Chapter Text
The darkness surrounding Dario was filled with noise. As he opened his eyes he could see what had to be beings from a nightmare or some insane hallucination. Skeletons, talking heads, moving corpses, and a figure dressed in white wondering if he was ok or not. “I suppose we have a new arrival!”
“He must have fainted, the poor darling…” The figure dressed in white reached for him and caressed his cheek, “Are you alright now, my love?” Darren’s thoughts were going a million miles a minute. What did they mean ‘still soft’? And of course he breathes, he can’t survive without oxygen! And what on earth are they toasting to? His thoughts are cut short when he hears the end of the toast.
“-to the newlyweds.” Now wait a damn minute-
“Newlyweds?!” The brown haired man looked around frantically trying to figure out what was happening. The handsome man in white grabbed his shoulders and spun them around.
“Oh my god, out in the garden, you said your vows so beautifully! I had to say yes! You were so sweet and heartfelt, my love!” The blond man’s eyes sparkled as he gazed up at Dario, his left hand held up for him to see. Fingers, or well, bones wiggling and a diamond and sapphire ring was perched on the skeletal ring finger. “Oh! And look! I was able to find a ring for you too! It was a little last minute, but I hope you like it!” The blond man reached for Dario’s left hand and held it up to show the ruby red ring that now sat on his finger.
“My vows? I was just practicing, and the ring is great but not really necessary-” Dario started backing up until his back hit the bar of the restaurant. A taller man leaned onto the bar and tapped Dario on the shoulder.
“Hello, hello! My name is Alfie and I will be coordinating your wedding feast this lovely evening!” His head was leaning precariously on his neck and looked as if a stiff breeze would knock it off. Dario looked around frantically, trying to understand what was even happening. Weddings, feasts, semi-dismembered people crowding around him and the blond man as if they had always been a couple and not just accidentally married.
“What is going on?! Who even are you people?! And where am I?!”
The questions were asked in rapid succession. The blond looked on shyly. “Well, that’s kind of a long story…” A spotlight came down onto a skeletal figure wearing a hat.
“And what a tale it is for our darling Garrett. One of tragedy, passion, and murder or the foulest kind! Hit it boys.” Jazz started pouring out of every instrument in the restaurant.
“Hey! Give me a listen, you corpses of cheer,
At least those of you who still have an ear,
I’ll tell you a story to make a skeleton cry,
I’ll tell you of our own jubiliciously, wonderful Corpse Bride!”
Gerrett looked over at Dario and gave a small smile and took his hand. “I’m afraid it’s not a very happy story, my love…”
Die, die we all pass away,
But don’t wear a frown because it’s really ok!
You might try to hide, and you might try to pray,
But we all end up the remains of the day.
Suddenly Garrett was pulled away from Dario and up towards the dancing skeleton.
“Now, our boy was a beauty known for miles around,
When a mysterious stranger came into town.
He was plenty good looking,
But down on his cash.
And our poor little baby?
He fell hard, and fast.”
Garrett fell backwards into the skeletons arms and winked at Dario when he was caught. He was spun around while the skeleton sang.
“And when his daddy said no,
He just couldn’t cope.
So these lovers came up with a plan to elope!”
Dario was slowly being pushed forward toward Garrett and Alfie as well as another unnamed woman were dancing towards him.
Die, die we all pass away,
But don’t wear a frown because it’s really ok!
You might try to hide, and you might try to pray,
But we all end up the remains of the day.
As the jazz picked up, the bride grabbed the groom’s hand and started dancing around with him. Dario was confused with the situation. He wasn’t necessarily complaining. Garrett was a good dancer, and he was incredibly attractive, even for his dead state, but he never thought he would ever dance with a corpse. Suddenly Garrett was pulled up towards the singing skeletal man. However, her hand came off and was left holding Dario’s.
“So they conjured up a plan to meet late at night,
They told not a soul,
Kept the whole thing tight.
Now his mother’s wedding dress,
It fit like a glove.”
The singer pulled the end of the dress over his head, Garrett gasped and Dario ran over pulling him away from the dress and holding the blond close. Garrett’s hand reattached itself and a whispered “my love” left his mouth. The singer chuckled and continued.
“After all,
You don’t need much when you’re already in love.
Except for a few things, or so I’m told.
Like the family jewels,
And a sachet of gold.”
Garrett frowned and buried his head into Dario’s chest, knowing what was coming.
“Then next to the graveyard,
By the old oak tree!
On a dark, foggy night at a quarter to three,
He was ready to go!
But where was he?”
Dario curled his arms around his bride and pulled him in closer, casting a sorrowful glance down at the blond’s head. “I’m sorry that happened.” Came his whispered voice.
And then?
“He waited.”
And then?
“In the shadows, was it a man?”
And then?
“His little heart beat so loud.”
And then?
“And then baby, all he saw was dead black.
When he open his eyes,
He was dead as dust,
And his heart was bust.
So he made a vow, laying under that tree.
That he’d wait for his true love,
To come set him free.”
Garrett lifted his head and smiled at his groom. “I was waiting for someone to ask for my hand." The singer interrupts.
“Then out of nowhere comes this groovy young man!”
Garrett guided Dario around while spinning and laughing happily. “And then you vowed forever to be by my side, my love!”
“And that’s the story of our lovely Corpse Bride!” The spinning ended and Garrett fell into Dario’s arms as they ended in a dip. “To the newlyweds!” Everyone cheered and drinks were passed around once again.