When Hearth and Blitz were sending out invitations, they didn't expect any of the elves to come. It wasn't that heartbreaking to either of them, they both were just being realistic. Even so, Hearth had addressed the invitations to his grandparents, his cousin Marcus, his Aunt Jody, everyone you would invite to a normal elf wedding. It was when Hearth was addressing the invitation to his parents, he started to cry. Now, for starters, Hearth doesn't cry. Hearth hated the tears that fell across his and Blitz's kitchen table. As soon as Hearth realized that he was in fact crying, he stopped instantly and wiped his tears. Hearth finished addressing the red envelopes and started to place stamps on them. Little did her know that Blitz had seen the whole thing.

Blitz really didn't want to bring up what he had seen. But, he needed to know if Hearth really wanted his parents there or if he was doing it out of kindness.

"Hearth," Blitz started. Blitz was sitting on the couch in their shared apartment above Blitz's shop. Hearth, the cute little button he is, had his head in Blitz's lap. Hearth was reading a wedding magazine that Blitz had picked up. Hearth was tucked into his leather jacket, so engrossed in his book that he didn't notice Blitz try to move to get his attention. "Hearthstone," Blitz tried again, slightly tapping the other man's shoulder. Hearth placed the magizine on his chest, and looked up at Blitz. Hearth could see the worried look on Blitzen's face; Blitz also started to play with Hearth's hair, a sure sign he was distressed.

What is it? Hearth signed. Before Blitz could ask, Hearth sat up and turned to face him. Blitz looked down, he was trying to find a way to approach this topic, gently. Before Blitz could figure that out Hearth had his hand one Blitz's shoulder, with the other hand Hearth made a 'y' shape and put it to his chin. What's wrong?

"Nothing is wrong, Hearth," Blitz started, "its just…"

Just, what?

"When I came in today… I saw you… crying." Blitz didn't want to show his face to Hearth, he felt bad for bringing this up, but he needed to know if Hearth was alright.

Oh, that. Hearth wanted to wave it off, but knowing Blitz, that wasn't going to happen.

"It was your parents, wasn't it?" Blitz asked before Hearth could end this conversation.

Yeah, but Blitz, they aren't going to come. Gods know when I told them about you they hated me even more than they already did. I highly doubt that they are going to come to their Deaf son's gay wedding. Hearth's signs started to become sloppy as he thought about his parents. They were exactly how elves were. Perfectionists. Hearth was born deaf, it was a fact that his parents couldn't change. But even though he was deaf, it didn't change the fact that he knew every time they talked about him. They disregarded him during dinner conversations, they didn't allow Hearth to participate in school activities, like sports. In Midguard treating a child like that might have been considered abuse. Thats why after Hearth's brother died, Hearth ran from Alfheim, from his family. Hearth got lucky enough to find Blitz and the rest is history. It was after Blitz and Hearth settled in Boston that he wrote to his family members. Hearthstone didn't know why he wrote that letter, but it felt good to send it. He told his parents how happy he is, being deaf and having a boyfriend who loves him. He told his parents how he was learning magic from Odin himself, how he went on a quest with Magnus Chase and how and how and how. Hearth wrote to his parents about how much better his life was without them. Hearth tried not to feel guilty, about the letter, because he knew that his parents would disregard him, or better yet be surprised that he is still alive. Hearth's thoughts were spiraling downwards into a dark place when Blitz pull him back.

"Hearth?" Blitz was waving his hands. "Hearth, are you okay? I kinda lost you there."

Yeah, yeah I'm fine… just thinking is all.

"Hearth, you don't have to invite them to the wedding if you don't want to."

Its okay Blitz, Hearth used Blitz's name sign, it was the sign for clothes but with the letter 'b'. Hearth used one hand to sign Blitz and both of them to sign Blitzen. The letter 'b' shown outwards from Hearth's chest, and dragged down. I know that they won't come, and I wont be disappointed if they don't. I just want to send the invite to tell them that we are getting married. That's all.

"Are you sure?" Blitz asked cautiously. Blitz knew what kind of people Hearth's parents were, he didn't want them to come to the wedding and ruin it for Hearth.

Absolutely, Hearth signed. Now come on, lets go to bed.

Hearth got off the couch to go change into his pajamas. Hearth learned a spell (it's really more of a prank) that makes the inside of clothes give off sunlight. The prank was developed for a backwards sort of sunburn. The spell gave off no heat, and outside of the clothes it gave off no light. Hearth charmed his pajamas and crawled onto the left side of the bed, closest to the window. Blitz climbed in a moment later and was then snuggled into Hearth's arms. Blitz being the little spoon for obvious reasons.

It was before the wedding officially started, Hearth, as the groom, was greeting the friends and family sitting on both sides of the aisle making his way up towards the alter. The invite list was a few giants short of a mythology book; every species from gods to dwarfs sat in the fold out chairs the hotel had laid out a day prior. Magnus stood outside the doors of the ball room. He was wearing simple best man attire. He had a red rose pinned to his jacket and instead of a plain pocket square, Blitz had found one that matched Hearth's and Blitz's shirts. To finish the look, Magnus brushed his hair (with a brush and a comb, thank you very much) and had a red tie that matched Blitz's. Magnus was told that he had two jobs. Walk Sam down the aisle, and don't forget the rings. Magnus had tapped a note to his hand the night before the wedding so he wouldn't forget the rings. Walking Sam down the aisle was the easy part. Sam was wearing a very modest black dress. The dress was floor length and at the bottom the black faded into a white swirl that almost looked like fire when she ran. And out of the same material that Blitz had made his, Magnus's and Hearth's ties, Blitz made Samirah a beautiful red hijab.

Hearth was half way down the aisle when a couple stood and started walking towards him. The woman, who was wearing a blue floor length dress that was snug against her figure, had the same bleach blond hair that Hearth had possessed since he was born. Hearth saw her hair before he saw the woman. She approached the soon to be newly wed with her husband on her arm. The husband, wearing a black suit and blue tie that matched his wife's dress, was tall and authoritative. His head was held high, and the grey color in his eyes held judgment. Hearth (and the interpreter) had just finished a conversation with Blitz's cousin Petunia when he saw the couple.

"Hearthstone?" the woman inquired. Hearth was in shock, to say the least. So much so that the interpreter tapped on Hearth's shoulder to make sure he saw the couple. Standing before Hearth, for the first time in 7 years, was his parents. Hearth's brain stopped functioning. My parents are here? At my wedding? My gay wedding? My gay, deaf wedding? This was a problem that Hearth didn't expect to encounter.

Hi, mom, Hearth signed. Hearth paused for a moment with the sign for mother on his chin. He turned towards his father, where the two of them were at eye level. Dad, he signed. Not to be rude, but why are you here? the interpreter asked the question for Hearth.

"We," his father started to say, but his mother interrupted.

We wanted to celebrate your big day with you. His mothers hands were precise, a student's hands. She signed every word in her statement, going as far as finger spelling the word 'to'. Hearth was in aww of his mother.

We are so sorry Hearth. His father added in. Hearth tried to think of something to say. He waved his hands trying to fomulate the words to express his feelings. He decided to grab both of his parents into a hug. As soon as he pulled away from the embrace the interpreter was tapping his shoulder.

Hearth, the wedding is starting, you need to be in your place. Hearth understood and left to start heading towards the alter. He told his parents that he would talk to them after the ceremony. As the music started, Hearth watched the string quartet play. Blitz had told Hearth that the quartet was playing It's Time, by Imagine Dragons. The lack of vocals made the piece a beautiful wedding march. (though Hearth didn't know that). The old oak doors were opened and the first person to be seen was Magnus. He held Samirah on his arm and was walking just as he was instructed the day before at the rehearsal. Sam was holding a small bouquet of red roses her black dress dragged against the ground in the most beautiful way. As Magnus reached the steps to the alter, he and Sam went their separate ways. Magnus took his place next to Hearth and placed his hands in front of his abdomen. One hand grasping the other wrist. The doors opened again, Hearth saw the quartet flip their music and, he assumed, started to play Here Comes the Bride.

Blitz was the most handsome Groom that Hearth had ever seen. Blitz's white coat stood out against the black detail of his shirt. There were hints of shine woven in the fabric of his jacket that made the coat sparkle in the well lit ball room. Blitz's beard was neatly trimmed and his hair was slicked back. He was holding his own bouquet of roses, slightly larger than Sam's. As Blitz took his time walking to the steps of the alter, Hearth had time to stare at his future husband. Blitz approached the steps and Hearth stepped down to greet him. Samirah took Blitz's flowers and stayed in her spot as maid of honor. Together, Blitzen and Hearthstone walked up the white steps towards Freya, and towards their new life together.

It was then that Hearth understood why you stand at the alter for a wedding. Because marriage is going to alter your life forever, in the best way possible.

Hearth took Blitz's hands in his. Both men look towards the love goddess who started to greet the assembly.

"We are gathered here today for the union of Blitzen and Hearthstone."