Thanksgiving of the year 2000
We stare at the burnt remains of what should have been a turkey. June kind of stares at the remnants of the bird, the shrapnel of the explosion is still imbeded into my metallic skin, I was fast enough to get in the way.
"Maybe deep frying the turkey wasn't a good idea?"
"I thought it would work, all of my calculations said that it would work."
"It's a fearsome weapon."
She let out a grunt of frustration.
"I just wanted a traditional Thanksgiving meal."
I put a hand on her shoulder.
"We can create our own traditons...maybe with turkey sandwiches?"
She nuzzled into me and I tried to ignore the still flaming wreckage.
December 7th 2000
Its been a year, the PRT is planning a victory party pretty soon, I've decided to be a good sport about it, we're all on the same side after all.
"Fred's going to come."
I gave a thumbs up to June and continued stargazing, she laid down next to me and snuggled up close.
"The PRT's thinking about approving those enhancements."
Yeah, other then one moment of weakness out, um... yeah.
"You can change your mind if-"
"No."
She looked up at the stars with me.
"Plenty of capes have a brute rating, I will just have to adjust."
We watched the stars.
"What's it like up there?"
"Emptiness, war and the laughter of mad gods."
"Oh...but it's not all bad right?"
I shrugged.
"You humans think you're an evil race, you compare yourselves to some nameless perfection that doesn't exist. You're a shining light in the darkness, is it any wonder that I was drawn here like a moth to the light?"
"Or the bug zapper."
"You do manage to shock me every now and then."
She stuck out her tongue and continued laying by my side.
"It's going to be ok."
December 9th 2000
Mr. Rogers sits on one side, Icy on the other, politicians make their speeches and I feel distinctly uncomfortable. I'm the elephant in the room. They're talking about their victory over the Endbringers while said Endbringer is in the room. The Mayor's taking it in stride, June holds my hand.
"It's going to be ok."
"I know.. It's just awkward."
I sit in silence as the party continues, Fred raises an eyebrow and smiles slightly.
December 12th
"It isn't a no."
The PRT has put on some stipulations, because of security risks, June taps her finger on the table.
"I don't want to rush you."
She smiles.
"Christmas, I want the wedding to happen on Christmas."
It's been a good couple months, we get along great and the things that annoy me are things I can endure, and I don't want to lose my only friend.
"Next year, or..."
"This one, I know what I want, big guy."
I focus on my hand, on my powers and make a ring made out of mother of pearl, the diamond is just compressed carbon, but it's made into the ring itself.
"This might be going too fast."
"We might not have a lot of time."
She counters fast and takes the ring, we call in the PRT officers, there's going to be a lot of paperwork.
December 25th
There are two weddings, a secret one and the one for public relations. The sky is clear but cold, they brought in artificial snow. Fred has a book in his hand. Icy is wearing an ice themed wedding dress. Our outfits were especially made for this day, PRT tailors work fast and this wedding is more for them then anything else.
A white mask covers the upper half of her face, Eidolon stands at my side as best man and Caffeine as June's maid of honor. The wedding itself is pretty empty, neither of us have a lot of friends. The Seattle Protectorate branch is there though, and the wedding itself will play on PBS first. Deals were made.
She steps forward and the Transformers theme plays...she walks forward smiling and trips...I rush to her and help her to her feet.
"It's ok."
"Damned heels."
"I can carry you to the alter."
She smiles.
"Let's do it."
I put her in a bridal carry.
"The Transformers theme?"
She blushes.
"They let me pick the music."
Nerd, my wife is such a nerd.
"I love you."
And I mean it, I set her down and well, it's the same lines and the same words you have heard a thousand times. We kiss and the crowd claps. We walk side by side into a van that carries us into the private wedding. We get to the building and June's father shakes my hand, her mother scowls at us. Her father frowns at his wife.
"No drama."
"But-"
"Not on her day Haruna, not on this day, be good."
June beams as her mother sulks, she takes off the mask and puts on some glasses, she also takes off the high heeled shoes. This time she doesn't trip, when the ceremony's over she puts on some sneakers and puts on the mask again. The reception is scripted, we all have lines and we all have to preform.
I get ready for the first dance, she takes my hand.
"Tale as old as time."
I stare at her.
"What, it's a good song."
"Maybe. It's appropriate, this does feel a little like a fairy tail, yes?"
I hold her close and we dance.
