Chapter Text
When Scar was little, he used to fantasise about his wedding day.
Preferably, he’d have an outdoor ceremony, just like the one his parents had. It would be held in a garden overflowing with flowers and greenery, seats draped in white cloth, minister stood under an archway of flowers. Scar could imagine himself, in some long, free flowing, loose green suit, a flower matching the decor pinned to his lapel. His mother’s crown would be adorned on his head, the same one she wore to marry his father. Small and simple, yet elegant. More of a tiara than a crown, but regal all the same.
There would be love from all sides, from his parents, his brother, his friends, and, of course, from the person standing at the end of that isle. This person - in his dreams, the love of his life - who Scar would be marrying, sharing with him a passionate kiss, sealing their union.
Time hadn’t been so kind to this dream of his.
With their parents passing, and their kingdom becoming destitute at the hands of a careless advisor, neither he nor Cub old enough to know better, Scar had begun to resign himself to the fact that his wedding (if there ever was one) would be one of political necessity. A marriage to save their kingdom from the edge of despair. The youngest brother traded off for money, rather than any inclinations of love.
While Scar knew that Cub would never do that to him; he knows that more then one of Cubs rotating band of advisors has whispered about what an opportunity Scar’s marriage could be for them. Seeing Scar as burden rather than an asset to their kingdom. An item to be sold at market.
Many an advisor had been thrown off Cub's staff for insinuations like that.
In the end these two visions of Scar’s wedding seem to collide for him. Scar’s choice to marry King Grian is, ultimately, a political one. The two barely know each other, save some hasty correspondence over the past months following the King’s initial, unexpected, proposal. Their marriage contract reads about money and exchanges of manpower, rather than any flowery words of commitment or honey sweet sentiment. Yet, in those transaction lines, he’d thought of Cub. The burden that would lift from his brother's shoulders, the relief of finally having the money to remake their kingdom back to it's former glory, back to what it was before their parents death.
It may not be the romantic kind, but Scar knows he's getting married out of love.
King Grian’s wealth, bestowed upon them early as a sign of good faith, is what has allowed Scar to plan out this wedding at all. One befitting the kingdom he’s marrying into at least. One that is as spectacular and grand as Scar could ever want, with practical excesses of flowers - lilacs, he'd picked in the end - a highly respected bishop of Notch marrying them, a royal orchestra to play their wedding songs, and what is sure to be a delicious four course meal come the reception. The final cherry on top being that they're getting married in Scar’s home castle, the King himself suggesting it in their letters. It had made it easier on Cub and himself to do it here, and while the castle has been busier then Scar’s ever seen it, the air had been light and filled with excitement, only growing more intense as the day approached.
While enjoyable, it had all overwhelmed Scar. He's thankful that, as their personnel are making sure everything looks spectacular down in the garden, he and Cub have been allowed a moment to simply be together before Scar gets married today. Before he has to leave and travel to his new life.
They’re both quiet, Cub mindlessly fixing his already pristine suit jacket in the mirror while Scar sits at his vanity and rambles nervously about the decor. Cub listens, despite knowing all this information, and Cub's hums of acknowledgment helps to settle Scar's nerves. He wishes that he could have some alcohol right about now, but knowing the effects it has when mixed with his pain medications stops him. It's best not to tempt fate into ruining this over some wine anyway. Scar really couldn’t afford to risk screwing up this marriage, and he wasn't going to risk any aspect of it.
Then, finally, there’s a knock at the door, interrupting them.
He and Cub both look at each other, and Scar wishes that he didn’t find sadness in his brothers eyes.
Scar stands, grabbing his cane and moving towards Cub so he can pull his brother into a tight hug.
“I can’t believe you're getting married to this guy.” Cub says when Scar pulls back.
“Well, when a King proposes, what’s a guy to do?” Scar asks. Though, proposal might not be the correct word. The initial letter King Grian had sent did little more then alert Scar to the presence of a marriage contract signed by their parents when he was a mere baby. Scar had to search their archives to even find their copy, to see if there had been record of this previously unknown contracts existence. One he'd never seen or heard about before.
Thankfully he'd found his parents copy in there.
Clipped together with a annulment of the contract, made just a few short years after it had initially been signed.
Still, Scar sent the King back a letter stating that he would like to move forward with getting married without mention that the initial contract was, seemingly, cancelled.
Cub simply chuckles at what Scar says, he too, unknowing of the deception Scar had pulled.
Another knock sounds on the door. More urgent this time.
“Oh, sorry, come in! Come in!” Scar calls out, and his attendant enters, holding his veil. She and Cub helping him put it in his hair and tiara, before they make their way towards the door that leads to the gardens, and thus, Scar’s wedding ceremony. He and his brother link their arms as they stand behind the large, ornate doors that lead to the outside.
“You're not going to tell me I can always run away?” Scar asks teasingly. Cub turns his head to look at his brother, strangely he’s grimacing at Scar’s question.
“Everything's already been signed.” Cub says, voice resigned “Who knows what would happen if you ran away now.”
Scar goes to reply, but the music sounds, and then the doors are opening. The bright mid day sun streaming onto them as they're revealed to the crowd of people, both those from their court, and those who had come with King Grian. All of them turn to look at where the two brothers stand arm in arm at the entryway, heads held high as they make their way forward.
Scar is thankful for his brother’s support, for him agreeing to walk Scar down the isle. While he felt secure to walk the short length without a cane, the sea of unfamiliar gazes that land on him make his heart beat quicken, and his legs ache. He finds himself leaning on Cub more then he expected to.
Under the arch, in front of the minister, Scar can see that King Grian through his veil. Besides him stands only has one groomsmen. Scar, despite being largely removed from the wider regions politics, knows that King Grian has a large assortment of friends and confidants. Even just his direct family consisted of three siblings. Scar had been worried his side of the alter, consisting of just Cub as his best man and sole groomsman, would be vastly outnumbered by King Grian's side, and he's glad to see that's not the case.
Once on the pew, Scar notices, unavoidably, that King Grian is quite short. It relaxes him a little in some strange way. Scar may be a tall man when standing, but he's in his wheelchair at least half the time. The King's short stature means Scar won’t have to crane his neck too much to look up at the avian when he inevitably has to prop himself into the chair during after the ceremony.
The veil is lifted after their vows, the King's warm hands coming up to delicately lift the sheer fabric. With his newfound clear vision Scar is also pleasantly surprised to find that King Grian is also quite handsome. A soft boyish face framed both by chin length, dirty blonde hair, and two small tri-colored wings on either side of his head. His eyes are such a dark purple, that, if they weren’t so close, Scar might think they were solid black.
Their first kiss on that altar is soft and quick. He hears people cheering, celebrating their marriage. The King smiles at Scar, and he can't help but smile back. A gentle start to his new life.
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After the ceremony is finally done, Scar finds himself and King Grian walking to the dining room arm in arm, separating only once at the head table. He hopes that the King doesn't mind how much Scar leans on him for the short walk.
As he waits for Cub to make his way to the head table, everyone else finding their seats on the main floor, Scar watches Grian. His new husband doesn't sit for very long, instead getting up shortly after guests have begun to file into the dining hall. Scar watches as the avian walks towards his groomsman, a tall, lanky, moustached man, and two blonde avians are walking up. Despite their distance from him, Scar can tell the conversation the men launch into is a heated one. King Grian's back is turned towards him, but he can see the other three. The moustached man touches his face, clearly exasperated by whatever conversation is going on, while one of the blondes, dressed in a light blue suit waves his hand around dramatically. The other blonde, dressed in a deep green, is speaking with visible confusion on his face.
“What are they talking about?”
“Ah!” Scar jumps when Cubs voice unexpectedly sounds from behind him. He spins around and sees a small, teasing smirk on his brothers face as he sits. “Gosh you scared me, Cub!”
“Sorry.” Cub says, tone flat eyes also landing on the King “What are they talking about?”
“Ohh, no idea.” Scar replies, turning to face his brother.
“It's not a good look to be arguing at your wedding reception.” Cub says, disapproving.
“Well, it’s a stressful day, maybe those two missed the ceremony.” Scar says, eyes falling back on the group. He sees the man in blue make a wild gesture towards the crowd. Yellow wing stretching out too, like it’s an extension of his arm.
“No!” The King’s voice is loud as he shouts out the single word. All three of the other men he was talking to shut their mouths quickly, and seem to stand up a little straighter. The King turns, and his dark eyes meet Scars, seemingly having forgotten about Scar and Cub, sitting mere feet away, staring at the group. His face reads of surprise and regret. The King turns back to the group, clearly speaking to them one last time, before he walks back to the head table.
“Nothing to worry about.” King Grian reassures him with a forced smile as he sits down besides Scar. He doesn’t get a chance to pry further, as everyone finally seems to settle down, and the green suited avian the King had been speaking to takes the mic.
“Hello everyone! Thank you for making it to such an important union today.” The man says “I’d like to, for the first time, introduce our newlyweds, King Grian and Prince Consort Scar.”
A round of applause and cheers comes from the crowd in response.
“And while I’m sure everyone would like to say something about our wonderful new couple.” The man continues, and Scar notices Grian's lip twitch down, just for a moment “Tonight we’ll be having two wonderful speeches, first, one from our lovely advisor Mumbo, and secondly one from your dear King, Cub!” The man turns to face their table, and looks pointedly to the man – Mumbo – besides Grian.
The mans hands are shaking a little as he stands, and the microphone is passed to him before the blonde steps off to the side. Mumbo’s face is dusted with a light blush, and his hand nervous smooths down the front of his black suit as be prepares to speak.
“Uh, hello everyone, well, I don’t normally speak in front of crowds,” He laughs awkwardly, brushing his hand through his hair quickly. He clears his throat before he continues “But! For Grian - of course!”
The story the man tells is about his and the Kings friendship. From being a simple advisor brought in by Grian’s parents, to becoming his right hand. The person by his side when he overthrew the previous monarchs to rise to the throne. Clearly Mumbo thinks the world of the King, and, in a way, it makes Scar view the man he’s marrying with more fondness as the speech continues.
When Mumbo is done he hands the mic to Cub while the audience is still applauding, hands still shaky. When his brother stands, silence befalls the crowd quickly, the clapping abruptly stopping. Scar supposes that everyone here is viewing Cub as their King first and foremost rather than Scar’s brother. Scar himself is eager to hear Cub’s speech, his brother not a man who waxes poetic often.
“As many of you know, uh, my- our parents died when we were kids, and Scar and I have only had each other since.” Cub starts, the macabre beginning transforming into a speech that makes Scar a little misty eyed. Retelling of the struggles after their tragic loss, of Scar’s various illnesses as a child. How Scar always kept a positive attitude, how Scar always talked Cub up from his low points, how Scar helped Cub smooth over disputes with his agreeable disposition.
“So- uh without him, I don’t think I’d be here now. People probably would have mutinied.” Cub laughs, and a few other people in the crowd chuckle. Then, Cub turns towards Grian
“So, you better look after him,” Cub says sternly, voice direct solely at Scar’s now husband. When Scar turns his head away from his brother to King Grian he sees a look of surprise on the mans face. Then with a lighter tone, Cub address the crowd again “Now I think dinner should be ready for us.”
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Dinner is delicious. Scar had handpicked some of the best chefs in their region, and each dish from entree to the main is perfect.
Despite sitting less then two feet from his new husband, Scar finds himself getting pulled into a conversation with Cub most of the meal. King Grian follows suit, seemingly only speaking to his best man throughout the evening, even as he and Scar exchange quick glances every once in a while.
Scar’s just worried that he’ll have to leave Cub so soon. He's just trying to get as much conversation in as possible before the inevitable miles that will be between them!
If Scar’s also a little nervous about having a proper conversation with his now husband, well, no one needs to know.
Once dessert is served - a small, circular cake, decorated with edible versions of their wedding flowers - the same avian in dark green stands and announces the dance floor is open, mentioning the direction of the open bar at the end to a few excited murmurs.
Scar watches as everyone starts getting up, and moving around. Mingling and going to dance and drink. Including Scar’s now husband who stands and, with Mumbo, goes to speak to the announcer. Only a cursory look spared to Scar and Cub as they leave. A little apologetic, not that Scar minds them leaving really.
“I’m gonna miss you.” Cub says once they’re alone, picking at his dessert with his fork “Just wish I’d had some more time to get used to the idea.”
The statement isn’t meant to guilt Scar, the tone reminiscent more than upset, but it still makes regret leech into his belly. Hiding the engagement until all the paperwork had been signed was not one of his best moments, but-
“Well, you never would have agreed!” Scar says quickly “And I had no idea you’d been denying aid from them!” he says accusingly
“It came with too many invisible strings.” Cub huffs, though he does look a bit guilty at not telling his brother about the information before Scar revealed he'd be getting married to the very man Cub had been denying help from. “Besides, their whole kingdom’s been in an active war since your husband took the throne.”
“Well it’s over now! Perfect time to get married.”
Cub huffs a laugh “Like the aftermath of a war is the time to get married.” He shakes his head, standing up “I’ll get your chair now, then we can both go mingle.”
“Thank you!” Scar calls out as Cub walks off.
Being left alone for the first time that day, Scar finds his eyes drawn to watching the crowd as he eats his cake. There seems to be a fairly even split of the guests between those still sitting and those who have gone to dance. People moving to the nameless song their band is playing. Scar doesn't know most of these people's names either really, either being people Cub had to invite, dukes and barons of their lands and their families, or people who came along with King Grian when they’d arrived several days prior.
His eyes land on one of the avian men, the one in the blue suit. He's near the dance floor, held close by a man with short strawberry blonde hair dressed in deep burgundy. They’re laughing, and Scar diverts his eyes and flushes when he sees them both lean in to kiss.
Mumbo and the avian in the green suit, are stood together some ways away from the head table. Whatever conversation they're having too far away to possibly hear.
He scans the crowd again, trying to see-
“Has King Cub gone to dance?” Scar practically jumps out of his skin with fright at the sudden voice that pops up beside him. He yelps loudly, turning a few heads, and finds his now husband standing besides his chair, looking surprised by Scar’s reaction, wings raised a little.
“Oh, sorry! Sorry!” King Grian apologises quickly. “I didn’t mean to scare you! I’m sorry!”
Scar chuckles a bit, heart rate calming “Hey! It’s alright. I just scare easily.” The King still looks apologetic as he sits down beside Scar.
“Your knights are off having fun.” Scar gestures towards the other men
“My knights?” King Grian asks quizzically, following Scar’s gesture to Mumbo and the avian in green, then to the avian in blue, and scoffing when his eyes land on him. “Oh, Jimmy and Martyn.”
“More advisors then?”
“No, the rest of my regular court is back at our home castle.” King Grian replies “They’re family.”
“Ohhh,” Scar says, wondering if Grian's sister must also be here “So where are your secret knights then?”
“I don’t have any secret knights, Scar.” Grian says, giving Scar a bemused look
“Awe~” Scar pouts at his now husband and places his hand on his chest. “Who’s going to protect us then, King Grian?”
“Your knights seem like they’ve been well trained.” He says, then after a second “It’s just Grian as well.”
“Hm?”
“You can just call me Grian.” He tells Scar “We’re married now, officially, aren’t we.”
“Well we did sign that contract a while ago.” Scar says.
King- no, no, just Grian, groans and shakes his head, eyes darting to where Mumbo stands “We did."
“Did your advisor not like the contract?” Scar asks curiously
“He didn’t know about the contract until I signed it.” Grian confesses, a guilty look on his face. Scar smiles at that
“Oh! Don’t worry! Cub didn’t know about ours until afterward either. He definitely wasn’t happy about it~” Scar explains. Though ‘not being happy’ was an understatement. Cub had looked gutted when Scar had told him initially, even after he realised what an amazing deal Scar had gained for them. The look of betrayal on Cub’s face still made Scar shiver.
“At least we both got into trouble~” Grian sighs, taking a sip of his drink and letting silence befall the couple for a moment. Then, abruptly, Grian asks
"What do you... see this relationship being?" Scar's quizzical look prompts Grian to elaborate "Y'know, do you want to like live separately, and only see each other at events?"
“We’re married! We have to live together!” Scar exclaims, shocked by the suggestion. Does Grian want-
“ahh good good, I don't want to live separately either.” Grian laugh is relieved “I want to be friends, but... I'm quite busy."
"Well of course! Your the king." Scar says
"We might not be able to see each other very often," Grian says, voice regretful
"Oh~" Scar hums thinking about it for a second before an idea pops into his head "Well we both eat dinner right!"
It's Grian's turn to be confused, and Scar explains "We can have dinner together right? At least once a week?"
"Yes." Grian says "So dinner once a week... Do you want your own room or...?"
Oh, Scar hadn't thought about that but... he'd never shared a bed with anyone. The idea of doing it with this virtual stranger, despite him being his husband makes Scar feel uncomfortable. Something in his face must give him away, because Grian pipes up to reassure Scar "We have plenty of rooms fit for royals for you to choose from, our castle is huge."
"Then~ maybe we should start with separate rooms." Scar says earning a nod from Grian. He looks to Grian to see if there are any other questions he needs to ask Scar, but the other man doesn't ask anything else of him.
"Everything else can be discussed later," Grian says "I just... needed to ask those. Sleeping with me would be really hard because of these~" he gestures to his wings, fanning them out slightly "Though- there's so much you don't know about me." Grian voice wavers, and Scar realises that the idea makes the other man quite nervous. The other man rubs his forehead and sighs.
"Hey, c'mon Grian! We're married, we're in this together now, right?" Scar waits for Grian's nod before continuing "So, we'll learn these things about each other. Together." Scar grabs his glass of water as he speaks, and extends his glass out to Grian, waiting for the other man's response.
Grian looks at Scar, looks into his eyes "Yeah, we will." He clinks his glass against Scar "Together."
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“Do you know when the last time we were apart was?”
Cub asks him this as they’re stood outside the train the next day. The one ready to take Scar away to King Grian’s kingdom for, presumably, the rest of his life. There had been no time to hesitate, as King Grian had important things to attend to. Things that were beyond Scar truly, though he’s sure he would become intimately familiar with the country sooner rather then later. Scar knows that Cub too, has a pile of work to get to once Scar leaves, work to rebuild their country now that this newfound wealth has been secured.
Neither he nor Cub make any move to leave one another's presence. Waiting for someone else to pull them apart.
Scar doesn’t know the answer to Cub’s question in truth. He can’t remember a time without him.
“You were pretty small, four or five, and you were really sick. Mum and dad took you to some specialist out of the country, but I stayed behind.” Cub says, an answer to his own question “twenty two years together, fifteen just me and you.”
“I’m sorry.” Finally, Scar’s guilt grips him tight, gets the best of him. Cub looks at him with sympathy
“I’m not upset at you… this is going to save our country.” Cub laughs “I just wish you could stay. That you weren’t married to him.”
Scar feels at a loss, and simply pulls Cub in for a hug.
“I’ll write.” Scar rushes out. “Every day! I’ll start today on the train!”
Cub laughs, voice a little wet “me too.” Cub pulls back first “I’ll try and visit.”
They step back from one another. Cub pats Scars shoulder as he clears his throat.
“Travel safe, Scar.”
“Get home safe, Cub.”
Walking away from his brother to get on the train is probably the hardest thing Scar will ever have to do. To leave his brother, even for the good of their country.
When Scar looks one last time. Cubs face looks resolute, determined. Scar hopes he looks the same as he boards the train, the door shutting closed behind him.