Work Text:
Happily ever afters are weird.
When you’re a kid, a child, they’re everywhere.
Every story grows into a happy ending. The boy gets the girl, the girl gets the dress, they kiss, and—
They lived happily ever after.
The idea was simple enough, when you’re a kid. When your world exists within a village or street, where bad things don’t happen, where, as far as your tiny brain can tell, everything is happily ever after.
Maybe your parents don’t fight. Maybe you get all the presents you wanted at christmastime, laughing and playing with siblings. Or, perhaps, you have a crush. On the opposite sex, of course, since you don’t get a happily ever after if you’re not straight.
You dream about your wedding with them, maybe. Of confessing your love in the rain. Walking down that aisle in that perfect dress, with all your closest, dearest friends around you, until finally, after so many years of waiting—
Your lips touch his, and you hear the bells of a happily ever after.
Isn’t that beautiful? To grow up with such a— perfect, idealised version of love? Of the future?
It does fade away, of course, at a certain age. Suddenly, your world grows beyond your village, or your street, or your dress. People cry, die. Maybe you think there’s still hope for a happily ever after, but now, you realise how rare it is.
At least—
If you’re a normal child.
If you have parents who love you, who kiss you goodnight. Friends who celebrate birthdays and worry about you when you’re sad.
Because, as little as we may like to admit it, those fantasies? Those lovely, beautiful, idealistic versions of love, and our futures?
Yeah. Not every kid gets them.
See— some kids grow up in fear.
Some kids fear going to sleep on an empty stomach again, of being violated again, of being hurt past healing.
They don’t have bedtime stories of happily ever afters.
They know that no such thing exists.
They do not live in delusion, or hope, or happiness.
The closest those kids got — the kids sitting on street corners, the ones with no one to hold them at night — to a happily ever after, were from the children who thought happily ever afters did exist. The lucky ones.
Maybe that’s why AJ couldn’t believe this was happening.
This wasn’t a dream come true for her.
It was beyond that.
AJ grew up in the shadows of lucky lives. Playing catch or hide-and-seek with the wealthy kids, sometimes being lucky enough herself to eat over at their houses, but nothing more.
They’d tell her about their crushes.
About the weddings they were planning, the dress they would wear. The bouquets. Decorations. Everything. How their partner would kiss them hard, and their foot would pop, and it would be so happily fucking after.
It started with AJ keeping her mouth shut when the village girls whispered about happily ever afters during hide-and-seek.
Then, when they were older. When slowly, one by one, some of them would end up in AJ’s own bed.
Like Ghostie.
AJ would kiss them perfectly, hold them, cuddle, whisper sweet nothings to them while they lied to their parents and themselves.
Yet, still, the talks of crushes and weddings persisted.
The kisses didn’t fool AJ.
She knew.
She wasn’t meant for a happily ever after.
No mother had combed her hair and praised the idea of marriage. No father had vowed to take care of her. No friend had worried about her when she cried, nor planned their weddings with her.
Not when she was two, not when she was six, not at thirteen, or sixteen—
She wasn’t fooled by the idea of happily ever after.
It was all a lie, and she should be grateful no one had force-fed it to her.
Some people, lucky people, they may think happily ever afters are unlikely, or rare, but they still think there’s a chance.
They still dream of it. Of the wedding.
So, if it actually happens, they know they just got lucky. That they were part of the rare few that had actually, miraculously, against all odds, gotten their happily ever after.
Maybe that’s what Drift thought. That she had gotten lucky. That it was a dream come true.
AJ didn’t think so.
Could something be a dream come true, if you never dared dream of it?
With that thought, AJ let out a shaky breath. The bouquet in her hands shook, as well.
“AJ?” A numbed voice asked her.
She blinked.
“Hey, Seamstress.” AJ chuckled. For the first time in her life, she didn’t know what to say. There was nothing that needed to be said.
“You look nervous.” Molly muttered back.
Nervous did not begin to describe what AJ was feeling.
Nothing felt real.
“Do I?”
“Yes. Are you feeling alright?”
AJ didn’t even know.
The soft smell of blue orchids in her hand permeated into AJ’s hazy brain. It just— her heart felt heavy. Breathing too shallow, heartbeat too quick.
She was getting a happily ever after.
“I think so.” AJ whispered back to her maid of honour.
“You’re never usually this freaked out.”
“Thanks, Seamstress.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Is the dress ready?”
Because AJ was wearing a dress.
She had a bouquet in her hands. Flowers in her hair. And a beautiful, red dress on.
Molly had been tasked with sewing and designing both AJ and Drift’s dresses. She’d done beautifully.
AJ and Drift didn’t have many demands for their ceremony. AJ had never even thought of such a thing, and Drift…
Drift didn’t want a fancy ceremony. No white dresses. No lace. No big, three-tiered cake.
Seamstress understood.
The two girls had simple, understated dresses, neither in white or beige.
The fabric felt odd on AJ’s skin. Too flowy and soft for her liking. The nice silk felt so odd that it almost made her itchy.
Was that even possible? For something to feel so good your body actively rejects it?
Of course it is, AJ. That’s what you’ve been doing with Drift for the past couple years, isn’t it?
Well, not anymore.
The dress was a deep burgundy. One of AJ’s favourite colours, second to black. She would have worn black, but Ros all but yelled at her for wearing such a morbid colour to a happy cereony, so AJ begrudgingly asked Melinks to change it.
She didn’t regret it at all.
For one of the first times in AJ’s life, she felt beautiful. Not just hot, or attractive, or pretty — which she knew she was — but beautiful.
Looking into the mirror Molly had wheeled in, she didn’t look like a war criminal. Like a murderer.
Just a girl, at her wedding.
“The dress is very ready. Do you like it?” Seamstress grinned at AJ in the mirror. Molly had been doing final adjustments on her dress, mostly because AJ kept delaying any appointments they had together.
“I love it, Seamstress.” She began to get choked up. AJ tilted her head at her reflection. Her short brown hair had grown out just a bit, curling at the ends. The dress was an off-shoulder neckline, slightly V-shaped, with long sleeves than ran down her arm to her wrist, all the same red silk.
The dress wasn’t puffy or long, going just down to her ankles in an A-line skirt.
It was simple.
Compared to the dresses Drift would have worn once, it was nothing. But compared to everything in AJ’s life? This damn dress was worth more than the world.
“I really… um— sorry, Seamstress.” AJ turned her head to the side, eyes glancing away from their reflection. What she wanted to say was I really love it, thank you for making it. It’s beautiful. But, unfortunately, AJ’s eyes started stinging too hard to say that.
“I know, AJ.” Molly rested her head on AJ’s shoulder, looking at her in the mirror. “You don’t need to say anything.”
“Thank… um, thank you.” She managed to get out, sniffling.
Seamstress rubbed her shoulder. “And you know, in case you need to run—” She leaned into AJ’s ear to whisper. “I have a car in the back. Just in case.”
Laughter racked AJ’s chest as she giggled. “No need, Melinks. Thank you, though.”
“You’re happy with her?”
“Have you seen me happier?”
She laughed, and placed her head of AJ’s shoulder. “No.”
“Then I’m happy with her.”
“I’m happy you’re happy.”
“Thank you, Seamstress.”
“Best friends forever for life?”
“Best friends forever for life.”
The two smiled at each other, when, suddenly, a bell rung out.
The ceremony bell.
AJ froze, just for a second.
Was she ready for this?
“I think it’s time to go.” Molly whispered, bending down to smooth out AJ’s dress once again.
Slowly, numbly, still in shock, the girl nodded in agreement, and looked out the window.
Drift and AJ had a house. A little home by a creek, but they didn’t want to get married there. It didn’t feel right, especially since they’d just moved in.
But Megii and Ambear’s house was beautiful. Even AJ could agree.
It was a three-storied house which looked like a flower, supposedly built by Ambear and Megii themselves. They planted trees and ferns, flowers and mushrooms everywhere. It looked like a damn forest, or a house taken stright from a fairy tale.
Just unreal.
Drift asked to get married there, in their garden, and AJ obliged. She’d do anything to make sure this wedding happened.
“Jojo and Ros should be waiting downstairs.” Seamstress informed the bride, pushing the door open as AJ wiped her sweaty palms on the fabric of her dress.
“Okay. Great.”
“So they’ll walk, and then me, and then you. Then Juniper, Shelby, Megii, and—-”
“Drift.”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“I saw her. She looks really pretty.”
Still standing in the entryway of the room Megii had put them in, AJ started laughing. Somehow, Molly always seemed to crack her up, even at the worst of times. “Thank you for checking.”
“No problem. Do you need help walking down the stairs? With the heels?”
“Uh, maybe?”
Seamstress snickered at her, but took AJ’s hands nonetheless. Slowly, they exited the bedroom and got to the staircase leading downstairs, to the garden. With every step, AJ almost wobbled, needing Melinks to hold her hand keep her steady. “Damn these heels.” AJ swore under her breath.
“Hey, I told you not to wear them. You wanted to look taller next to Drift.” The maid of honour reminded AJ, slightly smug that she was correct in advising AJ not to wear them.
“And look tiny without them? No way.”
Eventually, the two reached the bottom of the stairs, where Ros and Jojo were standing, ready.
Why am I getting teary-eyed?
I’m not marrying Ros or Jojo!
They just—
…AJ could understand.
For the first time in her life, she could understand why a kid might dream of this day.
Why an adult might, even.
Everything just felt so right. Every bad thing in the background fizzled away, leaving just the light.
“AJ…” Ros whispered to the bride, watching as the two descended from the nature-themed staircase, ducking under vines. “You look—”
Not wanting anymore sappiness, AJ plastered on a fake smile. “Beautiful? Attractive? Gorgeous? I know, Teacher’s Pet.”
Ros couldn’t say anything. Her white and purple hair was tossed up in a big bun, with flowers just like in AJ’s hair. She just looked… in shock.
“She was going to say happy, AJ.” Jojo smiled as the bride finally reached the bottom of the stairs. “And you do.”
“I told her that, as well.” Seamstress nodded solemnly.
They all gazed at her.
AJ didn’t know what to do.
They all looked at her like they cared. Like if something bad happened in this moment, they might cry. Like they would console her, and bring her birthday presents, and sing happy birthday.
Like they were her friends.
“Well, jeez, guys. No need to be sad. I can marry you all next.” She joked, making Jojo laugh as well, and Ros roll her eyes.
“Okay, well, everyone’s waiting.” Ros said. “Should we…”
“Let’s get you married, AJ!” Jojo hollered, raising up her own bouquet of blue orchids, as Molly began laughing next to her.
I’m getting married.
AJ is getting married.
What the fuck?
Sensing AJ’s distress, Ros moved to stand right in front of her. AJ couldn’t look anywhere but Ros.
“You okay, Teacher’s Pet?” AJ chuckled sadly, still fighting back her tears.
The nickname didn’t even phase Ros. “AJ— you know, we’ve had our differences, but…” Ros looked down at her dress, and back up. “I’m really happy you survived. That we all did.”
AJ blinked. She had asked Ros to be a bridesmaid because— welll, there weren’t many others to ask. Also, since Juniper was Drift’s bridesmaid. Ros had done so much for them throughout the war that AJ… figured it made sense. “Thanks, Teacher’s Pet.”
“Ros. I’m your bridesmaid, AJ. Call me Ros.”
Everything’s okay.
“Thank you— Ros.”
She nodded once, before sniffling. “Okay. And— for the record, I’m happy you asked me to be your bridesmaid.”
“I’m happy you agreed. That… all of you agreed.”
Out of all of them, Seamstress was still AJ’s priority. Her best friend, and probably the only person the bride truly cared about. But, well, AJ would be a liar to say that she wasn’t the littlest bit happy Ros and Jojo were here for her — that no part of her stomach got warm at the thought of having people.
It was not a surprise to AJ that most of everyone was here for Drift. It was not unusual for AJ to have less than nobility.
But she had someone. And more importantly than someone, she had Drift.
Nothing would ever beat that.
“We’re lucky to have you, AJ.” Seamstress whispered. “We’re lucky we survived.”
Ros let out a shaky breath, her expression sobering. “Very lucky.”
AJ glanced between the two.
This is too serious.
“Right. Can I go make out with my fiance now? Please?” She begged.
Jojo snorted. “Of course that’s your priority.”
“You’re just jealous I’m not making out with you.”
“Hell yeah. Think Drift’s up for a threesome?”
“Honestly? Maybe. We could definitely try.”
That earned AJ a slap across the forehead from Ros. “AJ! Stop thinking about threesomes! The wedding is waiting for you!”
Oh, yeah.
My perfect, happily ever after, wedding.
“Right. Right!” She grinned. “Okay. Well, you guys should get to walking, huh? Before they start thinking I ran away.”
“There’s still a car out back in case you want to run.” Seamstress reminded her.
“Oh my God.” Ros groaned. “That’s it. We’re going. Jojo, follow me.”
“Okay, okay! Jeez, ladies, no need to fight. There’s enough of me to go around.” Jojo joked, raising her hand and the bouquet as Ros began to move forward, out through the thick wooden door which separated them from the garden outside.
Once Ros slipped out, Jojo moved closer.
“Wait, Jojo.” AJ tapped her shoulder. “We getting the Jojo Showlos later?”
“Of course. Did Drift not tell you? It’s your wedding present. I got a whole special and everything.”
Why is this making me emotional? Shut the fuck up, AJ.
“I’ll be waiting.” The bride promised as Jojo grinned and exited through the door.
Suddenly, it was just Molly and AJ. Again.
“I love you, AJ.” Seamstress turned to face AJ. She wore a simple lilac dress — the same colour as her hair — with lace around the trims. “I’m really happy you’re getting married.”
“Seamstress. God, I love you, too. Now go.”
The woman grinned, and walked into the light.
Nothing looked real.
But AJ knew this wasn’t a dream. Or, at least, it wasn’t hers. She would never dream of this— this day. She wasn’t raised to.
The air around her looked hazy, a dull yellow tint in it coming from the sunset outside. Little bits of lint and lead floated around as AJ forced herself to breathe.
It’s okay.
You just need to walk out, and Drift will follow.
Barely noticing she was moving at all, AJ’s hand reached for the door. The wooden knob was cold, but she pushed down anyway, nudging the wooden door open.
The sun met her eyes harshly, and AJ glanced to either side of the garden.
She hadn’t seen the garden all set up.
Somehow, it looked even more beautiful.
An aisle was layed out with fallen petals — a mix of pinks and orange — on the ground before her, with metal garden chairs on either side of the aisles. There weren’t many people Drift and AJ wanted to come.
There weren’t many that survived.
But, thankfully, the people Drift wanted to attend could.
Seamstress, Ros, and Jojo stood to the left of the end of the aisle, each holding their bouquets, wearing their nicest dresses.
They looked so— calm. Tranquil.
For the first time, everything did.
AJ was so enchanted by the garden, she hardly noticed the soft violin playing around her.
When she came into view, everyone stood up.
Three people on Drift’s side, and four on AJ’s.
Pyro, Scott, and Cam stood together in a line, all dressed up like damn Princes. If AJ weren’t in such a good mood, it would make her scoff, maybe she’d even tease them for it.
AJ tried asking Drift not to invite the Cold One.
She said he was coming, and that was that.
On AJ’s side: Ambear, Ghostie, Graecie, and Zam.
Was it weird to have your ex at your wedding? Yes.
But in AJ’s defence, it was Drift who had invited her. Recently, the two had become something resembling… friends.
Ambear still did not have her wings, but her back had been draped with a soft pink fabric, embroidered with leaves and flowers. She was still Fairy to AJ.
Then, Graecie and Zam.
They stood behind Ghostie and Ambear.
Yeah, AJ had no fucking clue what either of them were wearing.
Bright One looked almost religious, as if she were being christened by her Shepherdess or whoever it was that she believed in, with a big puffy cream skirt donning ominous patterns.
And Alien—
If this wasn’t her own wedding, AJ would’ve probably made fun of her for it.
Lanterns and flowers floated in the air, someone’s magic, and suddenly, AJ’s feet started moving.
Her feet were numb as she moved towards the altar of vines, and her heart started beating far too fast to keep up with.
The picture in front of her looked eerily like those magazines, those books. The illustrations of luxurious weddings and what’s your perfect dress, what does this flower symbolise, best rings to buy.
AJ hated it once upon a time.
That’s human nature, is it not? Hating something when you know it will never even graze your hands?
It’s easier than wanting it, and living in loss forever.
The violin brought her to the altar, and suddenly, she was standing there, a bouquet of blue orchids, in a dress she never thought of, waiting for a bride that couldn’t have come even in her best dreams.
The music continued playing as AJ waited for the door to open again.
Scott caught her eyes, and he nodded at her, like he was giving AJ permission.
Bitch. She thought. As if AJ needed Scott’s permission to marry Drift.
Didn’t he kill her? With, like, no remorse?
Whatever. Whatever. Water under the bridge.
AJ redirected her attention to her side of the aisle. Everyone was still standing, waiting for Drift to walk down. Ghostie looked happy, as did Ambear. In the back of her mind, AJ wondered if they both discussed their… experiences with her. But, of course they didn’t. That was tacky for a wedding.
AJ recognised the dress Ghostie wore. She’d taken it off her, once upon a time.
Graecie and Zam in the back, were just beaming — mostly Bright One. Her pale eyes were shiny with tears, as her hand clutched Zam’s. They were each other’s dates.
Over the music, AJ heard the familiar sound of a wooden door opening.
Her eyes darted over, watching as Juniper slipped out from the door.
Her hair was tossed up in a bun, wearing a soft pink dress — AJ hated to say it, but Juniper looked amazing.
It didn’t surprise AJ that in Juniper’s hands were a bouquet of withered roses.
This isn’t even your fiance. Don’t cry looking at Tree of all people.
AJ watched silently as Juniper flowed down the aisle. She smiled as the girl leaned in to kiss and whisper something to Ros, before moving to Drift’s side of the aisle.
Soon enough, Shelby came down the aisle, as well.
She went to stand next to Juniper, nodding kindly at AJ.
Megii came, after that. Drift’s maid of honour looked like she just slept in a bed of flowers and leaves, and AJ noticed a tear slipping down her cheek, once she came closer.
“She’s coming.” Megii whispered to AJ once in earshot.
“Let’s hope.” AJ replied.
The hoping lasted three seconds — and, yes, AJ did count — before it was reality.
Before AJ realised for the first time, so intensely, that she had made it out.
She was no longer the girl starving in the street, or the one hiding beneath her secret girlfriend’s bed in fear. She was not unlucky, not anymore.
AJ may have never had a mother who read bedtime stories or sung lullabies, or a father to tuck her in. Yes, she may have never have had real friends, or a promising future, or anything beyond her body and a crow to her name, and she would forever be different because of that fact.
Those parts of her, the neglected, the hated, the sad edges of her soul would not leave or heal so easily — AJ was aware of that. She did not grow up believing in happily ever afters, and no one could reverse time to mend that.
But, somehow, like when you find the end of a rainbow, or when lightning strikes twice, she got lucky.
She got out.
She got out of the world of no happily ever afters, and found one for herself.
After everything.
Drift looked gorgeous.
Now, AJ was never good with words. But she had a nagging feeling that no possible mix or blend of words could encompass the girl she was looking at. Nothing could describe her beauty, let alone all of her.
Actually, there was.
Now she thought about it? There was one word. One, single, horrible, divine, perfect word.
Drift.
She was looking at Drift.
Drift, who had her hair entwined with a crown of vines and flower buds. Drift, who wore the prettiest face, and Drift, who was walking right towards her.
AJ’s bride wore a thin smile, like it might crack at any moment, as she drifted down the aisle.
Her dress was just a bit fancier than AJ’s, although still simple. It was a light sage green fabric, not silk like AJ’s, but it had embroidered leaves, trees, flowers on it.
A crow, as well, on the sleeve.
The sweetheart neckline showed off the woman’s collarbones — her tan, soft skin. Sleeves, or maybe gloves were better to describe them, went from her wrist to armpit, blending in with the bodice of the dress, but not connected to it.
She said she wanted to be free walking to the altar.
Like AJ, Drift wore no jewlery. No veil, nothing that highlighted the fact that it was a wedding they attended.
Tears stung at AJ’s eyes, and she fiddled with the blue orchids in her hand.
Drift stared at her as she walked forward, until, eventually, the two girls stood in front of each other.
“AJ.” Drift muttered to her.
“Hey, Open Book.”
“You’re—”
“I know.”
“You don’t. You’re beautiful.”
“Not as much as you.”
“Don’t—”
The man in between them cleared his throat loudly, making the two brides snap out of their thoughts and words.
“If I may?” He asked the two. AJ fought the urge to roll her eyes — why would a man be here?
But Drift asked for a real officiant. So, he was here.
Drift nodded to him, just a bit. “Please.”
“Alright.” He spoke, raising his voice louder. “We gather here today to…”
AJ knew her vows.
She had prepared.
The normal girls she grew up with said they’d have a script, a piece of paper. They’d worry about saying the right thing, how to come up with the vows.
That wasn’t a problem for AJ.
She wasn’t good with words, but she would be good with Drift. She would be good for Drift.
After everything she had put her through, AJ knew her vows. She did not need paper, or a script.
“Before we exchange rings, both parties may commence the vows.”
AJ already asked Drift if she may go first.
The violin came to a stop, and AJ exhaled softly, her eyes not leaving Drift’s for even a moment.
If this reality crumbled around her, and the sound of distant dreams came back, AJ wouldn’t be able to continue. And if she stared at Drift, reality would stay. Drift would stay.
“Um.” She stuttered at first. It was embarrassing — AJ wasn’t one to stumble — but it made Drift laugh a bit. “Drift, I vow to be sorry.”
Drift began to frown, no doubt opening her mouth to argue with AJ.
“Let me continue.” She whispered, and Drift obliged, still staring warily. “Drift, I vow to, for every step I take and moment I breathe, to be eternally sorry. Not for what I have done to you, but for what I have not.”
A warm hand took hold of AJ’s, the bouquets now touching.
“I am sorry,” AJ took a pause, “for every moment where I did not hold you in my arms like I itched to; every moment I did not kiss you like I dreamed of; for every moment I did not tell you how much I— I love you. For every day that I let you wonder, rather than telling you the truth. I wasted too many days, too much time, convincing myself, and you, that you didn’t mean what you did to me. Too much time chasing you away, and not enough time telling you that you meant the world to me. More than I thought I was deserving, or even capable of.”
“AJ…”
“So, this is my vow to you, Drift. That for however many years I am lucky enough to have with you, to be sorry, and to spend each and every one of them, loving you the way I should have, from the beginning. To give you the happily ever after which you deserve.”
Drift’s eyes shined like an ocean, and AJ sniffed as she began to fully tear up. Her hand left the bouquet and shot up to catch the tear. “Don’t cry, please.”
“I’m not crying.”
“You kinda are.”
“You’re crying.”
“Soon, I will.”
“It’s just— that’s a tough act to follow.”
“Drift, you could recite my least favourite play, beginning to end, and I would still cry.”
“Well, I’m not doing that.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“It’s your turn now.”
“Oh. Right.” She sniffed, glancing to Megii behind her, before chuckling. “Okay.”
“Ready?” AJ whispered.
“Always.” Drift took a breath, before looking up to AJ’s eyes. “AJ, there are many promises I want to make to you: that we’ll be happy, and safe together, that nothing bad will happen to us ever again. But, I can’t make those promises, because I don’t know the future.”
AJ bit her lip, nodding in agreement.
“But I can promise one thing.” Drift brightened. “That no matter what happens, I will stay. I promise, with this ring, to stay. I promise, with this ring, to fight for us. To not leave, and to stand strong in the face of whatever problem we may brave, together. Whether that means fighting my own instincts, or yours, I promise to stay. To, even when I can’t stand to look at you, or begin believing your lies, to fight and remain with you.”
AJ didn’t hear anything as Drift slipped a silver band over her ring finger.
She didn’t hear anything as she did the same to Drift.
She didn’t hear anything as twenty Flicks flew into the sky above them, a cruel joke of doves.
It was only when her wife took her cheek and kissed her so hard, did AJ finally hear the bells of a happily ever.