The fire cracked and popped, spitting sparks to join the stars. The light glinted off discarded armour and flickered over the shapes of your friends. Spirits were high, stomachs were full and the air was getting sleepier and sleepier. Everyone was getting along amazingly which you were grateful for, especially as this was one of the first missions you'd done as a team.

Opposite you, Meliodas and Ban were picking on King. Merlin was watching with her usual sly smile. Diane's eyes were drooping as she giggled sleepily. Escanor shivered, his gaze often wandering back to Merlin. And the hulking shape of Gowther loomed over everyone. It was impossible to know what or who he was looking at.

'[Y/n]?' said Diane after a particularly loud laugh from Meliodas and Ban.

You hummed and looked to her, but she was just staring at the flames.

'You and the captain still aren't married, are you?'

'Ah.' Your gaze met Meliodas's. His eyes glinted. 'No. No we're not.'

Diane sighed and drew her knees to her chest. 'Humans have short lives, so they enter a contract together called marriage in order to live on.' She said the exact same words she had said the day you'd met. For some reason, King sat up straighter, staring unwavering at Diane. 'Will you get married soon?'

'W-well I don't think—'

'Why not?' Meliodas interrupted. You stared at him. He smiled slightly. 'Let's get married.'

'Will there be flowers? Will it be inside or outside? How many people? Will there be dancing? What will your dress be like?' Margaret barely stopped for breath between each question, bouncing on the spot.

You laughed slightly and shifted Elizabeth to one arm so you could pat Margaret's head with the other. 'I'm not really sure. Your mama is doing most of the planning. Maybe you should ask her.'

Margaret pouted. 'Papa said not to disturb mama right now.' She stared at you. 'Am I allowed to come to the wedding?'

'I will insist on it.'

Margaret beamed.

There was a knock at the door. You turned to see one of the castle attendants. He bowed smartly before saying, 'I am here to escort Princess Margaret to her lessons.'

No longer bouncing, Margaret sighed. 'Thank you.' She curtseyed to you in farewell and walked to the door.

The attendant bowed to you and they both left, leaving you alone with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth started to make quiet baby noises so you rocked her, humming the old lullaby soft. One of her tiny hands broke free from the blanket and latched onto your finger. You walked to the window, still humming softly, and looked over the kingdom. Sometimes you wondered whether the old prophecy made for a poor lullaby, but it always soothed Elizabeth.

'Knew I'd find you here,' said a familiar voice. You turned to see Meliodas leaning on the door and smiling slightly.

'It's not what you think,' you said quickly. 'The maid had to step out for a second so I just offered to watch her for a bit.'

'So you actually got permission this time.'

You scowled. 'I shouldn't need to permission to hold my own—'

'I'm back, Lady [Y/n],' came a voice from the hallway. 'Sorry for – Oh, Sir Meliodas, I didn't know you were here.' The maid bobbed a curtsey and smoothed down her apron.

'No worries.' Meliodas stood up straight. 'I just came to get [Y/n] for training.'

Ignoring the flustered apologies of the maid, you hugged Elizabeth close for a second longer before handing her to the maid.

'Okay.' You sighed. 'Let's go whack some things with our swords.'

Meliodas grinned and grabbed your hand. 'That's the spirit.'

It was finally the day. Everything had been arranged, from the food to the flowers to where everyone would be sitting. And you barely had to lift a finger.

'There. You're perfect.' Caroline put the last pin in your hair and patted your shoulders.

You turned to the ornate mirror and stared at the face it showed. Part of you had been expecting not to be able to recognise yourself, but whatever Caroline had done was amazing. Your eyes were brighter somehow and there was colour in your cheeks. You were still yourself but more somehow. Maybe, you blushed slightly and looked down as the thought came to you, maybe this was how Meliodas saw you.

'Thank you so much, your highness,' you said, reaching back to squeeze Caroline's hand. 'For everything.'

'It was my pleasure.' The queen laughed slightly. 'It will be a while before I can plan a wedding again. Margaret will be the most beautiful bride. And to see Veronica standing still long enough for the ceremony. And Elizabeth—' She stopped speaking suddenly at the look on your face. 'Ah, here's your bouquet.' She pressed the flowers into your hands. 'I'll leave first. You follow when you're ready. Meliodas is waiting.'

And with one last smile, Caroline left. You were alone. You stared blankly at the flowers for a moment. The colours blurred together. You shook your head and looked out the window to the sky.

Are you watching, Mother? you found yourself wondering. Did you ever imagine such a ceremony? Perhaps you expected us to be broken by now. Or perhaps you hoped we wouldn't be in love anymore. You laughed slightly. Knowing that, if your mother was watching somehow, you'd be making her angry gave you the courage to walk out the door.

You had no idea what to expect. You knew the ceremony was being held in the castle courtyard so Diane and Gowther could attend, but apart from that you were in the dark. There were probably a lot of people out there waiting for you. Your hands began to sweat. But what Caroline said made you keep walking. Meliodas was waiting.

You followed the sound of voices through the castle until you got to the double doors that lead to the courtyard. The voices were louder now. Your heart started to beat even faster. You took a deep breath.

And opened the doors.

The first thing you saw was flowers. They were everywhere, wrapped around pillars and chairs. The voices stopped abruptly and there was a great shifting as everyone turned to look at you. You flinched slightly but, as you looked around, there really weren't that many people.

There were the Sins dressed in their finest clothes. Bartra and Caroline with the three princesses (Margaret was practically standing on her chair, someone had wrangled Veronica into a dress and Elizabeth was in Caroline's lap). Zaratras and Little Gil. But before you could notice anyone else, you saw him.

Meliodas was waiting at the other end of the red carpet. He had been bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet but, as his eyes met yours, he stopped. His mouth fell open and your grin widened. You started the walk to him, forcing your steps to remain even and stately. It wasn't hard to keep your head high; you just had to keep looking at Meliodas.

As soon as you were close enough, Meliodas took your hand in his. The familiar warmth calmed you down even further. The old man began to talk, his deep voice washing over you. You had no idea what he was saying until he said, 'Please bring forth the rings.'

To your surprise, it was Merlin who stepped forwards. She raised a hand. It was like a drop of light fell from the sun. Everyone gasped. The drop followed Merlin's fingers before splitting into two. The light became rings. They floated down to rest in Merlin's palm.

'Thank you,' you mouthed to Merlin.

You and Meliodas took one ring each before turning back to the old man. Under the old man's instruction, Meliodas recited his vows. The words had been drilled into your brain over the last few weeks they had lost almost all meaning. But hearing them come from Meliodas, his voice so soft and gentle, they became so much more.

'Until death do us part,' said the old man.

'And even death will not part,' said Meliodas.

You laughed. The crowd tittered (you could make out Ban's guffaw). The old man huffed but didn't stop Meliodas from sliding the ring onto your finger. It was very cold.

And then it was your turn. You said your vows perfectly, only changing the last line as Meliodas had done. Everything was starting to glow at the edges and you realised it was because there were tears in your eyes. They were in Meliodas's eyes too.

As you slipped the ring onto Meliodas's finger, your own ring warmed up. Happiness swelled in your chest so much your knees felt weak.

'I now pronounce you husband and wife.' The old man smiled. 'You may now kiss the bride.'

Meliodas swept you into his arms and tipped you back before pressing his lips to yours. There was applause coming from somewhere, but everything was Meliodas. Your feelings were really intense and, when Meliodas finally broke the kiss, you swayed slightly.

Both of you were surrounded by people. There were hands on your back. Smiles on everyone's faces. Voices in your ears. Elizabeth's little pudgy hands reaching for you. You reached back automatically and she was in your arms. You leant against Meliodas's chest.

'Food and entertainment have been set up in the gardens.' The attendant's voice somehow reached over everyone else's. He turned smartly on his heel and lead the crowd from the courtyard.

Elizabeth looks so at home in [Y/n]'s arms, said Meliodas. [Y/n] looks so hot. I can't wait to rip that dress—

'You can't say things like that in front of everyone,' you hissed.

Meliodas blinked. 'Things like what?'

'Like what you just said.'

'I didn't say anything.'

There was a low laugh behind you. Merlin smirked. 'It's your rings. I'll explain more tomorrow but for now, just know you can let each other hear your thoughts and feel your feelings.'

You gasped. Can you hear this?

Yeah. Meliodas's voice changed slightly. So, back to what I was thinking before—

But before Meliodas could say more, you had emerged into the castle gardens.

'Congratulations!' shouted what looked like the entire kingdom. You stopped and gaped. Caroline met your eyes and winked.

And the party began.

The night was winding down. Most of the guests had gone home. All the children were long since in bed. At some point, you had taken off your shoes but you had forgotten where you left them. You weren't worried.

Because the grass was soft. And the stars were shining. And there was one performer left, playing a slow song on their violin. And Meliodas's arms were around you.

'I was wondering before,' you said, so quietly you wondered if Meliodas could even hear, 'how you see me. If the way I looked today was how I am to you.'

Meliodas placed his hand on your cheek. 'Ridiculous,' he whispered. 'I could never see you as anything other than what you are. All of you. This dress.' His hand trailed down your waist. 'This hair.' He reached up and pulled out the pins. 'Nothing can hide who you are. And whoever you might become. You need to know, [Y/n], whoever you are from day to day is who owns my heart. Every single one of them.'

The tears finally fell from your eyes. Free. How could you describe what you were feeling at that moment? The words wouldn't come. Well, some words came.

'I love you.' The tears fell faster. Your lower lip trembled. 'So so so much.'

Meliodas's hand brushed against your cheek. 'I love you too.'

You opened your eyes and blinked. You sat up and looked around, shaking pins and needles from your arm. The Boar Hat was quiet. A clink and a glass of water appeared in front of you. Meliodas had put it there.

'What's going on?' you said. The words felt like they were getting stuck in your throat. You gulped down the water.

'You fell asleep,' said Meliodas, wiping the counter with a rag. 'And Merlin has found Escanor.'

'What?' You slipped off the stool. 'Is he here?'

Meliodas shook his head and held your hand to steady you as you climbed onto the counter. 'No. But we shouldn't be far away.' His gaze was unfocussed for a second before he grinned at you. 'Nice dream?'

You didn't trust that grin. 'Yeah. Our wedding.'

'I saw bits and pieces,' he said and leant his arms on the counter. 'But you woke up before the best bit.'

You rolled your eyes but couldn't keep from laughing. Of course that's what he was thinking about. 'I'm sorry. If there was only a way to make up for it.' You leant closer to him.

Meliodas's face was so close to yours. His breath fanned across your cheeks. 'Memories are all well and good, but I think a re-enactment is best in this case.' His lips were on your ear. 'And this time I will rip your clothes off.'

~~~

Hey everyone :)

Sorry for the weird upload day. I hope this chapter is okay. I wanted to get it up before tomorrow because tomorrow's my birthday lol. I suppose I could've saved it til Friday, but I felt bad for missing Monday. So I hope you enjoy the wedding story.

I didn't want to add too much detail so you can imagine how your own personal wedding would be. Like hairstyle and dress and everything else. So I hope that's okay.

Anyway.

Love you all and stay safe <3