Chapter Text
It wasn't uncommon for the Inner Circle to have long meetings. After all, they were running a province and a rebellion, there was a lot to discuss. What was uncommon was for their parents to request they waited outside the meeting room.
Usually whenever the adults met, Garrick, Imogen, Xaden and Bodhi would be let free to do their own things. When they were kids, the time would be spent playing, running around the house until they were too tired to do anything else ( Garrick's still convinced that was a parenting strategy to get them to be less hyper at nighttime). As time passed and they started to gain more responsabilities - more classes to attend, time in the infermary for Imogen, politics for Xaden and Bodhi, and more time with his dad's soldiers for Garrick -, they also got less aware of the parents' meetings. It changed very little of their routine. But out of the blue Garrick's dad had asked him to wait by the door, and when they got there Imogen was already sat on one of the armchairs, apparently having been asked the same by her mother.
He had no problem spending time with Imogen, whatever it is they were doing. In his sixteen, almost seventeen years of life she had been a constant. All of his early memories included her, Xaden, Bodhi - an inseparable unity. Though as much as he loved the other two, his best friends and the closet things to brothers Garrick's ever had; Imogen was...
Talking with her was the best thing in the world. Even if she found a way to contradict almost everything he said and always had a word or two that got a rise out of him. And it wasn't all bickering. In the quiet mornings when he skipped class to acompany her in the infermary and they shared anything and everything on their minds, listening and understanding eachother in the best way. Or even when talking wasn't necessary. When one or both had a bad day, then they'd just climb to the ceilling, gaze at the stars, enjoy the comforting, stable company. And gods, he liked looking at her.
Imogen with her green eyes that could stare into his soul. The dazzling gold waves he loved twirling with. The way she would tilt her head and fidget with her earrings while thinking. That smirk when she teased him. The smile he'd do anything to see.
- That sounds like a crush. - his mother said once, when he confessed the way his heart seemed to have a life of his own whenever Im was around. - Don't you think, dear?
Her husband just hummed, looking at Garrick in a way he couldn't quite place. General Tavis was excellent in battle, respected by the army he commanded ; but he wasn't very good with words, unlike his wife, who could probably sell land to a fish if given the right opportunity. Their son was somewhere in between. Charming to a fault in social situations, but he often found himself preferring to listen when around someone loved. There was something he couldn't explain, a warm feeling in his chest that came from listening to a voice he treasured going on about anything. Maybe it was the trust and honesty involved in conversation, maybe it was the simple joy of being part to someone's thoughts and feelings.
Anyway, the point is he'd be happy to sit and watch paint dry as long as he was with Imogen. But the unusual request from their parents got both of them a little on edge.
- What do you think this is about? - she asked, twirling a lock of hair over and over on her finger.
- I have no idea. Maybe they want to tell us we're doing a good job.
Imogen scoffed. Then she frowned and lowered her voice.
- You think they found out about the cigarettes?
Gods, no. A few nights ago the four of them had stolen a pack of cigarettes from one of the guards to give it a try. He and Xaden had a better time than Bodhi, who almost vomited and Im, who took one drag and swore off any type of smoking until the end of times, a disgusted expression on her face. But if Tracila Cardulo knew they'd been smoking, she was very capable of making them all regret even looking at that pack of cigarettes. His mom would definetly help.
- No. - he shook his head through the brief panick - If it was about that, Xaden and Bodhi would be here as well.
She nodded in agreement and they both sighed, not being able to do anything but wait.
After what felt like an eternity of ridiculous guesses and mindless chatter, the doors finally opened and they were allowed inside. Garrick pulled a chair for Imogen and they met their parents' gaze.
- So, - started Fen Riorson, sat at the head of the table - you two know marriage is a great thing in right circunstances.
Imogen frowned and Garrick's eyebrowns raised all the way to his forehead. That was definetly not what they expected. Also, the only time any of them ever heard uncle Fen saying something about marriage was to say it was pointless and a waste of time.
- Okay?
- This is one of those circunstances. - said Bodhi's mom. - You know that given our work with the rebellion things are about to get a little unstable, and we'll do our best to make sure you kids are safe but, some additional guarantees don't hurt.
Mom reached out to take his hand, smiling so widely his own cheeks hurt just from looking.
- It was your father's idea. - she commented - And Trish was kind enough to listen and consider it.
What? He'd heard Ms. Cardulo being referred to as scarily competent, aggresively helpful and crazy as shit (that last one was the gossiping soldiers), but kind? That was a new word for the woman who once spent 15 minutes cussing out the duke of Tyrrendor for trying to tell her the best way to do her job. Now Garrick was even more confused.
- Wait a minute. - Imogen said from his side. She and her mom shared a look. Tracila raised one eyebrown and Imogen scoffed, then the younger girl raised both eyebrowns and Tracila smirked. It was the kind of silent conversation Garrick had never understood, but they seemed to get somewhere because suddenly Imogen's eyes widened. - Are you saying??
- Congratulations! - uncle Fen crossed his arms, clearly amused - You two are getting married.
//
Bodhi had been laughing for the last five minutes.
After the meeting, after the... Announcement, the four of them had come together in Garricks room to talk. And when he and Imogen told them what happened, the laughing had begun.
- Oh, this is! This is gold! - Bodhi threw his hands up - Finally you two are getting your shit together!
- Getting our shit together? - Garrick asked exasperated. His head's been spinning for some time now and Im was still silent, laying on his bed and starring at the ceilling. - It's not - I mean... It's not... This is strange.
Xaden - who'd been starring with his mouth agape like the news stole his thinking capacity - finally reacted, and scoffed.
- Strange is one way to put it. - he shook his head - I never thought they would -
- It's a political strategy. - Imogen said quietly - You heard them. It's because of the rebellion. Everything it's about that lately. - the last part was almost a whisper, but they all heard it in the quiet of the room.
Garrick's heart hurt at her tired tone. Was this really bothering her that much? The thought of being married to him. As weird as the situation was, he thought they could work it out, but maybe she was more content staying as friends?
He tried to act as if it didn't hurt him, sitting by the foot of the bed and nudging her.
- Come on, Ims. You got to at least admit I'm a heartthrob.
- I think I might run away.
- I'll help. - Xaden added.
Garrick threw a pillow at him.
- Look, - said his best friend - I'm not saying you're not amazing or whatever, but marriage's not amazing. It's going to change things.
Garrick pursed his lips, laying down besides his friend. Fianceé. He understood where Xaden's worries came from, his view of relationships molded by his parents' story and the way it ended. Perhaps because Garrick's own mom and dad were different, his mind dealed with the situation differently. Funny how the people who raised them also shaped so much of their worlds.
Bodhi, on the other side of the room, groaned in annoyance.
- Okay, listen up. - he clapped his hands and glanced at the sky as if asking patience, then approached the bed and stared down his soon-to-be-married friends - You two like eachother. - Imogen open her mouth but Bodhi didn't let her speak - No. You two like eachother. And Xaden is a pessimist so you can't listen to him - (I'm realist. Shut up, cousin.) - This is a great opportunity for you to get your heads out of your asses and have a beautiful thing. For my sake, please, just allow yourselves to be happy.
Garrick tilted his head, considering the words. Was Bodhi right and Imogen really liked him? She had blushed at the words, so he'd take that as encouragement. He shared a look with her, both of them silently coming to an agreement of sorts. Gods, they really were lucky to have Bodhi as a friend.
And of course, just as he had thought that, Bodhi grinned deviously.
- And please, name your first child after me.
For gods' sake.
- Oh, kill me now. - Imogen muttered, burying her face in her hands.
Even though his face must've been red as a tomato, Garrick laughed at his friends. Yes, it was weird, but they could deal with it. Glancing at Imogen, who was just as red as him, he felt lighter in his heart. Yeah, they were going to be fine.