Sooo this happened. I was talking with Eris and Kirin!Maka grabbed me and I HAD TO WRITE THIS. So I did. Kirin!Maka and always-a-dragon!Soul.

She is golden and regal as she enters, chin held just so and her velvet antlers adorned with jewels like dew drops and pale flowers. Yards of fabric trail after her in an elegant procession, a gold so pale it looks as though the seamstresses have woven sunlight into the silk itself. His own formal attire is darker, shades of silver and blacks framing him, and intricate embroidery detailing the lines of his coat.

He hasn't known her long, and he does not love her yet, does not know if he will, but he hopes. This arranged marriage to the ambassador from lands to the East, a strange and beautiful creature caught between a dragon and a unicorn, is only for politics. It is the first time a dragon has not taken a partner out of nothing but love. The quiet crowds stir as she draws closer to where he stands by the lake.

They are alone at the water's edge and she stumbles on the smooth river stones as she reaches him. His hands quickly steady her and cover the slip as though he had meant to reach for her all along. The silk of her outermost dress hides how his hands shake. This is only the second time he has ever touched her.

There is fear and uncertainty in her green eyes, and he knows she can see the same in his own. The Western mountain dragons watch, hundreds of jewel toned eyes waiting to see how such an unorthodox ceremony will unfold. She does not flinch under his red gaze.

His lips are dry when he speaks, loud enough for only her to hear, "My Lady Maka, I vow to cherish you and I hope to one day love you if you will allow it."

Her mouth part in surprise, but slowly she smiles. "I had not expected you to hope to love me." She says just as quietly, "May our union bring peace and prosperity to our people and happiness to us."

Soul gently leans his forehead against hers, and they share a soft sigh. It is done.

Her hand rests on his palm gently as they walk away from the water and through the crowd of cheering dragons. Soul easily spots his older brother whooping and laughing, but it is not that that gives him courage; it's the gentle way Maka's thumb brushes across his own. They lead the crowd to where the true celebration is being held in their honor.

Once the wine is poured the party begins. Laughter and mirth over take the sense of apprehension in the air. Entertainers sing and tell stories, old friends reunite, and a grand feast is served across the tables set up in the courtyard.

Soul and Maka sit at the head of the largest table over seeing the festivities, he points out certain traditions taking place, the games being played, and his family. His brother is dancing around the fire pit while his mother and father watch the games being played. Her entourage of ladies and guards start at their own table but are soon mingling with the rest of the crowd and enjoying themselves.

The newlyweds take their leave when the moon is high in the sky and the party is still in full swing. Maka is bolder and slips her hand into his, lacing their fingers together, as they walk to their quarters. They are both flushed with alcohol, and she is telling him a giddy story when they arrive at their room.

Silence overtakes them, the expectation of consummating their marriage hangs heavy in the air. He doesn't know what her entourage will think if he sleeps in his own bed, but he knows that his own people are too private to pry. Soul leans down and gently kisses her cheek, "When we are ready. Until then, I can sleep elsewhere."

But she does not let go of his hand, even when he has pulled away. "Your concern is appreciated. But at least stay with me? How will I know my own husband unless I know where he sleeps?" He has heard rumors of her father's indiscretion and conquests of various noble ladies just has he has heard tales of her mother's own achievements and honors.

He nods and opens the door for her. They undress with their backs turned to each other on opposite sides of the room, Soul has just finished pulling on his soft sleeping pants when his new wife begins to swear under her breath. "Cursed ties! How many tiny little knots have they done up on this infernal thing!?" It's the most lively he has heard her be so far and it seems more natural than their polite exchanges. There is a huff but Soul keeps his eyes on the wall, it would be rude to look before she gives him permission. "I need your help…please." Maka finally asks.

Soul hazards a glance over his shoulder and barely stifles his chuckle. She is still very decent, he can count at least three layers still remaining, and she appears to have caught part of her sleeve in her own antlers. His footsteps are light on the polished stone floor as he walks around their bed to his pouting wife. "I would simply rip it, but the ladies worked so hard to make it in time, and it is a very pretty dress." She tells him, still frowning.

Untangling her sleeve from her antlers is his first task and he wisely does not ask how she managed to get like that. Then Maka walks him through what must come off next, how to pry the pearl buttons open, and where the hidden clasps are. Soul balks at how complicated the entire process is and she laughs, telling him it took nearly three hours for her to get dressed. Finally Maka is left standing in a simple white robe that is tied around her middle with a golden sash.

She looks away from him and begins to pluck the pins and decorations from her hair and antlers. One of his hands covers hers, "Let me." He says, steering her to the bed so that she can sit while he finishes taking out each gem, flower, and hair pin. Soul lets himself comb through her hair even after he's sure everything is gone, it's softer than he had expected. Any knots he comes across are quickly smoothed out until she is leaning into his touch.

"I may just fall asleep if you keep doing that." It makes him just a little proud that he knows at least one way to comfort her now. With a sigh she pulls away and looks up at him, "Come, you look as tired as I feel." Maka pulls back the covers and settles into the mountain of pillows. Soul climbs in as well, arranging his own pillows just so and in the process accidentally stealing one of Maka's that creates an entire collapse of her mountain until she's resting against him with her antlers nearly framing his head.

When she begins to giggle and then laugh, it might be that they're so tired, but it's infectious and soon they're both nearly crying from laughing so hard. They slowly disentangle from each other and Soul can't help but think that this is when she is most beautiful.

"Those must get in the way a lot, huh?" He asks as they try to readjust and build a new nest for themselves.

"They'll fall off soon, it's the end of the season. Usually they're much smaller and much much more manageable." Maka tells him after swatting him with a velvet pillow she's taken a liking to that he keeps trying to steal.

They settle down again, closer this time. He still barely knows her, but he isn't as worried as before about loving her.

Maka takes his hand and inspects it against her own, he can see pale scars on her skin and he wants to know the story behind each one, hopefully she is thinking the same thing about his own hands dotted with freckles and scars across his knuckles. She tugs on his hand until he figures out that she wants his arm around her shoulders. Her cheeks are pink but she smiles when she is satisfied with their new positions.

Wary of her antlers, he places a soft kiss to her hair.