arranged marriages

[funandcutememes]

Arranged Marriage 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?

Comments

[radiantwave]

[ Heimdall's main strength lies in the reading of intentions. He can see what someone is going to do, where they are going to do it, and how, all along with the why. But for someone as old as him, it doesn't take much of his power to acknowledge the simple fact that Billy is young and being forced into a marriage as the child of a powerful family.

All he needs is the hope of love, or at least peace. Considering the All-Father wishes peace, and Heimdall serves at the wisdom of the All-Father... he can learn. Or at least put on the show. ]

Silly. [ Heimdall stands and walks over towards Billy to take those hands fidgeting with the robe. ]

We'll have to live together, at least for a little while. We should probably try to like each other. And who knows? If my brother can make it work, we should have it easy making it stick.

[wordiness]

[ he knows he shouldn't trust heimdall, or any asgardian. his grandfather would be the first to tell him so, after all, and his parents and aunt and uncle would agree. but he does very much want to like him. he's known all along that he'd probably have to marry eventually, and when his powers had manifested and had taken after his mother, that just made him all the more valuable. he's sure odin doesn't exactly hate the idea of having a reality-warping chaos witch in the family.

he glances down at the god's hands around his own, and carefully curls his fingers, just a little. ]

I'd like us to like one another, [ he admits a little faintly, torn between his initial, instinctive wariness and a fragile little thread of hope. he'd like to feel as if he has a choice here. he'd like to care about, even love his husband. surely heimdall isn't the worst of odin's sons to marry. he's intelligent, he seems inclined to get to know billy, and he's unlikely to risk the peace between their peoples. that's something.

his eyes lift, finding the god's--prettier than he realized they were--and after a few moments, he presses the other man's fingers again and draws his hands away. ] .. I need a few minutes to get dressed. Then we can-- we can go somewhere. Somewhere you like, maybe.

[radiantwave]

[ Heimdall smiles. Of course, he's internally gloating that he is making this work. The All-Father will be proud. And so far, Billy Kaplan is not annoying; that's one of the biggest worries Heimdall's had about the thought of getting married off for the sake of the family. ]

Excellent. Though... [ Heimdall looks over his shoulder toward the window of Billy's bedroom. ]

I should probably meet you at the door, just so your family doesn't assume something untoward has happened. [ His hands slip from Billy's and he heads over toward the window to slip out to the ground floor. Like any god (or mutant or metahuman), he makes it look easy as he's there one moment and gone the next, landing gracefully before heading for the main entrance to make his presence known to his future in-laws. ]

[wordiness]

[ .. just what is he getting himself into here?

naturally, heimdall's appearance at the palace causes a bit of a stir, given that he wasn't expected and has no one else with him, but the guards escort him into the library, where magneto himself is waiting. it quickly becomes evident that the iron-fisted ruler is protective of his grandson, but he calls for billy eventually anyway. it's a good sign, after all, that heimdall is showing interest, making an effort.

when the younger man arrives--dressed mostly in black, save his red cardigan and what looks like living, miniature constellations hanging from his earlobes--he's quiet and agreeable until they leave the castle grounds. at that point, his shoulders seem to ease, his expression relaxing, happier to be out in the city even if he is out with a relative stranger. ]

So, [ he prompts lightly, pushing tousled curls away from his brow and glancing sidelong at the god, ] where are we going?

[radiantwave]

[ Such power. Heimdall appreciates what the mortals have going on for themselves here. The fact that Magneto has acquiesced to the All-Father is a sign of his own relative wisdom, and in the seat of his power, he clearly shows it. Maybe there really is hope for this union.

If Heimdall were another man, he might wish he found Billy attractive in the way future spouses are supposed to, but that's not Heimdall at all. When Billy comes in, and they see each other again, Heimdall sees the seeds of power ready to blossom into something powerful... dangerous. And the skill Billy has in weaving something so intricate for his ears, well. Heimdall does like the details. ]

I want you to hold my hands. [ Heimdall offers his to Billy. ]

Using the Bifrost for short jaunts isn't generally done, but I'm hopefully going to impress my fiancé with a nice little shop I know in Alfheim. We'll find you a book of magic. [ Should Billy take his hands, Heimdall will call upon the power of Biofrost, which will envelope them in a brilliant rainbow glow as it transports them across the World Tree. If not, well, Heimdall might start to pout. ]