The Keeper of Flame and the Master of Ice (Sub-Zero x Reader)

V - Celebrations

I'm back with another update. I should have posted this one days ago but I got caught up doing other things and I was focused on my other fic. However, I haven't forgotten about this story :D

As a heads up, this is heavily based on Chinese traditional customs of marriage. I am aware I missed a lot of things, so please don't expect me to follow everything to a T. Just thought I would include those traditions, seeing as the Tengu clan has been in China for a long time— from the perspective of this fic, at least. Please, enjoy c:

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Warnings: Unbetaed. Sexual references. English is not my first language. Some OOCness.

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Part V: "Celebrations"

The next days passed among preparations for the wedding that would be taking place.

During that time, Liang sent you some correspondence. However, regardless of the friendship you two had struck, he was mindful to kept his distance and his words were solemn. He knew your family would be reading the letters, as well, so it wasn't the place to get personal.

Even after you agreed to the marriage, there hadn't been anything more than a simple hand holding between you two. There was no kiss when he left, or any other form of affectionate display, since it would have been considered inappropriate. Liang only bowed and bid farewell to you and your family before departing and, in a way, you were relieved for that. You didn't think you would have been able to handle more than that, in front of so many people.

Your grandmother was busy preparing your dowry, inspecting everything down to the last detail. It was an important gift because it represented a woman's social status and wealth, so she took it upon herself to make sure everything was perfect and of the highest quality. Beddings, furniture, and a wedding chest with new clothes for you and your future child were a few of the items that she had arranged for you. Of course you would be given gold and jewelry, too, since your uncle wouldn't let you go without a generous endowment— it would be a stain on his reputation, if he did. A fine tea set was included, even though there wouldn't be need to use it since Liang had not parents to introduce you to.

One of the letters Liang had sent was the betrothal letter, his formal request of marriage. This was accompanied with gifts that a party of his people brought, which your family reciprocated with presents of their own. Gift giving was an important aspect of the engagement, and it would have been taken as a rude gesture not to requite. His warriors were also treated like guests of honor, offered shelter and food, until they had to return to their master. You wished them well on their journey.

Soon after that, spring came.

Days before your wedding, you received the letter gift which also announced that he would arrive soon. As the date approached, you grew nervous for the changes that would take place in your life. Despite your cousin's attempts to assure you everything was going to be fine, it wasn't easy to find respite. You were losing sleep and eating little because of the anxiety, much to your grandmother's dismay, but could anyone blame you? It wasn't every day one had the chance to wed so, of course, this was a huge event in your life— not only were you marrying but you would also leave your family. Soon you would dwell in a place you didn't know, with people you didn't know, and the prospect was a bit unsettling— even though you knew that you would get accustomed, and one day call your husband's home yours.

And then Liang arrived.

Certainly the vows didn't take place at that very moment, as he needed to rest from his journey. The celebration would happen in the coming days, though there still were matters to attend to. For you, it was the important talk you would have with your grandmother on your duties as wife, and what would be expected from you on your wedding night.