In the middle of nowhere, a Gothic mansion stands, tall and elegant and proud, a foreboding dark oak piece of landscape that appeals to those that prefer the night. 

The first thing on all of the guests' minds is how strange the chosen location is. For some strange reason, an old Gothic mansion surrounded by a moat of below -200 degrees water was chosen. Despite the icy landscape,  the sun smiles down on the earth. 

Guests of both kinds have travelled far to reach here, to see this strange ceremony commence. Despite previous alliances, there is still tension in the room as they wait for the procession. Silent pale and grey skinned people stare from one end of the room at those on the other side, the ones with shaggy hair and loud barks of laughter. The difference between the two species of people is astronomical and used as proof by critics as to why this arrangement - the one they're about to witness- would never work out. 

One half of this foreign arrangement stands at the top of the aisle, laughing nervously to his loud companions and trying not to watch the door obsessively. His heart beats faster than it has ever before and he's sure that his better half can hear from where she gets ready. She must be grinning to herself smugly, knowing what she does to him and being able to hear it even from several rooms away. 

Gideon has never been more ready yet not for something before. At the end of the day, he has to remember that he's finally making things official with the person who makes him the happiest. He's never felt more at home with her and she knows that. It's the same for her, she's said. 

The two of them both came from tense backgrounds and found each other, made a home in the other's arms. 

She wanted something similar to marriage, only the next best thing because they're not humans. He wanted a life with her so agreed to anything she said. Then the  ceremony was set up, a procession for them to promise themselves to each other for as long as they both live and declare themselves spouses. 

Every fibre in Gideon's body wants this. 

And so does she. 

When his better half does come to the foot of the aisle, she doesn't waste time in walking to him, not a care in the world at how eager she must look to be with the one she craves. He's turned away for the moment, trying to steady his rushing heart. It's a good beat, his pulse, a tune of his love that she could listen to forever, that she hopes to listen to forever. 

That is the whole point of this ceremony and she can't wait to read her vowels out to him, watch him take in all of her promises that she plans to keep. 

*****

When Morrigan first met the cute boy in the woods with the wild mane of chestnut hair who had come out of nowhere, the first thought that had come to her was that his eyes looked like a tiny forest of green. They were such green eyes, so strange and a more vibrant colour than she had ever seen. Something in his whole appearance -from his bedraggled lumberjack look to his going on bodybuilder chest to his wide, friendly forest eyes- had captured her interest. 

"Sorry," he had breathed, "I didn't mean to scare you. You just.. you smell so good." 

An introduction she had never heard before. His heart beat like a rapid, excitable drum, filling her ears with the symphony of this stranger, giving her the sensation unlike never before. Something about this man had drawn her in, captured her attention and refused to let go. 

She had tilted her head, wanting to see how long it would take for him to recoil back like they all did. "Oh? What do I smell like?" 

Heat flushes into his olive skinned cheeks. The sight was so delicious it had her mouth watering in seconds. How uncivilised. 

Unaware of her dilemma, the stranger had replied earnestly, "Like, citrusy. And something rich and darker like... like velvet or caramel! You smell so... so appetising!" Then a peculiar look came over his face, like he wanted to kick himself or rip the words right out of the air and stuff them back in his mouth. 

Morrigan really got that he hadn't meant to say something so.... intimate out loud. It's not something she's ever been unused to - she's always had that effect on people. 

"I'm sorry," he blushed. "I didn't mean to be so... upfront." 

He was cute and she hadn't met many cute people, not so many people like him. 

Gideon could drown in those fiery eyes if he had the chance. Standing at this altar, reciting the promises he spent hours perfecting, Morrigan has never looked more amazing. He can smell the strong whiff of oranges and caramel, pulling at his heart strings. He can see the future -his future- in every crease of her smile. 

The dress around her looks like pure gossamer flowing out around her, like a thousand spiders spun this dress just for her to wear. It gets tighter and dips in at the waist and billows out around her. She clutches a bunch of scarlet roses at her side, releasing her clench on them and then clenching again every two seconds it feels like. Neither of them have ever been in much of a fulfilling relationship - both of them know this because they've learnt everything possible about the other in the last months. 

As the officiator begins, Gideon moves his hand and slides it around her fist, squeezing tight enough for her to look up at him. Breathe, he mouths. 

A smile graces her features. 

And then the ceremony begins. 

"Do you ever think about the future?" 

Morrigan leaned over from where she'd been lounging in the squashy armchair and looked at Gideon who was curled up by the empty fireplace.

There had been a confrontation with the wolves while she had been staying with them and the alpha had asked Gideon to keep Morrigan out of the way. As part of the alliance between vampires and wolves, hospitality was always expected to be offered and, since neither species are the biggest fan of humans, they have more sturdy of a relationship. Mainly, it's just awkward between them but Alpha Johanna had extended an invitation for Morrigan to stay with the pack. She had told them that she was looking for some more places to put blood banks which had shut the wolves up and they'd been pleased she accepted the invite. 

"I guess not... not completely," she admitted. "I only ever really think about my coven so anything else kinda gets chucked outta window." 

Gideon didn't quite know where to take her, however, to try and keep her out of the way since her presence with the hostile wolves would only make things worse. He had explained that most wolves had gotten over their hostility towards current vampires because the two sets of people had always been hospitable to each other; whenever the alpha and matriarch leader had met together, they had only agreed on the bloodshed horrors of the past. Not everyone in the packs agreed that peace was the best option and were cast off for being too violent. The mirror reverse occurred in the covens around the world. And yet, despite how much the alphas and coven leaders strove for peace, stiffness was still present. 

So it's just the two of them here, sitting together. Two people, a vampire and a werewolf, who have nothing in common and yet spoke to each other.