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Hapi looked herself up and down in the mirror. She never thought she’d see herself all dolled up for a day like this. Her white dress was every bit as elegant as she imagined it would be as a kid. And her hair–tied up neater than it’s ever been before as far as she could remember… she really did look like a bride.
“Coco was right… Like a princess jumped out of a story book.” She spoke aloud as she looked at her hands, looking at the bouquet of flowers in her hand. Apparently Dedue knew exactly what kinds would make the best bouquet. She saw all kinds of flowers–red, blue, pink… she didn’t really know the names of most of them, but it was hard to deny it looked–and smelled–absolutely divine.
“Hard to believe it’s really-” A knock on the door suddenly interrupted her, causing her to jump in surprise and almost drop the bouquet.
“Yo, Hapi. You almost ready in there?” came a familiar voice through the door to her dressing room. Hapi nearly sighed, but managed to catch herself and let out a low groan instead.
‘Not yet… Can’t do that yet.’ she thought to herself.
“...Sheesh, B, you scared me. One sec.” Hapi replied. She carefully began to walk towards the door. Goddess, she hated heels… had it not been her big day, she probably would’ve just opted for some sandals or something. Even with all the help from Constance and all the practice, she still could barely walk a straight line in these things unsupported. By some miracle from above, she actually made it to the door without falling over.
“Finally. Another sec, B.” Hapi said as she briefly fumbled with the lock and opened the door. Before her stood none other than the self-proclaimed King of Grappling, Balthus. His eyes widened upon finally getting to see Hapi all dolled up as he whistled his approval.
“Hey hey, you clean up nice!” Balthus exclaimed as he offered an arm to her, which she gladly accepted.
“Back at you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you all dressed up like this either.” Hapi let out a soft laugh as she gripped his arm, grateful for the support in these heels.
“Well that’s just cuz Claude hasn’t hooked me up with-”
“Uh-uh. Nope. None of that today, B.”
“What? It’ll happen!” Both shot the other a look before they both broke into a fit of laughter. As the two began the walk down the long hall towards the altar, a silence fell over the two.
“Hey B? Thanks.” Hapi eventually said to break the silence.
“What, for being here? You know I wouldn’t miss a night like this!” Balthus replied before flashing a thumbs-up with his free hand.
“No, not just for coming, but… for giving me away today. You guys–Coco and Yuri-bird–are the closest I have to family. It just… really means a lot.” Hapi spoke, her smile spreading further across her face. She almost felt tears in her eyes already. She couldn’t cry yet. She wasn’t looking forward to another two hours of Constance having to re-apply her makeup for her.
“Ah well… Y’know I couldn’t just leave ya hangin’. You guys have been there for me.” Balthus replied, rubbing the back of his head. He never was the best with all this happy-sappy stuff. “And besides, Yuri got Best Man, Constance got Maid of Honor. Can’t leave the King of Grappling out of a big duty, you know!”
“Ha… True enough. But it really does mean a lot though. I just hope our little family’s got room for a fifth.” Hapi closed her eyes in thought after a good chuckle.
[Shortly before at the altar]
“Huh… Ah, c’mon Arval! It’s almost time! You can’t just drag me in here now!” Shez crossed his arms as he shot the floating Agarthan a glare.
“I know it’s a bit inopportune, but is it so bad to want to wish you good luck? I think you’d look rather silly talking to the others, talking to someone invisible, would you not?” Arval replied, crossing their arms. Shez seemed to consider Arval’s words for a moment before sighing.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right… Sorry, I’m just… just so nervous! Hapi’s gonna be arriving any moment! How do I look?” Shez asked as he looked down at his suit. He definitely wasn’t used to dressing up like this. Never had much reason to as a mercenary. Those most mercenaries didn’t have much of a reason to have such a wedding with a turnout like he did today.
“Just as the last seven people you asked that question to have said, you look fine. And I’m sure your new Partner in Life will appreciate your attire as well.”
“Partner in Life huh… y’know, wouldn’t this sort of make her your Partner in Destiny too? Kinda?” Shez asked. Arval put a hand to their chin in thought for a moment.
“Hmmm… I suppose technically. Though it still wouldn’t be quite the same as what you and I share, I suppose that she could be considered your Partner in Destiny and, by extension, mine as well. So-” Arval snapped to attention as they interrupted themself. “....It’s time.”
“Wait, it’s time?” Shez’s eyes went wide as he began to smooth out his tux with his hands.
“Yes, I think you should return now. I’ve said what I must.” A smile crossed Arval’s lips before Shez seemed to fade from Arval’s void.
The next thing Shez knew, he was standing back at the altar, where he was right before Arval called him over.
“You alright there?” Came the voice of Yuri as he tapped Shez on the shoulder. “You looked like you were in a bit of a daze there. Wedding frying your head already?” he asked before softly chuckling.
Shez just nervously chuckled before replying, “Y-yeah, something like that… Big day. Guess I kinda zoned out is all.” Shez then looked out at the attendees. He could see many of his comrades, but chief among them were Dimitri and Dedue, who he was almost certain wouldn’t be able to make it to the ceremony with all the duties the former had picked up after the war was over. Constance was sitting in the front row as well, keeping an empty seat open for Yuri and Balthus soon enough. She was smiling bright as ever, clearly excited for her dear friend Hapi. She just hoped that with the ceremony being indoors, that she’d be able to avoid the light from the window.
He didn’t have any longer to look at the others who had arrived though, as the doors to the altar had opened up, finally revealing the Bride and Groom to one another. Shez practically felt his heart explode within his chest at first sight of Hapi. Her dress, her hair… it put any illustration of Sothis he had ever seen to absolute shame. This was his wife–his goddess now. Or perhaps it might be better to say she was about to be, anyway.
Hapi, meanwhile, felt all eyes upon her at that moment as the crowd stood up. She felt herself shrink down just a bit under their gazes, but Balthus gave her a small pat on the back and a nod, which seemed to ease her spirits greatly as they reached the end of the aisle before she knew it.
“Good luck, Hapi.” Balthus whispered to her before sliding his arm out of hers and going to take his seat beside Constance, who was wordlessly holding back tears of joy.
Hapi looked down at her heels, then back up at Shez, whose face was redder than a tomato, just as she imagined her own face right now. She kept her gaze locked onto Shez and took the final steps toward the altar, bouquet in hand.
“Hey…” was all Shez could manage to say as he gazed upon Hapi.
“Hey, Motor Mouth.” Hapi replied, her little nickname earning a small laugh out of him just as always.
Neither really paid much attention to anything or anyone but the other during the entire ceremony. Their focus was completely and almost unbreakably upon the other. Time just sort of seemed to fly on by. They even had to be spoken to multiple times just to get them to say their vows. However, Shez’s favorite part came when it was time to put on the rings. The ring-bearer, Ignatz, offered up the rings to Shez, who held out his hand for Hapi. Hapi gladly offered her own hand in his as he began to slide the ring onto her finger. Hapi let out a gasp as something seemed to rush over her. Almost like a brief sense of… calm. Like everything was going to be alright.
“Before we go on-” Shez spoke up before squeezing Hapi’s hand between both of his. “-Hapi… I want you to sigh.”
Hapi remained silent for a moment before narrowing her eyes. “...What? You know what-”
“Yes. I know. Just trust me.”
“....But-”
“Please, Hapi.” He squeezed her hand tighter in between his. “I need you to trust me. I promise it’ll be worth it.”
Hapi looked at him slightly worriedly and then at the crowd. Her eyes fell upon Constance in particular, who was vigorously nodding her head ‘yes’. She hesitated just a bit longer before taking in a deep breath and finally exhaling. She expected any moment to begin hearing screams of a Demonic Beast nearby as always when she sighed. Yet right now, all she heard was… nothing. No roaring, no screams… just the faint squealing of Constance who was failing to keep her excitement to herself.
“Wait…” Hapi spoke as she looked around. A few people seemed on edge in anticipation, but nothing seemed to be going wrong. “Did you…?”
“Did I? No. But a very dedicated friend did.” He briefly glanced towards Constance. “You’re free, Hapi. The ring is more than just a wedding ring. It’s-” Shez didn’t even finish speaking before Hapi practically jumped on him and pulled him into a hug and a kiss. Only frozen for a moment, Shez gladly wrapped his arms around her and held her as tight as he could.
“Not the usual order of events this ceremony is supposed to follow but…” the old priest spoke as he clasped his own hands together with a smile. “I now declare these two, Hapi, and Shez…. Man and wife. You may- ….. You have kissed the bride.” he finished. The crowd immediately erupted into rapturous applause as Shez lifted Hapi off of her feet. Constance finally erupted into happy tears as she seemed to clap and cheer the loudest out of all attendees.
When their kiss finally broke, Hapi’s tears had since started flowing. “You don’t realize just how good that one sigh truly felt….” She said as she continued to hold him tightly.
“Well, no, but I can try and imagine. I love you, Hapi. Demonic Beasts or not. Though I think without ‘em is for the best.” Shez replied, which earned a small chuckle from Hapi.
“I love you too, Motor- ….. Shez. Heh. Sorry, force of habit.” Now it was Shez’s turn to laugh.
“Actually, I think I prefer Motor Mouth.. Hearing my name from you sounds weird after all this time.”
“Oh thank goodness, it absolutely does.”