
Trazyn mimicked another sip with a smile as he listened to his husband recount stories of their wedding.