Work Text:
When Relena Darlian, formerly Princess Relena Peacecraft of the Sanc Kingdom and Queen Relena of the United Earth Sphere Unified Nation, Vice Foreign Minister of the United Earth Sphere Federation publicly announced her engagement to her long-term boyfriend, it was an immediate reaction of shock, surprise and excitement that emanated across the entire Earth and its colonies.
The world of course knew that she had been dating the tall, quiet man that she was almost constantly seen at lunch and dinner dates around Brussels and some other cities. At first, the young man was mistaken by many that he had solely been a bodyguard, though it wasn't really too far from the truth. But when video footage emerged of the Vice Foreign Minister in a tousle with several attempted kidnappers, downing two men easily with some rather fancy footwork while a third was practically regretting his decision to cross the former princess, even as his remaining colleagues were themselves struggling to escape the vengeful wrath of the brown-haired, blue-eyed man who never let his girlfriend leave his sight. For all the talk she was an absolute pacifist as from her days as the Peacecraft princess and later Queen of the World, it was clear from this incident that her vocal advocacy of the well-funded local police forces across the world and on the colonies meant she'd put that attitude long behind her in favour of pacifism within reason. It was clear that Relena could look after herself in a fight and her boyfriend-turned-fiancé was aware of that, only stepping in if the danger was more.
Few knew of who he was. He was a very quiet, broody and private individual that would rarely speak unless he absolutely needed to and had a rather blunt way of talking when he did. Relena clearly found it endearing since she rarely told him off when she was present for these encounters. His name, Heero Yuy, led to speculation he was related to the original holder from not quite thirty years before and whether or not he was related to the famous colonial advocate who died not five years before this young man was born. What he did was even less certain, but the media knew better than to ask. He was clearly not interested in public life but endured it for the sake of his girlfriend, taking it rather well in the presence of a select few when he did.
Nevertheless, despite the mystery surrounding her partner, words of congratulations and positive thoughts for the Vice Foreign Minister were thick and heavy and she in turn took it with a real smile and thanks in return. Everywhere she went on Earth and in the colonies, Relena was greeted with cheers and open arms. She may only be a simple politician now, but she was still popular with everyone. Weathering the crises of her early years and holding her own against the likes of power men such as Duke Dermail, Treize Kushrenada, her brother Milliardo Peacecraft and Dekim Barton had created an image that she took in stride and morphed into its own.
For all the talk of a large wedding with many guests of all walks of life, however, it was only going to be a small affair with a few friends and Relena's mother, owing to the groom having no family that no one was aware of. Many were disappointed but all understood that it was best not to overwhelm her other half, respecting their privacy and wishing the best for the happy couple.
As to the individuals invited, speculation ran high, but few knew who were invited.
*
It was a private chapel in the L1 Colony Cluster that played host, a quiet and out-of-the-way little building which the old man who served as its minister was friendly and agreeable to the wishes of the couple. He'd experienced the Earth Sphere Alliance's brutality and the White Fang's extremism firsthand so enjoyed the peace and prosperity of the past six years enough that he was ever so grateful to both the couple who help create it.
How he knew Heero was one of the five Gundam pilots was a mystery as well as the fact he had a copy of the original birth certificate for the former child soldier which proved helpful. But he clearly had a passed association with Heero's mentors Odin Lowe and Doctor J that was not considered a positive one, only mutual. He also seemed to have known more about the origins of the nameless orphan who took a code name and made it his own but wasn’t planning to share.
"Maybe one day I will tell you, young Heero," the old man said with a wink. "But for now, you should just be happy with your new wife and the family you created."
Said family was present in the chapel as well, both quiet and loud as they wished to be. None were really blood related but that hardly mattered. Relena was smiling and even Heero had managed to muster up a cheerful grin as the ceremony began.
Duo had been his first man, much to the American L2 colonist's insistence. It may be a small wedding but there were some traditions that should not be wasted. Heero hadn't even argued about it, knowing full well it was useless to when it came to his so-called buddy. At least he was kind enough not to do all the traditions such as the stripper at the bachelor party or the customary hangovers. All of the Gundam pilots were t-totallers anyway and were not ones to gaze at underdressed ladies, particularly if Duo himself expected not to sleep in a doghouse for months on end.
Hilde herself was also present, sitting in the front row next to Relena's mother. The former OZ recruit who had worked to get the plans of the battleship Libra to the Gundam pilots in the closing days of the Eve Wars had made close friends with Relena over the years, the shorter young woman's bravery not forgotten by her or the others over the years that she fitted in well enough with them. Plus, there was the way she and Duo had come together both as business partners in their clean-up and salvaging business then as boyfriend and girlfriend. No one would be surprised if they were next down the aisle.
Trowa came with his sister Catherine. Their performing troupe were doing permanent shows in the L3 Colony Cluster, which had undergone a much needed economic and financial boom since Dekim Barton's death and his company's disillusion six years ago and was finally prospering, and the siblings were granted time off in the brief off-season to attend the former's friend's wedding. The discovery of their true blood relation five years ago had long worn away though since Catherine had been treating Trowa like her brother in the months and years it made little difference to either and while she didn't particularly like his friends due to their past as Gundam pilots, she was nevertheless welcoming whenever one of them came to see her long-lost sibling at their travelling home.
Beside Trowa was Quatre, who had come with one of his sisters, who was Relena's colleague within the L4 Colony Cluster, Sayeda. None were surprised that he'd chosen to sit with the taller, green-eyed circus performer, owing to the close partnership that had gone on between them since they'd met all those years ago. Their bond led many to wonder how close they were, even their closest friends, but they both kept it private. The platinum blond who believed in the so-called Heart of Outer Space and that it resided in Heero clearly preferred the company of his friends despite his position as head of a company. But since he was very hands-on when it came to Winner Corporation's front-line projects on Earth and in the colonies, the real power laid in his and Sayeda's eldest sister Faya who had been technically running things for years while their father Zayeed was dealing with the political and military mess in the time leading up to his death.
Wufei was also present, accompanied by his partner Sally Po. Both were nominally there to serve as security as their roles as Preventer agents, but they were also there as friends. The Chinese ex-Gundam pilot had initially been the hardest to reach out of all of five of them but since finding purpose in his current job had made him more open towards the other four. Each of them was aware of where most of his attitude came from these days along with the reasons behind it. His arranged marriage at a young age that ended in tragedy had pretty much painted the world for him in black and white, divided by male and female. It had taken until his experiences during Operation: Meteor, the Eve Wars and then siding with the Bartons a year later for him to finally find purpose again. Sure, he thought Heero was an idiot for marrying Relena, but he nevertheless was very happy for him.
"Out of all of us, Heero," he'd said when they'd greeted each other. "You deserve the most right to be happy."
Heero gave a light chuckle. "What are we weary soldiers but only people, right, Wufei?" he asked.
A tug formed at the other's lips. "I see you've taken up philosophy in your spare time, Yuy," black eyes showing more than his face. "I like that."
Zechs and Noin were also in low-key attendance, having just arrived from Mars orbital this morning. The years away from Earth had done Relena's brother some good, as did his own wife, who was two months pregnant with twins at the moment.
"There was no way we were going to miss your wedding," the tall blond man, now no longer the long waist length it had been years ago though the bangs remained the same, said to sister when he and Noin arrived by surprise. "Not for the world."
Relena could only smile and kiss her brother's forehead when he leaned down.
Heero only just nodded towards his soon-to-be brother- and sister-in-law, which was returning warmly. That was enough for them.
Out of all the guests present, none were more surprised to be there than Lady Une and her adopted daughter Mariemaia. But the others weren't. Une had been a major thorn in the Gundam pilots' side for a while during Operation: Meteor and somewhat aftermath, she had still became an ally over the years and Trowa, who had served as her aide during the time he infiltrated OZ some years back, was still passing on anything through the Preventers network in L3 that went directly to her office. As to Mariemaia, the former figurehead of her grandfather Dekim Barton's plans, had largely stayed in the background having an obscure, normal life that barely crossed paths with Relena and Heero in the past five years. But the couple had played such a major role in shaping her new life as well as Heero's, it was only fitting she get to see them come together as husband and wife.
"Do you, Heero Yuy," the old priest started. "Take Relena Darlian to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Heero nodded. "I do," he answered.
"Do you, Relena Darlian, take Heero Yuy to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Relena replied with a grin.
"Then by the grace of God and all those present," the priest said, a smile on his aged face. "I now pronounce you man and wife," the smile widened as he looked at Heero. "You may now kiss the bride."
Heero leaned down and Relena's lips sealed against his own. The love he felt for her poured through the connection even as her's for him passed into the other. The whoops and cheers from those present were loud but loving. Duo was doing the whopping. Hilde, Catherine, Sayeda, Sally, Noin and Mariemaia cheered. Trowa, Quatre, Wufei, Une, Zechs clapped, broad happy smiles on their faces. Mareen was crying tears of joy but nonetheless smiling at her daughter and new son-in-law. The kiss ended and the pair turned, both sharing smiles as they looked at their friends.
Their family.
It was truly a wonderful time.
The boy soldier turned husband.
The princess turned wife.
They had left their pasts behind, and the future was so bright.
And they weren't going to do it alone.