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

[restoredhonor]

The wedding preparations take most of a year. Then, the renovation of her new rooms take almost as much time. He presents them to her, the day before the wedding, wanting her to have a place away from everyone, should she so choose.

His prewedding present to Sokka had been the space sword. Someone had found it and turned it in to an outpost. It had finally made its way back to its owner, after more than a year.

And then, he and Katara are married, according to both fire tradition and water tradition. She'd been utterly beautiful. The wedding night had been special as well.

Now, he awaits his new wife, ready to begin traveling. Jun and Nyla had found a lead on his mother, after a year of searching. He looks up and smiles, seeing her coming his way. "Good morning."

[dropwaterdroplet]

All things considered, the wedding had gone a lot better than Katara had expected. Somehow blending the traditions of the two nations had worked surprisingly well. And, in all honesty, she had kind of enjoyed the ceremony...and the night after as well.

But now that the wedding was over, they were on a mission. While she's dressed in something appropriate for around the palace, she's pulling up her hair in something more suited for adventuring when she meets with Zuko.

"Good morning."

[restoredhonor]

Even though the others are watching, he leans in and kisses his new wife. She deserves that and so much more. Sokka and Toph have agreed to go with them. Leaving his uncle in charge of the Fire Nation means that he can focus on his mother possibly being alive.

Taking her hand, once she's done with her hair, he helps her up onto the eelhound and climbs up behind her. He nods to Sokka and then, off they go.

[dropwaterdroplet]

This kiss surprises her a bit, but it's not unwelcome. In fact, she gently returns it while she can. Little shows of affection like this are becoming easier, making the marriage feel less arranged and more genuine.

Once she's finished, she mounts the eelhound and holds on to the reigns, and when Zuko's situated behind her they take off. The air whips around them as the eelhound moves quickly, and she's kind of glad that Zuko is naturally warm.

[restoredhonor]

He wraps his arm around her, sorry that Aang couldn't be here to help them. He's off being Avatar somewhere. He hopes Aang joins them eventually. But he's not holding his breath. While Aang had been at the wedding, he hadn't been happy about it.

He points toward the correct trail, knowing that Katara will guide the eelhound well. As noon approaches, and both Sokka and Toph start making noises about eating, they find Jun and Nyla's camp. It's unoccupied, but it's a good place to stop and eat, resting the eelhounds as well. She'd left signs telling them the next way to go.

After lighting the fire for food and tea, Zuko goes to study the map, looking at the symbols Jun had left for them.

[dropwaterdroplet]

She guides the eelhound in the direction that Zuko indicates, keeping an eye on Sokka and Toph as they travel. When they finally break at camp, Katara gives some food and water for the eelhounds first before cooking something for the four of them.

She lets Zuko go over the maps for a bit as she chats with Sokka and Toph while cooking, but eventually she wanders over with some tea, sitting beside him. "Here," she says softly.