A/N: A FEW NOTES BEFORE YOU READ:
Firstly, if you haven't been keeping up with my NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION OF THIS, you will be confused here and even MORESO when Raunchiest Dawn starts in a few minutes. Go back to the beginning. I know it's ages of work but I promise that it will be worth it.
Secondly, I was going through, and going through, and I realized that Soren and Stefan needed an ending, because of how things worked out for them throughout version 2 of this novel. So TADA.
Surprise. Enjoy.
"Thank you."
Soren had hardly been able to register what was happening in his head. Arms were enveloping him but they weren't Ike's, and he could smell leather and steel, but none of the undertones that made up Ike. After a moment he clued in and let himself smile. He wrapped his arms around the other man and squeezed tightly. Sand and sword powder and steel and leather, soap and ink and traces of blood. The scent had become familiar far too quickly but somehow it didn't matter, because it was Stefan, and Stefan was the only other person he could ever truly trust aside from Ike.
"I haven't done anything," Soren began, but even as he said it he knew that Stefan knew something he didn't. The swordmaster chuckled and squeezed him.
"You certainly have." He pulled away just long enough to loosen his collar and show the scar. Soren raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips.
"You didn't."
"We did." Stefan covered his neck and pulled Soren against him. "We're getting married, Soren."
"Regardless, it's nothing to do with anything I've done."
Stefan shook his head. "All the times we sat and talked, all the times you told me just how important Ike was to you, every detail you ever shared with me about your relationship…it made me realize just what I was missing out on. And even though I was able to do much of it on my own, you are the reason I worked up the courage to mate with him." He smiled. "Thank you."
The sage nodded. "You're welcome, I suppose."
Silence for a moment. Stefan inhaled deeply and nuzzled his cheek against Soren's hair. "One more thing."
"Mm?"
"In three weeks we're having a ceremony. It's going to be in Gallia, just past the border. Nothing big and fancy." Stefan hesitated. "You are the closest thing I have to family. I want you and Ike to be there."
"To witness your defiance of what it means to be Branded?"
Stefan laughed. "Yes. If that's what you'd like to call it, then yes."
They were quiet for a long time. Finally Stefan spoke again.
"You know that I love you, Soren."
He stiffened. But it was Stefan, and Stefan didn't quite mean it the way that lovers did.
He almost let himself smile.
"I'll be at your wedding," he murmured.
"I love you," Stefan repeated.
This time he did smile. "And I you."