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[pushbackthedarkness]

Never in his life, with as long as it's been and with as many dangers he's faced, has Marcus imagined himself here.

And yet...

The gathering is small, especially now with Kat having gone, and Marcus feels her absence keenly. She had helped him with so much and her touch is everywhere, from the simple, but beautiful centerpiece on the table, to the suit she had helped him pick. It helps a little, having her influence scattered about the celebration. It wouldn't feel quite right, doing all this without Kat after having become so close to her over the years.

It's all so simple. They're on the beach, which feels appropriate for Marcus and Dan, even if they're not about to share why. Not far from where they stand, however, they shared their first kiss, years ago now. They've had dinners here, shared stories, and Marcus asked Dan to marry him mere feet from where they perform the ceremony. Simple is best, truly.

The ceremony isn't religious, because while Marcus is still a man of God, it's God who has made him into a weapon. He doesn't want that here and instead they opt for a civil ceremony, a friend Marcus has made who works at City Hall coming to officiate. There is no alcohol, but instead they have sparkling cider and an easy meal catered from a restaurant Dan and Marcus frequent often.

The only music comes from the bluetooth speakers Marcus has set up around the area, a playlist he and Dan had built together. And when the sun sets, as a surprise to them both, Sabrina uses her magic to light up the water in front of them in something close enough to a fireworks display that it won't attract too much outside attention.

Comments

[shine_again]

In a way, Dan finds himself glad they've waited until the city returned to itself to get married-- not out of any desire to wait, but somehow, as he stands with Marcus on the beach, the inclusion of the handful of spirits seems right, in that off-beat cosmic sense he gets sometimes. The shine had no longer been a hemorrhaging wound when he arrived in Darrow, but only with Marcus has anything healed.

He might have needed help with picking something to wear, but Dan's more comfortable in his own skin than he's ever been when he's holding Marcus's hands as he makes his vows.

And maybe the officiant seems slightly confused when Dan tells Marcus how difficult it is to be angry with anyone, anymore when he can only be struck grateful by the machination of infinite worlds that have brought him here, to this moment, but when they share their first married kiss, Dan swears he can feel the gentle turning of invisible hands. He hopes they're Abra's hands, somehow, that she's able to see this, the greatest lesson Dan Torrance could hope to give her about managing her shine and her heart.

God, he hopes she can see it somehow.

They're married then, officially, and after a few hours he finds himself watching as spirits wind their way through the party of the living, as his husband turns to gather another loved one into conversation, blinking back through the happy film of wetness in his eyes. Thank you.

[pushbackthedarkness]

"Are you getting all mushy on me again, love?" Marcus asks from near Dan's ear, speaking softly against his skin. His tone makes it clear he doesn't mind at all, the wet sheen on Dan's eyes as the sun sets, and in fact that he might be a little mushy himself after all this.

He'd never thought any of this would be for a man like him. A man of God, devout in his way, and an exorcist. A weapon. But he's here and he's happy and the words he'd spoken during his vows had been simple and true.

And isn't that what he's always clung to? The words that were true.

[shine_again]

"I don't think the mushiness has stopped at any point today," Dan points out, turning instinctively toward his husband. His husband. "That's how it's supposed to go, I hear, so I think I can be excused." His own voice stays soft, a little wobbly from happiness, and his smile ends p pressed to the line of Marcus's jaw.

He'd be happy to stay in so many of the moments that keep happening today, for as long as he can, and this is one of them.

Arms wrapped around Marcus now, he enjoys the contrast of cooling sea breezes while nestled against the warmth of his husband, almost drifting on the sense of security (sexier than it sounds) of finally being here. "Don't suppose your daughter could help jump start this place into doing one of its things, only it's a tropical honeymoon destination and the worst thing that happens is a sunburn."

[pushbackthedarkness]

"We both know that if we asked, she'd try," Marcus says with a warm laugh, his arms around Dan now, looking out at the ocean as it laps calmly at the shore. They've had a nearly perfect day for this, between the lack of mishaps and the weather.

Maybe God has had a little hand in it. Marcus likes to think so. A stamp of approval, so to speak, though he would have done it even without.

"Now the question is whether or not we want perpetual palm trees when Darrow decides to wreak havoc with whatever she tries," he teases.

[tricktofalling]

Somehow, Inej hasn't met Dan Torrance before the wedding. This is an oversight on her part, the Wraith worn out of her, probably due to the distraction of loss on her part. When she had received the invitation, it had not been surprising, exactly. Marcus has been an important part of her and Kaz's life for a while, is the twin's godfather, and has been a point of extra stability since Kaz, and later Tommy and Nina, left Darrow.

But she has been remiss. Normally, she knows the comings and goings of people, of the important aspects of the lives around her. Even if she is no longer a Spider in the streets and canals of Ketterdam, she hasn't lost that eerie talent of nosing in on other people's business and doing it as quietly and secretively as possible.

She finds him alone, during the reception, and hands him a cup of cider.

"You looked like you might appreciate a fresh one."

[pushbackthedarkness]

Dan has made it plain there are spirits here, mingling in their way, Marcus supposes, but there's not a single demon to be seen. Not that he'd been worried, really. Back home, a demon might have come for him simply due to his reputation, but in Darrow, they're fewer and further between.

The night is perfect, truly.

He's sitting near the water now, having pulled a chair over, his shoes and socks abandoned long ago and the legs of his trousers rolled up as the water laps over his feet. They're lucky to have all these people to celebrate with, even if they are missing some who ought to be here.

For a moment, Marcus closes his eyes and thanks them all, then opens his eyes again and looks back over his shoulder.

"Someone bring me another slice of cake!" he calls, grinning. "I believe you have to do what I ask, since it's my day and all."

[allthelifethereis]

"I think you're absolutely right," says Bill, walking up to Marcus with a plate of cake in hand. He barely remembers most of his own wedding reception; just fragments through a drunken haze. He likes this one though. It's quiet and joyful. Marcus might as well be family to Neil and Bill's pleased to be included.

"Are you having a good time?"

[pushbackthedarkness]

"I was going to say it's hard to have a bad time marrying your best friend, but I'm actually not marrying the idiot you're here with," Marcus answers with a smile of thanks to Bill and an invitation to sit when he drags another chair over by hooking his foot around the leg. Idiot is said with great affection, because Neil truly is the best friend Marcus has ever had.

"All teasing aside, it's been wonderful," he says sincerely. "I never expected this to be for men, but here I am anyway."

[allthelifethereis]

Bill drops into the offered chair, smirking a little and adjusting his hair across his forehead.

"Guess he's my idiot now, though," he says, and he doesn't try to keep the smile off his face. "Thanks for letting me come."

[myfavoritedream]

"Jesus fuck, man. Was I this demanding?" I asked, putting a plate down in front of him, brow arched as I leaned with my hand braced against the back of his chair, a fork held out to him in the other.

Somehow, this one wasn't quite as hard as David's had been. Maybe it was because I'd had the practice. Maybe it was because Marcus was my best friend. Maybe it was because R wasn't there. Or because I wasn't there alone. Either way, it was a relief.

[pushbackthedarkness]

"You're always demanding," Marcus answers with a grateful smile as he takes the fork and then digs into the cake. It's as good now with his third slice as it was with his first.

Maybe he ought to eat something real at some point, but he likes the cake best.

"You could have refused," he points out with a grin, then nudges another chair out so Neil can sit down with him.

[myfavoritedream]

"It's my best friend's wedding. I'm not a total asshole," I smirked, settling into the chair at his side and swiping some of the icing from the corner of his plate.

"So, how's it feel?" I said, grinning before sucking the icing from the tip of my finger.

[signed_sabrina]

"I put Salem in charge of cake," Sabrina announces in return, brushing something off her hands that seems glittery and a bit luminous. Still hopped up on the magic that had created the light show, she crooks a finger so that a chair slides across the sand, letting her sit beside him. "It'll be fine."

She grins, managing to make it seem less like the herald to some sort of chaos. "I also had a nice talk with Dan about his responsibilities as stepfather." That's not entirely true, but she's not sure how entirely, because a great deal of her communication with Dan happens through his ability to read her crackling energy like infernal tea leaves. Well, and Salem. Marcus serves as the grounding point for everyone in the house, and she knows they both (all) have the goal of his happiness in mind.

"I haven't exactly been to a lot of weddings, but this is the best one by far."

[pushbackthedarkness]

"The light show especially was impressive," Marcus says with a fond smile as Sabrina brings a chair over to sit with him. He reaches over, curling his hand over her shoulder and letting it rest there against her shoulder blade, warm and settled.

"Thank you," he says. "For the lights. For the talk with Dan, of course. For everything."

For being here with him, for living in their home, for giving him something he never thought he could have. Part of what he's just said is teasing and his smile says as much, but so much more of it is genuine.

[signed_sabrina]

"I think it might have been even better if I magically enhanced real fireworks. Like with gunpowder," she says, taking utter joy in creating situations that remind Marcus just how chaotically inclined his child is. Does she think the reminders are necessary?

Not in the slightest. They're just fun.

She smiles down at her bare feet, already half-buried in the sand, and then up at Marcus, tipping her head so she rests her cheek on the back of his hand. "You're welcome. I'm just really happy that you're happy. I know you didn't always think it would be this way, which, I have to tell you, as a witch, the powers that be heard you and just laughed. And now look."

[forthsofar]

The invitation was one of those unexpected things that isn't a surprise, given how close she is to Sabrina; an inclusion obvious enough to be normal but gracious enough that Rosie can't help being touched by it all the same. She goes, collaborating with Charlie to make sure they have enough tissues between the two of them for Sabrina's floods of happy tears (and they both know her well enough to know that, no matter any protests to the contrary, there will be tears), determined to enjoy the evening in all its simple, easy happiness. The ceremony is lovely, and the reception afterwards a delight.

As the sun starts to set, Rosie walks along the damp sand a few feet from the laughing, dancing guests and the music, the fingers of one hand hooked in the straps of her sandals while the other keeps her dress out of the splash of the surf. She knows Sabrina has something planned for the end of the evening, but for now, it's just her and the waves, the lights of the reception a dim glow at her back.

[signed_sabrina]

Sabrina has long since lost her sandals, and she can only assume they've been taken by the sea, since Salem insists it's so and she's lacking any desire to refute it. Her own dress lets her wade a bit further into the surf, though she doesn't stray far from her path, following Rosie into the quiet evening. Still a little flushed, her eyes only a bit pink at the edges, Sabrina welcomes the calm; she's cried plenty of happy tears, the cup of her heart overflowing just as easily for joy as anger.

"Hey," she says, just in case her approach is drowned out by the ocean, catching up enough to brush her fingers against Rosie's. There's time before she needs to fire up her magic. "Did I get a chance to tell you how lovely you look tonight?" She tucks a pale curl behind her ear, struggling slightly to control said curls without the usual headband. "This still would have been a wonderful night, but I'm really glad you and Charlie are here. I'd have had to use Salem as a tissue, otherwise," she adds, with teasing warmth.

[forthsofar]

"He'd never have let you hear the end of it, if you had," Rosie says, smiling at the thought of Salem's affronted chatter. Even if Sabrina was the only one capable of comprehending it in full, he still managed to make his opinions known even to the rest of them. With her hands full, she can't lace her finger's with Sabrina's, but she turns her wrist at the brush of the other girl's hand, pressing lightly into the touch.

"You did, earlier, but that doesn't mean it's not worth telling me again."

[signed_sabrina]

"You know, I remind him that traditionally a familiar isn't given nearly this level of freedom or agency, which in this case would mean he'd be a great handkerchief. Only then there's that business of how some unconventional half-witch invited him into this venture as a partner..."

Sabrina laughs, warm and happy with the memory, and easily turns her focus to sliding her fingertips, featherlight, up the inside of Rosie's wrist. "I'll tell you as many times as you want," she promises. "You look so, so lovely. Makes my heart turn over when I'm least expecting it."

[myfavoritedream]

Shoes discarded and the cuffs of my suit pants rolled up over my shins, I sat near the water's edge, letting the waves lap up over my bare feet.

I had a glass of sparkling cider, which was fucking ridiculous and I would've given my left arm for a glass of champagne, but I couldn't exactly blame them for wanting a dry wedding. It was easier than David's wedding, the regret and loss I'd felt coming on unexpectedly as I'd sat watching the ceremony. I could just be happy for Marcus and Dan, and I could enjoy the first real, official date with my fucking boyfriend.

Speaking of, I twisted around to look back at the small group of wedding guests, smirking when I caught him over there talking with Marcus. I lifted a hand in a faint wave, and then turned my attention back to the water.

[allthelifethereis]

He takes his time walking over to Neil, enjoying the way that he looks, relaxed and sun-kissed. When he's behind him, he bends and drops a kiss into his tousled hair.

"Hey," he says. "Having fun?"

[myfavoritedream]

"Yeah, I think I am," I said, sounding only a little bit surprised as I reached for him, hand around his wrist and tugging him down to sit beside me.

"The alcohol selection's shit, though."

[tricktofalling]

Inej feels only a little out of place. It's a lonesome feeling, being a bit of a widow at a wedding. She refuses to let it bring her down. Instead, she comes baring a gift for the newly weds and a good attitude, and the twins looking smart in matching little outfits for the day.

It is nothing at all like her own wedding in the park, insistently imbued with Suli traditions. But of course it wouldn't be. Instead, it is exactly what Marcus and his new husband need it to be, and Inej can't help but be infused with happiness for the both of them.

During the party, while the sun is still up, Inej is easy enough to find, mostly trying to keep the twins from running too much amok. As the evening winds down, she puts them down in a travel play pen in a discrete corner and finally feeds herself.

[pushbackthedarkness]

"Hello, duck," Marcus says when he finally gets a moment with Inej. The twins have been wonderful, enjoying the beach, looking incredibly sharp in their marching outfits, but he's glad they've settled a little now and are content in their playpen so that Inej might actually get a little bit of something to eat.

"Thank you for coming," he says and he means it genuinely. He would have understood if she had declined the invitation and he wouldn't have held it against her. Such things aren't always easy, especially after loss, but having her here feels right.

[tricktofalling]

"Happy returns," she says with a broad smile, setting aside her plate for a moment so she can take Marcus's hands and kiss his knuckles like that was a blessing all its own. It was, as far as she was concerned. She might just be a cousin or little sister in the scheme of things, but family, by blood or choice, was family.

"I feel like I should have been a little nosier," she admits, only a little teasing. "Thank you for inviting me, I promise I'll only interrogate him politely."