Edited by: ASaltedFish
Time quickly flew by for Juniper and Ellery.
Juniper moved in with Edros, while Akimitsu moved in with Ellery. Still, they all had a room at each other's homes for when they wanted to hang out and spend the night.
Ellery and Akimitsu had their engagement ceremony, but it was kept small. Only family and close friends were invited. The engagement party was held at Ellery's estate.
At the engagement party, Edros' parents, the former Emperor Aurora Caecius and former King Consort Robin Caecius, showed up, meeting Juniper for the first time.
Edros' parents stayed for a month, getting to know Juniper, teasing Edros, checking in on Emperor Eliane and Empress Iris, and playing with their grandchildren. After that, they said they would come back when Edros and Juniper were about to get married. The couple continued their travels around the Zervaria Empire.
"I heard Edros' parents really like you, Juniper." Ellery teased Juniper, who was sitting in the chair next to him in their Stabilizer workroom.
Once a week, Juniper would go over to Ellery's place to make stabilizers together. It was also their way of seeing how they were doing.
Juniper didn't hear the teasing in Ellery's voice and responded seriously, "Yes, I think they like me too."
Realising Juniper didn't notice his teasing, he gave up and said normally, "I heard the Imperial family is pretty easy going, so take your time getting to know them. I'm sure they will be able to like you even more than Edros."
"You think they will like me more than Edros?"
"From what I could see, I'm sure your in-laws are the type to like their son or daughter-in-law more than their own children!"
From the way the former Emperor and former King Consort talked, Juniper felt that was really the case.
"How about your in-laws?"
"They seem to be the type to like their children and in-laws equally, which I appreciate."
Juniper also felt that was good.
"Are you almost done with your wedding preparations? Do you need my help with anything?"
Ellery's wedding was in two months. In this galaxy, bachelor and bachelorette parties were not a thing, but they did have groomsmen and bridesmaids to make sure everything at the wedding and reception was in order. Juniper was Ellery's best man, while Edros was Akimitsu's best man.
"Everything is ready. All we need to do is make sure all of our guests arrive on Hezyria in time."
Grandpa Carl and Grandma Marla, the old couple who took care of Orin while he was injured and stranded on planet MPE02 (Niavi), were already on their way to Hezyria and would be meeting Orin and Darya there first. Orin wanted to take them sightseeing because it would be their first time on Hezyria. Even their own children and grandchildren didn't live on a planet as large as Hezyria.
Ellery and Juniper would be leaving at the end of the month, and Edros and Akimitsu would leave as soon as they finished most of their military duties. If all went well, they would arrive in the second week of the following month.
"That's good. If you do think of something that you need help with, let me know."
"Thank you, Juniper!" Ellery thought Juniper's way of showing affection was just too cute. "If you need help with your wedding, let me know." He gave Juniper his signature wink.
"Okay… It will take some time, though."
"I know, I know, no rush."
Ellery remembered when Juniper first came into his body, and he had half jokingly asked Juniper to get married and have a kid for him so he could move on in peace. To be honest, he did find himself to be more of a ghost at the beginning, but as they both settled into his body, he wanted nothing more than to have full control of his body once again.
After both of their souls settled in their body, he never brought up the topic of marrying Juniper again as they did their best to find a way to separate. He was thankful that the two of them didn't give up and were able to stand side by side with their partners.
*****
At the end of the month, Ellery and Juniper were about to board the private spacecraft under the protection of the First Fleet. It wasn't known to the media, so Akimitsu and Edros were able to say goodbye in peace.
Juniper looked at Edros, who was a little sad that he couldn't follow. "I will call you every night." He held Edros' hands to comfort him.
Edros knew that Juniper always kept his word, but he was still sad. "Thank you, Juniper… I will be sure to pick up your calls. I'm just going to miss you a lot."
Ever since they started living together, Edros was used to coming home and seeing Juniper or spending his days off with him. It would be the first time since they started living together that they would be apart for a long period.
"I will miss you too…"
"Juniper, Edros, it's only two week." Ellery teased while hugging Akimitsu.
Edros looked over at him. "Yeah, Ellery, it's only two weeks, so why are you holding on to Akimitsu so tightly?"
"Well, this is normal for us. He's going to be my husband, so why can't I miss him a bit more?"
Looking at Ellery's confident grin, he knew that he was right. He also wanted to marry Juniper, but he knew that Juniper needed a bit more time. Marriage was a scary thing for Juniper, especially after he lost both of his parents in his past life, and his father died from a broken heart.
"Well, Juniper is my boyfriend, so I should be able to miss him a bit more, too."
"I guess that's true."
"You two… Alright, if we stand here talking, Juniper and Ellery will be late," Akimitsu said as the voice of reason. Even if he said that, he was still hugging Ellery, not wanting to let go.
"Let's go…" Juniper didn't want to delay any longer! Being late made him anxious.
This time, Juniper initiated a hug to Edros, making Edros even more reluctant to see him go. "Safe travels, I will see you soon."
"Okay, you also travel safely. And don't forget to eat and sleep."
"Okay, I promise I won't forget."
After that, the two let go and waited for Ellery and Akimitsu to finish their goodbyes before boarding the spacecraft. Juniper gave one last look to Edros and then followed the attendant to their room.
On the dock, Edros and Akimitsu waited until they could no longer see the spacecraft before heading back to the First Fleet's headquarters.
They were both silent, but they were very sad to be apart from Ellery and Juniper.
"Let's hurry up and finish our work," Edros said with a solemn face.
"Okay, Marshal. Hopefully, we can finish early so we can leave early."
That was the plan.
Unfortunately, their subordinates would also be working overtime. But most were okay with it because they were all invited to Ellery and Akimitsu's wedding. They also wanted to finish work so they could have their vacation on Hezyria!