Work Text:
The Big Day
…
It was a busy afternoon for Cozette, in just a couple hours, Ten and Technikki would exchange their vows to each other, yet there were still so many preparations to make, time was short and her mind was racing already. Since she had offered to host the party after the ceremony, Cozette now had to see that everything was finished in time.
She used Reclusa´s daily afternoon nap for some more decorating and finishing the last strokes on the cake which she had made herself as well. After the incident on Lottacoins Island where Eck´s had been banned from ever entering the bakery there ever again after eating literally every cake there, she decided it was better to not bother the poor pastry chef anymore, taking over the role of it herself. And as she admiringly looked at the multi-layered delicacy, Cozette was happy about the outcome and nodded satisfied.
“Wonderful, the cake is finished, the house is decorated and the gifts are nicely stacked, ready to open” She smiled while taking in the full picture in front of her. Deciding that this part was done, Cozette went over to the living room, looking after Reclusa who was still napping peacefully. Giving him a small peck on his forehead, the former Wattanist went out into her garden to pick some more flowers that would be thrown at the couple later on. Connie would take over the role of the flower girl and the dress Cozette had made her would fit perfectly for this occasion. She already imagined Connie walking down the aisle in that lovely dress, everyone adoring her most likely because who wouldn´t when such a cute little girl does her best to shine~
That said, her other charge, Ecks, would be the groomsman, a role that Ten had asked him to take over, personally. They were close friends after all and he trusted him enough to keep the rings safe from harm. The above mentioned person however was currently struggling with a wide range of emotions from agitation to despair. Eck´s was frantically searching for something and in his eyes one could see the look of sheer panic whenever his look shifted around the room.
“CRUD, WHERE ARE THEY?????????? GOD I AM SO DEAD!!!” Ecks nearly started to hyperventilate, wishing for a bag to breathe in and out, just like the doctor had told him to do whenever he was close before a meltdown… Biting his lips in frustration, the magenta colored man let out a sigh and hovered over to the living room where he sat down on the couch, white as a sheet. “Ten is going to kill me…” Covering his face with his hands(well not literal hands but you know), Ecks already could imagine the anger Ten would probably have towards him. “I promised to keep the rings safe and now they are gone…”
At that moment, Connie came in, wearing her new dress already. She saw Ecks moping on the couch and decided to investigate.
“What´s up, Ecks? You look devastated, what happened?” She asked, joining her adopted brother on the couch. “I lost Ten´s and Technikki´s wedding rings, I just can´t find them anymore!” Connie listened attentively, tilting her head slightly as Ecks voice became thinner over time, a clear sign of the stress. Feeling sorry for her brother, she put a hand on his arm, smiling. “Where have you seen the rings before you lost them?”
Ecks looked up from his spot on the couch, squinting his eyes, trying very hard to remember. His memory was really spotty and all over the place most of the time, all thanks to his neglecting parent´s actions.(His mother had been drinking excessively while pregnant with him) Thankfully at least a tiny spec of memory came back to him as he cocked his head slightly. “I think I left them here in the living room, on that table over there!” Connie raised a brow, her brain already starting to conduct the possible location of the rings.
“And what happened next? You put them there and then?”
“Well, i´ve got a call and went upstairs to my room for just a couple minutes, when i came downstairs they were already gone…” Connie furrowed her brows further.
“Was anyone else with you in the room?”
“No, I was alone, well, not really i guess, Reclusa was playing in his playpen, but he wasn't paying attention at all!” Further thinking caused Ecks to growl in frustration. Something was amiss and he simply couldn't put his finger on what exactly it was. The mentioning of Reclusa caused Connie to perk up.
“Reclusa you say? And he was alone when you went upstairs to get that call?”
“Yep, that is what happened. And then they were gone, like *poof*!”
Their eyes then fell on said entity which had curled up to a small ball by now. Connie tilted her head once more and then got an idea.
“You know, I'm starting to think that maybe Reclusa is the culprit here! He was alone after you went upstairs, right? So no one was watching him at that time. What if he put them in his mouth and swallowed them before you came back?”
Ecks mouth flew open and his eyes bulged out for a moment.
“Oh my god…what if you´re right? How the frick do we get the rings out of him???” Another panic attack hit Ecks and he began to pace around restlessly. “I can´t believe this…why would he do such a thing???”
“Well, Reclusa is a baby, and babies put stuff in their mouths all the time…especially if they are left on their own!” Connie replied with a sigh. “There are not many options here and every one of them is gross in their own merit.”
“What do you mean? Like, making him puke them out?”
“Kinda, I hope he hasn't swallowed them completely though and that he simply kept them in his mouth for fun!”
Ecks grimaced at the implications this meant and shuddered.
“Let's wake him up then!” He retorted, mentally bracing himself already for the inevitable awkwardness that most likely would ensue. They went to Reclusa, carefully lifting him from his little nest he had made himself out of cushions. The sudden movement caused the small entity to stir from his sleep, and as his big eyes started to open, he began to yawn lazily. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he blinked a couple times as his view slowly focused on Ecks who was holding him, looking visibly upset.
This caused Reclusa to recoil in fear, the monitor that was basically his head, started to distort into a grimace and he began to wail loudly which in turn caused Ecks to nearly drop him as he tried to cover his ears.
“Shhhh, don´t cry, it's okay, it's just us!!! Shhhhh” Connie tried to sooth the upset entity but to no avail. Reclusa continued to bawl and with every minute this went on, Ecks edged closer to a mental breakdown. Connie took over and rocked the upset baby back and forth, which finally seemed to do the trick as he slowly started to calm down.
“That was close, phew. I forgot how ear piercing his screams could be!” The small Wattanist continued the rocking motions which caused Reclusa to settle down visibly. Cuddling up to his older sister, he rubbed his eyes once more, still feeling tired and after that outburst even more so. His nap also had been disturbed which was bad enough. Poor Cozette would have to suffer later because of this, Connie was sure.
“There, see? That wasn't so bad, right? No need to be upset, all is well…”
Ecks let out a sigh as his nerves slowly started to calm down too.
“But what about the rings?”
Just as Connie wanted to answer, Reclusa started to cough and hiccup. Remembering what Cozette had done with him whenever this happened, she did the same, firmly patting her brother´s back. The soft vibrations finally caused Reclusa to spit out the rings, they fell on the ground, where Ecks collected them quickly, holding them up like a holy grail.
“THE RINGS! THEY ARE BACK!” Even though they were covered in saliva and felt pretty gross, Ecks was happy. The wedding was safe and Ten would be able to exchange rings with Technikki without any trouble. “Thank you, Connie. Without you I probably never would have found the rings again!”
“Not a problem, Ecks. And we still have some time left until the ceremony! Is that how you want to go down the aisle?” The girl snickered, raising a brow in an amused fashion.
“Shit, you´re right, I still need to prepare myself!” First of all though, the rings had to be cleaned and so he went into the bathroom, quickly brushing them off until they were no longer slimy and grubby. Carefully putting them in the rightful container once more, Ecks hovered over to his room, searching for the bowtie he had planned to wear, and his best cape of course. Even a specially tailored blazer was waiting for him and it felt really good putting all of that stuff on. A special outfit for a special occasion. And now with the rings safe and sound, Ecks could enjoy the ceremony and keep his place as rightful groomsman and ring bearer at his best friend's side.
…
Slowly the first guests started to arrive and pretty soon the garden behind their house was filled with people that came from all over Concordia. Weddings were always a joyful event, thus many people decided to join the fray, especially after words made the round that a delicious wedding cake was waiting for them.
…
A couple hours later:
Ecks took his place at the altar besides Ten, looking happy for his buddy to finally tie the knot with the person he had swooned over for so long. Burnadette, who was Technikki´s maid of honor, couldn't wait for the ceremony to begin, either. Over time she became close friends with the scientist, so it was only natural that Technikki asked her to take over that important role in her wedding.
Connie was waiting for her part as well, fixing the flower that was adorning her head dutifully. Reclusa was close by, wide awake and playfully chasing a couple of butterflies, oblivious to the prior incident with the rings. Cozette joined them at the altar soon after, congratulating Ten in the process.
Then, finally the bride came out of the house and everyone was basically at awe as Technikki slowly walked down the aisle, smiling all over her face. Her slightly cerulean colored dress was clearly stealing the show. Connie followed suit, dutifully throwing the flowers while giving everyone her brightest smile. When everyone was ready and both Groom and Bride were in position, the ceremony began and Ecks handed over the rings towards Ten, who took them with shaky hands. After their vows, Cozette stepped up in front of the couple, taking their hands in her own.
“May your bonds with each other hold up forever until the very end... In the name of the Great Conductor, Protector of Concordia, I sanctify your marriage hereby, giving you the blessing of bonds and wish you the very best…with that aside, you may now kiss the bride!”
With that she turned to Ten, who had a hard time keeping up his usual calm demeanor. He looked deeply into Technikki´s eyes before slowly approaching her. Returning the gesture, the scientist came closer as well until their lips(in Tens case non lips but you get the drift)finally touched. The whole wedding party started to cheer instantly with Burnadette nearly fainting, only to be held up by Chilliam who was touched as well by the sight in front of them. So many memories of their own wedding came back, watching Ten and Technikki finalizing their vows to each other…it was overwhelming to say the least.
Everyone seemed happy, aside of Adaphne who watched the whole event from afar, grumbling to herself while doing so. It was no secret that she still had feelings for Technikki, and albeit their relationship had ended quite a while ago, Adaphne was still not over it. Her narcissistic mind simply couldn't fathom why anyone would even think of resisting her genius mind and body in the first place. Adaphne slowly turned her eyes away from the ceremony, deep in thoughts. Somehow she would find a way to break their precious little bond, one day for sure…a sinister smile formed on her face as she walked away into the sunset, already forming a plan in her brilliant but twisted mind.