Arranged Marriage

[bostonhowler]

It's a trope near and dear to our hearts. Arranged marriage.

Maybe it's for the family. Maybe it's for a friend. Maybe you know the person and have been expected to marry them for years. Maybe it's the wedding day and you have no clue who it is you'll be tied to for your natural life. Maybe you've been married a while, and you're just now starting your life, away from the expectations of others. Or maybe, the "others" are watching, waiting, making sure this marriage sticks.

Prompts for those who need them:



Reasons:

1. Station → You come from a royal, noble, or otherwise distinguished family who has chosen a suitable spouse for you.
2. Feud → You are being married to put an end to the bitter enmity between your two families.
3. Economics → Your economic state and/or your station will improve through the union, though one of you may be marrying down.
4. Empire → You and your spouse are merging your businesses and/or property to create something more influential or profitable.
6. Tribute → You have been offered as a gift or appeasement, alternately you're the spoils of war.
8. Bloodline → Carrying on your distinguished family name has fallen to you and the equally well-bred spouse of your family's selection.
7. Disapproval → Your marriage has been arranged to keep you away from the person with whom you truly wish to be.

Scenario:

1. First meeting → This is the very first time you're meeting your future spouse.
2. Courtship → To get to know each other and encourage affection, your family has approved of you going on dates.
3. Engagement party → Be it a huge, formal affair or a small, intimate get together, you're celebrating (or pretending).
4. Wedding day → The big day!
5. Reception → The big party!
6. Wedding night → Every meme needs a smut prompt, right?
7. Honeymoon → Where will you go with your new spouse and what will you do there?
8. Been at this a while → Just starting to get to know the other person

Comments

[southernreaper]

He knows she doesn't blame him, but there are times that he gets very angry at God for it. Father Frankie, the priest at the closest Roman Catholic Church, has been helping him through it. They have a lot of talks. Honestly, Father Frankie has helped him more than any therapist the X-Men have tried to get him to see.

Kevin laughs, seeing the lemur steal the food. It's something that he's glad he can take part in, even if he doesn't dare touch the animals himself.

After about twenty minutes, they're sent out. Kevin's careful taking off the outer layers they'd wanted him to wear. "Wanna go watch the march of the penguins?" He asks, offering her one gloved hand.

[goingthroughaphase]

She can only hope that she'll be able to help as well.

Hearing him laugh, she turns back to him and sticks her tongue at him playfully. Once their time is done and she's cleaned up and removed the outer layers, she gives him a smile and takes his hand.

"Definitely."

[southernreaper]

She already has helped. She doesn't flinch from him, she doesn't crowd him either. She offers him space to be who he is, and that's more than he can ask from anyone.

So, they have to dash across the zoo a bit to get where they need to go for the penguins, but they manage to make it, to watch the penguins march through their building. Kevin puts Kitty in front of him, allowing her to see, since he can watch over her head.

The emperor penguins ignore the crowd, headed to their enclosure. Kevin manages to get some of it on his phone.

[goingthroughaphase]

It's a bit of the run, but it's definitely worth it to make it in time to see the penguins. Kitty can't help laughing a little as they walk by.

"The way they waddle is just so cute!"

[southernreaper]

He laughs, watching her watch the penguins. "Think you're cuter." He teases her. This is why he's glad that they're able to go out and have fun. A lot of their lives is running for their lives, or running to help other people - they need this chance to relax.

Plus, it's nice being away from the mansion and all that will entail when they get there.

[goingthroughaphase]

She blushes faintly, and squeezes his hand in of being able to kiss his cheek. "Even if I waddled like that?" she asks, just as teasing.

[southernreaper]

His mind flashes to a thought of Kitty pregnant, of her carrying their child, of being part of his future.

"Maybe especially." He says, smiling crookedly.