Chapter Text
“I look… uhm.” Chay twisted back and forth in front of the full-length mirror, a bundle of nerves barely capable of holding himself together. King Tankhun watched through damp lashes as his future brother-in-law shook out his remaining wedding jitters. “How do I look?”
Neither Anakinn nor Tankhun had expected Kimhan to marry for at least two centuries, at least. He kept himself so heinously busy ‘protecting the family’ that romance became no more than a frivolity to their little raven. A distraction. So to be here, now, and to attend his youngest brother’s First Dance before Kinn’s or his own – it warmed the King’s very soul. Even the magic in his fingertips knew Prince Porchay, a fragile human boy whose smile emitted pure sunshine, had already done so much for their family.
The Unseelie King cleared his thoughts and throat with the same brief cough before cooing in open appreciation at Chay’s wedding ensemble. The Faerie tailors had truly outdone themselves this time; “You look incredible, silly boy. Like true Fae royalty.”
Khun settled the short white cape into place at Chay’s mid-back with a firm tug and adjusted the fall of his pale blue sash, tutting and tsk -ing until every last wrinkle lay flat against his chest. Tankhun smiled at Chay in the mirror as he stood behind him and pinned Kim’s beautiful courting circlet into the riot of bouncy curls, their shared joy practically tangible.
The King took one of Chay’s trembling, clammy hands and sandwiched it firmly between his own. He stared the boy directly in the eyes and, in a quietly reserved tone that he saved for only rarest of occasions, Tankhun murmured: “Just so you know, there is truly nothing that could make me any happier with Kimhan’s choice of husband. You have brought a new era upon our kingdom.”
“I–” Chay’s pulse startled beneath Khun’s fingertips, a sudden pitch in his voice betraying obvious disbelief. “Your Majesty?”
“You may be the only person in over three-hundred years whose courage and cleverness have balanced out my youngest brother’s absolute windstorm of a personality,” he spun the boy around to face him and tapped Porchay directly on the forehead. Chay’s flushed cheeks and downturned eyes spoke volumes more than any spoken words could manage. “Our darling Kim is a headstrong fool with an overwhelming sense of responsibility. He can be broody, intense, possessive, and usually whines like a wet cat when he’s jealous.”
Chay giggled, nodding his agreement – though his (now sparkling) eyes held nothing but love and fond amusement for the silly raven. This boy loved and appreciated the things about Kimhan most Faerie courtiers found unnerving; a perfect match between the veil of their different worlds. Ugh, the romance of it all!
Khun cleared his throat and steered himself back on course one final time. “Yet, despite his flaws, we are both fully aware of how deeply caring, devoted, and protective he is when it comes to those he loves. That ridiculously adoring Fae will not rest until you deem him worthy of it… Anyway, regardless of his flaws or your own, I am confident that the two of you will write a long and positive chapter in the Unseelie Kingdom’s history books. How can there be anything but peace across the realm with a love like yours as the peoples’ example?”
The shade of Chay’s burgundy blush must have nearly matched the red of Khun’s favorite (if gaudy) crushed velvet window drapes. “Thank you, Your– Uh. Thank you, Khun.”
“Ugh, you’re just too sweet!” Khun clasped one dramatic hand over his heart and sighed theatrically. Weddings were such a toll, but such fun as well! “Now, do we need to make any finishing touches to your outfit, or are you ready to claim your husband once and for all?”
The giddy human gave the circlet one last inspection through the glass and nodded up at him; it was time to bind Porchay’s Fate with Kimhan’s and officially declare the boy a member of their family. The entire Unseelie Court was gathered downstairs to see if their youngest Prince’s human spouse could pass one final test:
Affirming the magic of their true love-match by returning Kim’s Mating Dance.
The throne room had already been packed to the rafters with important wedding guests – visiting delegates from distant realms, Fae courtiers, Kim’s small handful of Seelie cousins, and a fair number of creatures Chay wouldn’t be able to name on pain of death. By the time he was guided through a small side door, momentarily tucked away from the clamor by his impending brothers-in-law, Chay’s limbs trembled fiercely.
“Are you alright, little one?” King Tankhun asked from his place behind Chay’s right shoulder. Crown Prince Kinn squeezed his left shoulder, nodding his assent.
“I know it’s overwhelming but you’re nearly through,” he encouraged. Powerful as Chay knew the man to be, Kinn came off more like an eager puppy than a threat (at least with him). With a firm nod to Chay, they guided him into the light and attention of the gathered crowd.
The trio sailed gracefully down a long blue carpet and arrived before a short dais set above the floor without incident. By some miracle. For all his confidence when alone with Kim, Chay had been without his almost-husband for another full day by now and it wasn’t getting any easier to handle such persistent nerves alone. As Khun and Kinn settled his panicked automaton-body onto a long ceremonial bench between them, his glazed eyes roamed over a wide rectangle of space nearby. What exactly was meant to be going on down there?
And more importantly: Where was Kim?
“Prince Kinn,” Chay tapped the Faerie’s shoulder gently and tried to hide his whisper, “What exactly is about to happen and where is Kim?”
“You and Kimhan have completed your family’s strange human mating ritual in your realm, correct?”
“Our wedding, yes,” Chay nodded. “Though it appears that human wedding ceremonies are much shorter than those in Faerieland.”
“Faerie romance works a little differently, as I’m sure you’ve learned over the course of your and Kimhans’ somewhat unconventional courtship process.”
Chay nodded again. ‘Unconventional’ sold the whole experience short by a measurement yet to be discovered by either Fae or humankind, but he wasn’t sure what other word to offer in its stead. It would function for the time being. “Yes…”
“Well,” Kinn continued. “This is how the Unseelie people acknowledge our love for one another. A Mating Dance is the reinforcement of your bond by the magic that guides our lives and world.”
“Ah. I see.” Chay swallowed back his fear of failure. The thought of losing Kim and their breathtakingly pure connection lay sour on his tongue; it carried the same mildewy notes as oversteeped tea left for hours. “And if I cannot complete the ritual properly? If my human nature doesn’t cooperate with Kim’s Fae magic, will I have lost my chance with him for good?”
“If there is one thing in all the nine realms that I’m happily willing to bet my life upon, Prince Porchay,” Kinn chuckled under his breath and subtly shook his head. “It’s that you will never fall short where loving and protecting Kimhan are concerned. Nor could either one of you bear to be parted for more than a few days at a time.”
Chay fully intended to give Prince Kinn a fair reply but didn’t have a moment left to speak. He wasn’t allowed the chance to open his mouth again before a single low whistle spun through the air over their heads doused the room in silence. From one end to the next, it seemed as if every single guest were breathing as one. Perhaps they intended to reduce the level of ambient noise. Perhaps it was an instinct beyond human capability. Perhaps the magic of a royal Mating Dance had overtaken them–
Regardless of his onlookers’ simultaneous reactions, Prince Porchay’s focus had turned elsewhere, whisked away by the memory of a starry spring night so many months ago. Drums and strings built together, combining their power to lift him from the dais. He rushed down its short steps and across the room as though dragged by whatever mysteriously demanding presence first led him to Sir Raven. To Kim. The tune filled each small gap of space in his chest with crisp, sweet joy. He closed his eyes, letting the airy music carry him forward…
Chay scurried down one shrub-lined walkway after another in the mostly-dark, altering his course and speed at the whims of whatever force was guiding his movements.
Slowly opening his eyes once more (entirely unsure when they’d fallen closed) Chay stood before the odd rectangular space still free of guests. Silent and unmoving at its center stood a long figure with its inky eyes locked onto Chay. A familiar cloak of iridescent black feathers fell over the man’s shoulders to sweep the pale flagstones. He smiled, and any last panic evaporated from Chay like dew under sunshine. “My love?”
His darling Sir Raven stayed silent as he swayed through a series of easy first steps. Each one of his long limbs held position perfectly as Kim moved in time to a song playing only for them. His intense, all-seeing gaze held nothing but love as it focused on Chay through each shifting stance. Kim’s arms lifted up from his sides and froze in midair, locked into place around an invisible waltz partner. The deep blue stones on his crown shimmered as though lit from within by small stars.
Their song was soft. Lilting. Like the lullabies Kim used to hum for Chay at night when they– When they lay together in their nest. In their bed where they always felt safe with each other.
Chay grinned and stepped confidently into the space between his husband’s arms. Where he was happily Fated to be. It was as easy as breathing to match Kim’s increasingly difficult footwork. Step for step, beat for beat, quickly they whirled through the room like a storm. The enthusiasm of their audience grew in volume as they picked up speed, whirling fast enough to blur around the edges.
Chay ignored them.
He had eyes for one man, and one man alone.
“You transformed into your human form, didn’t you, naughty bird? And sang to me when you laid beside my pillow on the bad nights.”
Kim beamed down at him, grin loaded with lopsided enthusiasm, “Only while you slept, of course. I didn’t want you figuring out my secret before the time came. You’re far too clever for me to risk such a foolish mistake so early on.”
“Would knowing the secret too soon have ruined our courtship?”
“Never, my love. You could never ruin anything.” Kim pressed a gentle kiss to Chay’s flushed forehead. “But it may have brought about unnecessary complications. And, in my personal opinion, we’ve already faced far too many of those.”
Chay laughed wetly, dipping his head forward to hide from the world against Kim’s shoulder. There didn’t need to be an audience for this confession. “I love you more than I have words to express it, Kimhan.”
“Then don’t speak anymore, darling. Just dance with me until the music ends.”
The ferocity of their dance had dwindled down to little more than gentle swaying and the music lost its harried pace. Soft strings and fading flute notes pulled them slowly toward the throne. The true purpose of this Fae tradition, to confirm and acknowledge the full magical strength of any potential couple’s bond, had been served.
When the final note faded to quiet at last and the young princes separated for a kiss, Tankhun also stood abruptly from his throne. Chay noted his red cheeks and teary eyes with a warm smile. After clearing his throat and regaining the attention of their guests, the King declared: “I hereby present to thee, officially and for all eternity, Prince Porchay and Prince Kimhan, Heirs to the Unseelie Throne and Fated to find happiness beyond the veil of death. Three hearty cheers for the newlyweds!”
As the Faeries of their newly declared court shrieked various congratulations and joyful wishes from all around them, Kim and Chay shared their first of many husbandly kisses. And another. And perhaps a third for luck.
THREE YEARS LATER
“What kind of bullshit magic nonsense is this?!” Porsche groaned. Chay and Khun rolled their eyes in tandem, already tired of his seemingly endless whining. “Who invented these rules and why are they necessary for marriage?!”
“Was I this bad without Kim?”
“No way,” Khun snorted. “You were nervous, of course, but you never complained to such an obnoxious degree.”
“Obnoxious?!” Porsche gasped, sitting up and pointing at the Faerie King. “I- You-!”
“Us?” Khun asked, tone bright with feigned innocence.
“Your beloved family?” Chay teased. “What about us, Your Majesty?”
“If you weren’t being so helpful and kind about how weird this all is,” Porsche crossed both arms over his chest with a hmph, “I would be mad at you. But, seeing as you’ve been through this before and I’m–”
Chay met Porsche’s eyes and saw it lurking in their too-familiar depths: the telltale fear of not being enough for someone like his fiancée. Chay knew the creeping terror that his brother now battled to overcome. The idea that his courtship, effort, and love were not enough to win over the power of Fate themself.
But Chay knew Porsche. And he knew Kinn. And he knew they would do a fantastic job ruling the Kittisawat Kingdom together for many years (until they would eventually need to fake their deaths and move to Faerieland with him and the rest. Marriage to a Faerie came with certain perks, and near-immortality landed among Chay’s favorites).
“You’re doing wonderfully, Porsche,” he reassured his older brother. “We all know how overjoyed Kinn is going to be when you meet him on the dance floor.”
“What if I–”
“Trust me,” Chay grinned. He helped Porsche to his feet and followed Tankhun’s lead toward the hall, “I have some experience in this area and from what we have all seen and been forced to experience the last few months, you’re definitely soulmates.”
“Alright,” Porsche exhaled slowly. “I trust you.”
After the excitement ended and the royal family started off to bed, Tankhun turned their attention back to Kim and Chay.
“So, now that you’re all settled and these other two have figured out their nonsense–” Tankhun paused for Porsche and Kinn to interject with protests, which were quickly shouted and dismissed “–When can we expect an egg?”
Chay laughed off the King’s antics and wrapped an arm around his husband’s waist. No one else must have found the joke amusing, though, because the others were dead quiet… Chay slowly raised an eyebrow. “Was your question not in jest?”
Porsche glanced between his little brother and the other three Faeries before grabbing Kinn’s wrist and loudly declaring, “We’re off to honestly besmirch our marriage bed. Goodnight and only the sweetest of dreams to you, dear family!”
“Wait, are you being serious?” Porchay stared first at Kim and then Tankhun. Then Kim again. “There might be an egg in our future?”
Kim’s shrug was innocent but his gaze stayed downcast. “Perhaps… It’s possible?”
“Alright,” he sighed. He rubbed his fingers over his closed eyelids and exhaled slowly. It wasn’t the worst news in the world, all things considered. He just had one important question: “Who lays the egg?”
Kim's cheeks flushed. "That's not quite how it works, my darling."
"So how does it work, then, my handsome thing? Three years of marriage and you'd think this would have come up!"
"I had no expectations for children!"
"I didn't even know we could have children! Do you want them?"
"I mean, I-" Kim stuttered.
Tankhun chuckled as he meandered away from the bickering couple and down another hallway. He had foreign dignitaries to visit with and boring conversations to sigh over.
Then, as his guards pulled the door to his private sitting room open, the King's heart stopped. The faun perched on the very edge of his settee with tight smile lines and spectacles was drop-dead handsome. It took the Faerie a long moment to catch his breath again. Kim's egg problem flew far from his consciousness as this enchanting stranger overtook its every corner.
"Hello, Your Majesty," the faun rose to give a graceful bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
And so they all lived Happily Ever After…
