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]

[ ... 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. ]

[kimaris]

[ oh u, mackey...

Just like any other event where they happen to be in the same room, Gaelio's naturally kept hovering around him. It's almost like nothing's changed; this is just how he'd act anyway. He does dip away to get more wine occasionally, but only near the end of the night does he excuse himself to go talk to his father, nimbly avoiding a gaggle of young women along the way.

But once that's done, he's seeking him out again. ]

[ferrumcorde]

Welcome back.

[ it's gotten to the point of the night people are dancing and drinking and socializing, leaving McGillis some breathing room to step back and observe it all. ]

[kimaris]

[ Before responding, Gaelio takes a drink, then laughs as he finds a place to put his glass down on. ]

You look like you're doing well. Aren't you going to ask me to dance, yet?

[ Look, he's already well on the way to being a selfish husband. ]

[ferrumcorde]

[ McGillis laughs softly and holds out his hand, smiling at Gaelio with all his charm. ]

Forgive me, I've neglected you. Would you dance with me, Gaelio?

[kimaris]

[ That goal of "helplessly in love" is going to be reached at mach five at this rate, if he keeps being such a gentleman to him.

It's funny, because Gaelio's pretty used to him, or so he thinks he is anyway. Just having that fucking brilliant gay cute charm turned on him full blast is strangely overwhelming. ]

Only because you've realised your mistake.

[ He still hasn't brought him flowers yet though smh he won't go full doki doki until that happens. But he's taking his hand, looking down at where they're linked. It's weird. It's good. His best friend, and now his fiance.

But he doesn't want to think about it too deeply here, and also he's impatient, so Gaelio pulls at his hand and begins leading him onto the dance floor. ]

[ferrumcorde]

[He smiles as Gaelio tugs him to the dance floor, but once there he's the one pulling Gaelio into his arms, taking the lead smoothly.]

How generous of you. I really should count my blessings that you said yes.

[Because while he won't lay it on too think, he knows Gaelio is a bit weak to his praise, and he certainly doesn't mind giving it. It makes Gaelio happy and that's one of the long term goals.]

[kimaris]

[ Years of practicing high-society customs, like various dances, have all been worth it for this day. And honestly, that's probably why all of the Seven Stars families did them in the first place, just so they'd look good when they got married.

Gaelio, of course, looks good all of the time?? But at least he's a good dancer too. ]

Shouldn't I be the one saying that?

[ For a bastard child, McGillis has always been better at... literally everything. Gaelio's well aware that underlings in Gjallarhorn had thought they had a rivalry—and they weren't entirely wrong, but only in that Gaelio's ambition for it had only to be an equal. Right now, with his hand fit into McGillis' and his arm around his waist, he feels equal. ]

[ferrumcorde]

Perhaps you should.

[He teases, since they're bantering.]

Last week I was a very eligible bachelor.

[Or at least, as eligible as a bastard could be. Which was eligible enough, given his accomplishments. By now most don't even bring up his lineage, his future is obviously going to be successful. He sweeps Gaelio along with the music, hand warm on his back as he holds him pressed close.]

[kimaris]

[ Every part of him feels faintly fuzzy. Part of it is that he's been drinking, but it's undeniable that the rest of it is because of how charming McGillis is. He could chide himself on being so easy to please, but... why bother denying it? He's going to have to live with this for the rest of his life anyway. ]

Then, that's very generous of you, McGillis.

[ferrumcorde]

[He laughs and pulls Gaelio a little closer. It wouldn't be strictly appropriate if they weren't engaged, and most of the guests are too inebriated or occupied to be watching enough to care anyway. But it fits well, even if Gaelio is slightly taller he feels good enough in McGillis' arms.

And even if it's joking the reply is nice. Gaelio is his friend, however he might be using him, he's not entirely immune to being appreciated.

He doesn't have enough decency to feel any ounce of guilt for how he's using Gaelio's feelings though, instead he's pondering how to deepen them, with his hand pressed warm against the small of Gaelio's back as he leads him in the dance.]

I suppose we're both just unusually fortunate to have each other.

i tried really hard to not die while typing this

[kimaris]

[ He doesn't object even a little at being pulled into him. There's something taught while learning romantic dances, that you're supposed to make someone want you without giving out too much, or some other nonsense. Gaelio doesn't really care, and he's leaning his cheek against the side of McGillis' neck. ]

Apparently.

[ Gaelio's lucky to have such a hardworking, handsome, thoughtful, pragmatic, charming, prudent, ambitious, fiance. He knows that there are many admirable traits within himself too, though he's not really going to... boast them... not in a thought like this, anyway, so he figures that no matter what, they're an ideal pair. ]

Thank you for the dance, McGillis.

[ As completely adorable as Gaelio Bauduin is being right now, smiling against him, he's also saying it playfully because he's a little shit. ]

This psl is objectively the worst

[ferrumcorde]

[He steps back and takes Gaelio's hand as the music winds down form one song to the next.]

Come get some air with me. I think we've entertained the guests enough.

IT IS FUCKKKKK

[kimaris]

[ Gaelio lets him lead, at least until they're off the floor and then he's squeezing his hand and dragging him away from sudden guests with an amicable grin. After a few seconds of tumultuous greeting, Gaelio has successfully navigated them a path outside.

Look, he's a good and useful fiance already. ]

I guess they didn't agree with you.

YOU WANTED A HAPPY MARRIAGE AU

[ferrumcorde]

[He lets himself be led, smiling in amusement as Gaelio extricates them and they make it out to the cool evening air of the garden.]

I may blame your charm for luring them. But you managed to get us away.

what have i done

[kimaris]

My charm?

[ ... ]

Well, perhaps. [ He's gently not modest about this, this time. ] You asked for air, how could I not accommodate you?

It's terrible

[ferrumcorde]

My hero.

[He says it dryly, obviously teasing but in a clearly fond way. And he keeps hold of Gaelio's hand, even though they're already out here.]

gay

[kimaris]

[ Ruthless to his kokoro, aren't you Mackey...

He's looking up into the sky for a long moment. ]

Tomorrow, the planning begins. For me, anyway. [ It's being left unsaid that some people are very obviously already thinking ahead. ] Will this really make you happy?