Dearly Beloved
"Would you come on?" Corbeau demanded, pulling on Renji's arm.
"I don't like these places. They scare me," he whined, refusing to move.
"It's a church, you dolt. Now come on!" she exclaimed, tugging on him some more.
"But why do I have to go?" he asked, not budging at all.
"Because you're the one I'm marrying!" she yelled, dropping his hand. She threw up her hands in frustration, smacking him with one of her wings as she turned her back to him.
"Ow!" he bellowed, meeting the concrete step in a painful manner when he fell to his knees. Well, that moved him.
Corbeau noticed a tall man with long wavy brown hair pulled back in a ponytail standing at the top of the steps. She returned his pleasant smile as he walked down the steps toward her. A faint blush colored her cheeks under the intense gaze from his brown eyes. She was accustomed to being stared at but not by a priest. His occupation was evident by the standard black pants and short sleeved black shirt for summer complete with white clerical collar. She noticed how much hair was on his arms and even on the back of his hands and fingers when he put out his hand to shake hers. As she stared at his handsome face with signs of five o'clock shadow at nine in the morning she thought this guy was well on his way to becoming something like Sajin.
"Hello, I'm Shunsui Kyoraku. I'm the priest here. Can I help you with something?" he inquired in a deep pleasant voice. He hiccupped and swayed a bit before he blushed a bright pink.
"So, Padre, you already been into the communal wine this morning?" Renji asked, draping his arm across his fiancé's shoulders when he came to stand next to her.
"Renji!" she hissed, kicking sideways to catch him in the shin.
"Are you two sure you want to get married? Marriages are made in heaven but so is lightning and thunder," he said, looking at the somewhat happy couple in front of him.
"Yes, sir. He's just being a pest about going into the church," she explained.
"We have a beautiful garden in the back of the church. Would you like to get married there?" he asked, looking at the red faced groom who seemed to be in pain.
"I could handle that," he replied grumpily.
"Why don't you two come inside and we'll work out the details for your wedding?"
"What are you more nervous about? The wedding or your appearance tonight?" Rangiku asked as she stood backstage with her friend. Everyone was on pins and needles as they awaited Corbeau's second premiere which they hoped would be much different than her first.
"Definitely the appearance right now," she said, wishing she had a costume made of cotton material instead of the leather one. This time she was walking out on stage with Sajin who stood by her side with his arm around her protectively. She held on tightly to the chain in her hand that was attached to a thick black leather collar with huge metal spikes on it around his neck. This had been his idea so he could be as close to her as possible. It would also save time combining their appearances to allow for more acts to cross the stage.
The lights went down momentarily and Ichigo, Renji, and Kenny all appeared in front of the stage on the floor level. Kenny probably would have been enough of a deterrent alone but they weren't taking any chances. There were several other men placed throughout the audience among the spectators. Everyone was hoping that the attack on her was just an isolated incident perpetrated by complete morons and will never be repeated anywhere else.
"Well, folks, I have something special for you next," Don Kanonji began, glancing apprehensively toward backstage. "Something you've only read about in fairytales is about to come to life on our stage. Welcome our own Beauty and the Beast."
"Come on, Angel, you're in good hands," Sajin assured her, patting her on the behind.
"You better watch where those hands go, Wolfie," she warned, her dark eyes flashing at him.
"That's my girl," he growled sounding more seductive than vicious. He growled again, much louder and scarier this time as he leaped out on the stage dragging her with him.
Corbeau had to turn her back to hide her giggle from the communal "oh" of the crowd that she would have sworn was cued if had not been for their genuine reaction of leaning back in their seats in surprise and a small bit of fear. Maybe that was why people liked the freak show: it instilled that small dose of terror whether it be in its purest form of being just plain scared or the horror of seeing something truly aberrant and the relief that comes with the realization of the spectator that they are normal after all. Either way, it was pretty entertaining for the performer to watch as well.
Corbeau held on to the chain as Sajin pretended to be a frighteningly vicious creature and thrashed her about on the stage as if he were trying to shake her off. She unfurled her wings to their full glory as he pulled her close growling and snarling as if he wanted to eat her face off. She lay her head down on his chest, curling her wings around him as if she were hugging him and holding him. Her hands moved over his chest and down his belly like they had the first day when they met. Her black eyes looked deeply into his golden ones as she petted and soothed him while he ran his fingers through her hair. She was glad Renji had his back turned for this. The poor man would die then come back to life to go after Sajin and save her for last.
"Nothing soothes our ferocious beast like his lovely Angel," Don Kanonji cooed. He became increasingly uncomfortable as he watched what seemed to be an intimate moment between the dog man and bird girl. "Hey! Lovers!" he hissed to get their attention without alerting the jealous redhead. "This ain't no erotica show! Keep that crap up and you two will be relegated to the Hoochie Coochie tent with Rangiku!"
Sajin opened his mouth allowing his tongue to hang out like a panting dog. He stared at Don Kanonji as he licked her up her neck and over her cheek. He refrained from licking all the way down between her breasts like he had the day he had her alone in his trailer. That would have made everyone lose their minds. What he did elicited enough of a response that Renji turned around to see what was going on. All three people on stage shrugged innocently as if they did not know what had caused all the whooping and hollering.
"Let's hear it one more time for our in house bedtime story!" he announced, glaring at them as they walked by adding, "With a very adult twist."
"That was amazing!" Rangiku exclaimed, hugging Corbeau when she was safely back stage.
"Yeah. Pineapple head will kill you both when he finds out," Toshiro said with a nasty little grin on his face. He could be so damn mean sometimes.
"Say a word Tripod and you'll be finding another honeypot to dip your stick in," his lover threatened, turning to give him a death glare to make sure he knew she meant it.
"Awww, dammit!" he grumbled, stalking off from the backstage area.
"Hi, beautiful," Renji murmured, gathering her into his arms.
"Hello, Red. Could I take you home tonight?" she asked, flirting with him in the most obvious way.
"I'm not that kind of guy. You'll have to marry me if you want that," he joked back.
"Can I marry you tomorrow?"
"Sure thing, sweetheart."
The guest list included every member of the traveling show including all performers and workers. When they were all gathered in the elaborate and gorgeous gardens behind the church it appeared as if hell itself had opened up and poured onto the church lawn because of all of the odd caricatures of human beings that were gathered there. Some of the members of the group provided the music themselves with their own musical instruments. The array of talent traveling in the group extended way beyond just looking weird.
Corbeau took the bouquet of red and white roses from Rangiku before making sure her simple red dress was dress straight and smooth. With one last deep breath, her maid of honor and best friend started down the aisle created by the row of hedges that led to the center of the garden where Renji, Ichigo, Hana, and the priest stood. Rin and Hiyori walked right in front of her. They looked so cute linked arm in arm. Right now they were being happy and cooperative. Earlier they were fighting and irritating each other just like brothers and sisters love to do for no apparent reason than to just do it.
Corbeau kept her eyes on Renji to keep her going down the aisle despite her weak legs and swimming brain. She wanted to marry him, and she would not allow her anxiety to keep her from it. A big, happy smile was given to the friendly and helpful priest who had been willing to do so much to help them get everything ready in one day for their wedding. He appeared to be completely sober, probably because of the party they promised him would be coming afterwards at the show grounds.
When it came time for the rings, they were handed the gold bands with half of a heart etched into the band in silver. When the two wedding bands were placed together it formed the whole heart.
"Renji, I love you. On the day we met, you accepted me into your life and allowed me to be a part of your world. I had no idea on that day you gave me a permanent place in your heart as well. I will always be here for you, through the good times and the bad. I will always accept you, for better or worse. I will always love you with all of my heart," she said, holding out her trembling hand for him to slide the ring onto her finger.
"Corbeau, my Raven, my Angel. I have loved you since the day I laid eyes on you. I want to be your friend, your lover, your husband, and the father of your children. I want to be your everything and I will give you everything, forever and always," he stated with so much emotion he had to bite his lower lip to stop it from trembling. He held out his hand for her to give him his ring.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," Shunsui proudly announced.
Corbeau stared into Renji's brown eyes as he placed his hands on either side of her face. Her eyes fluttered closed when he leaned down, placing his lips against hers. She put her arms around him as he held her close, giving her a sweet kiss that might have lasted a tad long for a wedding kiss but no one seemed to mind. She squealed with delight when he picked her up and swung her around.
"I do love you more than you can imagine," he whispered, kissing her cheek.
"I'm sure I have an idea because I bet I feel the same way about you," she rejoined, kissing his lips.
"When we get back to the show grounds do you want to sneak off by ourselves for a little while?"
Corbeau nodded enthusiastically. They were the first people to disappear from the church to return to the camping area. They opened the door to their RV and were greeted with a barrage of streamers and confetti someone had rigged to explode outward when the door was opened. Corbeau screamed and jumped back in surprise right into her new husband's arms. They dissolved in a fit of laughter as they watched a few of the balloons that filled the motor home escape and drift to freedom into the beautiful blue sky.
More confetti and glitter filled their bed. Ichigo must have done this because he was sure to spread it across each layer between the blankets and sheets so it was not a simple matter of throwing off the comforter and dispensing with the stuff. Corbeau was sure she would still be vacuuming glitter out of the carpet ten years from now.
Renji unzipped her dress, easily sliding the silky material away from her body. He kissed her while she unbuttoned his white dress shirt sliding her hands all over his chest and abdomen. His wonderful, lovely wife undressed him as she prepared to make love to him. He had not touched her in a sexual way since the night she had been hurt. But she had become his wife and he wanted to take her in every way possible as his wife.
Corbeau looked up at his handsome face, smiling when she saw how intently he was gazing at her. She loved him so much. Her hands slid down his legs while she lowered herself to the floor, removing everything that stood between them and the desire they shared for each other. Her body tingled when the velvety soft tip of his hard member grazed her body as she was standing back up sliding her hands along the contours of his muscled and tattooed legs. It was hard to find a man with nice legs and his were amazing: sinewy and smooth to show off the intricate tattoos. She enjoyed touching him and running her hands over every inch of his body. A certain number of inches became her focus as she wrapped her fingers around it to draw a groan from is sexy pouty lips. She pushed him back on the bed, straddling his lap after he positioned himself sitting up in the middle of the bed.
Renji was content to let her be in control to do with him what she will. His eyes held hers as she straddled his hips and paused for a moment to kiss him before lowering herself down onto him. He molded his hands to her behind as she took him in tentatively inch by inch. His fingers stroked her cheek as she lowered herself completely down taking a big sigh at the end when she was fully impaled. He wanted to grab her and thrust into her hard until she begged him to stop but he did not. Now was the time to show how much they cared to concentrate on the love and not the sex.
"I'm so happy that I'm yours," she said, her eyes closing as she began to sway her hips. It was like the slow, gentle rocking movement of a ship riding the waves of the ocean. Up then down, pleasure building with a wonderfully aching deliberateness with each stroke.
"Oh, Corbeau," he moaned, sliding his hands up to enclose her waist. He wanted to move her faster and harder which would end the sweetness of the moment.
She could tell he was being patient and holding back so she rewarded that by increasing the speed and intensity herself. Her hands pushed his back down to her behind to signal that it was okay if he helped her out. "Make me beg for mercy," she challenged him knowing that would be all it took for her sweetheart to lose control. Her arms twisted around his neck while a smile curled her lips when he seized his opportunity and her derriere to thrust up as he was pulling her down. "That's my wild man. Make love to me as fiercely and you look, sweetheart," she whispered, pressing kisses to his face and neck as he did as she requested.
Renji was not sure what had come over her but he think he liked it. He looked up at her as the most unimaginable sensations of pleasure awakened every nerve of his body. Pressure was building deep inside of him and he could tell it was her too as she raked his fingernails down his back and called his name over and over. The trails she cut into his back from her fingernails hurt but right now it served to enhance its exact opposite which was the ecstasy threatening to overwhelm him.
"Oh,baby, are you about to – " However he did not have to ask the whole question before he received his answer. He gritted his teeth to resist yelling out in distress when her long fingernails sunk into his shoulders like ruthless talons. His strong arms held on to her as she bucked and writhed as the euphoria of her climax inundated her body.
"Renji," she moaned his name which was the final push he needed to give in to the sexual release his body so desperately wanted. She held onto him as he shuddered underneath her, embracing her tightly while contentment and bliss swept over him in a satisfying wave.
They collapsed into each other's arms chuckling when they realized they sparkled and shined from the glitter and metallic confetti that had been dumped in their bed.
"I'm sure this isn't what they mean by the afterglow of sex is it?" Corbeau giggled.
"No. But we've definitely got that too. I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, Renji."
