The bells of Victor von Doom's castle rang through the surrounding hills. The sun shone through the castle windows for the first time in many years, dust dancing merrily in the air as servants smiled and laughed through their chores. The villagers of Baxter gathered in the main foyer, sipping vintage cider and chatting amongst themselves and to the assembled subjects of the king. Upstairs, Reed Richards paced.

"You'll wear out the carpet if ya keep that up," huffed Benjamin Grimm, fiddling with the rose attached to his lapel. Susan had insisted upon the men wearing flowers.

"And quit scratching. I know you're not itchy, that's the finest fabric in the land." Johnny Storm stood beside the door with his hands on his hips. Benjamin laughed quietly. It hadn't surprised him that Susan would want to be involved with the planning, but her brother? That had been a shock. Susan herself lounged on the chair in the corner, observing the anxious party with a keen eye.

Reed paused in his pacing. "I would have settled for my church clothes, you know! Not," Reed gestured to his attire, "whatever this happens to be!"

"I think you look marvellous Reed," said Susan, "the blue really brings out your eyes."

"Thank you, Susan," said Reed. He sighed. "I don't know if I'm ready for this."

"Think of it as an experiment," suggested Susan, "a chance to test a hypothesis."

"But there are too many confounding variables," Reed protested, "And my experiments tend to explode!"

"Well, I tried." Susan turned to Benjamin. "Your turn."

"Reed." Benjamin walked across the room to put his hand on Reed's shoulder. "How long have we known each other?"

"Too long," said both men in unison, breaking into laughter.

"In all the time that I've known you, you've always considered every possibility, every solution, and every detail. Are ya telling me you haven't thought this through?"

"I've tried," said Reed, "but when I think of it, my stomach ties itself in knots and my heart beats too fast to think!"

Benjamin smiled. "That's love, Reed. There ain't no preparation. Ya just do it."

"But what…what if this explodes too," Reed mumbled, looking to his feet.

"Now that he has ya, I don't think Vic is ever gonna to let ya go."

Reed looked up and, for a brief moment, his face was blank. Then he grabbed Benjamin and pulled him in for a hug. "You've always been so kind to me, Benjamin," Reed said. "Perhaps one day I'll be able to repay you."

Benjamin wiped a tear from his eye. "As long as this shindig has food, you and me are square."

Reed pulled back from the hug and smiled at his gathered friends. "Well, what are we waiting for? I still have to style my hair." Benjamin, Susan and Johnny looked at each other and nodded before each grabbed a comb and descended on Reed's messy hair.

King Victor paced his chambers. He paused briefly in front of the mirror and adjusted his collar. His clothes and adornments felt so unbearably heavy. At the very least, his hair was immaculate.

His eyes turned to the mask propped up on the bedside table. He had wanted to dispose of it, but Reed had insisted that they keep it. A reminder of the circumstances of their first meeting, he had said. Reed, Victor suspected, was secretly a romantic.

"Your Highness?" King Victor turned to the door and the man peeking out from behind it. Herbie's smile was infectious, and King Victor felt himself break into a grin at the sight of his favourite servant. The little man was dressed in fine white clothing, carrying a giant bouquet of flowers. He stared at his king expectantly.

"Yes, my friend?"

"Father Lee has arrived. He brings with him the maestro you requested, the man by the name of Kirby. Are you yet ready?"

King Victor stole one final glance in the mirror. His perfect, unmarred face stared back, eyes dancing with nervous energy and the barest hint of passion. Barring his coronation, today would be the most important, and most joyful, of his life.

"Lead on, Herbie. Lead on."

The king's chapel rang with elation at the hands of the maestro's assembled band. The people of Baxter and the Latverians sat expectantly in the pews, speaking in hushed but gladsome tones. The rulers of many lands had gathered with the common folk, including the prince of Atlantis and his royal guard, his battle with Attuma long since fought and won. The gifts of undersea treasure he brought were still being carried inside, with the exception of a simple pearl necklace. The prince glanced around for Susan Storm but saw her not.

Father Lee removed his dark glasses and slipped them inside his vestment pockets, before placing them once again on his face. "Too bright in here," he muttered.

A sudden hush came over the crowd as Kirby directed the band to play the wedding march. The assembled crowd rose to their feet as the procession began.

Benjamin Grimm entered first, accompanied by one of the king's servants. His high collar and leather boots itched and pinched but did not detract from his smile. Next came Susan, wearing a fine white dress to match Herbie's white garments as they walked to the altar. Johnny brought up the rear with the captain of the royal guard, mentally checking that everything was in its place. The crowd waited with bated breath for the moment they had been anticipating.

King Victor swallowed around a lump in his throat, suddenly conscious of his sweating hands. He turned and looked deeply into his beloved's eyes. Reed shyly smiled as their eyes met, squeezing the king's hand. In unison, they nodded, stepping together down the chapel aisle.

The gold woven into Reed's clothing, and the silver woven into King Victor's, glinted in the sunlight. Both men looked straight ahead at the priest but kept stealing glances at each other. The crowd silenced as the grooms passed each pew. All focus was on the couple. Susan and Benjamin found themselves wiping away tears, and Johnny thanked his stars that all his careful planning was holding together.

The two lovers bowed in front of the altar before turning to face each other, never breaking their hand hold. They could not control the happiness spreading within. Despite himself, Reed found himself swaying forward, looking to capture the king's lips in a kiss.

"We'll get to that soon enough, you crazy kids" whispered the priest with a wink, and Reed straightened up. King Victor stifled a laugh.

"Are we good to go?" asked Father Lee. King Victor looked at the immaculately decorated chapel, his assembled friends and subjects, and finally, to his beloved groom.

"Yes," he said, "yes, we are."

The castle ballroom overflowed with people. Johnny Storm nearly had a conniption when playful children tore off some of the decorations, but was soon calmed with drink. Susan and Benjamin danced together under the almost magical glow of the candlelight. Namor politely waited for their dance to end before stepping in to ask Susan to join him. Susan led the undersea prince through a lively round dance and a more subdued waltz. Herbie rounded up the children and taught them a little dance to occupy themselves while their parents danced and drank, and Johnny thanked him by sharing a goblet of spiced wine. A good time was being had by all, but mainly by the royal couple themselves.

The prince consort and the king had scarcely taken their eyes off each other after the vows had been made. Reed's cheeks still carried a red hue from the passionate kiss that had sealed their marriage promises. It was clear that the king wished to take Reed to their bedchambers and consummate the marriage, but they had a duty to their gathered subjects. Prince Consort Reed and King Victor had eaten and drank, enjoying the special fine spiced wine that Father Lee had brought with him. He had replied to their thanks with an "Excelsior!" and a clap on the shoulder. Prince Consort Reed was unsure if he was drunk off of the wine, or off of his love for his husband.

King Victor had taken his groom's hand after their meal and had not let go since. He had dragged Reed to the floor for their customary dance and had held him there for several after. It was only when their lungs ached from laughter and exhaustion that they retired back to the head table.

Prince Consort Reed absentmindedly ran his fingers over King Victor's face. King Victor laughed. "What do you do this for?"

"To think I hated you when first we met."

"And I, you," said King Victor.

"Your face is so beautiful," Reed continued, "I'll never tire of looking upon it."

"You become far more eloquent with drink."

"I speak the truth," Reed moved his fingers to his love's hair, "I am looking forward to embarking on this new experiment with you."

King Victor placed his hand on Reed's thigh. "It shall be the greatest experiment ever undertaken." The two shared a laugh. "But, if you ever refuse a meal again, I will personally feed it to you." King Victor picked a piece of candied fruit off of his plate and brought it to Prince Consort Reed's lips. "Like this."

Reed gladly accepted the fruit. "And if you ever raise your voice at me, I shall silence you, like this." Reed pressed a gentle kiss to King Victor's lips.

King Victor raised a glass. "And if we find ourselves locked in a room, may it be together."

"Git a room, you two!" Benjamin Grimm called out from the dance floor. A chorus of "yeah" echoed from around the room.

"Well," said Prince Consort Reed, "I suppose the people have spoken."

"Yes," said King Victor, "I suppose they have." The two lovers rose and looked into each other's eyes as if it were the first time they truly saw each other.

"You are my greatest achievement, and I have had many," Reed whispered.

"And you are the greatest treasure in my entire kingdom."

The King and his Prince Consort kissed passionately before King Victor picked up his groom in one fluid motion and carried him to the royal bedchamber.

Once upon a time, Once upon a time, in the land of Latveria, there lived a king. His name was King Victor Von Doom. King Victor had the biggest castle in all the lands, and the most servants. But he was not happy. In fact, he was the most unhappy person in all the lands.

The King had been cursed by a witch with a scar across his face that marred his beautiful visage. He thought that his greatest desire was to obtain all the wisdom of the land and find relief from his scar. In actuality, what the king wanted most was to love, and to be loved in return.

One sunny day, he journeyed to the village of Baxter in search of the wisest man in all the land, Reed Richards. Though their relationship began on unequal footing, Reed Richards proved himself an equal to the stubborn king. It did not take long for King Victor to fall in love with Reed, and Reed fell in love with the king in return. King Victor rose to defend his love and his village from an invader from another land, but Reed Richards bested the tyrant. King Victor brought peace to the village of Baxter and broke the curse.

Many months passed, and King Victor married his love and brought great joy to his kingdom. And it is here our story ends.