Part 2/Chapter 2 of the Arranged Marriage series "Forced Happiness", CronKri fic! Here we go! :3


"ARE YOU SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING?" Karkat asked his brother as the two walked out to the docks, where the transport for Kankri was arriving. Only he would be going today, and the person who would meet him there would be his...Betrothed...

As was the old tradition, so the two could form a bond in trying to understand the other's home.

But, then again, there was a reason these traditions were over-looked for so long...

"N9, Kankri, st9p. Y9u can't think that. This is f9r the 6est." Kankri reminded himself in his mind, before looking back to his younger brother. "Yes, I d9 Karkat, d9 n9t w9rry."

"ALRIGHT...I..IT'S JUST...YOU'LL BE ON THAT GOG-DAMN SHIP FOR A FEW DAYS SO...UH..." Karkat's grey eyes looked at the sand that sunk around their feet as they continued their march on. "...JUST...BE CAREFUL."

"...I will, thank y9u th9ugh, f9r y9ur c9ncern."

"AND FOR GOG'S SAKE TRY AND BE A BIT MORE OPEN, ALRIGHT?" Aaaand the guard was back to his regular self. "A MARRIAGE IS MEANT TO BE OPEN, SO YOU BETTER ENJOY IT THE BEST YOU CAN."

"...I kn9w."

Finally they reached the dock, which normally served as a trading station between their kingdom between the others. The red-painted concrete and wood was a bit worn away from the sea water, yet that they didn't pay them any much attention to.

What did though was their people.

Karkat and Kankri both nodded at their kingdom's men and woman on the docks, who saluted and watched them with their loving and awe-struck gazes. It wasn't often for either of the two boys, especially Kankri, to come out of their palace.

Normally the elder was busy reading the ancient tomes of the previous generations to venture outside the walls. Karkat at least would come out and visit with the kingdom's children, and even speak with a few shop owners to see if there were any disturbances he would have to report to his father.

Once they got to the end of the dock they noticed Kankri's transport.

A rather regal looking black boarded ship, purple metal adorning it's exterior with it's bridge drew down. Their father descended, the king had gone in to speak with the ship's captain.

"Kankri, they are ready f9r y9u."

"Very well." Yet before the eldest son could take the first step, his brother did the unthinkable. Karkat reached out and hugged Kankri.

They both had problems with physical contact; the triggering aspects to Kankri, and the fact that...Well, Karkat wasn't the most touchy of people...

But this was a small exception though.

...Slowly Kankri patted his brother's shoulder in return, before they quickly parted once more. With a final nod to one another, Kankri turned to their father, who placed his hands on his shoulder.

"I c9mmend y9u f9r d9ing this, my s9n. I kn9w it will n9t 6e the easiest...Marriage is never the easiest." He had room to say this. The Signless was truthfully engaged to the Disciple of the Queendom of Leo...But due to their duties, they must stay with their own people.

That wasn't to say they didn't meet every once in a while, it was just that these meetings were often scarce and few.

Between Kankri and his fiance though, it may have to be different...

It may mean that one would have to move into the other's kingdom..

"Thank y9u, Father...6ut I shall handle this 9n my 9wn, and I will keep a level-head." Kankri's political and royal side went up now, this was his "shell". His facade he would put up for his people, his kingdom...Even his family at times.

Signless gave his son a stiff nod, only to pull him into a hug, and affectionately kiss his forehead. Leaning back though he began to fix up Kankri's hair and attire. "Make sure t9 eat health, d9n't talk t9 any strangers 6eside y9ur new family, an-9h, make sure t9 eat right. I pray t9 g9g that y9u d9n't get sick."

Aaaaand there was the motherly aspect of their father.

"I will 6e fine Father."

"Your Majesties." A guard from aboard Kankri's vessel caught the Vantas mens' attention. Like all the Aquarius guards he wore purple and gold armor that was light weight, a shield with their emblem on it, a saber, and finally a small hand-held gun. "The ship is ready for departure."

"Just a m9ment, please." The eldest son turned back to his family, and bowed before them. "I will 6e 9ff then."

"Take care, Kankri."

"YEAH...AND TRY NOT TO BECOME A DICK LIKE THEM, ALRIGHT?"

"KARKAT!" Kankri and Signless both exclaimed to the youngest, who gave a small smile.

"I WAS JUST KIDDING..." Though then his tone quieted to a mumble. "well..maybe not so much..."

"Anyway...Good6ye." Kankri then walked across the drawbridge and onto the ship, which drew back the plank that rested on the dock.

In a matter of fleeting moments the Cancerian Prince waved to his family as the vessel moved into the dark waters that began the ocean of Aquarius.

"My Liege." Of course the guard was probably forced to call him that, considering he may be the next co-ruler of their kingdom. "Your room has been prepared, and has your belongings already inside."

"Thank y9u." The only Vantas male in the ship followed the guard to a medium sized room that had a small hammock bed, a port-side window, and the few leather cases that were Kankri's belongings. The room itself was about two levels beneath the deck, so it didn't get too much sound from the crew up above.

"I am...Sorry that this is all our ship can offer.."

"There is n9 need f9r ap9l9gy." The male behind him was shocked. Had they given this room to Emperor Dualscar or his sons, and he would have been thrown overboard...But, then again, this was a man from the Kingdom of Cancer... "It fits my needs, and I shall make due with it. Thank y9u th9ugh, f9r all9wing me passage 9n this vessel."

Kankri, in all honesty, was holding back all his triggers and rants...No use in having the future guards that will protect you, hate you, right? Besides, it would be far more triggering to upset them for his stay, than if he complained about the temporary living conditions.

"Uhm...Alright, thank you Sire...Arivwal time'll be in a fewv hours."

"Thank y9u." The Aquarius accent was still new to him, but he would have to deal with it...It would be the voice of his husband, after all..

The guard dismissed himself and closed the door, leaving Kankri alone in his room as the sea swayed beneath his feet.

It was here that he realized it.

His freedom was dwindling, wasn't it?

That which he took advantage of to read all those books in his Kingdom's library...Perhaps this was revenge for all those times he would make fun of Karkat when they were younger, telling him that he was waiting his life in trying to become a Guard instead of a Royal...

But it didn't matter now, did it?

His husband was awaiting him in the Palace that floated above the Sea, in his new kingdom...

This was for the best Kankri had to remind himself...

This was for the best.


Cronus grumbled as he sat on his bed, arms crossed while glaring at the window across from him. This wasn't fair. None of this was fair. But then again, when was it ever fair for him?

First he got born in the most stuck-up kingdom as one of the "special" royalty. Ergo, no free will to him.

Then Eridan came along just to fix up all his failures.

He was forced in and out of the damn navy as "tradition", but he could never stay in. He didn't want to stay in it...

His life was filled with disasters, and this marriage would be yet another one.

A small sigh escaped his lips.

Okay, so...Maybe he was just being a bit over-dramatic.

At the least he could be a bit nicer to Eridan in this list, his brother was his best friend here.

Besides, it wasn't like their kingdom was really friends with any other besides the Peixes. Yet Meenah hated his guts, and Feferi was always too busy with others to try and hang about with them.

knock knock knock

"Hey Cro...?"

"...Come on in, Kid." Cronus called out to his younger brother, who opened the door and stepped in...Only to give a disapproving look to the taller male.

"Wwhy aren't you dressed?"

"I am dressed!"

"In your royal attire, Cro..! You're meetin' your fiance and stuff so.." Upon seeing Cronus' blank expression, Eridan sighed before going over to his brother's closet. "Honestly, wwhat wwould you do wwithout me?"

"Havwe more fun..?"

"Get your ass kicked is more like it..."

"Oh you're one ta talk Shrimp!"

"Oh really? Wwho wwas the one to get into a fist fight wwith Meenah?"

"Wvhen wvas the last time I-"

"Last wweek." Oh yeaaaaah...That did happen...

"...Okay so I get into a fewv-"

"Oh, or wwho got inta trouble wwith most of the captains of our Battleships?"

"I thought the map wvas for the game..!"

"Cro, you almost sunk our entire fleet!"

"Wvhat's the point you're trying ta provwe Eridan?" Cronus was honestly fed up with all of this.

"Just...Try ta make this wwork, alright..?" Eridan finally stepped out with his brother's proper attire in hand, one that reminded them both of their father.

It was black leather jacket and sleek matching pants with purple accents on it's front along the seats and the pockets. The lapels and the sown-in insignia of their kingdom was all that was gold though.

"...For you kid...Shore, I'll try."

"And betides, wwho knowws, you may just like this guy."

"Shore, and maybe Feferi wvill givwe ya the time of day." His reply was having his suit thrown over his head as his younger brother stepped out.

"Belloww the belt Cro...Wway belloww the belt."

It didn't take him long to put on his suit, and once he did, he heard a knock on the door. "Cronus, are you ready boy? The Prince from the Kingdom of Cancer is finally here."

"Yeah Dad, I'm ready."

"Good, then come on."

A slight wave of panic ran through the Ampora teen as he realized what his father had just said...So, his Fiance was finally here, huh?

Well...Alright.

Just gotta play it cool, just like those suave "greasers" in the movies that the Kingdom of Taurus make...Yeah, yeah!

That boy better look out, 'cause here comes Cronus Ampora.


"Wvwhere did my confidence go?" The Ampora prince asked himself as his feet stayed planted on his ships' deck, not being able to step on the draw bridge to the vessel that carried his...Betrothed.

"Wwell...?"

"..Wvell wvhat Shrimp?"

"Aren't you gonna...You knoww, get him?" Dualscar just stood behind his two sons, not saying a word. Let's see if Cronus would actually do it.

True the Father had never been too proud of his eldest's actions, and he did often push him...But that seemed to be the only way his thick-headed boy would react.

"I uh...You..Shore I'm supposed ta do this?"

"Yes." The Emperor finally spoke up, looking down at the two other boys who shared his blood. "Nowv go in there, and get him. Introduce yourself, and most importantly, be nice."

"'Aaaay, nowv wvhen ain't I nice?"

"And use correct language Cro."

"...Alright, fine." The Fiance finally stepped aboard the drawbridge while Eridan and Dualscar shared a look. Dear cod, please don't make Cronus screw this up.


Here he was, standing right outside the door his soon-to-be Husband was staying in...Maybe he should just go back..

"Sire?" a guard snapped Cronus out of his thoughts, making the Ampora look at him. "Uhm..No one has told Prince Kankri of our arivval.."

"...'Kay, I'll take it from here."

The soldier gave a salute before marching off somewhere else, a bit disturbed by his Majesty's lack of regal or royal awareness...But he quickly brushed it off, he had no right in saying such words.

Back to the royal Prince, he stared at the wooden slate that was between him and a room...

Slowly he held out his hand, brushing the cold brass of the doorknob as his heart went into his throat. Was this how everyone felt? Meeting their fiance for the first time in these sorta things?

Dear cod he hoped not, this was awful.

With a quick shake of the head Cronus opened the door and entered, taking note of the rather dull room...Huh, this looked really lame...

"Hmmm.." The Ampora froze at the small hum and turned slowly towards the hammock, where a lump was hidden beneath a sheet.

Should he wake him up? Or would that be too rude?

The Prince tip-toed over to the resting unit and carefully lifted up the blanket's edge, folding it to where he could take in the other male's appearance.

To say his heart stopped would have been pretty accurate.

This had to have been the first time he had seen this guy, 'cause he would have remembered him.

The way his dark curls rested against his eyelids, or how his dark lips were lightly parted to breath while his body was in rest.

Speaking of his body.

Cronus felt his eyes roam over his Fiance's form several times, taking it all in. How although his torso and arms were a bit on the scrawny side, his waist and hips...Oh dear heavens.

True from this angle he couldn't properly see the other male's "hot buns", as most of the females who had visited the Kingdom of Cancer would say.

Was the small rumor true, that his fiance had the ass of his Father? Nice and plump and-...Was he really thinking about his Fiance's Father right now?

With a shutter the Ampora teen snapped out of his haze, and slowly leaned over to get a closer look at his soon-to-be Husband.

Yet just as he got in range, he noticed movement and stayed as still as he could in hopes the boy would keep his eyes clo-

Red irises soon opened behind the tanned skin, blinking away the sleep that had been in them...Before the pupils themselves focused on Cronus and how close he was.

Hell, if they breathed just a bit harder, they could have felt the other's breathes...

"Wvell hey there Chie-" A started 'SKREEEE' came from somewhere in the room, before the familiar sting of getting slapped in the face met Cronus.

Oh yeah, this was gonna be fun...


And thus is Chapter two! "Meeting Him"...Yeah, I figured that would be a pretty nice way to wrap it up. So, I hope to publish the new chapter soon. I'll see you all then!