pushbackthedarkness | (no subject)

(no subject)

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.

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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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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