A/N: I don't own Saracen, Dexter, Ghastly, Skulduggery, Tanith or Valkyrie. Thanks go out to China Sorrows 400, HappyGuest, JellyfishSisters for the positive reviews and I mean that. Also to The-empty-masquerade, LionsandTrolls, Hellsgun EmmortalDead, GhostlyBespook and BethShadows for the faves. And again to The-empty-masquerade for the follow. Being pan myself I can't put into words how much the support means to me, so how about a second chapter instead?
Saracen looked towards the couple awaiting the group in the café and grinned. Holding hands with their own rings on display, Skulduggery and Ghastly looked amused to see the surprise and delight on their friends' faces. The men rose to greet their friends and hugs and congratulations were exchanged and tables were drawn together then Saracen snagged Valkyrie to help him with drink and dessert orders.
Valkyrie cocked an eyebrow at him. "Only going to give you this lecture once, Val. Don't be like me. The me I used to be. I know Dex is the one and I won't stray."
"I won't. Tanith's no better and we've had this talk. We've both found the right one and if I ever do stray they'll never find my body." She shrugged happily and the pair laughed. They got the drinks and desserts ordered, and the cafe owner, both a mage himself and having a discrete sticker in the front window told the pair to be seated and that the food and drinks would be brought to them.
He also refused payment and when Saracen tried to argue the man shook his head. "Look, in a perfect world we'd have the same as them. This is as close to a wedding reception as you'll ever have so let me treat you, all right?" Saracen nodded, his eyes threatening to mist over. He knew what the man meant.
Although marriage was a huge step forward it meant that a handful of very disturbed and hateful people now saw all the more reason to make trouble. So even with the celebrations he knew they could expect some rough roads ahead. Saracen shoved the thoughts aside and murmured his thanks then returned to the table with Valkyrie. Dex gave him a worried look and Saracen banished his troubled thoughts immediately. The future could take care of itself.
Now he was with the man he loved, the man he wondered how it had taken him forever to notice and he took Dex's hand in his reassuringly. "We're being given our reception on the house." He said, raising his voice slightly so the rest of the table could hear him and their friends all looked touched.
Dex smiled at him. "Charmed the owner into that, did we?" He teased and Saracen felt himself blush. "Old habits die hard, hm?" The man was practically purring and Saracen felt the blush grow. Dex loved teasing him, and Saracen loved being teased. Mainly because most people fell for Saracen's charm and good looks and although Dex loved him for both Dex was also the one man on the planet who knew that for Saracen he was the charming one.
Dex shifted in his seat slightly and looked at Saracen, a serious look coming over his handsome features. "You know, Saracen, this changes things." He said solemnly and Saracen gave him a puzzled smile. "Being married. Most of the Dead Men married to one another, come to think of it." His lips twitched slightly. "The next thing you know it will be a requirement."
The table laughed and Saracen was delighted. Dex had figured out how to get past his ability to just know things. And it thrilled Saracen because he needed that too. He needed someone by his side that could remain a mystery to him and be hidden. And as he looked into Dex's fond gaze he got a hint of just how long Dex had had that ability, how many missions they'd been on and Dex had never said a word.
Saracen felt a lump in his throat, and Dex squeezed his hand comfortingly. "Now you know." He said softly. "And now you know why you never noticed me. It was my gift to you. I loved you so much that I wanted a normal life for you."
"I do have a normal life." Saracen said, his eyes misting up. "I have you." And although he wasn't a huge fan of public displays of affection, Saracen leaned in and kissed Dex softly, reveling in the fact that they were together at last.
Kittens just appeared on my desk! They always show up when I write anything fluffy. They are having a party, I swear, a tiny kitten-sized party with rainbow flags and glitter!