Weiss arrived at the wooden doors and heard the slow yet familiar music playing from the other side. This time, she was nervous for a different reason. And this time, she was actually happy to be standing there. As she waited in front of the heavy oak for the audio that would cue her entrance, her sister wrapped her in a gentle hug.
"Now it's finally your day, little duck." She whispered in Weiss's ear. "Go get her."
"Thanks, Winter. You've been amazing." She replied before her cue played and Winter released her. She slowly looped her arm in her father's and Winter pushed the doors open, the sudden light from the sun shining through the stained glass windows blinded her as she took her first step into the room.
She took two more steps before the glare cleared, allowing her to bring everything and everyone into focus. But she couldn't care less about the crowd watching her walk down the isle for the second time that day. Nevertheless, she carefully committed the image before her to memory because it was undoubtedly one of the best moments of her life.
Ruby stood next to her father at the front of the church. Taiyang seemed a little concerned to see Weiss's father but she couldn't bring herself to worry about it. The beautiful girl standing beside him had swept any thoughts from her mind as she took in the simple white dress that was now devoid of debris, but retained the stains from her earlier duel. Her feet were in a simple pair of flats this time, rather than the heels she'd shown up in, but Weiss found the image much more… Ruby.
Ruby was there, waiting at the altar for her. She was the knight she'd needed and the one who'd fought for her. Weiss felt that even if this moment was a bit rushed by necessity, she'd known for a while that she loved Ruby more than anyone else she'd ever encountered. Maybe it was a sign for her that Ruby really was meant for her. Because she felt that even though they were moving fast, Ruby was still keeping pace with her. Or maybe it was her that was keeping pace with Ruby, in order to see her smile as many times as possible.
Before she knew it, she was standing face to face with Ruby. Ruby was wearing next to no makeup, meaning the slight cuts and bruises she'd sustained were shining through like medals as she stood smiling at her. Her silver eyes were bright and happy, and Weiss knew that after that day it would be her job to ensure they stayed that way for as long as possible, and to make them shine again when they would dim. It was a challenge she looked forward too.
"Hem…" Her father cleared his throat quietly as Weiss took the final step up beside Ruby. Weiss glanced at him sternly as he turned to Ruby and whispered so the crowd wouldn't hear over the piano still being played. "I would like to apologize for using my semblance in an attempt to influence your duel."
The look Ruby returned was rightfully confused as Weiss too looked up at her father sternly. He seemed to get the question and continued. "Weiss didn't ask for you to forfeit. But we'll talk more later. For now, please take good care of her."
Ruby nodded as he stepped back, taking his place beside Weiss. He nodded to Taiyang and he responded in kind. Ozpin stepped forwards and raised his voice to the hall as he opened the book in his hands.
"Ladies and Gentleman. Once again, we gather here today to join Weiss Schnee with her champion, Ruby Rose, in a bond that shall last till the end of time. At this point I would ask that the families be seated." He paused for everyone in Ruby and Weiss's wedding parties to take their front row seats before continuing with the service.
Weiss listened to every word, her heart pounding in rhythm to them as she held Ruby's hand and looked into her eyes. She couldn't believe how different this was to the first time she'd heard everything spoken. Every vow, every duty, every honour that was spoken of applied to her, and she was more than willing to uphold each for the rest of her life. She blushed at the mention of sex, but knew that it would eventually enter their relationship. It would be impossible for it not to once Ruby started to grow curious. She smiled at the mention of children, knowing that aspect could take a fair amount of work and money invested in science to achieve, but couldn't stop herself from looking forward to that day. She felt a giddy rush when Ozpin mentioned their families becoming one, realizing that now Yang wouldn't just a sister in spirit, but in law as well. That Taiyang was the real father she so wanted, even as her own father seemed to be starting to return from the void.
It would take time to repair the family bonds within the Schnee's, but Weiss realized she was willing to wait and let them mend. Her sister had redeemed herself tenfold in this single day and somehow gotten her father to see some form of reason. Her step mother wasn't there, but that issue would come later. Today she was going to stay happy, now that Ruby had brought the smile back to her lips. And really, she didn't want anything less.
"And now you may recite your vows." Ozpin said, stepping back to take the rings Blake had brought to the altar. He presented Ruby with one and waited as Ruby took Weiss's hand with both of hers. She carefully slipped the ring onto her finger and took a deep breath.
"Weiss, I love you. This past few months has been the best in my life. I finally found someone who was a better friend than Crescent Rose and cookies combined." A few laughs broke out across the church originating from the very few who knew who Ruby was but Weiss's smile only widened at the words that were so… original. "I know we didn't exactly get off to a fantastic start, but I regret nothing, because it's all lead up till this moment here, today. I promise to keep you safe from your nightmares and help you enjoy your daydreams. I will follow you around Remnant just so you have a hand to hold, a voice to laugh with, or a shoulder to cry on. But hopefully there won't be too much crying."
Once again the crowd in the church let out small laughs and even Weiss felt a giggle bubble from her throat. Only Ruby could make something so serious, so funny and yet keep the mood as perfect as it was. She couldn't be more happy that Ruby was the one standing in front of her, speaking her heart as her face continually took on a deepening blush with her smile never once wavering.
"At the end of the day, I want to be the one you rely on as much as I rely on you. And to everything that the world can throw at us, I say bring it on! Because I love you, and you've made me the happiest girl to ever exist." Ruby's smile turned sweet as she blinked back the tears from her own words. "You're my best friend, my partner, and my love. Only you can or ever will fill those few of the many titles I thought up earlier, and I'd never want anyone else to have those positions. Because I love you and always will."
"Do you accept these vows as Ruby's promise to stand at your side until you return to dust?" Ozpin asked and Weiss quickly nodded.
"Yes, I do." Weiss found herself almost whispering in response. "I love you."
A collective 'awww' broke out throughout the church as Ruby brought Weiss's hand to her mouth and planted a small kiss that made Weiss's cheeks flare with heat. It was such an intimate action, yet so public… it was even more liberating than she'd expected after hearing the sweet words from the girl she loved and had to strain to restrain herself from kissing her then and there. She looked to Ozpin who presented her with the ring she'd gotten for Ruby and smiled to herself as she switched positions with Ruby, her two hands cupping Ruby's left as she slid the ring on and then held on tightly as she recalled the vows she'd prepared. Taking a deep breath to calm her still racing heart, she looked up from her fingers to meet the swirling silver staring at her lovingly.
"Ruby Rose, my light, my love, my air, and so many more things that we could stand here until eternity if I were to list them all." She started, smiling brightly at Ruby even as the embarrassment she felt worked its way out in the form of a blush that she knew would be tinting her skin horribly. But this was the one time she had an excuse to tell Ruby and everyone who was watching exactly what she meant to her. There was probably a cameraman somewhere and she wanted to make sure she said everything she needed to so that Ruby would have no doubts about her dedication and love. She pushed the thought aside as she rubbed her thumb over the two rings now sitting on Ruby's finger. "We met in an explosion of fire… with no small amount of ice, and my life has never been the same since. You were so determined to have me as a friend, I didn't even realize you were one until we were best friends and by that time I couldn't bring myself to get off the crazy roller-coaster that some might call happiness. And that's when I fell, so fast and so deeply in love with you that I couldn't even begin to realize what would happen as the days continued to pass. You made me smile for no reason, and laugh about nothing at all. You made me cry in happiness and shiver in excitement as you pulled me forward the way that only you could. And then you did the unthinkable, and taught me that how deep of a love I'd fallen into was only the shallow waters of what I would sink to."
Weiss could see the tears slowly working their way out of Ruby's eyes and she quickly took a handkerchief from her sister who was unsurprisingly ready to offer one up and dabbed at Ruby's eyes gently, ensuring what little makeup was there didn't smear. She kept dabbing gently while still holding Ruby's hand with one of hers.
"Before I knew it I was sinking deeper and deeper into love as every thing that you did and said pulled me deeper." Weiss smiled as Ruby finally stopped her crying but she kept the cloth within her hand as she returned it to hold Ruby's. Just in case. "Even now as you stand here in front of me in one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I've ever seen, I know you're still pulling me deeper into that warm, comfortable pit that I'd gladly call my home. I called you my knight in dented armour earlier, and you asked me to explain what I meant. So here is why you'll never be my knight in shining armour, and why that's a good thing…"
Weiss almost laughed as Ruby almost bounced in excitement. She was relieved that she didn't though as that would have made the next part of her vow slightly more difficult to say.
"A knight is a warrior and you are undoubtedly one of the best I've ever known. Always kind, honourable, just, and fair, you give all other knights a bad name with your shining silver example, yet your armour doesn't reflect the knight within with it's dents and scuffs and abrasions." Weiss felt she could see Ruby's eyes swirl in excitement the way they were now for all eternity and she'd never be bored. It was simply amazing that Ruby was standing there, listening as she was. "A knight in shining armour is untested, unreliable, and unworthy. Someone might call it a bad bet. Four terms that definitely do not fit you at all. And even if I didn't feel you earned your title long ago, you've definitely earned it today. Ruby Rose, my knight in dented armour. You've fought for me more than I ever thought anyone would ever fight. You've taken hits and risks and survived it all with a smile on your lips and a hand offered out to me. And you've been there every time I needed you and a fair few times I didn't know I did."
At this the crowd broke out in another laugh, this one more teary than the ones Ruby'd elicited. Weiss couldn't blame them as she refilled her lungs to continue onto what she knew would be the most emotional part of her vow.
"But I'm not the only one who needs a knight. And today, right here, right now, as we stand in front of family and friends and acquaintances, I want to make you a promise in return for the love you've given to me so freely and abundantly." Weiss paused to collect herself as she felt her jaw tremble. "I want to be your knight in dented armour. Whether I need to earn it over a month, a year, or my entire lifetime, I promise I will earn it, and I will make sure that I somehow repay you for all the love and happiness you give me with every word, touch, and look. I'll do it by being there to kiss you good-morning and guard you throughout the day, and then tuck you in at night before standing guard against the darkness. I'll never stop trying to earn your love because even though you've given me so much already, I still find myself wishing for more, and wanting to return your love every time you send a little my way. I love you my Ruby. My beautiful Rose. And I promise with all these people as my witness that I always will, with all of my heart."
"Do you accept these vows as Weiss's promise to hold you until you return to dust?" Ozpin asked Ruby who was once again tearing up.
"I do!" Ruby cried as she bowed her head while Weiss started patting at her tears again. "I love you so much, Weiss."
"Love you too, dolt." Weiss whispered, bringing Ruby back to herself a little as she chuckled.
"In that case I shall state that all legal issues in this marriage have been resolved and therefore in front of all those present, these two shall sign in their blood a covenant that shall never be broken." Ozpin continued, gesturing to the altar.
Weiss kept Ruby's hand in hers as she stepped up to the large white marble structure upon which there was that one important document with a single pen and piece of paper. She knew what was expected of her, from the information she'd received about the wedding the previous day, so she quickly whispered instructions to Ruby as they walked.
Weiss took the pen first and signed her name above her father's, then Ruby signed above her father's. Weiss pulled her weapon out of its sheath and carefully cut into Ruby's palm, drawing just enough blood to drip as Ruby willed her aura not to close the wound. Then Ruby pulled out her scythe, exposing a blade so as not to extend it indoors. Weiss offered Ruby the same hand she'd cut on the scythe-wielder and Ruby sliced through skin, drawing a decent flow of the red liquid.
Weiss instructed Ruby to hold her hand over her name and the contract absorbed the blood as drop after drop stained their names. Then Weiss took Ruby's hand as if in an arm wrestling match and they met each other's eyes as the blood flowing from their palms mixed.
"May you remain together until you return to dust." Ozpin recited. "You may now kiss."
Ruby was quicker on the jump than Weiss had expected her to be, pulling her in with their joined hands and hovering just a small bit away as she whispered with her breath ghosting across Weiss's lips.
"I love you Weiss." She smiled brilliantly and Weiss felt her heart stutter.
"Just kiss me, you dolt." She mumbled in response.
"I thought you were supposed to be repaying my love?" Ruby teased in a whisper. "Maybe I should get you to give me something?"
"Dolt…" Weiss moved closer, her eyelids slowly closing. "I'll give you everything you want."
Weiss closed the remaining space and the explosion of her nerves lighting up at the contact dulled the applause and whistles she heard echoing throughout the church. The way Ruby's lips moved was familiar, yet unpredictable as it had always been since that first fateful kiss of the new year. In Ruby's arms, Weiss was able to forget everything and simply exist. Her body naturally reacting to Ruby's, her free arm using muscle memory to find it's way to Ruby's shoulders as Ruby's hand found her waist.
Ruby pulled back with the brightest smile Weiss had seen in a long time and couldn't help but return it before they moved their clasped hands over the contract to add the drops of their mixed blood that would complete the tradition. Weiss gently took the cloth her sister had offered and wiped the remaining blood from their hands as they let their aura begin the short repair. She returned the cloth before looking at Ozpin who nodded his understanding wordlessly. Ruby was offering her arm and Weiss felt the excitement she'd been holding in bubble to the surface as she giggled while they walked down the isle and out of the church to the waiting cars. Both girls were happier than they had been in a very long time.