I mean, the commonality seems weird, I didn't think something this invasive would happen in—
[whatever he's about to say, it gets lost when the very stardust they're talking about descends towards them, and they'll get this disney nonsense involving very fluffy wedding planning, solely because i think it's funny for virgo to witness this.]
[whatever they're going to follow that word with, it's cut off by another burst of stardust, and another memory.
"Good evening..."
You're a little distracted, as you enter the room and greet him, and he's able to tell immediately, you're sure - but he still greets you with that same small, warm smile you've come to know and love. His happiness and his affection are a bit slow to come even now, but it means so much to you when you catch little glimpses of it.
"Welcome back," he murmurs, dipping his head to you in greeting, and there's a short paused before he follows up with, "How was the market...?"
He really does know you so well. You smile, realizing there's no sense in trying to keep this to yourself because he sees everything, and try to figure out how to explain.
"The market itself was fine, but the ghosts were a little..." Your voice trails off. "...have you ever thought much about marriage?"
You know that the question has caught him by surprise, because he drops his brush and his cheeks flush a brilliant red. He's cute when he's flustered, you think, and you feel a little bad for flustering him, but it also warms your heart to know that such a simple question from you can have such an affect on him.
"...um. Why do you ask...?"
It's a fair question. You hadn't expected the topic to come up, either, but -
"Ah, well... the ghosts seem to the impression that you and I will be..." You find that you can't quite say it outright. It's something you haven't really allowed yourself to think about before now, because it is something you would dearly love to be real, but you don't want to pressure him into anything. "Well, they seem to think that is why I have stayed here so long." A pause, as you try to figure out what else to say, because it doesn't quite feel like enough. "I thought perhaps I should warn you, before you go out for your patrol..."
If they've brought it up to you, they'd likely bring it up to him, too. It's only fair to warn him.
He seems to agree, making a soft noise, and you think he's going to drop the topic. That's alright. You don't need to pursue this any further - you're at his side, so you're happy.
"Is..." You look up, and notice that his ears are red. "...is that something you'd want?"
"Yes!" The word is out before you can stop yourself. "—if you wanted it as well, I would want that very much. But I am also happy, just to be with you as we have been."
He huffs a little laugh, but turns his gaze away. You recognize this - sometimes, he gets overwhelmed. That's alright. You can wait for him - you will always wait for him. Even with his gaze turned away from you, though, you can see that there's a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"...to be honest, I had not thought of it." His hand is at his mouth, now, as if it can hide the way his cheeks are flushed, as if it can hide the way he's smiling. "...but... I am thinking about it now. I... I'd want to, too."
You feel your cheeks flush with delight, and you look up.
"Really?"
He meets your gaze, and you see that he's smiling.
"...really."
Your heart feels so full that it might burst, and you step closer to him - where he's seated at the low desk, paper and brush and ink in front of him, and you just - you hug him, sliding right into his lap. You can't help it. You're giddily, overwhelmingly happy, and you hold tight to him. He makes a soft noise that sounds like an off, but as ever, he seems to have anticipated your actions, because he's already scooted back to make space, and his arms come securely around you a moment later.
"Be careful of the inkstone," he murmurs, his face ducked into your shoulder, and you smile, because you know that even if you weren't careful, he'd pull you out of the way. You're content to stay there in his arms, but he breaks the silence after a few long moments. "...I'll ask you properly. Not - not just like this. I promise."
You smile, shifting a little to bury your face in the crook of his neck.
"I will be looking forward to it. And I will be sure to give you a proper answer, when you ask."
You feel him turn his head, and feel him press a soft kiss to the top of yours, before you hear him speak.
"Okay. ...okay." A pause, and something must occur to him, because he gives you a gentle squeeze as he makes a soft, amused noise. "...what was it she said. Five necklaces and an ornament...?"
You feel yourself blushing, even as you're amused by his teasing - because you're flattered, that he remembers that conversation in such detail. That he'd paid attention to your friend's insistence on what should be offered to you if anyone was to court you.
"You are worth more than that." It's important for you to say, you think. He has a tendency to think very, very little of himself even at the best of times, so you want to take every opportunity to remind him that he's worth all that and more. You shift your head up so that you can kiss his cheek. "That you have allowed me to be by your side is a far greater gift than anything else you could possibly have given me."
He looks away from you. This happens often, when he gets embarrassed, and you know to wait it out.
"I feel like I should be the one saying that to you." A pause, and then: "...even then, those suggestions were ridiculous."
You smile, and readjust to rest your head on his shoulder.
"Oh, I do not know, a goat might be cute..."
There is a beat of silence.
When he speaks again, his voice is a little muffled, his face pressed against your head.
"You are worth so, so much more than a goat."
You muffle a giggle against his shoulder, and without missing a beat, you respond -
"And you are worth much more than that, as well. More than fifty goats, or even a hundred. You are worth everything."
It's true. He's worth everything to you, and you don't feel any shame in admitting it. Why shouldn't you? He tries to protest it - or starts to, at least, but by now he probably knows that it's going to be a losing battle, and instead of saying anything, he puts his hand over the back of your head and mushes your face into his shoulder so you can't say anything else that might embarrass him.
Well, that's fine. Two can play at that game. You tug a little at his robes, bare a patch of skin, and press a soft kiss to it.
He makes a startled noise and lets go of your head. You take it as a victory, when his arm drops to settle around you again, and you listen to him chuckle with no small amount of satisfaction.
"...If you wanted a goat, I'd get you one. A hundred seems like an excessive amount, but if you wanted them, I'd find a way."
You smile up at him.
"I do not need any goats. All I need is you."
And with all your heart and soul, you mean it.
...anyway virgo has gone absolutely still and silent. for once.]
[the memory itself is so heartwarming, so soft and sweet, that he'd normally have no issue responding to it; but it's strange to see the way they acted then as opposed to how they act now. he has to wonder if something happened to them or the man they love, but he doesn't know how to approach that question with them.
[holding his hands up immediately to try and placate them]
You can totally leave in like ten seconds if you want to! You can. But, I just wanted to say, before that - I'm sorry. That was a really personal question and I shouldn't have asked.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[whatever he's about to say, it gets lost when the very stardust they're talking about descends towards them, and they'll get this disney nonsense involving very fluffy wedding planning, solely because i think it's funny for virgo to witness this.]
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stares at him.]
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[he wins this round (he does not)]
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[the absolutely most obnoxious grin in the world]
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[whatever they're going to follow that word with, it's cut off by another burst of stardust, and another memory.
...anyway virgo has gone absolutely still and silent. for once.]
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after a moment, cautious:]
...Did you really get married?
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Do not talk about that.
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Can I ask one thing...?
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[they seemed so happy back then - joyful, loving and content. he can't quite understand what might have changed.]
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[yeah no they're shadowportaling away sorry]
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WHAT?!
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You can totally leave in like ten seconds if you want to! You can. But, I just wanted to say, before that - I'm sorry. That was a really personal question and I shouldn't have asked.
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You're right. You shouldn't have. Just - just act like you never saw that. I don't want anyone's pity.
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Right. I won't bring it up again, I promise.
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[they seem incredibly on edge.]
Now, do you have any other questions you need a member of hotel staff for, or can I- can I fucking go?
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No, like I said - you can go. I just wanted to apologize first.
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they leave im sorry]