“So then, Starswirl the Bearded shot a massive beam from his horn!” Ocellus said as Gallus lay across the bugs back, listening absentmindedly as he sunned himself. “It was a feat comparable to Alicorns! And to think, Starswirl was just a normal unicorn! He just trained!” Ocellus said, swatting at her face with a hoof, something she did when she got excited or talked too fast. Ocellus suddenly stopped her thought and became pensive.
“Something wrong?” Gallus said. He knew the Changeling too well, and knew that her stopping in the middle of a rant meant something was off.
“Do you… think I could ever do something as great as this?” Ocellus asked, wide eyed.
Gallus rolled off of the changelings back an onto the grass in front of her. He grasped her face with his talons. Firmly, yet, tenderly. He stared deep into Ocellus’ wide blue eyes. “Of course you can lovebug.” He said. Ocellus got warm. Lovebug. That was something he could only call her. He was only saying this to her. Not as a default affirmation, not as something he could say to anybody. It was only for her. For this moment.
“But… what if I’m not enough? What if-” Gallus stopped Ocellus’ spiral with a kiss. It seemed to last forever, but it also seemed like an instant. Time truly was a trickster. The two broke the kiss, staring at each other before bursting out laughing. As they did, Gallus wrapped his arms around her, and lifted her up, spinning her around as they laughed, before falling into the grass, letting the warm summer sun warm them. As they did, Gallus rolled onto his side, facing the changeling who had done the same.
“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are when you’re excited about something?” He purred, warmly. Ocellus giggled.
“Yes, pretty bird. Every day.” She said, with a smile.
“And I will continue to say it, every day.” He said with a grin. “I will also continue to tell you that you’re worth it, every single day that we’re on this big blue marble. And, hell, even after that.” He proclaimed. “You’re gonna do something big someday. And I promise, every day, every second, I will be right there with you.” Ocellus’ eyes widened.
“Gal, you-”
“I love you Ocellus. And I will continue to love you. If you’ll let me.” He said, pulling a black box out from underneath his wing. “Will you-”
“YES!” Ocellus cried, leaping into his forearms.
“Oof!” He cried as he had to drop the ring to catch his new fiancé. “Easy lovebug!! I love you so much, but babe, I didn’t even show you the ring.” He laughed as the two fell back onto the grass.
“I don’t care about that!” She said with a smile. “It could be a damn onion ring for all I care! I just want you!” She said, kissing the griffon once again.
“Damn, I really lucked out.” Gallus thought as he kissed the love of his life.
“AHWHAHAHGHAH” Thorax sputtered, as incomprehensible noises came spilling out of his mouth.
“Thorax! Are you ok?” Ocellus asked her surrogate father.
“He’s… just in shock is all. And I mean, can you blame him?” Pharynx said, with his signature apathy. “I’m surprised too.”
“GAWAWAHAHWAH?” Thorax spouted once again.
“Uhm…” Ocellus said, unsure how to proceed.
“Don’t worry hun,” said Pharynx. “I’ll translate. He said: “Can I see the ring?””
“Oh! Of course!” Ocellus, knelt down, presenting her horn. Around it was a ring made of a gold material with several different types gems around the the outside.
“AHWHAHWHOA” Thorax yelled once again, before Pharynx bonked him on the head with his hoof. “Oops. Did I get hysterical again?”
“No shit, sherlock.” Pharynx said with an air of brotherly mocking. “But, woah kid, that’s one hell of a ring. That Griffon kid buy it for you? Wow, not to sound prejudiced or whatever, but aren’t they notoriously, uh, stingy?” Ocellus laughed.
“Haha, no, no. Especially not Gallus. He’s been treating me like a queen! N-not that that’s the most important thing to me!” She exclaimed, quickly flailing her hooves.
“Relax, Ocellus!” Thorax said, placing his hoof on her shoulder. “We know you’re not a gold digger.” He laughed, as Ocellus turned as red as a tomato. “At any rate! Gallus, finally popped the question, huh?” Thorax made a ‘wiping a tear from his eye’ motion and grinned. “To think, my daughter marrying a member of the Canterlot Royal Guard.” Ocellus’ eyes began to glimmer and she smiled.
“He’s the most outstanding boy I’ve ever met.” She said. Thorax and Pharynx looked at each other and smiled. Before embracing Ocellus in a hug.
“I’m so glad, hun.” Thorax said.
“Yeah kid, you sure know how to pick ‘em. He’s a knockout boy.” Pharynx affirmed. Ocellus laughed and raised an eyebrow.
“He almost WAS knocked out thanks to a certain uncle, the first time he came to meet you guys.” Ocellus said.
“Hey! I thought he was an intruder!” Pharynx exclaimed, defensively.
“Hey, come to think of it. When Ember and I started dating, you attacked her too!” Thorax said.
“HEY! As I recall it’s my job to defend all of you!” Pharynx said.
“From what? Romance?” Ocellus shot back, and the three laughed as they hugged.
“Hey mom, hey dad.” Gallus said, staring at the headstones. He grimaced. “Guess what? I’m getting married. That’s right, I met the girl of my dreams! Guess I made something of myself after all. Not that you made it easier for me. You know, leaving me on a street corner and all.” He spat, and then sighed. “Why’d you have to be dead?” He asked even though he knew why and how, Griffon greed, obviously, killed in a rockslide looking for the Idol of Boreas. “I, uh, also made it into the Canterlot Royal Guard. I’ve been at the top of my classes. Wish you could’ve been at my acceptance ceremony. It was awesome. There were fireworks! And… and…” He stopped, feeling something roll down his cheek. A tear. “Shit!” He yelled, gripping the grass with his talons. yanking it out of the dirt around their graves. “Fuck! Shit!” He screamed. “Why did you have to… You couldn't've… AUGH! Why’d you pick greed over your own damn chick!” He yelled at the rock. I’m getting married soon and you won’t even be there! If I have chicks then they won’t have grandparents! Didn’t you think about any of that before you went and… and… threw your lives away for a goddamn hunk of gold!? My fiancé never even got to meet you! I never got to meet you!” He cried, before wrapping his arms around the marble headstone of his mom. “W-why’d you have to leave me?” He sobbed.
“Pretty bird?” He turned around and saw Ocellus fluttering down behind him. ”O-ocellus?” He quick got up and wiped his eyes. “I was just… uhm…” He tried to find an excuse. “C-cleaning the…” He couldn’t finish and broke down, practically collapsing into his lover’s arms. “I wish you could’ve met them…” He said, between sobs.
“I know pretty bird. I know.” She said stroking his back, something she knew always calmed him down. “What do you want to say?” Ocellus said, warmly.
“I- I hate them.” He sputtered “B-but. I need to know they loved me. That… somehow, they would’ve chosen me. Even if they didn’t show it.”
“I understand, pretty bird.” Ocellus said.
“I- I love you so much lovebug.” Gallus said, gripping his fiancé even tighter.
“I love you too, pretty bird. I’ll always be there for you.”
Gallus took a deep breath and looked at himself in the mirror, fidgeting with his tie. Today was the day he was going to marry Ocellus. Look at you. He thought to himself. You did it. You made it. He thought, with a grin. For the first time in his life, the griffon felt at ease. He finished buttoning up his tuxedo, and was about to leave when he heard a knock at the dressing room door. “Heh. Hey babe, you know it’s bad luck to see the groom before he’s up on the podium. Or do I have that the wrong way ‘round?” He joked before opening the door. “Either way you should- oh. Hello Gilda.” He proclaimed, mildly surprised. “What are you doing back here?”
“’Sup, squirt.” She said walking into the dressing room. “Just thought I’d stop by to see ya, and to, you know, get away from Gabby’s blabbing.” She chuckled.
“Heh, yeah, you’d think that Spike would absorb most of that.”
“Me too, right!?” Gilda said, throwing her foretalons into the air. “Great Grover, I don’t know WHAT Spike was thinking asking her out. And what’s more, they’ve been together for nearly a month! And I’M still single. Sheesh.” Gilda said, collapsing into a couch in the corner.
“Weren’t you and Professor Egghead a thing for a while?” Gallus asked, sitting next to Gilda on the couch.
“Ya mean Dashie? I don’t KNOW! That’s the thing. I mean, we’ve hooked up a couple of times, but I dunno. She’s always so hesitant to be anything more.” Gilda said with a shrug. “It is what it is I guess.” The two chuckled at that. “Ah, kid. You’ve… done well for yourself.”
“Oh, quit it.” Gallus said, getting flushed under his feathers.
“No, no, seriously. I mean, you started your childhood on the streets, and living with Grandpa Gruff for so long couldn’t’ve been good for ya.” Gilda assured. Gallus sighed.
“Heh. I guess you’re right. He often said I wouldn’t make much of myself. Now, I'm marrying the girl of my dreams in an hour. Crazy, huh?”
“Hey, Gal. I know Gruff is gone, but, I know if he were here today, he’d… be proud of ya squirt. I know damn well I am.” She said, ruffling his head feathers.
“I’d like to think so Gil.” Gallus said. The two sat for a minute. Quiet, but not of embarrassment or for a lack of words. Rather, the two were lost in thought, thinking about what the elderly griffon would say if he hadn’t passed away. Gallus finally broke the silence. “Scram Gil, I need to fix my hair that you so rudely messed up.” He said, sticking his tongue out at the griffon.
“Hey, hey! Excuse me for showing you affection!” She said, sticking her tongue out back at Gallus. “But, yeah, I should probably scram. I wonder I Gabby noticed I left. Or maybe she’s just talking Spikes ear off.” She chuckled. As she left, she turned back to face Gallus. “Hey squirt, I know I’ve said it before, but, I’m really proud of you.” She said with a smile.
“Thanks, Gil. For everything.” He said returning the smile. Before turning to his hair. He had a wedding to get ready for, after all.
Gallus stood up on the podium, shaking. This was it. All of his and Ocellus’ family was there, and since she was apart of a hive, there was a LOT of family. Everyone seemed to be getting along well enough. Headmare Starlight let them use the school as a venue, his suit looked great, thanks to combined efforts from Sweetie Belle and Rarity. Everything was perfect, except for one thing: Where the hell was Ocellus? Sure, it was tradition for the bride and groom to be semi-distant on the big day due to superstitions, but this was concerning. According to Gabby and Pharynx, she had been talking to everyone and laughing, right up until it was time for the ceremony. Gallus wasn’t sure how much longer he could wait up here. Twilight was supposed to marry them in… he checked his watch on his foretalon… less than 5 minutes! Everyone seemed to be unconcerned but, knowing Griffons, that wasn’t going to last. Then, it was only a matter of time before Changelings picked up on the negative emotions and… he took a deep breath. “Stop spiraling, Gallus. She’s… probably just having dress issues. Yeah, that’s it. She’ll be here soon! Right?” He thought to himself. Where was that Changeling?
Ocellus paced back and forth, panicking. She was stuck in a signature Ocellus spiral, at the WORST possible time. A knock at the door made her jump. “W-who is it?” She asked, softly. As she did, a fluffy, grey head peeked through the door.
“Ocellus? Hun?” Gabby Griffon, Ocellus’ surrogate sister-in-law, peeked inside the dressing room, seeing the Changeling with her wedding dress half-on and tears in her eyes. “Oh, dear. What’s wrong?”
“G-Gabby? What are you doing in here?”
“Gallus sent me. He’s really worried! Are you okay? You’re getting married in-”
“I know! I KNOW!” Ocellus snapped, stomping her hoof. “I… I can’t go out there.”
“Why not Ocellus! You DO wanna marry Gallus, right?”
“Of course I do, Gabby! More than anything! But…”
“But…” Said Gabby, sitting her down in the dressing room chair.
“But, I don’t know if he wants to marry ME!”
“Ocellus! Why would you think that!? I mean, you’re all he ever talks about! I should know, I’m like, the world champion of talking! Gave Pinkie a run for her money in ‘08!” The two shared a chuckle. Leave it to Gabby to make any situation lighter just by being in the room. Ocellus’ smile slowly faded though.
“Do you know how hard it is to be a Changeling? I mean, romantically?” She said, fiddling with her hooves. “It’s HELL. I mean, I dated a few other stallions before Gallus in Friendship School. Every single one always wanted me to turn into someone 'hotter'. Like the girl in their math class, the girl they saw in that movie the one time, one guy wanted me to turn into his half-cousin, hell, I even had one guy ask me to turn into Silverstream. SILVERSTREAM! Do you know what that does to a creature? It became a reflex to ask who they wanted me to turn into when we… uhm… you know. When I started dating Gallus and he told me he wanted me to stay myself, I was skeptical. And as wonderful as it was and still is, I hate to say that I’m STILL skeptical. Skeptical that he was just biding his time. Waiting until there’s no way out, and then BOOM. Asks me to turn into someone else. It got more quiet over time, but it sat there. Like a ticking timebomb at the back of my mind. And today, it went off. What if… he doesn’t want to marry me. What if he just wants to marry my powers?” She said, her eyes welling up with tears again. The two sat in silence.
“Ocellus. I can tell you with absolute certainty that what happened to you in school was horrible and completely undeserved. But I can also tell you with absolute certainty, that Gallus wants to marry YOU. Not who you can turn into.”
“But-”
“But nothing, hun. Did you know that every time we’ve talked about you, he’s never once brought up your shapeshifting, nor has he ever addressed anything but who. you. are.” She said, patting Ocellus and fixing her dress. “I know Gallus better than pretty much any other creature. Well, other than you of course. He never really talks about anything he doesn’t care about. Gallus doesn’t care about your shapeshifting. Hell, I doubt he even cares about the fact you’re a changeling. He cares about the fact you’re Ocellus. He cares that you’re smart, kind, witty, loving, and willing to listen.” She assured. “Gallus is… emotionally fucked. No other way to put it. He’s always been distant, aloof, coasting through life with an air of apathy. But he’s never sounded so passionate and sure of anything when he talks about you. He LOVES you, Ocellus. More than anything else.” She swiveled the chair around and placed the veil on top of the Changeling’s head, minding her horn, and smiled at her.
“Damn, you’re good.” Ocellus said, and the two laughed again. “Thank you for yanking me back down to reality.”
“Who would’ve thought the airhead would’ve been good at that?”
“Haha, yeah. Now, I think I have a marriage to attend.”
The crowd suddenly hushed, and Gallus feared the worst. “Have they noticed Ocellus is gone? Oh shit, where is she? I should go ch-” Gallus’ thoughts were quickly silenced as the piano began to play the traditional wedding tune. “Oh thank grover.” He thought to himself. But then, all of his thoughts died as he saw Ocellus. She was wearing a dress that looked like butterfly wings. It glistened in the sunlight. It was like she was wearing stained glass. “Holy shit.” He whispered under his breath. Ocellus was being walked down the isle by Thorax, who was sobbing happily. Ocellus glanced at Pharynx, and the two chuckled silently. To Gallus, It felt as though she was moving in slow motion in the best way possible. As she reached the stand, and Thorax sat down, still sobbing, she looked up at him.
“Hi…” She said, with a soft smile. Even through the veil, she was glowing.
“H-hi…” He said back. “You look downright magical.” He said, cracking a smile.
“Thank you pretty bird. You look so damn handsome in that suit.” She chuckled. As the crowd died down, Gallus reached forward and removed the veil. It was like everyone else in the world suddenly disappeared.
“W-wow…” Was all Gallus could say.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just… I’m so glad to be here with you right now.” And with that statement, all of Ocellus’ worries vanished. It was here and then that her ‘ticking timebomb’ of anxiety was diffused. This was the creature she wanted to marry. She loved him, and now she knew that he loved her too. She knew that today, here and now, she could say this with certainty. As she reached into her dress and pulled out a small, folded, piece of paper, she took a deep breath and began to read her vows.
“Gallus. Throughout my life, love has always been a massive part of me and my culture, I use it to feed, learn and even to survive, and when I look at you I see the embodiment of the word ‘love.’ You are always there for me when I need you. You are my rock. Everyday and every night I look at you and know that I have found the creature who will make me feel like, well, me. As a changeling, shifting forms has always been something I thought I had to do. But you showed me that you love me. Not who I can turn into. I strive every single day to show you the love you have shown me. I love you with every fiber of my being and I promise to continue loving you until I am no longer of this earth. I love you, Gallus.” Folding the paper back up and placing it in her dress, she gave Gallus the warmest and kindest smile. One that all but made him melt on the spot. Reaching for his paper, and wiping the tears from his eyes, he took a similar deep breath and began to read his portion of the vows.
“Well, here we are Ocellus. Heh, I’m not the best at mushy stuff, but for you, I’ll make an exception. And that’s just it. For you Ocellus, I would walk through Tartarus and back. For you Ocellus, I would do anything. Because you are who I strive to be. Someone so kind, empathetic, and so, so, so, beautiful that you light up a room, just by opening the door. Though you’ve never shared it, until now, I saw and recognized how hard it is to be a changeling in a relationship. And that’s why I want to show you all the love that I can. Because you deserve it. All of it. Grover, I just… I’m so happy to be here marrying you Ocellus, that I just want to dance. I want to stand at the highest point in Equestria and show how much, treasure and strive to be like the creature I love every single day. I love you, Ocellus.” Tears welled up in both of their eyes as Gallus finished his vows. Twilight smiled softly as Spike handed her the pillow with the twin rings on them.
“That was very, very sweet you two. I’m glad to have called you both my students. Now, Gallus, do you take Ocellus to be your lawfully wedded wife? To promise to love and cherish her, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, for so long as you both shall live?”
“I do.” Replied Gallus.
“Now, Ocellus, do you take Gallus to be your lawfully wedded husband? To promise to love and cherish him, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others and to keep yourself only unto him, for so long as you both shall live?”
“I do.” Responded Ocellus. Ocellus knelt down as Gallus placed the ring on her horn, which in turn garnered a pretty loud happy sob from Thorax and an elbow from Pharynx, and Gallus presented his foretalon for Ocellus to place the ring onto.
“Good. So, by the power vested in me as Princess of Equestria, you may now kiss the-” Before the princess could finish, Gallus dashed forwards, swept Ocellus off of her feet with strength neither of them knew he had, and kissed Ocellus deeply, garnering a massive cheer from the crowd and sealing the deal.
The party was in full swing. Everyone had just enough to be relaxed and loopy, but not enough to be fully drunk. Well, all except for Gilda and Rainbow Dash who were in a wine-induced dance off to ‘The Cha-cha slide’ on the dance floor. Ocellus was sitting off to the side, watching the party unfold, the music thumping in the distance. Ocellus heard wind whooshing and turned to see her new husband land right next to her with a smile. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She said, kissing him on the cheek.
“I’ve been looking all over for you. Party’s in full swing.” He said, taking a seat next to her.
“Haha. You know how it is, music and cheering got a little too much for me, you know?” She chuckled.
“Don’t I know it. I couldn’t hear a word down there!” They shared a laugh at that. The two sat in comfortable silence as they watched the party rage on. Ocellus wiggled closer and snuggled up under Gallus’s arm.
“Hey hun?” Ocellus said.
“Yeah, lovebug?”
“What comes after this?” Asked Ocellus, looking up at Gallus.
“Well, I reckon we’re to plan our honeymoon.” Said Gallus.
“You mean we haven’t yet!?” Exclaimed Ocellus.
“I uh, thought you were gonna do that…” The two stared at each other in silence for about 5 seconds before bursting out in laughter.
“God, we’re a mess.” Laughed Ocellus. Wiping away the tears from his laughter, Gallus wrapped a claw around Ocellus’ waste and brought her in for a deep kiss.
“Wh-what was that for!?” Ocellus said, grinning.
“I’m glad I get to be a mess with you.” Said Gallus, with a grin. Ocellus’s face got hot.
“Damn it! You’re too smooth for your own good!” She cried.
“Haha, I try babe.” He said with a wink. “But, yeah. I don’t know what comes after this. As long as I experience it with you by my side, I don’t think I care much, either.” Gallus responded. Ocellus smiled.
“You know, my entire school career was based around planning and notes and scheduling. So weird that my marriage would be so… free flow.”
“That ok?”
“Yeah. It is. I think it’s time to live for me.” The two sat, snuggling with each other, as the sun set over their wedding party.
