A/N: Song is:

Better Together - Annapantsu


Ch 3: the Reception

The band made it their first, set up and playing mostly just melodies at first as the people filled into their seats. The tables were along one side and the band parallel to that with a dance area in the center, catering to one end and an open bar to the other. When the couple made it there, Loki finally set Dove down, Rosy grinning at her friends before taking to her mic, "Here they are everyone, the women of the hour!"

Everyone clapped. Dove rolled her eyes but she was smiling as Loki held out her hand, "Come on Babe… dance with me?"

Dove's eyes ran along the outstretched fingers up powerful arms to broad shoulders before settling on those bright pink eyes that saw only her. Her own fingers slid into Loki's so pleasantly and perfectly and she felt herself pulled effortlessly along to the floor. Like the first time, no one else was dancing, they had the floor to themselves and Rosy was striking up with the band. Dove rested a hand on Loki while the other was held, feeling Loki embrace her and watched that grin, "Just you and me and a song right?"

"Always Babe."

Working all day don't be late nooo

Carry this weight save the day oooh

Tell myself that I will be fiiine

Keep my head straight doing great now

So much on my plate can't relate now

Trying so hard to hold the liine

But when I'm with you, ohhh

It don't feel so bad

When it feels like it's all that I have

We're better together

Than when we're alone

We sound like a treasure

Like fire we'll gooo

It hits like a hammer when I'm on my own

I don't need a house so let's build a home

We're better together

Just don't let me go

Going all night till the light comes

Keep up the fight doing right but

Starting to feel like I'm losing ground

Feels like I'm trying to find some

Purpose of mind out of sight but

Just waiting for you to come around

But when I'm with you, ohhh

It don't feel so bad

When it feels like it's all that I have

We're better together

Than when we're alone

We sound like a treasure

Like fire we'll gooo

It hits like a hammer when I'm on my own

I don't need a house so let's build a home

We're better together

Just don't let me go

When they finished, you could hear a pin drop in the room and the breath return to people's lungs but all Dove cared about was the eyes gazing into hers and her forehead against Loki's as she kissed the woman. Cheering drew her back to reality quickly and she pulled away, Rosy welcoming fathers to the floor to dance with their daughters, Qrow smiling at Dove, "You look beautiful kid."

She rolled her eyes, "Dad… come on you have to say that. Tell me what you actually want to say while you have my undivided attention."

He snickered, "Always to the point aren't ya kid? You are so much like your mother, you know that?"

She smiled, "Thanks but… I'm not much different than you either."

His smile was so warm and she knew she had made his day with her words as they danced, his voice soft and gentle even through his raspy tone, "Ok, to the point then. I've never been so proud of anyone in my entire life as I am of you right now. I may have only gotten to be your father for a short time, but I love you kid. You look so happy. I have been waiting to see you look this happy. Just don't forget me ok? I want to keep seeing this smile and I can't wait to see where your life goes next."

She could feel her eyes tearing up again. She normally hated crying especially this much in front of so many people but it was not coming from a place of sorrow like all her past tears before today and she was finding it odd how satisfying these tears all felt each time. She hugged close to him as the music faded and Rosy welcomed everyone to the dance floor. When they pulled away, she was happy to be returned to her wife's hands.

They decided to knock out the bouquet and garter tosses before eating. Rosy called on the mic as Dove got ready, "Ok all you single ladies. Gather up and let's see who will get lucky!"

Venere, Fern, Rye, Indi, Scarlet and Jin, who Scarlet dragged over, gathered. Willow and Whitley even managed to shove Winter out there. All at once, Yang and Weiss shared a glance before they snagged their girls who were trying to run out there. Mao and Azure dangled by their clothing from Yang's grasp as Autumn was snagged by her shoulders, the youths squirming and complaining. Weiss clicked her tongue as Yang smirked, "No you are much too young for all of that!"

Ruby was stifling a giggle and Blake was just holding Leo, reaching out to coax Yang to set the girls down as Dove was launching the dog-roses overhead. Now these sorts of traditions are normally wild but add a room full of eager women with semblances and combat training and the entire event becomes much more entertaining. Loki was watching with rapt excitement as Dove turned to watch too.

Winter didn't really try, not all that interested in the concept but put in a faintest effort to simply humor her family cheering her on. Rye and Indi were not interested in getting married but wanted to catch them anyway for the fun of the affair, eyes gleaming as she tactically looked across her chances and taking the proper steps for her best chances while Rye used her flexible form to slip between people. Jin could care less, not even wanting to set her cocktail down in order to try even if Scarlet was honestly just trying to get her away from the bar. The real battle however was turning out between Fern, Venere and Scarlet.

Fern was using her semblance to easily avoid people and be able to tell were Scarlet was even as the fox activated hers to go unseen, but Venere, who was the most determined, covered herself in the most hard form of rock possible and stormed forward, bowling everyone over like pins in a lane and grasping the bouquet with such a firm grasp and feral look in her eyes that no one even bothered to try to fight her for it. Dove was grinning and Loki laughed heavily, slapping Raiden's back as the man blushed, "Guess you're next Rai!"

Blake was pretty happy Yang kept the girls out of that chaos as Azure still hadn't shown a semblance and it could have been dangerous. When Rosy cleared the floor with a sense of entertained joy in her voice, she brought forth the guys, "Fellas you're next! Gather up for that garter, boys! It's coming straight off a rather delectable thigh if I do say so myself!"

Dove groaned, palm in her face before she felt Loki take her hand and pull her out. Seeing Loki never look away or even blink as she took a knee at Dove's feet woke something in Dove she wished would stay far from this moment right now but it was something she fully intended to figure out later when they were alone. Loki must have noticed, that woman never missing a chance to make sure Dove knew when she caught Dove vulnerable to her wiles. Fern brought a chair and Dove sat back at Loki's guidance at her waist, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She could feel every eye watching them and nibbled her lip, whispering a half-hearted warning so low only Loki could hear, "Loki… don't…"

Her wife just continued to grin, eyes locked on her as one hand raised Dove's foot to her thigh and rested it there while the other ghosted just enough along her skin from her ankle to her thigh, the dress drifting up just enough to show the garter on it in white and pink lace with a tiny black bow, Dove's breath catching in her throat at the touch. Loki's fingertips grasped it and oh so slowly slid the item down to her foot and the sight was making Dove's entire body tremble but already Loki had it in hand and was setting her foot back down, standing up. Dove took in a sharp inhale and stood, backing away and Fern got the chair as Loki waved the item in the air to cheers.

Even though most of the men present were family, they all joined for the fun of the matter except for Qrow as that was a bit too awkward a thought. Prince, Sterling, Troy, Whitley, who was forced to go, Raiden, and even Scarlet and Fern, to add number, joined in. It was less of a fight this time and more of a fun who can catch it though Dove was embarrassed by how much Fern seemed interested in the item. In the end, Fern had grasped it from the air with a smirk and even winked at Dove who rubbed her temples and groaned.

Dancing was enjoyed for a while before the band took a break and food was served out as well as the catering trays started getting set out for after. So far things were going so well and Dove was having a wonderful time, enjoying food next to Loki, unable to stop everyself from constantly sneaking a stroke of her fingers along the cut side, even biting her lip at one point thinking about how it might feel to touch at the right moments, Loki easily giving her a smirk and wink that made her fluster and jerk away.

They ceremonially cut the cake, those who knew their interests seemed to find the theme of it a bit squeamish or twitched but still took a piece. Everything was going so well for the most part but they were fast approaching speeches. Normally, the best man and maid of honor might give one but they had decided with such a small gathering, they would open the floor for anyone as something special. It had not even occurred to Dove until it was far too late how that might backfire.

With the band off the stage eating and relaxing with friends, the mic was ready for such an event. First, Fern went. The couple watched the woman with a glass of something from the bar in hand walk up grinning, the garter still doubled on her wrist like a bracelet making Dove's eyes narrow.

Fern cleared her throat, "So. Loki has been my friend for almost a decade now. I still remember meeting that kid when she was still this rugged weirdo at the welcome orientation of Sanctum for the dorm students before finding out she was my roommate for the next three years. Not gonna lie, at first I really wasn't sure about that kid. But one fist fight with some guys later together and we became inseparable! I stuck with her through everything when everyone else walked away and even lost everyone myself because of it but that didn't stop me. And when a silly make out turned into an embarrassing moment of her learning I wasn't what she thought either, well, we still stayed friends just fine. Who can really let go of that kind of loyalty!"

Loki thought this was hilarious but Dove wasn't laughing. Dove was getting a bit unsure where this was going to go. She glanced over at Loki next to her who was chuckling fully and squeezed her hand, "Loki…she better not…"

Loki rubbed her thumb across Dove's fingers, pulling her hand up and lavishing it with kisses that made Dove blush, "relax Babe, it's all for fun yea? Memories are important."

Dove grumbled under her breath, "Not all of them…"

She tuned back into Fern just in time for her eyes to grow wide, "I wasn't sure how I felt about Dove at first. She just seemed so harsh on the surface and Loki was so love drunk I worried she was getting herself involved with a mess. But Rosy was sure Dove was wonderful if I gave her a try. So one summer, boy did I give her a try all right."

Dove turned quickly to Loki, grasping her by the lapel and yanking her close, "Loki! You better reign in your friend and shut her the fuck up or I swear to god you will go home alone!"

Loki blinked and scrambled to her feet, knowing good and well when Dove was serious or not, desperately making her way to Fern as the woman was talking. Dove's eyes noticed all the looks on her family's faces, Weiss seemed to already have figured it out and had a very strong frown on her face while Winter's brow was creased in confusion and her eyes were searching to understand where this was going. Ruby was also lost though blushing, clearly understanding whatever it was wasn't meant for her ears and Sterling had moved to cover his sister's ears. Dove's embarrassment was flaring in fury and she locked her blazing glare on Fern and Loki.

"We got to this drinking game you see. It started as a harmless way to get to know some details about the stuff holding her back from really getting with Loki right but it ended with all three of us OOOOFFF!" Fern was cut off by Loki grabbing her and yanking her quickly back.

The two struggled for a bit before Loki set Fern off the stage and got her moving away, "Heh sorry everyone! She's not holdin her liquor well! Anyone else?"

A few other people talked and it went ok but next thing Dove knew, Venere was also telling a tale that included the embarrassing moment of walking in on Dove and Loki at some point or another. She lowered her head in her hands and groaned, face burning red. She had already seen Winter looking very uncomfortable at all this and she was quickly wishing they could just cut this section to an end. It surprised her when Rosy too brought up something she didn't want discussed though it was clearly not done with any intention to hurt Dove, the band getting back on stage behind her as she spoke with intention to be last and save Dove any further issue.

"The moment Loki told me about the girl she ran into on the first day with the white and black hair, I knew she was head over heels. I had heard all the chatter about her on campus and I got curious. Why were all the faunus talking about this girl? I didn't know it was the same girl until that dance when they shared the dance floor. I saw it clear as day gleaming like an angry burn right there on her neck. From then on everything made sense. Dove was walking around broken. Some faunus had branded her as their own and left her to suffer alone. She was young. That must have been so hard. I knew it was so hard. I could see it before I officially met her that she was hurting. And all the faunus aiming all their old world views at her wasn't helping. She needed people in her corner to feel like she had the room to be able to love Loki. So I have Loki bring her to me. And I made sure she knew what happened wasn't her fault. Slowly I worked down those walls and I watched as a very vulnerable but great girl started to shine through. It was never easy for her but Loki never left her. That was everything she needed to survive that mate mark and be happy someday and I'm so glad she did. We all love you Dove, your friends are your family and all your family love you."

Dove was awestruck between mad and moved, not wanting anyone here to know anything about that. Of course Winter knew now but her aunts didn't, her cousins didn't, the kids didn't. Shame flashed in her for a moment but faded easily as Loki took her hand and Rosy began playing with the band again for the night.

Dove could feel eyes on her and she hated it. She needed a distraction. Loki could tell, offering a gesture towards the dance floor where some people were going to try to continue their night, "Wanna dance with me Babe?"

Dove shook her head quietly, glancing back to the bar, "In a minute maybe… I… I'll be right back Loki…"

Loki offered to get it but Dove wouldn't let her, needing to move before she squirmed out of her skin. The end of her special day was feeling like a disaster. As she settled at the bar and ordered a drink she noticed the amount of glasses on the counter and turned her head to see her cousin Jin well into yet another drink with bleary eyes. She could smell all the alcohol on her. Jin had been chugging them down for hours now, since the party started. Scarlet had tried to get her away but it hadn't stuck and now the fox was now with others on the dance floor for now. Dove turned to Jin, "Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?"

Her drink was set down as Jin didn't bother to glance at her, swallowing down her glass and ordering another, words slurring, "Shuddn you be wif your wife? Fuckin…"

Dove glared at her. She was worried Jin might cause issues but had hoped since none had happened so far that all was clear. Before Jin could insult her wife, Dove frowned, "Don't you think you've had enough to drink already Jin?"

The dragon gave a warning growl that rumbled dangerously from her chest, her inner beast rustling its dominance at Dove, "Why'dya care?"

Dove could see how miserable Jin looked and she knew that look in that eye of someone trying to forget something that hurt deep inside. When Jin was trying to raise the glass, Dove's hand dropped on the top and held it to the counter, "That's enough. I'm cutting you off. You can't even speak right. You need to drink some water. I don't know what nightmare you are drowning out but…"

Jin growled darkly, teeth bared and turned suddenly on Dove, yanking the drink and stumbling, causing it to fall but Dove luckily felt it and stood in time for it to not get on her, Jin shouting, drawing attention to them especially from Loki, "It's not your damn business! Get your hand off my drink!"

Scarlet also glanced over from where she was with Fern and a few other guests she had acquainted with, face falling. In no time she and Loki were easily making their way over, Blake as well who had handed Leo to Yang swiftly. Winter and Qrow and Raven were also alert and walking over. Jin didn't seem to notice but Dove did and she didn't like that it felt like a fight was about to happen at her damn wedding reception. When she stood her ground, never being scared of Jin to begin with, Jin drew back, irritated by Dove's confidence and drunk out of her mind not thinking straight, her beast inside annoyed by the challenge to her asserted dominance.

Her fist was quickly caught and Jin was twisted into the counter, glasses sprawling everywhere as the dragon growled, Loki pinning her, "Don't you touch my wife beast."

Jin jerked around. At this point, everyone was closing in and finally her natural eye and robotic eye were rolling around taking it all in. She jerked around and slipped free grasping for some glass when Dove yelled, "ENOUGH! Fuck! Can we please not do this right now?! Please? This isn't the place. I just want to enjoy today for god's sake."

Loki went to release Jin who let go of the glass and snapped from Loki the rest of the way, "Get off me you creep! Don't touch me with your abusive, rape kink ass hands! Fucking freak"

"JIN!" Dove shouted again, angry tears in her eyes as Loki glared intensely at her but didn't fight even as every muscle in her twitched in her to do so. She wouldn't hurt her wife no matter how much she wanted to hurt Jin. Everyone around was confused and staring, judging the situation differently based on what they did or didn't know and trying to understand as Loki pointed to the door, "Get the fuck out."

Scarlet had made her way to Jin, tugging her along carefully, "We're going. I'm so sorry. Come on Beautiful, we should go."

Jin was in a stared stand off with Loki for a moment before scoffing and stomping off, ignoring Blake on her way out. Blake for her part turned to Yang and the blonde gathered their kids to go as Blake turned to Dove. She had wanted to talk to her, tell her about how sorry she was she was fighting a mate mark all that time, but now all she could do was touch her arm, "I'm sorry. I hope you have a better rest of your night. Congratulations again."

Dove just nodded, palm rubbing their face as her other arm held herself. Weiss was getting help from Ruby, Sterling, Indi and a few others to clean all the glass mess as Loki stayed solid and watched until Jin was gone before turning to check on Dove who was being stared at by Winter. Qrow and Tai were trying with Raven to make sure Jin stayed out at the door and helping to get the other Xiao Long kids in order as they didn't want to leave. Venere and Raiden were nearby Dove but not close, close enough to check in but far enough to let her wife handle it first as Winter was starting to speak, "What was that all about Dove?"

"It's nothing Mom. She was drunk. I didn't want her to drink herself to death so I stopped her, she got mad," Dove's voice was trembling trying not to crack.

"No, what was she talking about with Loki? I know what I saw that day too. Are you in any trouble? Is this… did you actually want to do this or did you get talked into…"

"Mom! No! I… Ugh! I like pain ok! God! Sorry if that ruins some image of me to anyone but I like pain. I fucking love it actually there are you fucking happy!? I Wanted that to stay private but Jin walked in on us once on our vacation at Aunt Weiss and Aunt Ruby's after graduation and saw everything and she didn't understand ok! God this… Loki has never done anything, ANYTHING to me that I haven't wanted! Not that day at the house, not when Jin saw us, not ever! And she is always making sure I'm cared for and ok and happy. She loves me and I love her I wanted to get married no one fucking made me do anything!" Dove was crying and furious.

Winter relaxed at the information but the damage was done now. Dove was mad at Jin, not her mother really. Had Jin not said anything no one would know. She knew her mother would worry if she knew. Loki touched her arm and Dove turned to her, leaning into her chest, "Loki… take me home… please… I'm so done with all of this. I want to go home where it can just be us please."

Loki just nodded, sweeping her up even as people tried to protest. When they got to their apartment, Loki pushed the door open and closed it with her foot before walking her sobbing wife to their bed, setting her down on the edge and kneeling, helping Dove out of shows and nuzzling her legs sweetly, "Babe… it's going to be ok."

Dove rubbed her face, makeup a mess and throat sore from her sobs and shouting, "That was a fucking disaster Loki… our wedding ended in a mess… I just wanted it to be special…"

She felt hands slid along her tights to her thighs and hold her lightly, lips placing soft kisses along the shear covered skin on her knees and legs, "It was special, Babe. It has been the best day of my life."

Dove sniffled and started to try to choke back her pain as her eyes watched Loki. Pink eyes were looking back at her with so much love and admiration as her lips continued to adorn her skin with loving sweet caresses. Her hands reached, running back and forth along Loki's shaved sides of her head before gently pulling Loki's face closer through her thighs, "fix it… please? I want the day to end just as special as it started Loki…"

That endearing smirk Dove had grown to love that would give her chills formed on Loki's face as Dove felt her tights gripped at the waistband with her underwear and the fabric sliding down her thighs and legs to the floor, "Of course Babe."

Loki leaned close, tongue sliding along Dove's slit and ears burning at the sound of dove's breath catch, Dove leaning back on her hand and watching Loki while her other hand tangled in the new mane, holding her close. Each pass of Loki's tongue made her head spin and her body quiver. When the wet muscle pressed past slick folds and stroked past her clit, Dove moaned, pulling at Loki's hair. Encouraged, Loki nibbled the bud but Dove pulled away, "No… I… can't do that right now. Not after all that. Be gentle."

Loki gave confirmation with more sweet laps and swirls of her tongue around the bundle of nerves, Dove whining in pleasure at the sensations. It was as strong as pain gave her but that was too tied to all the bad right now so she just couldn't. Instead, she buried her mind in all of Loki's motions, gasping deeply when her lips locked around her pulsing bud and sucking, tongue still prodding it while fingers massaged up her thighs before two traced her twitching opening, slowly pushing into the slick soaked walls and curling to stroke against her puffy inner front wall at the ridged patch.

Dove trembled and whined, tugging Loki by the hair so tightly Loki couldn't move away if she wanted to, not that she did, hips rolling into her face as thighs quaked by her ears. She locked her eyes on Dove's upper body and face as she went, speeding up when Dove's body needed it, loving every sight of dove's heaving breaths and thrown back head. When her thighs clenched on Loki and Dove locked up and pressed close into Loki, moaning out Loki's name loudly, Loki could only grin and ride Dove through her orgasm until she was twitching for a breath.

Loki pulled away slowly and kissed her skin softly, licking her fingers clean in Dove's view before hands moved to clasp Loki's coat and pulled Loki up between her knees, lips locking to hers with heavy breaths. Dove could taster herself on Loki's tongue and it made her groan as she pulled at Loki's suit coat, arms wiggling out of it. Her fingers moving to buttons and vest, sliding layer and layer away. Pants dropped to the ground and were stepped out of and so were underwear as Dove was gently pulled from her dress and bra, both now bare to each other.

Hardly the first time but now that they were married it carried such a different commitment that it felt so new and meant so much more, Dove's heart racing and melting at the sight of every creavous of toned muscle that quivered under her fingertips. Loki went to remove the tie but Dove stopped her, wrapping her hand in it and pulling Loki down over herself with it, "Leave it. I like it on you against all this raw power."

That smirk lit her heart on fire as Loki dove for her lips again, leaning into the bed over her. Hips locked together and both rolled into one another, moans trapped in mouths sealed in a passionate kiss as their tongues slid along each other, sensations overwhelming all over their skin. Dove was still holding the tie tightly to keep Loki as close as possible, skin pressed to skin, her other hand gripping Loki tightly refusing to let go as if she might lose this woman if she did. Loki as using an elbow to stable herself while her other hand kneaded Dove's breast, palming across a sensitive hard nipple as her hips thrusted and grinded into Dove's, both dripping and wet folds sliding against each other, her own clit pressing into Doves and grinding against hers hungrily but tenderly.

When lips parted and Loki grunted, body trembling on the edge, Dove nibbled on her ear lobe, "I love you. I need you."

Loki groaned and kissed across the scar left on Dove's neck from all the damage on their first mission, tongue sliding along the flesh lightly up to her ear, "I love you too. So much. I… I'm gonna… fuck…"

Dove hummed a whine, "It's ok… let go…"

Loki shook and fell over the edge, pressing into Dove hard with tight jerks of her hips and Dove whimpered, locking against her and doing the same. It was mind numbing the way it felt gushing against one another and when they came back down, Dove clinged into Loki and whimpered, "You are the most wonderful part of my whole life."

Loki could only smile, rolling to her side and scooping Dove close into loving arms, kissing her hair, forehead, nose, cheeks, "And you're gonna be wonderful to me every day for the rest of my life."

Dove softly smiled, letting her eyes close and sleep take her, satisfied with how the day had concluded in the end.