LINKDING

<blockquote>Damianos is being sent to the prince of Kumat, who will take him as a husband; this is among the terms of the treaty that will end the war at last. Unless, presumably, he displeases the prince and is executed, which seems to him as though it is all too likely. But perhaps they will only dislike each other a little. Perhaps the prince will find Damianos's looks to his taste, and be willing to fuck Damianos at least the necessary once. That would not be so bad. It is too improbable to be worth contemplating, that perhaps they will each please the other very much indeed, and like each other, and be happy. Far, far too improbable. And even if by some chance it were so—too many dangers would yet remain for it to have any hope of lasting.</blockquote> ➤ I love this story a lot but also I am Very Concerned about the long-term viability of their lives, their relationship, and the state of their countries, given the political situation..... I JUST WANT THEM TO BE OKAY.

<blockquote>Irene raises her chin. She made up her mind long ago. "I will marry the girl." It is, after all, the smart thing to do. (An alliance is made between Attolia and Eddis.)</blockquote> ➤ wip through part 2 as of bookmarking, last updated in 2017

<blockquote>When Jainan arrived on Iskat to represent his home planet in a diplomatic marriage to Imperial Prince Taam, he was naïve enough to hope the match would work. Taam knew better. Five years later, his confidence shattered, Jainan is released when Taam dies in an accident, only to be faced with another marriage to help salvage his treaty. Jainan understands how the real world works now; but Prince Kiem - the cheerful, scandal-prone darling of the Iskat celebrity magazines - keeps breaking all the rules he's learned.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Bretagh closed the door behind him, shut his eyes, took in a breath of four counts, and let it out just the same. He rubbed his thumbs to his temples; he'd had a headache building for hours, but now that he was somewhere private he hoped he might stave it off from the type that would last all of tomorrow. He could still hear the festivities outside, both from other parts of the palace and on the streets below. He was tired and his every nerve was run raw, but he would never dare begrudge the people their celebration.</blockquote> ➤ mutual pining between a king and his political marriage partner

<blockquote>"No, see, we've all been trained a certain way. The training system is traditional; it's centuries old. Nobody taught you. You ballist like it's got nothing to do with war at all." A sleepy, extraordinary smile crawls over Victor's face. "Nobody else does it like that. That's why we're going to win."</blockquote> ➤ I don't know if it quite works for me as a YoI fic, but as an origfic it's GREAT, I adore the worldbuilding, I would read more set in this world! (and in fact can and have, the sequel is Gravity, ft. arranged marriage for Otabek and Yuri P.!)

<blockquote>Alternate universe wherein Susan and Delenn were married prior to the start of the series. It did not go well, and these stories pick up the pieces once they meet again when they're both assigned to Babylon 5.</blockquote> ➤ series consists of: dans le meilleur des mondes by Muccamukk never inconvenienced by the sun by Muccamukk

<blockquote>Afterwards his father only remarked, “His features are very fine.” “I am not marrying him for his features,” said Damen. “No, you are marrying him for his dowry,” said Theomedes.</blockquote> ➤ in which the princes agree to make a peace treaty instead of continuing the war

<blockquote>"The vows were short, perfunctory; Clarke was asked to say I do, and she did. There were rings, too: Bellamy’s fingers were warm against her hand when he slipped a ring on her finger, and she put a ring on his. They were instructed to kiss. His lips were dry, pressing against her mouth for a moment, and that was it. They were done. She was a wife, and her husband was a stranger." AU. Clarke winds up in an arranged marriage with Bellamy.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Prince S'chn T'gai Spock of Vulcan, engaged to Prince James Tiberius Kirk of Earth through an arrangement made by their parents many years ago, writes to his intended on the day of his birth in the interest of diplomacy. Jim is not interested in diplomacy. Though there is no precedent set for the commencement of a written correspondence begun due to these specific parameters, I will strive to maintain, to the best of my abilities and with ample preparatory research previously conducted, the appropriate level of formality between us, based on a number of factors, primarily examples of a similar nature.</blockquote> ➤ particularly good characterization-wise. ➤ I liked the first part that was all epistolary the best.

<blockquote>"You're saying you want me to marry one of them?"</blockquote>