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“Raven, stop scratching at it, the collar’s fine.”
“But it’s not. It feels crooked, and if it looks crooked when she comes, then-”
“Raven,” Raven stopped pulling at her black collar at Qrow’s flat tone, as he gave her a thoroughly exhausted stare. “You look fine. Seriously. And I’m pretty sure Summer’s gonna drop dead seein’ you in a suit, no matter how the collar is.”
Raven mused his words over, taking her hand from the collar to scratch her neck, looking back to where guests were beginning to filter in, no doubt guided by Oscar and the Schnee boy, or one of the other ushers. Raven chuckled thinking of them. “Honestly, I don’t think this would be going so well without all the kids’ help.”
“Hmph, you tell me. Speaking of,” Qrow leaned past Raven. “Hey, Yang! Is the sword okay?” Yang looked over from where she’d been talking with blake, rolling her eyes and placing a hand on her waist.
“Yeah, yeah, it’s okay. Don’t worry yourself to death,” at his lack of amusement, she held up an intricately decorated, curved scabbard. “See?” Qrow just sighed. Raven chuckled at the two’s antics, nudging him in the side. “Hey, I wouldn't’ve chosen her if I didn’t trust her. And we’ve got Clover keepin’ an eye on them, anyway.”
“Somehow, he doesn’t reassure me.”
“Really? After so long with each other, I’d thought you’d trust him with anythin’.” She laughed at his unamused expression. “Hey, be careful. You’re gonna be in my spot with him eventually, worry wart.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
The two meandered for a while longer, keeping an eye out as more guests filtered in and sat down. Tai soon enough came rushing in, Qrow mocking the celebrant for being late, earning him a hit on the heads with the book of vows. As he nursed the ache given, Tai and Raven took to small talk, though Tai made sure to take the chance to embarrass Yang with mentions of ‘Taking notes for her’s and Blake’s turn’. As the ushers still outside came in, however, the group knew it was time, and took their places. Yang and Qrow stood off to the right. Raven took her place in the centre, Tai just behind with the vows ready. The groom's people took their seats at the front.
And then, the music began. And the assembled crowd grew into a hushed silence.
And she walked in.
Summer was in a rather simple wedding dress, as she’d preferred, coloured in white and lined with red. Maria led her, taking the parent role after mentoring the woman for years, though not anymore. Ruby was closed behind, grinning happily whilst covering a shield decorated with a rose, with other bridesmaids in toe, Weiss looking slightly exhausted from all the organising. Clancy followed with Robyn keeping an eye on her, as the silver and red-eyed girl scattered petals behind them. The music began to soften as the party came to the front, the various bridesmaids filling in their seats, as Ruby stayed alongside her mother. Maria gave Raven a warm smile, of empathy or reassurance or both, she couldn't tell, then nodded, letting go of Summer’s arm, and standing to the side. As they did, the music finally fell silent. Tai broke it, clearing his throat.
“Family. Friends. Today we are gathered here to celebrate the union of two people, close to us all. A union of mind and spirit, so that the two may walk together not just as two bodies, but as one soul.” He held out a hand to one, then the other. “Raven Branwen, and Summer Rose.”
“As most of you will know, I’ve known both Raven and Summer for a long time. Which is odd, given how blindsided I was by being chosen to do this by them. Granted, I’m the only person they know with a law degree, but I’d have thought they knew me better than to trust me with this, given the number of juicy things I have on these two.” That earned him a laugh from the crowd, as Summer giggled whilst Raven just rolled her eyes.
“But, that’s for later. For now, I hope to honour them both and join them in a union I know from my beacon days they’ve both longed for. Of course, if there are no objections.” No one stood, and he chuckled. “Good. I’d rather not have to witness Qrow’s scythe skills on today of all days. Now then,” he gave a nod to Yang, who stopped forward, handing the sword to Raven, who presented it to Summer, hilt first. “On this day, I give you the sword of my family, so that we may one day grant it to our own.” Though it felt formal, Raven couldn't help but notice the irony, considering either Clancy or Ruby would be the ones to inherit it. Something told her it would continue to collect dust.
Summer took the sword carefully, swapping it with ruby for the shield. “Thank you. And I, too, present you with this shield, so that our union will be kept safe from all woes.” Raven took it, nodding as a smile crept up her face, barely noticing Yang take the shield.
“Now then, it is time. Raven?” At his prompting, Raven took from a necklace around her neck a small ring, decorated with red and black gems. “Summer. We’ve... had ups and down. Many of them. When we met, and for a long time afterwards, I would try to push you away, shut myself off. Yet you kept coming back, and, eventually, you helped me break my walls, see myself for who I was and who I wanted to be. Even when I closed myself back in again, time and time again, you still never gave up hope. Never gave up that I would keep those walls up. And it’s that hope that helped me do so.”
Her voice began to grow shaky, and she stopped for a moment to catch her breath, wiping a tear away even as Summer felt her own growing. “And I promise you, for as long as my soul stays on this land we call home, I will keep them down. And I will build something new, with you to enjoy it alongside me.” Summer nodded shakily, smiling warmly through the prickling tears.
“Thank you. Summer?”
Slow, calm breath filled the room, as Summer, too, readied herself. She took her own ring from her necklace, decorated with red and white. “I, I feel I’m somewhat the same. From our first interaction, we didn’t get along, butting heads throughout beacon. But, as I got to know you, I saw small things. But they showed something grand. Wonderful. The real Raven, not the Branwen she presented herself as. And I fell in love with her. How could I not?
And I kept falling in love with her. Through the trials and tribulations, through the best and worst, I stayed for her. And I’m so glad I did, so I could see her stand in front of me today.”
Tai nodded, smiling at them both. “Now then, with the exchange of vows and rings, the two may become one, in heart, mind and coil. Summer, do you take Raven to be your partner, through highs and lows, through joy and loss?” She smiled, looking into those crimson eyes, barely holding back tears. She nodded. “I do.” She slipped the ring onto Raven’s hand, holding to close.
“And do you, too, Raven, take Summer to be your partner, through all of life’s tribulations, from highs to lows, and from joy to hardship?” And so too did crimson look into Silver, smiling through small tears of joy. She nodded, sliding the ring onto her beloved's hand, feeling the warmth as the two rings touched. “I do.”
“And so, I am glad to pronounce the two of you joined in marriage - wife to wife!”
The ensemble guests erupted into a chorus of cheers, as Summer immediately pulled Raven into a kiss, making Yang chuckle until Qrow hinted that she should be taking notes for her time, which earned him an elbow to the gut.
The pair, hand in hand, soon made their way down the aisle, grinning, and only seeing one another, as cheers and claps echoed around them. They stepped through the doorway to the outside, eye to eye and hand in hand.
With a promise in their hearts, and a world to face. Together in heart, mind and soul, as so many times before.