bakerstreet | All that's left is a band of gold

Arranged Marriage Turned More

To have and to hold, you said, till death do us part, all while the sharp, swinging pendulum of obligation hung overhead. But how could you have truly meant those words? This union has been tainted from the start, forever bearing the chains of an arranged marriage. It would be understandable if you couldn't bear to look at your new life partner, eternal reminder of your stolen future that they are, much less like them.
Much less love them...

Still, things can change.

You could realize that they are in the same boat as you or, that when compared to others around you,
they are the lesser of evils. Perhaps you even open up to the idea of a friendship; at the very least,
an alliance may be in order to become a power couple in a perilous world. From that innocent decision or sense of self-preservation, a new feelings sparks. Something like affection.

Something, you realize in the wake of speeding heartbeats, like love.

Will you acknowledge this? Can the two of you have a happily ever after - happier than if you'd met in another fashion - or will you hold firm in your distaste?

how to play.

- Everybody loves "couples forged by less-than-ideal circumstances" tropes!
- Comment with your character, prefs, all that good stuff.
- Reply to others.
- IDEC where you set your threads, it's wide open. Fantasy world with hairy hobbits, old-timey lands, future AUs, do a space marriage for all I care. I'm sure they're still getting married in Star Wars or whatever.

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR MARRIAGE:
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.
⑤ Tribute → You have been offered as a gift or appeasement, alternately you're the spoils of war.
⑥ 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.

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:
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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

[still voicetesting, but both canon and cross-canon much loved! ♥ cool with spoilers from all main arcs + Gou if those come up, just mark for them for other folks!]

(voice testing)

"Are you too scared to go through with it?" Xue Yang is splayed on a large, luxurious bed, wearing his red robe rather haphazardly. He has untied said robe at the waist and thus his bare chest is clear to see.

"I must be the only man to remain untouched on his wedding night." he purses his lips pathetically, spreading his legs and slipping a hand between them, "Must I take care of myself? You're a terrible husband, A-Chao."

(no subject)

chaotime - 2020-12-30 23:31 (UTC) - Expand

( no 2 or 7, prefer for Tony to be the tribute )

[ Integra has no family to insist she marry - no meddling mother or aunt or grandparents constantly asking pointed questions about when she'll marry and continue the family line.

No, instead she has 11 meddling old white men, worried over the state of her business. Who will continue the Hellsing legacy of protecting England from freaks if she doesn't produce an heir? She also rather suspects a large part of their worry is, who will control Alucard if she dies. She'd be worried about that too, except she'll be dead if that happens, and won't have to worry about it. Alucard is her grandfather's legacy, not hers.

But she's a responsible person, and a compassionate one, and doesn't want to subject her country to a grieving, murderous vampire once she's gone. So she'd agreed to a marriage, if the Council could find a suitable husband.

She'd actually thought she'd be able to find fault in anybody they chose. Grudgingly, she has to give them credit, because the third candidate they'd chosen, she already knew, and somewhat liked--sometimes, in small doses. Which is more than she could say for the first two. She'd still countered that a marriage arrangement needed to be agreed upon by both parties, and she was fairly certain Mr. Stark wouldn't agree to any such thing.

She's not sure what she feels when she hears that he has in fact agreed to it. Surprised, but also a complete lack of surprise, because that's just the way her life is.

As betrothed, they're supposed to meet later to discuss details of their professional lives and how to merge them - but Integra's not waiting, and has come to America to discuss their personal lives. She's led down to the basement of his mansion by a no-nonsense redhead (Integra likes her, as much as she'd expected from the few stories she's heard about Pepper over the years of her employ to Tony), who lets her into the futuristic-looking workshop with a shark-toothed smile that Integra returns. When music blasts as soon as the door is opened, Pepper orders it cut, then leaves Integra to it; she wants nothing to do with this conversation, and Integra is relieved. It's going to be rather awkward anyway.

Leaning against one of the glass walls, she crosses her arms and stares at... her future husband. ]

Why on earth did you agree to marry me?

[ She's nothing if not straightforward. ]