Chapter Text
Gideon was alone on the dance floor at his impromptu carnival wedding. To three pixies. And Kremy! It was times like this he really wished he didn’t burn through alcohol so fast. The idea of facing the aftermath of so many fey pacts was… unappealing at best.
Worst of all was the fact that he was now dancing alone at his own wedding. So, Gideon did what he always did when things got crazy. He looked for Kremy.
The gator was leaning dejectedly against a buffet table and humming sad songs to himself as he sniffed. His usually immaculate mustache was smudged at the end of his snout and Gideon could see where his eyeliner had run down his cheeks and he’d swiped it away. How Kremy managed to look good even in that sorry state was beyond Gideon. Even though Kremy was the reason he was unfortunately married in the first place, it still made his heart squeeze painfully to see him so sad during the festivities.
Gideon steeled himself, flagging down one of the pixies serving the party. “Hey, uh, send Kremy a drink. From me. Tell him to come to the dance floor.”
The pixie turned an unimpressed look to him. “What kinda drink do you wanna send him?”
“Well send, uh” Gideon was taken aback by her lack of enthusiasm. He coughed awkwardly. “I dunno… whats the most delicious drink?”
The pixie shrugged. “I dunno, I don’t drink.”
A shocked laugh fell out of him. “You’re the worst . Okay, y’know what, rum , send him rum.” He rushed out, oddly flustered. Quickly, he clarified. “Tell him its from me though”
“Alright,” she nodded, “I’m gonna tell him rum from the groom.” She turned to leave.
Gideon spluttered and called out to stop her. “Hey- Ah- Can you spice it up a little bit?” He asked, incredulous, shaking his head.
The pixie sighed heavily before trying again. “Hey Kremy, here’s some rum from the groom.” It was better but it was still just barely personable! Even Frosty was better with people than this.
“I mean- spice up your attitude a little bit, add some pizzazz.” Gideon gestured vaguely, fumbling his words. “Make him feel it, make him feel the energy. He’s a theatrical guy, he’s gonna respond to like- I dunno flourish your hands or somethin’!” The genasi did a flailing motion with his hand, nearly whacking the bored pixie across the face. To her credit, all she did was blink at him slowly.
“Okay.”
“Yeah- thank you,” Gideon huffed as she turned away to carry out his request. “Gods .”
He returned halfheartedly to his dancing, keeping one eye on Kremy the whole time. Gideon watched as the pixie approached Kremy, did a lackluster flourish, and handed him a glass of rum. He saw the way Kremy's polite smile wavered as they spoke, the way his eyes darted to the dance floor and back like he'd be caught.
Gideon nodded as a group of giggling pixies squealed their congratulations to him while he kept up a strained smile. He let them chatter at him, his eyes darting over their heads trying to catch a glimpse of his gator. He’d finally sent them on their way when he turned back to where Kremy had been only to see the buffet table with a severe lack of shady contract making gatorfolk warlocks. The genasi could feel his flames dim slightly as his heart sank. Had he been angry when he found out about the wedding stuff? Well, yeah . Gideon Coal wasn’t really known to be the marrying type. And marrying three pixies he barely knew (and Kremy) was kind of a lot! But that didn’t mean that Kremy was any less his best friend and partner. In crime. Or was it business? Doesn’t matter!
A hand tapped softly on his shoulder. Startled out of his thoughts, Gideon spun around with a sound that was much manlier than a yelp, thank you very much. His shoulders sagged in relief when he saw who is was.
“Kremy.” Kremy had cleaned up well in the short time Gideon had lost sight of him. His eyes no longer had black smudged around them, just a clean black line that matched his perfectly drawn mustache, pencil thin. To anyone else, the gator looked like his usual extravagant self.
“Did- Was that drink… really for me?” Gideon was not ‘anyone else’. He noticed the way his golden eyes dulled with uncertainty as he spoke; Kremy never could hide the details but only Gideon really took the time to know them anyway. He could see the puffiness of his scaly skin from where Kremy had rubbed harshly at his face to hide the tears. Tears that Gideon had caused.
His chest ached with emotion. Still the prettiest in the room.. The thought came without warning and he choked in surprise, clearing his throat quickly to hide it.
“I, uh,” He felt hot with embarrassment, rubbing the back of his neck as he fumbled his words. “Yeah, well, you looked pretty sad over there, y’know, I, I- Y’know.” Gideon shrugged, looking away. “It’s,” he paused, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the word, “ ironically - our weddin’, So-”
“It’s just ironic, right?” Kremy interrupted, trying for a laugh that came out sad and wet from his earlier tears.
“Listen,” Gideon’s voice was sure. “Kremy.” He caught the gator’s gaze easily.
Kremy fidgeted a bit as he answered. “Yeah. Gid.”
Gideon squared his shoulders and offered his hand, mustering all the confidence he had. “Let’s dance.” He wiggled his fingers playfully. Kremy rolled his eyes and took his hand anyway, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Gideon grinned as he pulled Kremy close and onto the dance floor proper.
Across the dance floor, Eladrin-Frost stepped up to the mic. Just a few notes into the song, Gideon had to hold in a snort of laughter as he danced. Frost wasn’t a bad singer, per se. He was just… far too confident in his abilities.
The song continued, Frost getting somehow more out of tune and wedding guests were equally amused and cringing at the display. And Kremy? Gideon watched the gator’s face as he smiled, eyes crinkled as he choked back a laugh. The effort of it was clear in the way Kremy’s slim hand squeezed Gideon’s, mouth pressed tightly closed as his shoulders shook. The genasi watched with fascination as Kremy’s resolve finally broke and honest to gods giggles poured out of the man.
The gator seemed to give in completely, forehead resting on Gideon’s shoulder as his still shaking shoulders relaxed. “Oh my gods , Gid, he’s so bad-” Another bout of giggles interrupted the gator midsentence. Now that he’d started, Gideon wasn’t sure he’d stop. Kremy pulled his hand back to dab at the corner of his eye where tears of laughter had begun to gather, resting his hand on the genasi’s chest when he’d settled himself a bit.
Thankfully, Frost’s song soon ended and he was replaced by the original wedding singer, slipping into a slow ballad that had the entire crowd mellowing into a slow dance. Gideon let his other hand rest at the dip of Kremy’s waist, marveling at the feeling of the familiar purple suit under the rough skin of his palms. Kremy slid his hands up to loop around his neck and Gideon hardly dared to breathe as they settled into a comfortable rhythm that was little more than a gentle sway.
It seemed the whole carnival was in a brighter mood as the song ended. Kremy sighed where he was still hidden against the gensasi’s chest. The gator pulled back a little bit, a rare genuine smile gracing his face. Gideon felt his heart skip, clearing his throat. He opened his mouth to speak-
“It is that time!” A voice boomed out from the speakers around them. Kremy let go of Gideon in alarm, grabbing hold of his cane while the genasi, heart pounding, looked around for a threat. “The crowning on the Witchlight Monarch begins now! Tonight, the final night of the carnival, we will be doing things a little bit differently-” Gideon grumbled as the voice continued speaking, rubbing at his chest.
“Goddamn announcers…” The flames in his hair and beard popped loudly in irritation. One of Kremy’s hands came up to pat out where a spark had landed on Gideon’s suit.
“We better get goin’ Gid, don’t wanna miss our chance to figure out what’s goin on here.” Kremy’s voice was quieter than usual but when Gideon looked over at him, there was a twinkle in his golden eyes as he adjusted his hat. Pretty.
“-ulations, MORNING FROST!”
“WHAT?!”