AN: Yes, here we have some definite lemon. If you don't want to read it, it's not essential to the story, and you can be on your way upon reaching it. It should be fairly obvious when it's going to start. You have been warned.

With the help of the combined efforts Candace, Luna, and Shelly, Akari managed to obtain a rather stunning wedding dress. She had toiled all day in the mines, her reward being a perfect piece of Topaz, which she had fashioned into a ring that would match her new husband's right eye. Having also confided her nuptial plans with Selena, she left the island for the afternoon on the third day, returning with several new sets of intimate apparel. She had expressed her desire for a private ceremony to all who she asked for help, promising a public reception at a later date. By the time that her wedding day came, Akari felt thoroughly anxious, but confident that she had all the pieces that she needed. The wait was becoming torturous. Selena helped her pass some of the time by applying makeup and gossiping, but even that could not speed the arduous crawl of the hour hand.

There was so much mystery about what would happen this night. What kind of ceremony did the Wizard have in mind? And what about what would happen after the wedding? Akari felt her blood run cold. She had never had sex before, and despite what she may tell anyone else, the entire idea frightened her as much as it excited her. Would it hurt? What if she was no good? What kind of lover was the Wizard? Every time she managed to chase away one of these intrusive questions, three more surfaced.

As the evening neared, Akari thanked Selena for her time and sought a quiet place to change clothes. She did not want to be seen out walking in a wedding dress, as she did not have the time to explain herself. After a moment's consideration, she returned to the tailor shop. Candace and Luna were perfectly happy to help her into the dress and to make fussy adjustments where they saw fit. Akari assured them that she was somewhat pressed for time and managed to slip away with ten minutes to spare, arriving at the church at precisely 18:00. She took a deep breath and pulled the door open.

The Wizard was standing near the altar, serenely observing the scenery. At the sound of the door opening, he turned to face her. He smiled, offering her his hand. Akari slowly made her way up to where he stood, taking his hand. He held it gently, bringing it up near his heart.

"I shall be by your side, always. Faithfully."

"And I shall be by your side, always." Akari swallowed loudly, "Faithfully."

The Wizard grinned widely, "This ritual pleases me." he reached into his cloak, producing a beautifully crafted ring with an ornate red gem set in the middle, sliding it gently onto her ring finger. "It's garnet… It suits you."

Akari retrieved the ring that she had chosen for him. "It compliments your eye." She blushed. She slid it onto his ring finger, both of them admiring it for a moment.

The Wizard took her gently by the shoulders, pulling her close and placing a firm, burning kiss upon her lips. His grip on her tightened slightly, and the kiss was deepened immensely. The both of them came up breathless some time later.

"Shall we… Go home?" Akari asked, a furious blush upon her face. The Wizard, also blushing, nodded silently. The two of them made their way, faces glowing, through the town, which was mercifully deserted. Once they reached the path leading to the farmland, Akari began to grow nervous again. This was it. What now? In no time at all, Akari approaching the door to her house.

"Akari…" the Wizard said, causing her to turn around. Without warning, he caught her up in his arms, carrying her as easily as if she was a child. Instinctively, she clung to him, bewildered. "This is customary, is it not?"

"Yes." Akari laughed as the door opened on its own accord. Undoubtedly, the Wizard had taken advantage of some kind of spell. He set her down on the bed, retreating several steps hastily. Akari sat, unsure of what to do next.

"I…" The Wizard paused, looking flustered, "Listen… If you do not want children right away… I, uh… I made this for you…" he fished around in his cloak for a moment before producing a plain-looking red bracelet. "It will prevent you from… getting pregnant." He handed it to her, and she immediately put it on. The Wizard smiled, "Yes… I thought that might be the case."

Akari took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Sorry about all this. I'm just so nervous."

"It's okay, Akari. There is no need to rush." He told her patiently, once again admiring the ring on his finger. "Now we shall reside with each other in harmony. Oh, my name…" His eyes widened and Akari's heart skipped a beat, "Call me Gale."

"Gale." Akari repeated, some of her tension easing. He smiled encouragingly at her.

"Akari… I love you."

"Gale… I love you too." Akari said, catching him in her arms and holding him to her. Something inside her clicked, and she suddenly felt so warm, so much more at-ease, that she shook her unease away, at least for the moment. "Gale, I can't reach the zipper on this dress… If you would be so kind." Gale swallowed, nodding. He circled behind her, easing the zipper downward, his hands shaking slightly, until the zipper stopped at the small of her back. That done, he dutifully took her gloves, which she had already removed, and laid them carefully on the table. After taking a moment to steady herself, Akari let the gown slide down her body, leaving her clad only in a lacy lingerie set. Gale's blush threatened to overtake him, but he managed to undo the buckle that held his cloak, as well as kick off his shoes. The cloak fell, liquid, in a pool next to the wedding gown, his shoes landing haphazardly on the other side of the room. Akari's eyes followed his fingers as he struggled out of his shirt and undid the tie on his pants. After a moment's hesitation, he let his trousers fall to the ground as well, leaving only boxers. Akari gestured for him to join her on the bed, an invitation that he accepted, his breathing heavy.

Gale pulled her close, and she felt a wildly erratic heartbeat within his chest. It somehow comforted her to know that he was also nervous. He panted, placing a trail of kisses along her neck, warm breath hitting the resulting damp patches only amplifying the experience.

"Akari, you are so beautiful…" he whispered, returning to look her in the eye before bending her into an intense kiss. He guided her into a relaxed position, confirming that her head was rested on a pillow and that her body looked comfortable. He reached his hands under her shoulders, fiddling for a moment with the clasp on her bra before outsmarting the hook and eye. With a small smirk of triumph on his face, he removed the garment. Akari's heart took up residence somewhere around her throat and she swallowed again out of nerves. Gale reached out a hand, running it downward slowly starting from her shoulder. He traced a warm path down her arm, continuing onward to knead her breast. He then let his fingers dance from her chest to her hips, massaging gently. Akari, not wanting to seem greedy, reached between their bodies. Gales eyes widened as her fingers tugged at the top of his boxers, but he did not protest. Akari coaxed the fabric off of his body, still flushing deeply. Determinedly, she took him in her had, in awe at how soft the skin was, and how firm he had already become. Gale let out a soft moan, which appeared to embarrass him. Akari grinned, feeling powerful and a little bit reckless. Gale's eye narrowed, but did not close completely as Akari stroked him, his breaths ragged and desperate. Akari received a shock of her own when she felt her undergarments being tugged off of her hips. His touch was gentle, but firm and Akari nearly bucked her hips when his hand worked its way between her legs.

"Oh my…" she moaned, her eyes squeezing shut. They continued in this manner for an unknown length of time, and the temperature of their bodies became significant. As the two of them became more comfortable, Gale at last made his move.

"Akari… I wish to become one with you. I will try my best not to hurt you…" his words came much more quickly than normal, his face flushed from lust, "Are you ready?"

"Yes… I am." Akari told him, pulling him into another kiss. And although it was indeed somewhat painful and awkward at first, by the end, Gale had Akari gripping the blankets for dear life. Their eventual release took her by surprise, so powerful that Akari felt as though the world around them had burst, replaced by perfect waves of pleasure. When she regained her senses, Gale lay, collapsed, on the pillow next to her. He was smiling, his eyes soft.

"Akari." He caressed her cheek, speaking in a whisper, "I love you."

"I love you too, Gale." Gale pulled the covers over the both of them, sighing deeply.