Chapter Text
Day One
Wedding | Kisses
As I've Written:
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Is it okay to use parts of this as a diary? It involves things that happened on Amphoreus, so I'm sure Cyrene won't mind. Afterall, she adores romantic stories.
I just had to put this somewhere, my residual guilt slowly eating at me as each hour passes without telling Himeko, Mr. Yang, Pom-Pom, Sunday, and Black Swan the whole truth.
Dan Heng asked me to marry him.
Let me give some context . . .
~☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡~
"Bondmate? What's that?" I ask.
Dan Heng pauses, expression awkward, like he's waiting for me to make the obvious joke, but after all that we've been through, I'm a bit better at telling when to be goofy and when to lock in, and the way he approached me with this seemed serious, "Now that I hold the Earth Coreflame I've become . . . very intuned to nature. And . . . There is a part of me, that, uh, doesn't like leaving you . . ."
"Leaving me . . . ?" I arch a brow as I urge him to continue. I was soaking in our private bath as he stood by the door, almost as if guarding it. Which was a bit strange, ever since we've risen in rank from distinguished guests from afar to Demigods, no one, not even our fellow demigods barged in without knocking.
I had noticed ever since taking his new form, Dan Heng had become even more overprotective, it was almost funny, because I didn't know it was possible. He still stood stiff as a board and now tall as a mountain. Like a statue that had demanded undivided attention. He, dare I say, exuded a subtle air of dominance.
I found it incredibly sexy.
"Leaving you unclaimed," he finally finishes with teeth gritting together, a vein protruding from the side of his neck at the strain of saying the words.
I tilt my head, "I don't understand." Unclaimed? There isn't any part of my body that Dan Heng has not thoroughly and intimately studied. I'm fairly certain he even has a diagram of me hidden away somewhere.
He takes a deep breath, and sinks down to my level, sitting cross-legged outside of the bathing pool, "In the eyes of nature you're . . . Single. For lack of a better term. There is no such thing as boyfriend and girlfriend when it comes to Earth's creations. That kind of relationship is too . . . Nuanced in nature. And I don't like it." He says firmly, "I don't like this feeling that you're not completely mine."
I frown, placing my cheek on my fist, "But I am yours, Dan Heng. That was never a question. What can I do to make you feel better?"
He visibly relaxes, the storm in his eyes clearing at my frank declaration, "Become my bondmate. We will be tied in every conceivable way, amplifying our current connection into something distinct and uniquely us."
"So . . . Like getting married? Your new dragon instincts are telling you to put a ring on it?" I smirk and wiggle the fingers of my left hand.
"I knew you couldn't resist cracking a joke," he sighed, but still had a relaxed posture. Afterall, I didn't say no.
I shrug, "You got a solid five minutes of seriousness from me. That fills my quota for the week." I smile and reach out both of my hands to him, which he has no problem taking, "So, how do we actually do this?"
"Well, like any marriage, we'll need to declare our commitment to each other before a witness."
"March 7th." We say in unison, it being a no-brainer about the involvement of our fellow crewmate.
"And then after that, we consummate the bond and mark each other. It has to be a lasting mark, something permanent using our Pathstrider energy."
I hum. Technically speaking, we had plenty of options: Destruction, Preservation, Hunt, Harmony, Permanence, Remembrance, but really, there was only one correct answer.
We will be bonded by The Trailblaze.
~☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡~
We decided to have our "wedding" at the Abyss near the Temple of the Three Fates, where we originally crash landed onto Amphoreus uncountable lifetimes ago. It was neat and pristine, no broken train car in sight, March hummed happily to herself as she adjusted the dress Aglaea made me for the occasion, "Do you think Himeko and Mr. Yang will be upset that they missed this?" I ask. Dan Heng and I were content to just have it be a quiet ceremony with March and Cyrene as our only witnesses, but both pink haired girls vehemently argued that it wasn't romantic enough. At the very least, we should include our fellow Chrysos Heirs and Demigods.
And after some thought, Dan Heng and I agreed. They all had basically become our family, after everything we've been through. The eternal bonding of Earth and Worldbearing was a tremendous occasion, afterall. The Counsil of Elders even went as far as to declare today a holiday.
Light Calendar ????, at the very moment where the Month of Joy becomes the Month of Everday.
Hysilens, representing Phagousa, stands on my half of the temple room while Hyacine, representing Aquila, stands on Dan Heng's half, with Ceredyra standing center, representing Talanton, waiting for us to exchange vows, being formally bound by Law itself.
A fully grown Tribios stands at the door, looking back towards us, "Everyone ready?"
March quickly shuffles over to Dan Heng's side, "I'm sure Himeko and Mr. Yang will understand," she quickly reassures me, "Worst case, you and I just recreate the scene for them using The Remembrance," she says with an air of smugness. Ever since she became the Time Demigod, March has been able to tap into some of Evernight's power to make her own. She's been bragging about the power boost ever since, saying that Dan Heng and I won't be leaving her in the dust any time soon.
I watch as she fusses over Dan Heng's outfit, once again hand tailored by the Goldweaver, even going as far as trying to shine his gold horns, "You need to look perfect for your big day!" She squeals.
Cyrene gives the signal to Tribios, who opens the door not only to welcome in the rest of our witnesses, but to symbolically show a new pathway being formed, the Spell of Bondmating has begun.
First came Mydei, to represent the Strife our relationship had to endure to get to where we are today. Then, Anaxa and Aglaea came in together, arms linked and hands held to show that Reason and Romance are always there to bind us together. Next came Castorice, symbolizing the "Death" of being single and the "Rebirth" of being bondmates. Then Cipher skipped down the isle with Bartholos, both tossing Balance Coins in the air to bless our union with fortune and Trickery, to keep things light and fun. Lastly came Phainon holding Dawnmaker in the down position.
Tribios closes the door, and starts a leisurely and measured pace around the room. By the time her twelfth loop is finished, the ceremony should conclude, and she will open the door for us.
Ceredyra stands straight as she gestures to Dan Heng, "Pillar of Stone, approach, and offer your vows to the Law."
Even though she is basically commanding him, Dan Heng doesn't take his eyes off of me as he walks toward the center, "I offer everything." He says simply, "All I have."
She turns to me, "Throne of Worlds, approach, and offer your vows to the Law."
I smirk as I hold Dan Heng's gaze as I walk towards him, "It is only fair that I offer all I am in exchange."
"Join hands," the small Imperator says, not the least bit impressed by our sentimentalities, we do as we're told, "We stand here in the Abyss of Fate, where this all began, to witness the union of Worldbearing and Earth at the end of the Month of Joy" she nods towards Hysilens, "and at the beginning of the Month of Everday" she makes the same gesture to Hyacine, "With Passage bestowing her blessing on your journey. From this point forward, you, Stelle, and you, Dan Heng, shall be bound in Amphoreus, The Eternal Land. This will not change once you return to the Sea of Stars, but instead you two will usher in your own Flame-Chase to the galaxy above, your bond blazing a trail for all upcoming adventures together. Is there anything you wish to say, before the marks are bestowed?"
Silence stretches, the only sign of the passage of time being the light footsteps of Tribios around the room. What loop is she on now? I wasn't paying attention, too captivated by the blinding devotion in Dan Heng's eyes.
"Stelle." He starts after a shuddering breath, "No mere collection of words will ever be enough when it comes to you." He smiles, pulling me in just a bit closer by our joined hands, "From the moment you stepped on the Astral Express, my life was changed. I wasn't running away from the past, but towards the future with you. I know, in my heart, that there is no Trailblaze without you. That there is no moment where I don't want to be by your side. You didn't laugh or condemn me when I suddenly asked for you to allow our relationship to be recognized by nature. By this Earth Coreflame that now holds a warmth within me. You have always taken me as I am, even when I didn't fully know who I was. You hold no expectations. No judgement. You allow me to be free in the purest way, and I swear, by this new golden blood that flows through my veins that you will always be safe with me. That you can always count on me. Because your heart is where I call home, and I love you so much for welcoming me into it. Without fear, without reservation. Unapologetically you, Stelle Trailblazer."
A wide smile comes across my face, as I take my turn to gently pull him in by our connected hands, "Dan Heng Trailblazer," I test out the name, "Or should I say Cold Dragon Young? Imbibitor Lunae? Permansor Terrae? It doesn't matter what you're called, you'll always be my Dan Heng. You'll always be the kind gentle man who gave an anmesiac his phone number. You'll always be the one who indulges and enables my . . . Questionable habits. You'll always be the one who knows me like the back of your hand. You'll always be the one I can go to when the nightmares become too much. You'll always be the one who affirms my existence. I like who I am when you look at me. Your gaze holds me closer than any Aeon ever could. I live to put the light in your eyes like I live to Trailblaze. And Trailblaze with you. It doesn't matter the world, the time, the Path, we'll always be together. I don't judge because there is nothing to judge. By Kephele, I swear to always love you, and love you fully as you deserve."
"By the Coreflame of Law, I declare," Ceredyra says, and her voice momentarily shocks me to remind me that others are here, "You may consumate your bond with a kiss."
We both pull at each other's hands to bring us together in a kiss, and I channel my heart and soul, imagining us together on the Astral Express, where the Trailblaze, like our bond, will never end. As we pull back, I feel a searing burn on my left ring finger, but it doesn't hurt. It feels like I'm being put together, brick by brick. We let go of each other to investigate how the bond manifested itself, and it was almost laughably simple. A circle of iridescent rainbow train tracks now decorate the skin of our ring fingers. I lift mine up to show Dan Heng, and he locks his finger together with my own, "Together?" He asks.
"Always." I answer.
Through dumb luck, prophecy, or maybe just strategic timing on Tribios' end, she completes the twelfth lap. And Phainon lifts Dawnmaker into the upward position, symbolizing a new day where we walk together. Tribios opens the door and March and Cyrene grab our hands, running us through as Hysilens sings an Amphorean wedding hymn. We run until we can no longer hear their cheers, we run until March and Cyrene can no longer keep up, we run all the way towards Okema, blood rushing through our ears and laughter ringing out like we're schoolchildren released from the confines of routine and scheduling. When we pass people, they cheer and raise their fist in acknowledgement.
From that moment on, we were bondmated.
~☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡~
I only wish that the rest of the Astral Express could have witnessed it. Maybe, now that I've written it all down, it will be easier for March and I to recreate it.
Or maybe, we'll throw our own little ceremony in the Parlor Car. Have that small, intimate ceremony with family Dan Heng and I wanted originally.
We must tread the Path of Remembrance in our own way, after all.