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

[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.

[kimaris]

[ When your job is basically flying around beating up space rats in a giant robot and being incredibly nasty to corrupt Gjallarhorn captains, your job is super fun. But he might also be a little bit of a workaholic.

Just a little, though. ]

That's another thing! Imagine being stuck around someone like Carta for that amount of time.

[ And he likes Carta, sort of. Maybe his friendship with her is because of masochism. ]

[ferrumcorde]

[ Gaelio you're definitely a masochist. ] Ah, I'd rather not imagine it. Even if she is very admirable in her dutifulness.

1/2

[kimaris]

[ YOU DON'T KNOW HIS LIFE no actually McGillis knows his life very well, so he can't even go there. ]

Right? At the very least, I couldn't pass up an opportunity like you just to avoid the rest of them.

[ As snotty as he sounds, it really is just the weakest reason he's got. The fact that they share a dream (lol) and get along and that all he wants to do is stay with him-- those are the important things.

Ah, but he hasn't explained that last part, has he? And McGillis asked him for the reasons. ]

2/2

[kimaris]

...there is one more reason, but I'd rather tell you another day, if you're willing to wait for me.

[ It's too early in this baby relationship for his weird sentimental hope for McGillis, and also he might need a drink first. ]

[ferrumcorde]

[ He doesn't bat an eye at the snotty reasoning. Honestly if that were alone enough it would be fine, but Gaelio has more feelings than using McGillis as a convenient way out of less desirable marriages, and that's even better, as far as McGillis is concerned.

So he smiles, head tilted a moment and giving Gaelio an indulgent look. ]

I'll wait as long as you want.

[kimaris]

[ ... alright, he's laughing. ]

I should aspire to be as patient and understanding as you are. [ Except that's very obviously never going to happen, because Gaelio's not even remotely patient. ] You came to check on me, but I'd like to know how you are now.

[ferrumcorde]

Hm. I like you how you are. But as for me? [ He smiles with (what appears to be) genuine charm. Lifting a hand to gently tug Gaelio's side hair thing before letting it go. ] I'm excited. It's both familiar and a bit of the unknown.

[kimaris]

[ fucking flattery is getting you everywhere mackey ]

I'm happy that I can be that sort of person for you, then.

[ferrumcorde]

[ Excellent, he'll just gently compliment Gaelio into complacency for the rest of their lives. ] You are, of course you are. I hope more than anything that you anticipate this as much as I do. But even if no, I'm happy. After all, you did say yes, I can hardly ask for more.

[kimaris]

[ Gaelio nudges him in the side with an elbow. ]

That's not how marriage works. You're supposed to be insufferable and ask me for everything.

[ferrumcorde]

Hm, is that what you want? Ah, or is that your plan for yourself?

[ He teases gently, since they're bantering. ]

[kimaris]

[ He's laughing, then pulls McGillis into a different room—one that has steadily begun filling with people—as he talks. ]

I wouldn't mind. [ McGillis needing him for anything, though, that's always been one of his goals. If he can be the person to rely on, he's succeeded. Even if it's an insufferable husband. ] But you're right—it'd be easier if we were both selfish, anyway.

[ferrumcorde]

I have every intention of being selfish.

[ Wow it's the fucking truth. ]

If you'll indulge me in it. But I suppose first we must greet the guests.

[ Which he's perfectly smooth and good at, without actually spending too much time on any one person, and time seems to fly before the party is in full swing. ]