[OP: "Venus" --Sleeping at Last.]

The reception, such as it was, was at the Nikos residence, in the backyard and common areas.

That didn't stop the music from getting loud and the teens from getting rowdy while throwing it down.

The older family guests were more subdued for the most part, but getting acquainted with each other and the heroes.

Mrs. Nikos and Mrs. Arc were eager to meet Shine, as, apparently, Pyrrha and Jaune had talked her up.

Though she didn't strike them as that unusual off the bat. Still, they had it on good authority.

Wally got the same treatment from the men--and some women, but he avoided that.

"Being a hero makes you a hot commodity these days," Raven told him. She was sitting at a table, sipping punch. "Even I've had to drive away some overly enthusiastic callers."

"You never think about getting together with someone again?" Wally took the chance to eat some snacks and get out of the limelight.

"Oh... sometimes." Raven eyed the far side of the room. "But I think my taste has gotten more picky with age. I'm just not interested in those flings anymore."

"I know what you mean there. Slowing down a bit and settling on one person sounded like it would be hard," Wally said. "But it hasn't been, not really."

"So you never think about shopping around?" Raven asked.

"Rave, not all guys are like that." Wally was kind of offended. "Wouldn't you know anyway? Tai..."

"Tai? Not the best example," Raven said.

"Right...sorry," Wally said. "Still...you were the one who left."

"It wouldn't have worked out long term. Sometimes you just know." Raven shrugged. "We rushed that. Weren't ready for it."

"I hear you on that," Wally said. "Something people don't tell you is how hard it really is to have a real relationship. Could be why most of my friends have commitment issues..."

"But I think Arc and Nikos will be fine." Raven was in a rare, optimistic mood. "They're not like we were. They were looking for the right things."

"That's true, Raven," Wally said. "I think it's not about age, it's about what you are looking for. Maybe that's why things lined up for me when they did. So have you changed what you're looking for?"

"Maybe." Raven took a sip. "Less drama would be nice."

"Tell me about it," Wally agreed. "Oh, Shine's giving me a look like I need to bail her out. Too many questions from those ladies, I bet. Gotta go." He shot away.

Raven rolled her eyes to herself. Not that she was jealous that they were so solid.

Yang came over a few minutes later.

"Lucky for us, it looks like Jupiter and Opis managed to not hear about this," she said. "So no fighting."

"Did they know you were going to be in town?" Raven asked.

"Not unless you or Neptune told 'em." Yang crossed her arms and looked annoyed. "They call sometimes. They should just do what you do, radio silence."

"Why would I call? If you wanted to talk to me, you would call me," Raven said. "And you're driving half the time. Makes more sense."

"At least you're not following me anymore," Yang said dryly. "I hear all the Argus soldiers are terrified of you."

"I'm instilling some order." Raven rubbed her hand. "They're pathetic, but we work with what we have."

"They did kind of seem like pansies before," Yang acknowledged.

"So, how are things going with the two of you?" Raven changed the subject. "I hope this wedding doesn't give you any ideas."

"Oh, heck no. Way too soon to even think of that." Yang shook her head. "I'm happy for them, but, for me... I definitely need more time. But it's not so bad traveling around with someone instead of alone. I'm getting used to it. Makes the fights easier too."

"As long as they aren't by water."

"Actually, he's getting better with water," Yang said. "We crossed a stream the other week without more than a few seconds of hesitation. It was a big moment."

"But can he control it?"

"A little at a time. I do miss Mer and Jaune's help with that," Yang said. "But we can't rely on others always to help us control our powers. Mostly we're on land anyway."

Raven shrugged.

"What?" Yang said. "Don't tell me you're still against our relationship? Get over it. It's so...stupid--you and Dad both, and it's weird for you to agree."

Raven shrugged again.

"Why don't you like him?" Yang asked. "He helped save the world. How is he not good enough?"

"It's not that," Raven surprisingly answered. "I like Neptune fine."

"Then...what? Me?" Yang said.

"No, both of you," Raven said. "You're having fun now, looking for adventures, riding around.... That's the thing I don't like. It's just like your father and I were once."

Yang's mouth dropped open.

She sank into a chair like she just had to process that.

"You think we're like you?" she finally said incredulously.

"I do see a resemblance," Raven said.

"He's not like Dad," Yang said.

"More like him than you might think: terrible sense of humor, nice guy compared to your...tempestuous nature," Raven said. "A bit more of a player, but then your father really was popular when he was your age--"

"Stop, stop, I don't want to hear this." Yang covered her ears.

Raven couldn't resist smirking.

"I was a lot like you, the bad girl type," she said. "I mean...for a huntress...so..."

"That I believe," Yang said flatly. "But you can't really think we're going to end up like that? We've experienced way too much s--- for that."

"We experienced s--- too," Raven said. "That's the thing, it's so easy to get carried away and rush into something you're not ready for. I get not wanting to be alone, more than you think, probably, but that doesn't mean you're ready."

"Wow..." Yang said. "I cannot believe we're talking about this."

That stung.

Yang rubbed her head. "Though I guess I can see why you'd be worried about it...not that I like it. But Dad thinks we're alike, and clearly you weren't ready."

Raven swallowed her pride. "I wasn't ready," she agreed.

Yang finally softened slightly. "Yeah, well...I don't plan to repeat that mistake. I'm sorry you're so worried about me ending up like you, though, since I technically wouldn't be here if you'd been smarter."

Raven winced. "I didn't mean it like that, Yang."

"No, no, I get it, you don't want me to mess things up the same way." Yang shrugged. "But it's just...weird to hear that. Since that's why I'm here."

"That's not the part I'm sorry about," Raven said. "But if I'd waited, been smarter, maybe things could have turned out differently for you."

"But the way they did turn out...is it really so bad?" Yang said. "I'm happy. I thought you were happy."

"I'm happy, for me, but I still have regrets," Raven said.

"Maybe that's a waste of time," Yang suggested. "It is what it is. I thought we were over bemoaning the past."

"I'm...thankful, I suppose, that you've come to terms with it," Raven said. "And I've tried to as well as I can. Still, I would spare you the same amount of pain that went with that past, if possible. It's not much, but every parent wants their children to turn out better than them."

"I think Mercury would disagree with you there." Yang looked toward him. "But a good parent would."

Pause.

Raven wasn't sure how to take that.

Yang sighed. "I guess I see why it's bothering you. But I think we both know I'm not going to pack up and leave either. We're still trying it out, seeing if we work. But it's been going pretty well so far, and if we do stick together long term, then I promise I'm going to be responsible about it. Does that help?"

"I'll hold you to that," Raven said seriously. "Because I think you're better than me."

Yang nodded. 

[Not to get too into it, but reality is that Raven's got a point. And I didn't like to ignore that there are still real world things to consider, even in this cheerful ending to everyone's stories. And this is one of them. Actually it's part of the happy ending that people can learn from the past.]

* * *

Surprisingly Tai said something very similar to Neptune while they were talking.

"I don't really regret having Yang," he told him, "but I regret her not having a normal family. I know it bothered her. I just want both of you to be careful out there. And safe, of course.... It's dangerous, still, on the road."

"You've got nothing to worry about, Mr. Xiao Long," Neptune said, very embarrassed. "We can handle ourselves out there...and I think we're going to be smart about...you know.... I really don't want to talk about this with you."

"Yeah, just know that, as her father, I think about this kind of thing constantly," Tai said. "So you may not want to talk about it, but I can't get away from it. You treat her well."

Neptune felt like it was Yang who should really be hearing this. But of course, she got it from Tai later.

"Dad, come on!" she complained--she always was more spoiled with Tai than Raven because Tai put up with it. "Seriously stop it with this. Did you and Mom just decide to embarrass me today?"

"Your mom did something?" Tai said.

"She's already given me the 411, all right?" Yang said. "I get it, you want me to not repeat your mistakes. I'm not planning to, all right? We're good."

"I'm sorry," Tai said. "I know you're independent, and you don't want to hear this for me. I just worry about you. You don't call very often."

"I just don't have that much to call about." Yang felt he was guilt tripping her. "All you guys ever tell me is that you're doing the same stuff, and Ruby's going back to Beacon in fall, which is great and all, but I've got it. When I have news, I'll call. Mostly it's just driving around fighting bad guys and Grimm and sight-seeing. It's been really cool. Actually, I took these awesome pics by this waterfall. Neptune stood, like, 20 feet away from it, but he got a wide shot, so that worked out."

Tai sighed. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, honey, it's just..."

"Dad!"

"Okay, okay, I'll stop." He gave up.

He wished Qrow would try. But Qrow had no intention of getting involved, and he said they'd never listen to him anyway.

"I can't believe they're trying to parent at a wedding reception," he told Winter.

"You never stop being a parent," Winter noted. "My mother has been calling more often while I'm at work. I suppose she's trying to make up for lost time, but it feels odd to me."

"But you have a mother who cares," Qrow said. "That's pretty nice."

"Yes...and, more nicely, a father who has decided to lay low," Winter said. "I believe he went to Vale somewhere, but I don't care that much to know."

"Did he ever find out about us?" Qrow said.

"Oh, yes, before we left Vacuo," Winter said. "He was furious because you have no connections. As if that matters."

"I have connections," Qrow said.

"Rich ones," Winter corrected.

"Oh...well, hey, even some of those, depending on how you classify rich," Qrow said.

"It doesn't matter. He wouldn't approve anyone I did," Winter said. "I'm sure not Mr. Wallace either, but that would only encourage Weiss."

"Oh, Theo told me Wallace is always very respectful to Weiss," Qrow said. "He knows you'd kill him if he wasn't."

Winter smirked finally.

"Am I interrupting?" Shine walked up.

"Not really," Winter said. "Merely discussing family situations. But you have something to answer for."

"I do?" Shine said, puzzled.

"Yes, what were you thinking? You just left us during that party, with some notebooks and well wishes!" Winter hit the table angrily. "I could strangle you!"

"I told you, I didn't want to play favorites," Shine said. "I thought it was nice."

"It was, she's just mad," Qrow said. "Quite the list of prayers you had there."

"They were all real," Shine said.

"You sure know how to make people feel guilty," Qrow added. "All the crap we gave you, and you had that in your head the whole time."

"I think you know how it feels to be underappreciated, Qrow," Shine said. "But would you waste your time complaining about it?"

"Savage." Raven joined them. "I should hit you for leaving like that."

"You--" Qrow stopped. He was trying to stop making wisecracks about it to her. "You would," he said instead.

Raven probably knew what he was thinking, but she didn't get into it.

"I'm here now. Doesn't that count for something?" Shine said.

"Because you like Nikos and Arc," Raven said. "They're your favorites."

"I can't have favorites," Shine argued.

"Everyone has favorites," Raven insisted.

"The woman with one child really wouldn't know," Shine said. "You have nothing to compare it to."

Raven huffed.

"I'd come to your wedding too, if you ever had one," Shine said.

"Her?" Qrow scoffed. "No one could handle her."

Raven glared at him.

"I don't know, I think she might have prospects," Winter said. "It can't be much worse than you, Qrow."

"Hey." Qrow pretended that offended him.

"I don't like to push, but I hope this will be the two of you soon." Shine put her hands together.

"Shine!" Winter said indignantly. "Not you too!"

"Ha!" Raven thought it was funny.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry...but you know you've all dropped hints about Wally and I. This is just payback," Shine said.

"How petty of you," Raven said. "I respect that though."

"I don't remember ever doing that," Winter said. "It's none of our business."

"But seriously, aren't you two engaged yet?" Qrow said. "It's been months."

"Qrow, it's been 8 days for us," Shine said.

They all stared at her.

"8 days?" Raven sputtered.

"Do I look older to you?" Shine gestured to herself.

"You wouldn't in 8 months either," Raven said. "But...that's so little time."

"Isn't it strange for you to see us all like this then?" Winter said.

"I guess I just know how Pyrrha felt," Shine said. "But not as bad--you did write. I got several letters a day from you all. I suppose it was weeks and days for you, though."

"If we were bugging you that much, you could have said," Qrow said.

"Did you write her?" Winter asked.

"Once or twice.... I'm not much of a writer," Qrow said.

"Actually I found it quite diverting," Shine said. "Your candid descriptions of everyone are always amusing to me. You could write a book. I'm sure people would read your autobiography. "

"Eh, no thanks, too depressing," Qrow said.

"But with a good ending?" Shine said.

"We'll see how it ends," Qrow said. "Maybe someone else should write it. Ask Pine, that's all he ever seems to do."

"I look forward to reading his finished edition of all this," Shine said. "He told me it might be done in another year if he's lucky. No one better let Glynda edit it. I think she's a bit of a perfectionist."

[My editor gives me crap for repeating mistakes too, but they aren't vicious like those comment section grammar nazis are.]

"I was going to ask you what you were doing, but clearly the answer is not much." Winter was a little disappointed.

"We caught up with family, filled in our friends on our adventures, and got told by GL that he was surprised we came back alive," Shine shrugged. "That's about it. Ask me in a year, maybe."

"So...when will you go on another mission?" Raven asked.

"I don't know. God decides that," Shine shrugged. "I do other things besides that, you know."

"You never mentioned them," Qrow said.

"You never ask," Shine pointed out.

It occurred to them how little they knew her.

"So what do you do?" Winter asked.

"Not much," Shine said, just so she could laugh at their nonplussed looks. "Sorry...well, you know, I study. I work. I teach. In Wally's world I chase around bad guys sometimes just for fun, but mostly I hang out with my students and friends there. My life isn't that exciting."

"You just said you chase around bad guys in another world and your life isn't that exciting in the same speech," Raven said.

"Oh, but compared to constructing a whole new world of your own--" Shine shrugged. "--it seems so small. You get the really fun part."

"In a way, it seems good that you have your own life," Winter said. "If your entire life hung on our choices, I'd feel far too responsible.... It is nice to have that weight off my shoulders."

"So how is it now, living a semi-ordinary life?" Shine asked. 

They exchanged looks. 

"I'd say it'll take a while to really get used to it not being about Ozpin," Raven said. "Sometimes I hardly believe it happened."

"That's about right," Qrow said. "I can't believe the things we saw and did now. People don't believe us either, most of them. I've tried telling a few. If they do believe, I think they still put it up to our talent. The truth is, I don't know why we were chosen."

"Because you could do it," Shine said. "With all your flaws, you knew what had to be done. That's why. And that's all there is to it. People put too much stock in skills."

"Still, we don't know how to convince them of the truths we've learned," Winter said. "I hoped it would fall into place with time, but so far it's slow."

"You've hardly learned the truth yourselves," Shine said. "You have to keep growing. It'll happen. Sometimes it comes like fire and wind, but other times I think it's like building a bridge. You have to measure out one square at a time. We'll see the change faster than you will, probably--you're too close to it. But even the air here is different. I could feel it once we came in. Just because you can't see change, doesn't mean it's not happening."

"This is why it would be nice if you stuck around another couple years," Raven complained.

"Sis, come on, give it a rest," Qrow said. "They gave us what they could."

"He's right," Shine said. "It was all we had. Surely you feel the difference now. You can't possibly feel like I should be leading you right now."

"I would always appreciate your input," Winter said.

"You have that," Shine said. "As long as I can give it. But that's all."

She tapped the table. "I know it's hard to stand on your own feet. I've had to go through it too--I still do--times where the help from Above seems so far away. But I get stronger. You were all weak in the faith when we left you, because you leaned on us. Now you will be tougher. Just stick with it. Don't forget us."

She looked somber.

"Do people ever forget you?" Qrow asked.

"I don't know exactly. Some of them regress, usually not the close ones, but those are the ones who'd have changed anyway without us, so I can't take credit," Shine mused. "But you don't really want to hear about this. It seems like bad form to discuss it with you."

"I'm sorry," Winter said. "I know...we were talking about your real life, and we always get back onto this. I suppose it's just that your would seems so far from us, I can't help but forget it."

"That's natural enough. I don't talk about yours all the time when I'm away," Shine said. "But I do want to hear about your lives. That's why we're visiting."

So they told her more about that.

She asked everyone.

Wally had less trouble catching up. He kind of just hung out and listened to people's conversations while snacking or making comments here and there.

The guys told him about hunting Grimm and the SDC trying to get back into full business.

Wally didn't understand the company part very well, but he got that Whitley was enjoying himself at least.

His mother was trying to arrange for him to get the full authority of the company transferred early, by the time he was 16, about 18 months from now.

After a lot of catching up, they turned more to just celebrating. There were games--and more dancing of course.

Pyrrha was almost too distracted by being happy to pay any mind to anyone else, but there did come the part of the reception where people made speeches or presentations. This was also a Remnant tradition just like in Shine's and Wally's worlds.

Ruby has been elected to make one.

"Well, uh...hey, everyone," she said, holding a mic, and they laughed lightly as she waved awkwardly.

"So this is a really nice turnout," Ruby said awkwardly.

Weiss shot her a look.

Ruby cleared her throat. "Well, I've known Jaune and Pyrrha for a really long time now. I mean, 2 years."

Some of the adults chuckled at that.

"And the first day I met Jaune, some of you might remember, he was kind of throwing up into a trashcan," Ruby said.

More laughter. Jaune had progressed far enough to mostly find this funny, even if he cringed slightly. 

"So he's come a long way since then," Ruby said. "And we all know that's mostly because of Pyrrha, though the rest of us helped a little too."

More laughing and cheering.

"And I'm really happy for them," Ruby said. "I guess that's all. Good luck, Vomit Boy." She finger-gunned at Jaune.

People clapped.

Then it was Ren and Nora--who had to do it together or Ren would have been too silent.

"Well," Ren said, "Jaune's always wanted to find a girl--"

"And, boy, did he take his time about it," Nora interjected.

Jaune didn't find this as funny, though Pyrrha did.

"And Pyrrha and him are very valued teammates of ours," Ren said, "who deserve the best...and I think they'll be good for each other."

"And they'll kick major butt," Nora added.

"Yes...so congratulations," Ren said.

Nora fist pumped.

"Hey, when is it gonna be your turn?" someone yelled. They thought it was Mr. Arc.

Ren looked embarrassed, and Nora said. "Hey, that's totally up to us, Mister!"

"Okay--" Blake rushed to grab the mic from them. "My turn.... So yeah, I didn't really have a whole lot to say. Other than you two have this kind of bond that you usually only read about in books, and I think we all want that, you know? So I'm happy for you."

"Aww," Pyrrha said.

Jaune squeezed her hand.

"Ey yo." Yang took the mic. "Well, I guess it's up to me to lighten the mood a little. Everyone's being so serious. I mean, we don't want them to feel like the bride and gloom, am I right?"

"Oh no..." Weiss muttered.

"Please make her stop," Blake said.

"Heh." Tai thought it was funny.

Yang winked. "What? Come on, that was funny. What's with the reception?"

"Yang, stop upstaging everyone!" Ruby called.

"I'm not even on stage," Yang said.

Raven smacked her head into the table.

"She gets this from you," she hissed at Tai, who shrugged.

"At least I make jokes," he said.

"Are you proud of that?" Raven shot back.

"Guys, shush, I can't hear," Wally said.

"Okay, okay." Yang held up a hand. "I'll stop. I just wanted to wish you guys a really happy day and tell you we're all super psyched for you. Though, I admit, when I said you were getting hitched, Neptune kind of thought I meant there was going to be a horse-drawn carriage."

Pyrrha smiled weakly.

"Is that true?" Sun asked Neptune.

"No!" Neptune said. "Though that would be a way cool thing to have around."

"When it's your turn, buddy," Sun said.

"Yang!" her team was crying.

"Okay, okay, I guess I won't stand on ceremony. Congrats." Yang nodded, putting the mic down finally.

[It took more brain power to come up with that handful of pun jokes than I care to admit.]

"At least it was unique," Pyrrha said.

"Yeah, that was something that'll stay with me," Jaune winced.

Mrs. Nikos made a short speech.

"We're really happy to welcome Jaune into our family, and we're also happy that, with this union, our family just grew to be 13 people," she said.

The Arcs laughed at that.

Then Jaune's dad made a speech.

"I still think Pyrrha's a little too good for my son," he joked, "but I couldn't be happier for them. And some tips for you young people: Marriage is about being yourself but with someone else."

"Huh?" Sun said.

"Got me," Mercury said.

"And remember that you've gotta both love and respect each other for this thing to work," Mr. Arc went on. "You won't always agree--no one does--but you keep that kindness and respect a part of your relationship, and you can get through any problems. I should know--I've had 8 kids with my lovely wife over there."

"Honey!" Mrs. Arc said, though plenty of people thought it was funny.

"They must not have TV in that part of Vale," Qrow muttered.

Winter kicked him under the table.

"Anyway, I know you'll be golden." Mr. Arc sat down.

"Do you want to make a speech?" Pyrrha leaned over to ask Shine.

"Me? I'm not married," Shine said.

"Whose fault is that?" Jaune looked at Wally, who gave him a weird look.

"You don't have to be. Most of us aren't," Pyrrha said. "I was kind of hoping you would--or maybe a song? Something special."

"You're actually asking me to sing?" Shine said.

"It's kind of the thing you're known for. I swear, we're always asking if Shine would know a song for that," Jaune said.

"How did I end up in this position?" Shine wondered.

"Oh, get real, we all know you love it." Qrow heard her.

"Well, I'll do it because you asked me to," Shine said, getting up. "Bible themed?"

"You pick, but that does sound grand," Pyrrha said.

"Okay." Shine took the mic. "Well, I wasn't planning to do this, but I got asked to give us a song for today. I have so many I could pick from, but I'm partial to this one for weddings--"

"Record it," Weiss hissed to Ruby and Blake. "Just in case we want to recreate it later."

They pulled out their scrolls.

Shine began to hum and then to sing an upbeat song.

https://youtu.be/EN3-gJHP_es

"Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li; I am my beloved's, my beloved is mine. Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li;

"I have a song that I learned from my Savior, when He gave His life for His bride. Now I sing it for you now that you are mine.

"It's a song of redemption, of selfless love. That I'm learning from Him, God above. Now I sing it for you my one and only bride.

  "Lai, Lai... 

 "I am no longer mine. I am yours forever. I give it all to you, my beloved. x2 Lai, lai... 

 "I will dance with you, I will walk with you. Let no man separate what God has placed together. I will dance with you. I will walk with you. I am yours, you are mine, my beloved. x2 

 "Lai, lai...Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li. I am my beloved's, my beloved is mine. Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li."

"Take notes, West," Qrow said to him. "Better learn this one for your wedding."

"Shut up," Wally said.

"What do you think?" Raven asked Winter.

"I like it, but if it were me, I might pick something a bit more traditional," Winter said.

[This would be traditional for some cultures, but I guess not Atlas. Fun fact: singing a wedding song from scripture is actually a Hebrew practice, often a psalm. It's also a practice in other cultures.]

Pyrrha liked it. She was smiling.

Shine ended the song, and then she added: 

"There's a lot in our holy text about marriage. 'He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.' 'For this reason, a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two become one flesh.' And one of my favorites: 'Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is as strong as death, jealousy demanding as the grave....  Many waters cannot quench love.' And of course, 'Let no man separate what God has placed together.' "

She nodded at them. "Congratulations."

Jaune smiled.

"That was beautiful," Pyrrha said as Shine sat down and some people applauded.

"That was mostly not my words," Shine shrugged. "I couldn't top that, after all."

The celebration resumed after that, but Pyrrha and Jaune were about ready to leave.

They were going to Vale for their honeymoon since they had the time off now. Winter had pulled some strings make sure Jaune got leave the same time as Pyrrha.

The reception went on for a bit after they left, but people started packing up. Glynda put things away in record time.

"I think it was really sweet," Wally commented.

"Yeah," Oscar said. "They seemed so happy. I hope I can be like that one day."

"In good time." Shine patted his head. And when Tai gets used to the idea, she thought.

"So are you going to stay a while?" Blake asked them.

"Just till tomorrow," Shine said.

"Yeah, you gotta let the portal cool down for 24 hours," Wally said. "Or you could make time schisms."

What a terrifying possibility.

"We're all going to just hang around the house," Emerald said. "I'm bushed, but some late night hot chocolate doesn't sound so bad."

"I'm so for that," Wally said.

So they did.

* * *

The next day the DJs left again, though this time they did say farewell first.

"We'll be back," Shine said.

"Yeah, you'll hardly miss us," Wally said.

"We'll keep you posted." Ruby gave them a thumbs up.

[That's the end of the Arkos Wedding mini arc.

More bonus chapters to come. They'll focus on other characters though. Shine and Wally may make a few more appearances, but I was planning to do more slice-of-life things also.

If you have any ideas, I could make a late addition.]