Fox was designed to withstand high-stress situations, but he was pretty sure a full grown bantha would be put under by the amount of stress he was currently experiencing. It was a wonder no one could hear his heartbeat. Instinctively, he scanned the room for exits, not that he could actually make a break for it as fear had him rooted in place. 

    He had to work to keep his features calm when a firm hand clamped onto his shoulder. 

    "Ready, vod?" whispered Cody.

    Fox once again had to maintain a facade of calm as he gave a singular nod. He didn't trust himself enough to answer with his voice. All the moisture in his mouth had seemingly evaporated, much like his courage.

    As a clone trooper, there were many things he had been trained to face. Pain, battle, bloodshed. That all paled in comparison to the mission he currently undertook.

    The music swelled, though Fox could hardly tell over the thundering of his own heart. And then Riyo stepped out into the light and his heart abruptly stopped out of sheer awe. The burgundy dress contrasted beautifully against her blue skin, flaring out behind her in a long train. Her gold adornments swayed gently, bringing out the gold in her eyes.

    This woman. This goddess was about to marry him. Him!

    What better way to celebrate the end of the Clone Wars and that gnarled sleemo Palpatine than with a bright new union. It seemed like half the galaxy had gathered in the courtyard to witness the famed marriage of the soldier and senator.

    Fox could scarcely believe that he had beaten his batchmates to the wedding altar, Bly especially. He had thought the Senator had been mistaken, falling for a lowly clone like him. But no, she loved him. She really, really loved him. And he loved her with every fiber o his being. When she looked at him, all his fears and everything else seemed to melt away. He caught the moment realization struck her as she slowly ascended the stone steps.

    As Riyo glided forward, she had to work hard to keep the tears from running down her face. That man. It was all she could to do keep herself from dashing up the steps and jumping into his arms. If she started running, she'd undoubtedly end up tripping over the long hem of her dress or her high heels, but that would just mean Fox would catch her in her sturdy arms, so was it all that bad? 

    She made it to the top without incident, even with her vision being blurred by tears of joy. A few chuckles were heard as she had to take a brief moment to compose herself, looking up to the sky and rapidly fanning her eyes with her hands. Out of the corner of her vision, she noticed Fox lift his arm up to briefly wipe the beginnings of his own tears away. At the back of his line of groomsmen, the brother with the cybernetic eye, Wolffe if she recalled correctly, was already sobbing unabashedly. 

    As the priest started up the ceremony, Riyo couldn't help herself as she extended her hands to shakily brush them over his cheekbones. If she were to smile any wider, her face would split in half.

    'You got them?,' mouthed Riyo in amazement.

    Her soon-to-be husband seemed to stand even taller and his face shone a little bit brighter as he nodded proudly. Upon his cheekbones were the golden tattoos of Riyo's clan. 

    Riyo subtly brought his attention to the bracelet around her wrist. It was crude little thing, made from cheap beads but Fox recognized it instantly. The first and one of the few gifts Fox could give to her. Each bead he had painstakingly engraved to spell cyar'ika, Mando'a for beloved. He had had no idea she had held onto it all these years.

    Somehow, someway, they both managed to get through their vows without breaking down into a miserable mess of sobs.

    "... do you vow to love and honor each other til the stars rain down from the heavens?"

    "Forever and always."

    They kissed lovingly as thunderous applause echoed across the courtyard.

    And just like that, Fox and Riyo were made the happiest man and woman in the galaxy.

    They were one. He was hers and she was his.