marriage au

[ferrumcorde]

[ McGillis has been trying for months to get Gaelio to talk marriage with him. But rather typical of the other man the moment the subject comes up he finds something else that needs his immediate attention or changes the subject. Over and over. To the point that McGillis gives up broaching the topic with Gaelio and goes straight to his father. Frankly it's not the way he would have wanted to do it ideally, but asking the parent's permission before proposing is still considered proper. It's just a bit less proper when the person in question has no idea of interest in the first place.

In any case, Lord Bauduin was amenable enough to the match if his son was. Of course no formalities could be discussed until Gaelio agreed and so, finally, it's come down to McGillis having to trap the man into the conversation he keeps avoiding like the plague.

This time, however, he believes he has an approach that will keep Gaelio form fleeing.

They're in the rose garden of the Bauduin estate, drinking tea and enjoying a brief moment of time off, just the two of them. It's a lovely setting, and suitably romantic, as far as it goes. The day is perfect, with the sun shining but not too hot, a light breeze smelling of roses and sea air, the sky a lovely blue with white clouds--picturesque and memorable.

And Gaelio is with him, talking about something or other. McGillis waits for a lull in the conversation, setting his tea down. Looks at Gaelio dead on as he announces: ]

I am currently in engagement negotiations. But I wanted your help. And advice, I suppose.

Comments

[ferrumcorde]

I'm not one to give up on something I set my mind to.

[ So no, he's not backing out of marrying you at any point Gaelio. Stop fussing. But he does tilt his head, amused, and ask a little playfully. ]

In that case, the room next to yours?

[kimaris]

Even if it's a broom closet?

[ It's not and honestly McGillis has probably seen his bedroom so he probably already knows, but Gaelio is playing along anyway. ]

[ferrumcorde]

[ He's probably well aware what rooms are next to Gaelio's but he'll play along because, well, Gaelio seems to be enjoying it. ]

I suppose that would get cramped if you wished to visit me in it.

[kimaris]

[ HE DOES ENJOY IT!! If McGillis is content and (seemingly??) happy, then so is Gaelio. At least, that's how it works most of the time. ]

Hmm. Well, we're lucky that's not the case then. That aside... plans have already been made for the engagement party.

[ferrumcorde]

Do fill me in. When is the official party?

[ He's content enough. The whole wedding fuss is not his to have to deal with but he'll still get the benefits, so he's certainly appreciative of that. ]

[kimaris]

This weekend.

[ "Dad I'm engaged now" "Great son now we're getting you hitched as soon as possible so you don't run away again" "I DON'T RUN AWAY!! I GET BUSY!!" was more or less the conversation they'd had. ]

I hope you didn't have plans.

[ferrumcorde]

Nothing more important than this.

[ When doesn't he have plans? But he's prepared to clear his schedule for whatever is required to make this happen. ]

Your parents must be elated to plan so quickly.

[kimaris]

[ It's an obvious answer but it's still... strangely comforting to hear. ]

I'm not sure that they didn't already have all of it pre-planned.

[ferrumcorde]

They're ever hopeful.

[ He sounds amused. The constant battle between Gaelio's disinterest in marriage and his father's insistence on it has being going on a long, long time. ]

[kimaris]

[ He's just glad he got to make his own choice first... twenty-six years old and this is the life of a rich Gjallarhorn kid. ]

At least they'll make things easy on me. After the engagement, you'll get to go free for awhile, and I'll be stuck here. I guess I was overdue for a vacation anyway.

[ He's a tiny bit petulant sounding but... he doesn't mind too much. ]

[ferrumcorde]

I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself somewhat with the time off.

[ Gaelio is cute, sulking. But McGillis isn't going to save him from wedding planning. ]

[kimaris]

Somewhat.

[ THANKS, MACKEY. ]

Well that's after the party. For now, please bear with the amount of congratulations we'll be getting. [ At least they're both good at socialising... more or less. Used to it might be a better term. ] We should also probably call it a night.

[ferrumcorde]

[ He's a great husband already, right? But he just smiles and straightens a bit, no longer leaned into Gaelio's space. ]

I suppose. I'll be busy tomorrow rearranging my schedule for the weekend.

[kimaris]

[ McGillis can probably see himself out, so Gaelio's standing and going to the door, stopping to look back at him with a small smile. ]

Someone will get the proper details to you sometime tomorrow, presumably. [ ...he pauses. ] Good night, McGillis.

[ferrumcorde]

Goodnight, Gaelio.

[ He does see himself out, after smiling at Gaelio charmingly. And he doesn't show up again until before the party, busy with rearranging his schedule as needed around the party as well as the invitations required from his end. But when he shows up it's dressed fully fancily and well before the party to call on Gaelio. ]

[kimaris]

[ The nice thing about working for Gjallarhorn is that his daily uniform doubles as formal wear whenever he chooses. Unfortunately, he's been harassed all day to at least wear the nicer version of his uniform, and he's eventually given in. ]

You're here early. [ He'd been in one of the open rooms until one of the maids had come to inform him that his new fiancé was here. ] You don't have much time left before you're stuck with me, you know. Shouldn't you be cherishing it?

[ferrumcorde]

And here I was thinking I'd been missing your company.

[ McGillis smiles as Gaelio joins him, nodding towards the exit to the garden so they can take a stroll before guests begin to arrive. ]

I thought I might see how you're doing, before we're bogged down in greetings and congratulations.

[kimaris]

How considerate of you.

[ It's too early in the evening for you to be so smooth, wtf. ]

I had missed being at home, but I'm almost ready to leave again. [ A shrug. ] Not that I'm complaining, however.

[ ...except he is, but it's fine, this is nothing he can't handle with great gusto— ]

[ferrumcorde]

I take it your parents have been overly excited. [ He smiles as he walks with Gaelio, not pointing out that he is in fact complaining right now. ] Just bear it through the wedding plans and we can both be back to our job together.

[kimaris]

[ As he walks, he idly tucks his hands behind his head and hums. ]

Tonight aside, I'm looking forward to the actual ceremony.

[ Just in case that wasn't... obvious. ]

[ferrumcorde]

As am I. Though I must say I'm surprised, no, flattered. You've given such an impression of resistance to marriage, I can't help but feel very special to have changed your mind so totally.

[kimaris]

[ He stops walking for a moment, looking at him. Then he laughs and catches up. ]

There's a few other reasons, but even I'm not foolish or stubborn enough to pass on you.

[ferrumcorde]

I suppose you'll tell me your other reasons? [ After all, why wouldn't Gaelio tell him everything? They're going to be partners for life, in every sense of the word. But he smiles a little wryly at the flattery, head tilting as he waits for Gaelio to go on. ]

[kimaris]

[ Yes. Because there will be absolutely no secrets in this relationship ever... but especially on Gaelio's side, so of course he'll tell him. ]

I like having the freedom. I don't want to be stuck here when it's much more fun at work. Considering that I already spend most of my work time with you, I can't see much of a difference. [ Not many people would say that working for Gjallarhorn is fun, but Gaelio enjoys his inspector-slash-whatever-he-wants job.

Also, he wants more of a reason to have McGillis with him, so it works out. ] I couldn't see myself being interested in any other prospects either.

[ferrumcorde]

[ It's really ideal if Gaelio keeps no secrets and learns exactly none of McGillis'. That will make Gaelio happiest and things easiest on McGillis. ]

You know most people wouldn't consider work fun... But I'm glad. It will be a relief to have things return to normal, I think. But with you beside me at all times.