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The room prepared for Manepear had once been one of the old guest chambers tucked into the eastern wing of the hall, but tonight it felt transformed into something almost unreal
Warm torchlight flickered softly against cedar paneled walls, painting everything in deep gold and amber that shifted with every movement of flame
White flowers had been placed everywhere with almost obsessive care, their pale petals spilling over the edges of wooden tables, draped around the mirror frame and woven into small garlands that hung near the windows
Their scent mixed with the cleaner smell of polished wood and faint candle wax, creating an atmosphere that should have been calming
It was not
At least, not for Manepear
He stood in front of the tall mirror near the center of the room, perfectly still except for the restless movement of his hands
His reflection stared back at him with an expression so carefully composed that anyone else would have mistaken it for effortless calm
His posture was straight, shoulders squared, chin lifted just enough to maintain that familiar sense of poise he had spent years perfecting
Inside, however, was another matter entirely
His thoughts had become a complete and utter disaster
It felt absurd, in a way
He had stood in situations far more dangerous than this without even a flicker of visible unease
He had faced blades, monsters and moments where entire worlds seemed poised on the edge of collapse, and through all of it he had remained collected
Yet somehow, someway, standing in a quiet room with flowers and wedding clothes laid neatly across the bed, he felt more shaken than he had in centuries
The thought alone almost made him laugh
Almost
Instead, he exhaled slowly through his nose and adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves for what had to be the sixth time in the last ten minutes
They were already perfectly aligned
He knew they were
That did not stop him from checking again
Behind him, Flamefrags let out a sigh that sounded suspiciously close to long suffering amusement
“Bro like, if you touch those cuffs one more time” he said from where he leaned against the doorway “I’m going to assume you’re trying to tear the fabric apart with stress alone bro”
Mane didn’t look away from the mirror “I am not stressed”
There was a pause
Then Flame gave a short laugh
“That is without a question the worst lie you’ve told in your life bro”
Mane turned his head just enough to give his brother a flat look “I am perfectly calm”
Flame pushed himself away from the doorway and stepped further into the room, arms folding across his chest as he looked Mane over with the kind of scrutiny only family could manage
“Brother” he said, voice deliberately thoughtful “You look calm, that different”
Mane stared at him
Flame mouth twitched “You’ve been standing in front of that mirror for twenty minutes pretending not panicking”
“I am not panicking”
“You alphabetized the emergency sewing kit bro”
Mane expression didn’t change “It was disorganized”
Flame blinked
Then slowly looked toward the small side table where, indeed, every needle, thread spool and strip of fabric had been lined up in perfect order
“…You actually did”
Mane turned back to the mirror “It was merely distraction”
Flame laughed under his breath, shaking his head as he crossed the room
For a while, the only sound between them was the soft crackle of torchlight and the distant murmur of activity elsewhere in the hall
People were moving beyond the closed door, footsteps occasionally passing in the corridor, voices hushed with excitement, preparations continuing in careful rhythm
The wedding was close now
Too close
That thought settled into Mane chest with a strange weight, not unpleasant but impossible to ignore
He glanced toward the clothing laid across the bed
The formal attire had been prepared hours earlier, black fabric touched with elegant silver embroidery that caught the light whenever he moved
It was beautiful in a restrained way, formal without being overly elaborate, chosen with care to suit him
And yet seeing it there made everything feel even more real
This was happening
After everything
After every version of themselves, every storm survived, every quiet night and every impossible moment that had somehow led them here
He was getting married
To Wemmbu
The thought should not have felt surprising
And yet it did
Not because it was unwanted
Never that
But because there was something so deeply overwhelming about seeing years of love and history narrowing into a single day, a single ceremony, a single moment where words spoken aloud would make permanent what had long since already been true
Flame voice gentled when he spoke again “Bro like bro, you’re thinking too much”
Mane let out a quiet breath “That is hardly new”
“Nah” Flame admitted, moving closer “But tonight it’s worse”
Mane was silent for a moment before finally looking away from the mirror “…What if something goes wrong?”
The question came more quietly than he intended
Flame expression shifted immediately
Not teasing now
Not amused
Just understanding
“Mane”
His brother stepped closer until he was standing beside him, shoulder nearly brushing his “Nothing is going to go wrong”
Mane gave him a look “That is a dangerously optimistic statement”
Flame snorted softly “Fine, something small will probably go wrong, because it’s a wedding and that’s apparently how the universe works, someone will trip over something or the flowers will be slightly crooked, or one of the torches will decide to be dramatic”
That finally pulled the faintest smile from Mane
Flame saw it and continued “But none of that matters”
He turned fully toward him “The only thing that matters is that when those doors open, he’ll be there”
For a moment, Mane said nothing
Then his gaze lowered
Wemmbu
The mere thought of him softened something deep in his chest
He could picture him already, though he had not yet seen what he would be wearing, not yet seen the expression he would have when the ceremony began
That smile
Those eyes
The familiar warmth of his presence that always seemed to make everything around him feel more alive
A quiet breath left Mane “I know”
Flame voice softened “You love him”
It wasn’t a question
Mane looked down at his hands “Yes”
The answer came easily
Without hesitation
The simplest truth in the world
Flame smiled, and for a moment there was something deeply fond in his expression “Then trust that bro”
Silence settled again, softer now
Mane moved toward the bed at last, lifting the formal coat carefully from where it had been laid out
The fabric was smooth beneath his fingers, cool at first touch, and as he slipped it on, Flame stepped behind him to help settle the shoulders into place
The gesture was quiet
Familiar
A small moment of care between brothers before something life changing
Flame adjusted the collar with surprising gentleness “You look good”
Mane glanced toward the mirror
For a moment, he barely recognized himself
Not because he looked different, but because tonight every detail seemed sharpened by significance
The careful lines of the formal wear, the way the silver accents caught the torchlight, the composed expression he wore like armor
And the horn necklace…
Flame grin returned “You look like someone who’s about to get married and simultaneously declare war on anyone who wrinkles the decorations”
“That remains a possibility”
Flame laughed “There my bro is”
Mane shook his head faintly, but the tension in his shoulders eased
Only slightly
Still, it was enough
The torchlight flickered again, and somewhere beyond the door a voice called out something muffled and excited, followed by quick footsteps moving away
The time was getting closer
Too close
Mane found himself moving toward the window almost without thinking, pushing it open just enough to let the cool night air slip into the room
Outside, the forest stretched beneath the darkening sky, branches swaying in slow motion under the weight of evening wind
Lanterns had been hung along the pathway leading to the hall entrance, their lights glowing softly through the trees like stars fallen to earth
It was beautiful
Peaceful
He wished it made his heart stop racing
Behind him, Flame leaned lightly against the wall “Nervous?”
Mane kept his gaze on the forest “Yes”
The honesty surprised even him
Flame was quiet for a moment then softly “Good”
Mane turned
Flame smiled “It means this matters”
Those words lingered
Simple
True
Mane looked back out into the night and let them settle inside him
Yes
It mattered
More than anything
Not the ceremony itself, not the flowers, not the hall, not the details everyone had spent so long preparing
What mattered was that in a little while, the doors would open
He would walk forward
And at the end of that path would be Wemmbu
The person who had become the center of his life so gradually and so completely that Mane no longer knew where his own existence ended and love began
The thought steadied him
Not enough to erase the nerves
But enough to let him breathe
A knock sounded at the door
Soft
Measured
Flame straightened immediately
Mane turned toward it
A voice came from the other side “It’s almost time”
Flame replied almost too quick “Coming Lomedy”
The room seemed to still
For a moment, Mane simply stood there, feeling the weight of the words settle into the air around him
Almost time
Flame moved to his side again “You ready bro?”
Mane looked toward the door
Then down at his hands
Then back up
No
Absolutely not
And yet
“Yes”
Because whatever waited beyond that door, whatever nerves still twisted inside his chest, whatever impossible emotions this night still held
It led to Wemmbu
And that was enough
———————~*~———————
The hall had been glowing long before the ceremony was meant to begin
Torchlight burned in iron sconces along the stone walls, their flames casting amber and gold across polished wood beams overhead, where white flowers had been woven carefully into garlands that draped from rafter to rafter like strands of moonlight caught in ivy
The petals were pale enough to almost gleam in the warmth of the fire, soft ivory and cream threaded with small silver leaves that shimmered whenever the flames shifted
Every surface seemed touched by light, the glossy wooden floor, the carved backs of the benches, the crystal lanterns hanging in gentle arcs near the altar
Even the air itself felt golden, rich with the faint sweetness of flowers and cedar polish, mixed with the quiet warmth of candlewax and the lingering scent of old wood
Outside, evening had already begun to settle, and the stained windows along the far wall held the last traces of dusky violet sky
The colors bleeding into the firelight so that the entire hall felt suspended between sunset and night
Voices filled the room in soft waves
Low conversations
Quiet laughter
The rustle of silk and formal coats
The occasional clink of glass from somewhere near the refreshment table
It was the kind of sound that should have been comforting
The sound of people gathered in celebration
The sound of a wedding
His wedding
Manepear stood near the front of the hall, hands carefully folded behind his back, every line of his posture composed enough to suggest effortless calm
To anyone looking, he seemed perfectly fine
Steady
Collected
Serene, even
The sort of poised expression people had long ago decided was simply part of who he was
Inside, however, he was a disaster
Absolute disaster
His mind had been spiraling since the moment he woke that morning, and every passing minute only seemed to make it worse
Had the flowers been arranged correctly?
Were the candles symmetrical?
Was the altar cloth straight?
Did the musicians know when to begin?
Had someone remembered the rings?
Had he remembered everything he was supposed to say?
Gods, what if he forgot the vows?
What if he got halfway through speaking and his mind simply emptied itself into a blank void in front of everyone?
What if he tripped while walking to the altar?
What if-
A sharp silence beside him cut the thought cleanly in half
Flame had gone still
Not subtly
Not the ordinary stillness of someone pausing mid thought
No
This was a different kind of stillness, the kind that struck like lightning
Mane turned instinctively, only to find his brother standing rigid enough to look carved from stone
Flame face had gone pale
Not mildly pale
Not nervous pale
Completely drained
The kind of pale that made the freckles across his face stand out in stark contrast, the kind that made his normally dark complexion look almost ghostlike beneath the torchlight
His eyes had widened so much that for one deeply alarming moment Mane genuinely wondered whether he was about to faint “Flame?”
No response
Flame didn’t even blink
His stare remained fixed somewhere across the hall, expression caught in what could only be described as spiritual collapse
Mane followed his line of sight
At first, it was normal
Familiar faces
MinuteTech was seated a few rows back, leaning toward Spoke with the unmistakable expression of someone already enjoying the atmosphere
Spoke looked equally relaxed, one arm draped lazily over the back of the bench while Mapic and JadenMan sat nearby in quiet conversation
ParrotX2 was there too, talking animatedly with Theobaldthebird, both of them dressed far more formally than Mane had ever expected to witness in his lifetime
Seeing them grounded him for exactly one second
These were normal wedding guests
Friends
People whose presence made sense
People whose attendance did not threaten to send his nervous system into cardiac arrest
Then his gaze moved further
And the world stopped
Standing on Wemmbu side of the hall, as though his presence there required no explanation whatsoever, was Technoblade
Technoblade
The Blood god
Not metaphorically
Not symbolically
The actual god of Blood himself
Mane entire brain ceased functioning
His thoughts didn’t even form words at first
It was just static
Pure screaming static
That is Technoblade
That is the Blood god
That is the Blood god at my wedding
For one terrifying second, Mane forgot how to breathe
His lungs simply stopped cooperating
Beside Technoblade stood Dream, every bit as impossible
Dream, child of Creation
Dream, god of Chaos
Dream, whose name alone was enough to fill libraries with myths and stories and contradictory legends
Dream was smiling
Smiling
As though this was an entirely normal evening
As though gods attending his wedding was not a concept capable of shattering a mortal psyche
Flame made a sound beside him
It was very small
Very faint
And carried the exact emotional tone of someone witnessing the collapse of reality in real time
Mane turned
Flame was still staring
Still pale
Still visibly one breath away from complete collapse
“Yo-u, I- I need-” Flame said very quietly, voice strained with the effort of remaining upright “Y-ou to ex-plain- to me… wh-y the Blood god is here-”
Mane kept his face perfectly neutral
Years of composure
Years of practiced calm
Years of refusing to let emotion crack through the surface
All of it was currently being weaponized against a full internal breakdown
“I would love to explain that” he said in a tone so even it was almost frightening “If I myself had any idea”
Inside his head, however, every thought was screaming
Wemmbu
Wemmbu, what have you done
Flame slowly turned to look at him, eyes wide with something between horror and disbelief “Dream is here too”
“Yes”
“Philza is here”
Mane looked
And yes
Philza
Seated two rows behind Techno and Dream, wings folded neatly behind him, looking every bit the legendary Angel of Death the stories claimed him to be
Niki sat nearby, all luminous grace and soft elegance, white flowers catching in her hair like moonlight
More faces
More legends
More names Mane had only ever heard in stories and whispers
The Dream SMP
Here
At his wedding
Mane smiled outwardly
Internally, he was on fire
Flame leaned closer “I think I’m going to pass out”
“You are my best man”
“I am aware”
“You cannot pass out”
“That sounds like a personal challenge at this point”
Mane almost laughed
Almost
Instead, his mind continued spiraling
Wemmbu never mentioned this.
He never mentioned that his family apparently includes gods
He never mentioned that I would be getting married in front of half the living legends of the realm
Oh, he was absolutely going to have a conversation with his soon to be husband later
A very long conversation
Then the music began
Soft strings at first
A low melody rising through the hall like a breath
The murmuring voices gradually faded into reverent silence, every candle flame seemed suddenly brighter in the hush that followed
Flame straightened beside him immediately, visibly forcing his soul back into his body
His expression shifted into practiced composure, but Mane could still see the lingering shock behind his eyes
The two of them moved toward the altar
The polished floor reflected the firelight in long gold waves beneath their feet
The flower arch ahead seemed almost unreal, woven with pale blossoms, silver leaves, and soft strands of ivy that curled around the carved wooden frame
For a moment, Mane tried to focus on that
The flowers
The candles
The altar
Anything but the fact that the Blood God was currently seated ten feet away
Then the doors at the far end of the hall opened
And suddenly, nothing else mattered
Wemmbu stood there
The entire room seemed to exhale
Even the torchlight felt softer
Eggchan stood at his side as best man, looking far too pleased with himself, while Rejoice remained just behind him, expression warm and openly fond
Then Technoblade rose
Mane soul nearly left his body a second time
The hall fell into absolute silence as the Blood God stepped forward
But the expression on his face wasn’t frightening
It was proud
Steady
Protective
The kind of look only a parent could wear
He rested one hand on Wemmbu shoulder “You ready, kid?”
Wemmbu smiled
And gods, the softness in that smile nearly undid Mane “Yes”
Then Techno began to walk him down the aisle
Mane forgot the guests
Forgot the hall
Forgot Flame ongoing spiritual crisis
Forgot his own
All he could see was Wemmbu
Purple elegance softened by joy
The quiet warmth in his eyes
The way his gaze locked onto Mane and never left
Every step felt slower than time itself
When they finally reached the altar, Technoblade turned toward Mane
For one terrible second, Mane found himself looking directly into the eyes of a god
Then Techno smiled
Small
Sharp
Warm
He took Wemmb hand
And placed it gently into Manepear
The contact was warm
Real
Grounding
Techno voice dropped low enough for only them to hear “Take care of him”
Mane throat tightened
He looked at Wemmbu with everything this moment meant, then back at Technoblade “With everything I have”
Techno smile widened “Good”
And only then did Mane allow himself to breathe again
———————~*~———————
Every guest had fallen silent
Even Flame, who still looked spiritually unwell after realizing exactly who had come to witness this wedding, had somehow managed to compose himself enough to stand tall at Mane’s side
Mane, however, could barely feel the floor beneath his feet
Wemmbu hands were in his
Cool, elegant fingers threaded with his own, the familiar chill of his skin grounding him far more effectively than the sight of the altar, the flowers, or the dozens of guests staring up at them
For the first time since stepping into the hall, Mane thoughts were not spiraling
No screaming
No panic
No internal collapse
There was only this
Only Wemmbu
The officiant voice was warm and gentle as it invited them to speak their vows
Mane throat tightened
For one terrible second, he was certain every carefully prepared word had fled his mind
Then Wemmbu looked at him
And suddenly, everything returned
Mane drew in a slow breath “When I first met you” he began, his voice quieter than usual but steady “I thought you were the most infuriating being I had ever encountered”
A soft ripple of laughter moved through the guests
Wemmbu mouth curved immediately
Mane could see the smugness already forming
Typical
“You were arrogant” Mane continued, warmth beginning to thread through his voice “Dramatic, impossible to reason with and entirely too pleased with yourself”
That earned a brighter laugh from the room
Eggchan actually snorted
Wemmbu, traitor that he was, looked delighted
“And yet…” Mane said more softly, his gaze never leaving him “Somewhere between the arguments, the endless teasing, the fights, the late nights, and every impossible thing we survived together, you became the person I could no longer imagine my life without”
The laughter faded into silence again
This time softer
Tender
The kind of silence that listened
“You became my home” Mane said, voice thickening despite himself “You became the warmth I returned to, the voice I searched for in every room, the hand I reached for without thinking. You have filled every year of my life with love that I never believed I was capable of holding”
His hand reach out to the horn necklace resting against his chest “And when you give me this… you had become a crucial part of my life”
Wemmbu expression changed then
The teasing softened
His eyes warmed into something unbearably open
Mane tightened his hold on his hands
“So I vow this to you now” he whispered “That no matter what time does, no matter what worlds change around us, I will stay. I will choose you in every lifetime, every ending, every beginning. You are my peace, my heart and my forever”
The silence that followed was so complete Mane could hear Flame sniffing quietly beside him
Oh no
Flame was crying
Mane refused to look
Absolutely refused
Then it was Wemmbu turn
For once, the abyss demon looked almost caught off guard
Then he smiled
Softly
And gods, it nearly broke Mane
“When I first met you” Wemmbu began, voice low and smooth, “I thought you were entirely too exhausted for your own good”
A ripple of laughter
Mane narrowed his eyes
Wemmbu ignored him magnificently “You glared at me like you were personally offended by my existence”
“I was” Mane muttered
That got a louder laugh from the hall
Even Dream was smiling now
Wemmbu grin widened “And somehow” he continued “I found that very charming”
Mane stared at him in silent betrayal
Wemmbu squeezed his hands gently
“You were fire and warmth and impossible determination. You looked me in ways no one ever had and before I understood what was happening, every road in my life had begun to lead back to you” His voice lowered, softened
“You taught me what it means to be loved without fear”
The room seemed to still
Mane breath caught
“You are the first thought I carry into every morning and the last comfort I reach for at night. I vow to stand beside you through every joy and every grief, through peace and chaos, through centuries and beyond them. Wherever time carries us, I will meet it with you”
The final words landed between them like a promise carved into stone
“I love you” Wemmbu said simply
Mane eyes stung
Before the officiant could continue, a soft movement at the side of the altar drew everyone’s attention
Rejoice stepped forward, warm candlelight catching along the silver tray in his hands
Upon it rested the rings
One was a slender silver band, polished until it gleamed like moonlight
The other was a delicate ring of silver and white gold, crafted carefully to fit around the base of Wemmbu’s left horn, its surface engraved with tiny patterns of ivy and stars
A quiet murmur passed through the guests
Rejoice smiled as he offered the tray toward them
Wemmbu was the first to move
His hands, so often playful and teasing, were unexpectedly gentle as he lifted the silver band
For a moment, his expression softened into something almost unbearably tender
Then he took Mane hand
His fingers were cool against Mane’s skin as he slowly slid the ring onto his finger
The metal settled perfectly into place
“Now everyone knows you’re mine” Wemmbu whispered, voice low enough for only Mane to hear
Mane let out the smallest, disbelieving breath of laughter
Then he reached for the second ring
The silver gleamed in the torchlight as he carefully lifted it, his hands steadier now than they had been all evening
He stepped closer
With the utmost care, Mane guided the ring onto Wemmbu left horn, letting it rest securely near the base
For a moment, his fingers lingered there
“It suits you” Mane said softly
Wemmbu smile turned warm, almost shy beneath all his usual confidence
The sight of him like that nearly stole the breath from Mane chest
Around them, the hall had gone completely silent
Only the soft crackle of torchlight and the distant music remained
The officiant smiled
“Then by the vows you have spoken and the lives you have chosen to join, I now pronounce you bound in love and in life”
A pause
“You may kiss”
Wemmbu moved first
Of course he did
His hand came up to cup Man face as he leaned in, and the kiss was slow, warm, and impossibly tender beneath the gold light and falling petals
The hall erupted
Applause
Laughter
Cheering
Someone, almost certainly Tommyinnit, was yelling something deeply inappropriate from the front row
Flame was definitely crying now
Mane barely heard any of it
By the time the celebration began in earnest, the hall had transformed
Music swelled from the musicians corner, lively and bright, strings and flute carrying through the room as guests rose from their seats and drifted into clusters of conversation
Servants moved gracefully between tables, setting down trays of wine, roasted dishes, fruit glazed in honey, and fresh bread still warm enough for steam to curl from its crust
The white flowers overhead shimmered in the candlelight
Laughter filled every corner
And yet Mane still felt like he was only halfway returned to himself
Because across the room stood Technoblade and Dream speaking as casually as if their presence here was not enough to shorten his lifespan by several decades
Wemmbu appeared beside him with two glasses in hand, far too pleased with himself
Mane turned slowly
Very slowly
And fixed him with a look
Wemmbu blinked
Then his grin widened
Mane eyes narrowed “You think this is funny, huh?”
Wemmbu expression turned immediately, gloriously shameless “Oh, absolutely!”
Mane stared at him
“You neglected to mention” he said with dangerous calm “That your family includes gods”
Wemmbu lifted one shoulder “I thought it would be a nice surprise”
“A nice surprise?” Flame appeared beside them looking personally victimized “A nice surprise?” he repeated in disbelief “I almost died from heath attack”
Rejoice walked past, laughing “I did tell him this would happen”
“You encouraged him?” Mane asked, scandalized
“No I didn’t” Rejoice said while moved beside Eggchan, revealed a mischievous looking Lomedy
“But I sure did” Lomedy replied
Wemmbu had the audacity to laugh
Actual laugh
Warm and bright and entirely too unrepentant
Mane stared at him in utter betrayal “You let me stand at the altar and discover the Blood god in real time”
Wemmbu leaned closer, grin wicked “You kept your face perfectly calm”
“My soul left my body”
Flame pointed emphatically “Mine too”
Wemmbu laughed harder “Oh, Flame” he said between breaths “You should have seen your expression”
Mane looked at him in complete offense “You are impossible”
“And yet” Wemmbu said, leaning in close enough that his voice softened into something only Mane could hear “You married me anyway”
Mane tried very hard to remain offended
He failed
Completely
A reluctant smile tugged at his mouth
Wemmbu expression softened immediately
There it was
The warmth beneath the teasing
The affection beneath the chaos
He reached for Mane hand again, fingers threading through his “Was it worth the surprise?”
Mane looked around the glowing hall
At the flowers
At the music
At the people who had come to celebrate them
At Flame still trying to recover
At the impossible sight of legends laughing near the candlelit tables
Then back at the man standing beside him
“Yes” he said quietly
Wemmbu smiled “Good”
———————~*~———————
Then, because apparently embarrassment had not yet reached its limit for the day, Dream approached them with Technoblade beside him
Mane immediately felt his internal screaming resume
Wemmbu, the traitor, looked delighted
It was the sort of delighted expression that should have been illegal at one own wedding, especially when one spouse was clearly moments away from experiencing a dignified emotional collapse in front of several deities and half the realm most famous figures
Dream arrived first, all easy grace and dangerous warmth, dressed in white and gold that caught the candlelight like moving fire
Beside him, Technoblade presence seemed to alter the air itself
He was calm in a way that made the entire hall feel smaller around him, crimson cloak falling in heavy folds behind him, the torchlight tracing sharp lines along the edges of his figure
Wemmbu hand tightened lightly around Mane
“Love” he said far too casually “I don’t think I ever properly introduced you”
Mane kept his face perfectly composed
This was, by every measurable standard, the greatest performance of his life
Inside, his mind was a shrieking disaster
Properly introduced?
Properly introduced?
As if these were not two beings whose names were practically woven into the myths of entire civilizations
As if he had not spent the better part of the ceremony trying not to stare at the literal Blood god from the altar
Dream smiled first, warm and effortless “So this is Manepear”
The way he said it was so gentle that for a second it almost disarmed the panic
Almost
Wemmbu grin widened “Yeah” he said proudly, as though presenting the greatest achievement of his life “My husband”
The word landed in Mane chest with startling softness
Husband
Dream smile gentled further “We’ve heard a lot about you”
Mane soul briefly left his body again
He turned slowly toward Wemmbu
Wemmbu somehow had the audacity to look innocent
Dream continued, amusement flickering in his voice “Mostly very flattering things”
Technoblade made a sound that was suspiciously close to a dry chuckle “Mostly”
Mane decided not to ask what the unflattering things might have been
Self preservation he felt was still important even on one’s wedding day
He inclined his head with all the calm dignity he could summon “It is… an honor to meet you both”
Somehow his voice did not crack
A miracle
An actual miracle
Technoblade sharp gaze settled on him, assessing without being cruel, and for a moment Mane felt as though every instinct and weakness in his body had been laid bare beneath those crimson eyes
Then Techno smiled
Small
Approving
“Good choice” he said, glancing toward Wemmbu
Dream laughed softly “That’s the most parental approval you’re going to get out of him in public”
Wemmbu actually beamed
Mane meanwhile, was still trying to recover from the fact that he was apparently receiving parental approval from gods
Then Wemmbu gaze shifted over Mane shoulder
His grin sharpened
Oh no
Mane turned
Flame was standing several feet away, still clutching his drink like it was the only thing tethering him to reality
The moment his eyes met Technoblade, every remaining trace of color left his face again
Wemmbu lit up “Oh, this is going to be so fun!”
Before Mane could warn him against whatever chaos was forming in that mind, Wemmbu had already crossed the space between them and seized Flame gently by the wrist
Flame made a sound of immediate alarm “No”
“Yes”
“No”
“Yes”
“Wemmbu, don’t you dare-“
Too late
Wemmbu dragged him over with infuriating ease
Flame looked as though he had reached the final stage of spiritual panic
“This!” Wemmbu announced brightly, “Is Flamefrags, Mane brother and best man”
Technoblade regarded him with calm interest
For a moment, Flame forgot how to breathe
Mane could physically see it happen
Wemmbu, utterly merciless, continued “He’s also terrifying with a blade”
Flame blinked
Technoblade brow lifted slightly “Oh?”
Wemmbu nodded with open delight
“You’d probably like his fighting style. Fast reactions, aggressive close-range pressure, absurdly good PvP instincts. Honestly, I only beat him once”
Flame turned slowly “You nuked me”
Wemmbu raised one shoulder “A win is a win”
Dream laughed outright
Technoblade’s mouth twitched
Now Techno’s full attention was on Flame, and somehow that seemed even worse
“I’ve heard stories” Techno said
Flame stared at him in complete disbelief “You… h-eard stor-ies?”
Wemmbu nodded cheerfully “I might have mentioned you a few times”
Dream, entirely unhelpful, added “Several dozen times to exact”
Flame looked moments away from combusting
Technoblade, however, seemed genuinely interested now “What weapon do you favor?”
For a moment, Flame simply stared
Then something shifted
The panic remained, but it was joined now by something brighter
Excitement
Disbelief
Awe
Slowly, carefully, he answered
“Primarily sword and axe dueling. I prefer close pressure combat with mobility advantage”
Technoblade eyes sharpened with interest “Smart”
Flame soul nearly ascended
Wemmbu looked entirely too pleased with himself
Mane watched in growing disbelief as his brother, who had been five seconds from fainting earlier, was now deep in animated discussion with the Blood god about combat strategy
Well
At least someone was having a good time
Unfortunately, that meant Wemmbu attention returned to him “Come on”
Mane narrowed his eyes “Where are we going?”
“To meet the rest of the family”
Mane stared “The rest?”
Wemmbu smiled “Oh, love”
That was not a reassuring tone
At all
Before Mane could protest, Wemmbu was already leading him through the hall
The celebration glowed around them in waves of warmth and movement
Music drifted through the air, bright strings and soft laughter mingling beneath the golden candlelight
Guests moved between long tables dressed in white linen and silver runners, glasses clinking softly as toasts continued around the room
And everywhere they went, there were names
Faces from stories
Legends made real
Philza greeted him with a quiet warmth that somehow made his presence feel less intimidating than it should have
Niki and Puffy was radiant and kind, congratulating them with such sincerity that Mane felt some of his tension ease
Sapnap was louder, laughing easily as he clasped Wemmbu by the shoulder and welcomed Mane into what he cheerfully referred to as ‘the disaster family and friends’
George looked half amused and half sleepy, but offered his congratulations with a lazy grin
BadBoyHalo, Skeppy, Tubbo, Ranboo, Tommy and several others followed in a whirlwind of personalities so wildly different that Mane almost lost track of who he was being introduced to
At some point, he simply surrendered to the chaos
Wemmbu, meanwhile, seemed to thrive in it
Of course he did
Eventually, as if summoned by timing itself, Technoblade returned with Flame beside him
Flame still looked overwhelmed
But now it was the overwhelmed look of someone who had just survived the best conversation of his life
His eyes were bright
His posture less rigid
His soul thankfully appeared to have returned
Mane looked between them “You seem better”
Flame looked at him in utter disbelief “I just discussed sword pressure and combat positioning with Technoblade”
A pause
“The actual Technoblade”
“Yes, I gathered that”
Before the conversation could continue, Mane noticed someone else standing near Dream across the room
A younger figure
Familiar in the way stories are familiar
He turned toward Wemmbu, still trying to gather what little remained of his composure after being introduced to what felt like half of legend itself
“There’s one person I haven’t seen”
Wemmbu, who had been leaning far too comfortably against his side for someone so clearly enjoying his suffering, tilted his head with practiced innocence “Who?”
Mane eyes narrowed, already suspicious of that tone “Connor”
For the briefest moment, something shifted in the air around them
Not magic
Not danger
Something far more threatening
The unmistakable feeling that Wemmbu was about to say something completely unhinged
A few steps away, Dream had been in the middle of lifting his glass when he abruptly froze
Technoblade, who had until now looked almost offensively calm, slowly turned his head toward them
Flame, standing nearby with a goblet still clutched in both hands like it was the only thing tethering him to reality, glanced between everyone with growing dread
Wemmbu expression brightened “Oh”
That single ‘Oh’ carried the weight of a disaster
Mane felt it immediately
That was not a normal oh
That was the oh of someone who had just remembered a deeply entertaining secret
He slowly turned to look at his husband
Wemmbu leaned in closer, grin widening with every second “Connor is Dream biological son”
Silence
Absolute, complete silence
Even the music from the far side of the hall seemed to blur into something distant and unreal
Mane stared at him
Then, very slowly, he turned toward Dream
Dream had gone still
Not calm still
The kind of stillness people assumed when they were trying not to die of embarrassment in public
Then Mane looked back at Wemmbu “…What?”
Wemmbu grin became utterly shameless “See? Mpreg is insane!”
For one perfectly suspended moment, time itself seemed to stop out of sheer disbelief
Then Dream nearly choked
The sound that came out of him was somewhere between a cough, a strangled laugh, and the physical manifestation of dignity leaving the body
He immediately brought a hand to his mouth, shoulders tensing as if he could somehow force the reaction back inside and preserve what little remained of his pride
“No” Dream said quickly, far too quickly, voice strained with the effort of pretending this conversation was not happening “We are not discussing that”
Wemmbu looked delighted
Technoblade turned away so sharply it was almost suspiciously casual, but not before Mane caught the unmistakable twitch of his mouth
Then his shoulders shook
Once
Twice
A low, muffled snort escaped him
The Blood god was laughing
Dream immediately shot him a look of pure betrayal “You too?”
Techno, still facing away, lifted one hand in surrender while very obviously failing to contain himself “I’m preserving your dignity by not looking at you right now”
“That is not helping”
“It’s helping me”
Flame made a sound beside Mane that was alarmingly close to choking
Mane turned just enough to see his brother staring into the middle distance like his soul had genuinely attempted to leave his body
Flame blinked once between Connor and Dream
Then twice
Then looked at Mane with the hollow expression of someone who had simply accepted that reality no longer obeyed logic
Mane somehow remained perfectly composed on the outside
His face was calm
Neutral
Collected
Inside, however?
Absolute screaming
Not panic
Not confusion
Just pure, unfiltered internal screaming
Because of course
Of course this was happening
Of course his wedding celebration had somehow escalated from meeting legendary figures to being informed that biological impossibilities were apparently casual conversation topics in this family
Of course Wemmbu had delivered the statement with the same tone one might use to comment on the weather
Wemmbu, the traitor, had now fully leaned against his shoulder, laughing so hard his entire body shook
Mane looked down at him in complete disbelief “You think this is funny”
It was not a question
Wemmbu looked up at him, eyes bright with laughter “Oh, absolutely!”
Dream, still very much ignoring the entire situation for the sake of what remained of his dignity, cleared his throat and took an aggressively calm sip from his drink “We are moving on”
Wemmbu looked completely unapologetic
Mane stared at him
Then at Dream
Then at Technoblade, whose shoulders were still betraying him
Then at Flame, who looked like he was still spiritually buffering
And despite everything, despite the legends surrounding them, the impossible revelations, the complete emotional destruction of every expectation he had held for the evening, a laugh escaped him
Soft at first
Then fuller
Because what else was he supposed to do?
This was his life now
This was his husband
Chaos wrapped in warmth and laughter and impossible truths
Wemmbu immediately brightened at the sound “There he is!”
Mane gave him a look “You are enjoying this far too much”
“Yes”
“No shame?”
“None”
Dream muttered into his glass “I wish I had less hearing”
Technoblade finally turned back around, expression composed once more save for the lingering amusement in his eyes “For what it’s worth” he said dryly “You get used to it”
Mane stared at him
That was somehow the most terrifying sentence spoken all night
Flame, still recovering, whispered hoarsely “I will get used to this?”
Techno expression remained perfectly straight “Eventually”
Dream closed his eyes “Please stop encouraging them”
Wemmbu was still laughing softly against Mane shoulder, his hand slipping into Mane’s with practiced ease
And standing there beneath the gold torchlight, surrounded by impossible people and even more impossible conversations, Mane found himself tightening his fingers around Wemmbu hand
Because despite the chaos, despite the sheer absurdity of this moment, it felt right
Ridiculously
Overwhelmingly
Perfectly
Hopelessly right
His husband glanced up at him with that infuriatingly fond smile “You married into chaos”
Mane let out a quiet breath of laughter “No” he murmured, looking at him with all the exasperated affection in the world “Chaos married me”
That made Dream snort into his drink
Technoblade actually laughed openly this time
Flame looked between them all and, against all odds, finally began to laugh too
The sound of it rose into the torchlit hall and blended with the music, the celebration, and the warmth of the night
And somehow, Mane realized, he would not have changed a single thing