Preparations
#8 of Metal-Heads
"Awwww, come on! You said as soon as you outran that wanted level I could have my turn! You'd better not die on me..."
"Hang on a minute. Let me just land on this roof. You'll be able to snipe people from up here."
Kirek maneuvered the helicopter he was flying onto a rooftop in Liberty City's commercial sector.
"Alright, you've had your fun. Gimme the controller."
"Sure thing. As soon as I..."
"Oh no you don't!" cried Veronica as she lunged at him, trying to pry the Xbox 360 controller from his grasp. The two of rolled around in front of the television, both laughing as they wrestled.
This was what set their relationship apart; even though they were madly in love, they could still have fun like the best of friends they used to be. After about thirty seconds they'd finally stopped; the controller still in the possession of the dragon, and Veronica lying across his chest with her lips pressed to his. Kirek murred into the kiss but had one eye cracked slightly as he gazed at the TV. He gently pushed the joystick sideways with his thumb, causing Niko Bellec to wander aimlessly...right of the edge of the roof and to an untimely demise.
The otter made a sound of surprise and broke the kiss as she heard the scream. She looked in disbelief as the screen went grey, Niko lying in a crumpled heap on the ground. The TV faded to black momentarily before it reopened to show him standing in front of a hospital.
She turned back to her lover beneath her, a smug grin on his muzzle.
"Asshole."
"Mmmhmmm." He affirmed before he pulled her back down into another kiss. She returned it despite being slightly peeved.
"How am I supposed to go on a rampage without any armor or weapons?!"
"Well.....you could always just drive around and help people."
Veronica just stared at him disbelievingly for a moment. "I hardly think that's what the people at Rockstar had in mind when they designed Grand Theft Auto." She said.
"I guess that's true. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you something, I was just looking for the right segway. When exactly would you like to have the wedding?"
She sat up and looked around in mock confusion. "Where exactly is the segway in this situation?"
Kirek wiggled his eyebrows as he indicated her current position astride his waist.
"Good point." Conceded the otter. "Well, how would you like to have it on our anniversary.?"
"Which one? We have three; the day we met, our first kiss, and the first time we made love."
"Yet another valid observation. Given the choices I think I'd like to have it on the day we first kissed, because it was also the day that we discovered our mutual feelings."
Kirek smiled pleasantly as he recalled that magical evening. "Three months? I think we should be able to get everything set up by then. That sounds like a perfect time to get married." He answered with a happy smile as his tongue lightly tickled her nose.
Over the course of the next eight weeks everything just seemed to be a blur. Both Kirek and Veronica were busy going over the details with Sheela; who had generously volunteered to plan the whole thing (with Victor's help). The dragon and otter were so preoccupied with the upcoming festivities, they hadn't made love in over a month. It was a tough burden to bear, but they weren't worried; their wedding night would more than make up for their withdrawal.
Veronica had inquired several times about rings, but Kirek told her that she didn't need to worry. Needless to say she was a bit skeptical, but she'd known and loved the dragon long enough to trust him almost unconditionally. So, the otter resigned herself to letting him do what he needed to do.
"I know it's kind of an odd request, but is there any kind of brown at least semi-precious stone that could be used in a wedding band?" Kirek asked over the jewelry store counter.
"Well, there's Tiger Eye. If you want it to be transparent then we also have a brown shade of Topaz."
"No thanks, I'd prefer that it be opaque. It's supposed to represent the color of her fur."
"Alright, this I can do. Will you be okay with it being ready in about a week?" asked the jeweler.
"That's perfect. Just keep it on the down low, I want it to be a surprise."
The man behind the counter gave him a wink and retreated into the back room.
The dragon smiled to himself and gave himself a mental pat on the back for his brilliant idea, then walked out of the store to continue with his chores concerning the joyous occasion.
"Just curious, why do you want to have the wedding on this particular beach?"
"Oh, it just seems....special somehow."
The wallaby eyed the otter curiously for a moment before shrugging.
Veronica knew perfectly well why she and her dragon wanted to have the wedding on this particular beach, but they were the only ones that knew.
It was the beach where the two of them had first made love. It was indeed special somehow.
"Sheela?"
"Yes?"
"I never thanked the two of you for inviting the two of us to dinner that night. Kirek proposed to me right after the two of you left."
"We know." Piped the wallaby, as well as Victor who had been looking over the location.
"Well...wait. What?!" stuttered the otter, suddenly very confused.
"Where did you think we went after we left you? Home? We watched the whole thing." Victor said, smiling like he'd been waiting forever to say it.
"Your future husband asked us for a little help. He said all he needed was to get you to the cliffs without looking like he had a plan. We're both happy that we could play a part in making you two the beautiful item you'll soon become." Added the wallaby.
Veronica just stood there, stunned to silence. After several tense seconds she walked over, hugged Victor and then Sheela. When she stepped back from them her eyes were shiny with tears.
"Whatever you guys did, I can't tell you how grateful I am. I'm so touched that you would do something like this for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart..." Veronica managed to say amidst a few hiccups.
"Well, we still have a lot of things to cover. Let's pick up where we left off..." Sheela said as she consulted the clipboard she'd been holding.
"I can't believe it's almost here. I've never been happier in my life."
"Wait until tomorrow, sweetheart." Kirek reassured his betrothed as they flopped down on their bed after another long day of planning, organizing, and running around.
"I don't think I can stay awake much........*yawn*...oh much longer." Said Veronica, exasperated.
"Then sleep, my beautiful ocean pearl. I'll be right here should you need me. I love you." Cooed the dragon softly, kissing her gently on the lips.
Veronica pressed her lips back into his with a soft sigh. "And I love you, my dark nova." She murred as they separated.
With their thoughts thus occupied with the coming day, the dragon and otter both drifted softly off to sleep, curled up in each other's arms.
Kirek strolled by himself along the path that led to the lighthouse at Steamer Lane. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the dragon smiled to himself as the point came into view.
But his smile slowly turned to a thoughtful frown. He couldn't see a single soul on the cliffs. It was such a beautiful day, he couldn't understand why there weren't any people watching the surf or in the lighthouse's museum or SOMETHING.
However, as he got closer he could pick out one solitary figure standing on the edge. The more he walked towards it the clearer it became to the dragon who it was, and the more disbelieving he became. Kirek had long thought he'd never see this person again, but some imperceptible force pushed him towards the black dragon looking out at the ocean. His eyes began to tear up as he got close enough to speak to it.
"D-dad?" he whispered.
The other dragon turned around and smiled as him. He looked a lot like Kirek, except his hair was a little lighter with age, and his face was bearded slightly at the bottom. But he fixed the younger dragon with the same calm, compassionate, loving gaze that he, himself often used.
"It's been a while, son." He finally said. "I hear you're getting married tomorrow."
"But...h-how did you...."
"That's not important. I'm not even sure if I know myself. All I know is that I'm as proud of you as I could be." His father said, that warm smile still gracing his muzzle.
"W-well....thanks. Why, exactly?"
"Kirek, you've found someone with whom you really connect, fell in love, and are about to become one in every sense of the word. The two of you also, despite your love, are also the best of friends. That kind of relationship is very rare and extremely precious. Treasure it, treasure her, treasure each other." Replied the elder as he walked towards his son and embraced him. "I'm so very proud of you, and I want you to know that I have, and always will love you."
Kirek returned the hug with fervor he hadn't imagined he possessed, still weeping slightly in confused happiness.
When they separated the elder dragon looked at him with that smile again. "Now....go get married, and promise to always love and cherish her like I did your mother, and you."
Kirek opened his eyes with a sudden gasp only to find that he was still lying in his room, Veronica still snuggled against his chest. It took him a moment to register the reality of the situation, before he smiled and sighed in acceptance. He looked out the window at the starry night sky.
"Thanks dad." He said simply before he slightly tightened his embrace around his lover and drifted off to sleep again, this time graced with no dreams and plagued by no nightmares.