That protection extended to Mengying when she was carrying. More than once she’d find herself with Ao Lie in his dragon form, curled around and death-glaring at anyone who dared look at her funny.
Summary: Ao Lie and Mengying have a redo wedding. Centuries later, Ao Lie and Mengying meet again.
Notes: A request from @twinklecupcake, based off discussion about PrincessBride!
Ao Lie wasn’t sure what exactly triggered his desire for a redo wedding.
Maybe it was seeing Wukong coo over Mengying and her pregnancy or having Bajie excitedly rattling off weird things Blue Orchid had done during her own pregnancy. Maybe it was seeing Wujing hold her hair back without a word during a dinner or Master just smiling fondly at them.
Maybe it was the memory of their first wedding.
It wasn’t a disaster by celestial standards. Their love was too solid, their bond unable to be broken, to be broken by a disaster wedding.
Rather it had been perfect, but Mengying was willing to admit that her emotions hadn’t been the most flattering through the entire thing. He could still remember his sinking heart when he saw her frown, tears beading up, when they prepared to start, even though it had turned to happy tears soon after. She had looked lovely, but she had been stiff and formal. Her father hadn’t been present, which made sense, but she had nothing of home. His brothers and master hadn’t even been invited- mostly because of Wukong, he was willing to agree with that part of guilt- and had learned months later.
When Ao Lie thought of his wedding, it was pretty and formal. It was nothing like the weddings he saw during the journey, with the families overwhelmed with joy and happiness. The bond would never be broken, but the memory was still awful.
He sat up, staring into the darkness.
“Hey, have you ever thought of redoing our wedding?”
-_-
“Hey, Lie, do you wanna go somewhere with me?”
Ao Lie looked up from the metal box (a TV, his brother had called it) and Wukong winced. He guessed he probably looked awful. After… everything, he had suddenly hit a wall of numbness. Wukong had called it depression and had made it his and Xiaojiao’s mission to at least get him out of bed and brush his teeth.
He wasn’t sure why, but he could distantly appreciate it.
“Where?” he said, his voice raspy.
“I have a business meeting,” Wukong explained, stepping fully into the living room to reveal an eye-searing yellow suit. “It’s a horse riding business that works outdoors. I just kinda thought you might feel a little bit better with sunlight.”
Ao Lie considered the offer. He was tempted to say no, but Wukong had that hopeful little smile. “Do I need to say anything?”
“Nope. Honestly, if you just want to chill outside, that’s fine.”
…it wouldn’t hurt.
Hopefully.
“Fine. Let me get changed.”
-_-
It was surprisingly easy to plan a redo wedding.
The minute he mentioned it, his brothers and friends had agreed, but more importantly, his wife had agreed. Mengying had her own thoughts, her own imaginings for what her wedding would have been like. Most of all, she wanted to wear her mother’s wedding dress. Ao Lie agreed on the spot.
An hour before it was to begin, Ao Lie stared at the ceremony spot.
His brother had pulled his role off perfectly.
A small altar had been arranged, with flowers decorating every inch. Lanterns lit the space, giving the whole clearing a warm and comfortable feeling. A few demons and monkeys were finishing up details, their chatter warm. Master sat at the front in a fancier cassock, reading over the scroll and muttering whatever it said. Ao Lie beamed happily, acknowledging the slide of tears down his cheeks. He couldn’t wait for things to begin-
“Lie.” A hand tugged his sleeve. “How do I look?”
He turned and felt his breath catch.
There was no lie that Mengying had looked gorgeous on their wedding day. Dressed in green and red, adorned in pearls and jewels, she had looked like she had been born a dragon princess. However, it had been an image pressed on her, with gloves to hide work-callused hands and heavy pale makeup to hide the sunburn.
Mengying smiled and looked gorgeous. Her mother’s dress was simple, a red dress that looked more like a day dress, but it sat elegantly on her, accenting her pregnant stomach. Someone had taken the time and care to stitch golden dragons and phoenixes. An orchid was tucked behind her ear.
“Hey,” Ao Lie said, unable to resist wrapping his arms around her. “Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready? We aren’t supposed to see each other until the door games.” He wasn’t sure what exactly was happening there, but Wukong’s cackles had felt weirdly comforting.
“Says the man still in his work clothes. But, I just wanted to…check, I suppose,” Mengying said, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. “Your family isn’t here.”
Ah. Well, that stung a bit. But, not as much as he would think.
“What are you talking about? My family is here.”
-_-
The cloud traveled fast, but not fast enough for awkward silence to form over them.
Ao Lie glanced at Wukong occasionally, but his brother had been very quiet about exactly where they were going. He just drove…or rode… the nimbus, his eyes locked on the distance.
“Are we there yet?” he finally said, just to break up the silence of the rushing wind.
“Yeah, actually,” Wukong said, looking around. “Just a bit more! I think if you look, you might be able to see it.”
Ao Lie glanced over the side as suggested. At first, he didn’t see anything, just rushes of green and brown, but as the nimbus slowed, the rush stopped. Details began to form. At first, it just looked like grass, the occasional tree-
Wait…
He knew that tree, with the gnarled trunk. As they passed over the hill and their location was revealed, Ao Lie felt his breath catch with realization.
“What…what is this?” he said, staring at the remains of what had been Mengying’s village.
He was pretty sure his voice was shaking, but Wukong made no comment. “After you were… sucked in,” he said, his grip tightening on the cloud, just a bit. “There was a series of hard times. The village was abandoned, and then the river flooded.” Ao Lie craned over the side, looking down. The farm was a few hours’ ride away, but he had still visited. He was certain that, even with some buildings missing their walls and some buildings gone entirely, he would be able to name each building. “It was presumed that the village was washed away, but it was actually buried. Some archaeologists dug it up. My business partner decided to raise money for the archaeology program here and the village’s upkeep by leading horseback tours around the village and another site nearby.”
Oh, now he could see the horses. The guide looked up as the cloud passed overhead and waved. Ao Lie waved back.
His heart began to race.
-_-
Like he suspected, the door games were fun.
Instead of riddles or questions about each other, Wukong, Wujing, and Bajie had set up a small but elaborate maze. Ao Lie and Mengying were allowed to call out to each other, their calls turning into giggles every second that passed. Finally, they met in the center.
Ao Lie was aware that Mengying looked beautiful in her dress. However, she had finished her look with a flower crown, orchids and lotuses and plum blossoms and flowers he couldn’t name sitting on her brow. She looked gorgeous and he felt his tail wag as she cooed over his look.
The walls came down without warning, revealing the waiting altar.
Master did the traditional religious stuff and, as requested, left room for them to share their vows. Mengying laughed when Ao Lie promised eternal devotion and kisses in his carefree, sappy way that got them stares and scoffs in court, her laughter brighter than any music playing.
But her vows…
“And, above all, I promise that this bond will not be broken,” she said, her voice as certain and firm as the red cloth they bound their hands with. She had no doubts in her mind and was unafraid to show it. They would live together in peace and happiness for the rest of their lives.
Ao Lie may have been crying when they kissed.
-_-
They eventually landed at the headquarters of the business, a small two-story building with a garden outside. Ao Lie found himself pausing, admiring the plum trees planted outside, blooming white flowers. Wukong led them past a small desk where a receptionist waved them on. Most of the building seemed to be dedicated to an exhibit about the town, including what could be discovered about its history.
Ao Lie came to a stop again. This time, it was at a scroll recovered during the dig. It had apparently been found in a chest, buried in the mud, somehow preserving it. The scroll was rolled open, revealing the painting. It was of two dark-haired people, but he recognized the dress.
“Yeah,” Wukong said quietly. “That’s how I figured it out.” He patted his shoulder and guided him to a small door. “Come on, the office is right here.
The office was small and cluttered, with paperwork scattered around the desk, a small bookshelf of books and horse statues, and a small couch barely squeezed in that Wukong settled on. Despite the lack of space, it was comfortable with the window open, letting sunshine in and mint green walls.
The door opened.
“Ah, Mr. Sun! It’s so good to- Ah!”
Ao Lie felt his entire being freeze.
I know this voice.
He turned and lunged to catch the woman.
Before they landed in a clump on the floor, she caught herself on the doorknob. Ao Lie hit the floor. There were gasps and questions, but he couldn’t look away.
She looked a bit different, but he knew, deep in his heart, that it was her.
Her dark curls were braided back, and the ends bleached almost white in a style that resembled Xiaojiao’s green hair dye. She wore jeans with large pockets, one having a chicken patch. Over a white polo, she wore a green jacket. Still, her gentle smile remained as she reached a hand down in offering. “Are you okay?” she said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you fall over!”
…oh wait she was talking to him.
“I’m fine,” he rasped, fighting back tears. “I’m comfy.”
“...on the floor?”
“Yep!” He patted the floor, the only thing keeping him from getting up and doing something ridiculous, like kissing her. Or punching Wukong, who he could hear snickering. “It’s a nice floor.”
Mengying, his wife, stared and then smiled a bit wider, in a way he recognized as her trying to stifle a laugh. “Alright then, Mr…”
“Ao,” he said. “But you can just call me Lie.”
-_-
Unlike the reception of the first wedding, this reception was a bustling, joyous, loud disaster, made up of friends and family who were unafraid to have a great time.
Several monkeys played instruments while others…tried, providing a laugh and raucous beat. Good food, available to all, decorated the tables. Guests ate, drank, and danced. Wukong and Master danced together, as Bajie entertained the kids by sharing dramatic retellings of their adventures (with Wujing occasionally cutting in).
The couple sat together, watching the scene. They had slipped away to watch the stars burst to life in the sky as the sun finished sinking into the sea, but there was a much more beautiful scene next to Ao Lie.
Mengying was smiling.
Full on smiling, her eyes sparkling with joy and a few happy tears.
Yeah, Ao Lie thought to himself as he wrapped her arms around her and kissed her, a redo wedding was the best idea.
-_-
They flew home in silence for about an hour.
“...how long have you known?”
Wukong sighed. “I try my best to keep tabs on everyone,” he started out. “But I didn’t know she had reincarnated until she was about Xiaojiao’s age. Her dad was an archaeologist and needed help with funding.” Ao Lie nodded, pressing his cheek to Wukong’s back. “When she got the idea for her business, I offered her funding. She’s actually friends with Blue Orchid now, actually.”
“Huh,” Ao Lie hummed. “And…when I came back…”
Wukong hummed back. There wasn’t a real answer there, but Lie couldn’t blame him. After all, he got him and Mengying to meet again. He even had a job close to her again. He wasn’t stupid enough to think things would happen the same way, but he hoped.
He could feel that bond and prayed that it could still be forged into something unbreakable.
Then Wukong snickered.
“What?”
“When I asked her if I could bring you, I didn’t imagine you actually falling for her!” Wukong’s snickers broke into full guffaws, kicking his feet a little. As his laughter went on, Ao Lie felt his smile fade, replaced by annoyance…and a little bit of mischief.
“...why are you- wait wait wait WAIT WAIT-!”
As he pushed Wukong off the cloud, Lie felt a grin form, energy flooding through him. He stood and dropped as the cloud wisped away, tumbling after Wukong. When his skin made contact with the water, he allowed his scales to overtake it. Wukong was sinking below, crossing his arms with a grumpy look, and Ao Lie lunged.
When he breached the water, he threw Wukong up, cackling as the monkey screamed.
The Mengying he had first met, she was gone. But now he had a chance to meet her again.
Another view of the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland, used as the Cliffs of Insanity in The Princess Bride. (Earlier photo of them here) - https://www.edge-cases.photos/Main-Photo-Library/Main-Photo-Library-1/i-dzSPwLW/buy
Here’s a repost of my freehand colored pencil and graphite drawing of Buttercup and Westley from The Princess Bride (which turns 35 this year!) We showed the movie to our son last night for the first time and he liked it! @caryelwes @robingwright #princessbride #theprincessbride #caryelwes #robinwrightpenn #robinwright #westley #buttercup #princessbuttercup #inconceivable #pencilart #realism #art #artist #artwork #art_motive #inspiration #draw #drawing #freehand #graphite #instaart #pencil #staedtler #portrait #pencildrawing #sketch #fanart #etsy #artistic #jjdart https://www.instagram.com/p/CYh_9-RM6rR/?utm_medium=tumblr
Umm artist of tumblr. Please could you do me a favour? I just realised that Owen Joyner/Alex looks like Westley from The Princess Bride. Could someone please complete my life by drawing him as Westley and Willie as Buttercup?
