V & V - Rageous Rageon Rise

Ritzneer Wedding

Veneer POV:

Midori and Carlos get dressed, and once they're dressed, we trek with the camera crew to the ceremony hall. Kid Ritz's Mama walks with me; her arm entwined with mine and Jewels in her other arm.

I try to keep my emotions together as we reach the grand wood doors. I take a deep breath as Midori and Rollie walk in first. Kid Ritz's Mama holds my arm tightly, and as the wedding music plays, I take a final deep breath.

I walk through the doors and am surprised to see Velvet and Orchid here. I can't stop the smile on my face as I see them. My heart feels a wave of immense relief washes over me; my sister's not missing my wedding!

As the wedding music plays, I see Kid Ritz wipe at his eyes. He's crying, along with Fred and Carlos. There's glitter on their faces, making them sparkle in the glow of the white fire behind them.

I get up to Ritz, and he takes my hands shakily. I reach up and wipe his tears away as mine start to flow. He kisses Jewels gently before Kid Ritz's Mama lets her hop away to Velvet. I watch with a smile, then turn back to Ritz emotionally.

Kid Ritz: "You look sensational."

Ven: "So do you. Very handsome. Good job, boys."

Fred and Carlos nod as they sniffle. Kid Ritz kisses his Mama before she goes and sits down. I meet Velvet's eyes and watch as Orchid hands her tissues to dab her tears away. Who knew I'd be the first of the two of us to get married? 

Whoever it would be, I knew there wouldn't be a dry eye. I take a deep breath and finally feel like I can relax a little. I've made it; I'm at my wedding, my family and friends are here... and I can proudly say I'm doing all of this sober.

Officiant: "Welcome, everyone. We are here today for an extraordinary couple: Kid Ritz and Veneer."

I smile as everyone cheers. As the wedding goes on, I can't stop my hands from shaking. I can also feel my shoulders steam; I'm just so excited. In actuality, Kid Ritz and I are both extremely shaky. The Siren magic in us is just amped up, but at least we're experiencing it together.

As the time for vows rolls around, I reach deep into my heart to plan for what I want to say. Whatever I say will be recorded forever, so I want to make it last and worthwhile.

Ven: "Kid Ritz. I was sitting with Velvet at our first show as pop singers. We had no idea what we were doing, what to expect, who to interact with. I didn't know much of anything; I was young, naive, and, to be frank, scared. I was so unsure of myself and what we were getting ourselves into. Then... I saw you walk on stage. You had this energy, this electrifying energy... it lit up the rooftop. Your smile, your charisma... I was drawn to you immediately. When we met at the dinner... I was terrified to mess up our meeting; I thought you were so cool! When we hung out at the Champagne Club... I realized... I really liked you. You held my hand when I was panicking, you drank orange juice with me since we're underage, and you just... you made me smile. Especially with your hug."

Kid Ritz nods as he takes a deep breath, envisioning everything from the beginning.

Ven: "Now, when I was... in a dark relationship, you helped me out of it. Since then, you've stuck by my side through abuse, terror, torture, and... addiction. I fell into a dark, dark place. You could have decided everything I was going through, everything I put you through... was too much. You could have left, walked away... yet you didn't. You gave me lifelong friends that I adore with all of my heart. You share a baby monkey with me, and... you've given me the love that... that I needed. Every time I was separated from you, every panic-stricken moment, every incident where I questioned if we would survive until the morning... you were there to hold my hand and tell me things would be okay. You were my lifesaver in rocky waters. Kid Ritz, I will forever be grateful for that."

I finish and hear as everyone stifles their crying. Fred and Carlos even share a multicolored handkerchief to dab their tears away. Kid Ritz collects himself enough before he starts talking.

Kid Ritz: "Veneer. When I first talked to you at that dinner... I was so, SO excited even to be sitting alongside you. I had seen you perform with Velvet, and all I could say was that everyone in that audience was blown away. I instantly wanted to become your friend once I saw how sweet and genuine you were. Getting to hang out with you at the Champagne Club showed me the type of man you are, someone sensitive and kind, and I realized then and there... that I had a crush on you. When you asked me to hang out, you said some things to me that... that changed the dynamic of our relationship. You know what those things are and who they relate to. For you to have been so generous and kind without knowing me well... it meant a lot to me and showed your character."

He takes another deep breath, his hands shakily wiping at his eyes before he grabs my hands again.

Kid Ritz: "When you called me in need, I was touched. Then, I was terrified. I had never driven so fast before. I'm sure I broke a few laws; sorry for any officers watching."

Our friends laugh before getting serious. They all know this story.

Kid Ritz: "When I got to you, and you weren't answering the phone, I realized how much I cared for you and how badly I wanted to keep you safe. Those hours I waited for you were agonizing, as I felt scared to... to lose you. After that and getting together with you, my love and fear to keep you safe only grew every day. To... to..."

He cries out as he holds his hand to his heart. I'm crying hard, yet I continue to wipe his tears away.

Kid Ritz: "To have seen you struggle with a growing addiction, to have dealt with the effects of paranoia and downright torture... I was crushed. I felt like I failed; failed to keep you safe, failed to protect you, and... be enough to keep the horrors of the real world away. Yet, the one thing I always reminded myself of was your strength. You are so strong, Veneer. You've been through hell yet made it out. Standing here today... is the greatest feat I'll ever accomplish. I was terrified before I met you; I was terrified to give in to my anger issues, I was terrified to become someone like my dad. I was terrified... and you gave me the strength to push through that. Meeting you and getting to experience so many life-altering moments with you... I'll be proud of you forever."

The room takes a collective deep breath as he finishes. Even the officiant is teary-eyed.

Officiant: "Well, after those beautiful and heartwrenching speeches, I think these two deserve the moment of the wedding we've all been waiting for."

I take a deep breath as the officiant looks my way.

Officiant: "Veneer, do you take Kid Ritz, for your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health? If so, say, "I do."

Ven: "I do."

Officiant: "Kid Ritz, do you take Veneer, for your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health? If so, say, "I do."

Kid Ritz: "I do."

As he says I do, our hands begin to glow. Mine orange, his a calm blue. Our hands glow bright, our hearts following. His eyes glow a bright indigo, and I feel mine glow a bright white. Sure, our eyes have glowed here and there when we're excited or angry. 

Yet, this glow feels different. I feel connected to Kid Ritz; I feel like our magic is entwining as one, and it feels good. It is a warm and calming heat, washing over us and combining the best qualities of our magic as Sirens.

Officiant: "Well, I think we've heard our yes's, folks. You may now kiss the groom."

I smile as Kid Ritz rests his hands on my hips. I rest my hand on his arm and shoulder, stand on my tiptoes, and kiss my husband. 

Kid Ritz: *t e  a m o, c a r i ñ o.*

Ven: *t e  a m o.*

Our friends cheer as Kid Ritz, and I pull away. Kid Ritz holds my hand up, and we stand victorious as we look at our friends.

Velvet's crying her eyes out with Orchid, the two hugging each other. Fred and Rollie are doing the same as Carlos and Midori. Everyone's crying and cheering, glitter everywhere. Jewels hops over excitedly, and Kid Ritz picks her up.

We pose together with Jewels as a cameraman walks up the aisle. We get one last kiss together, completing the wedding ceremony of my dreams.