[Niles has no idea what a silver bell is and that's okay.
Leo smiles behind his hand.] "A man like you".... There's a lot to unpack in that statement.
But thank you. [And to the florists, another thank you. Just as with the tailors, Leo promises that he will return later in the week. If they have any trouble procuring the flowers, please let him know. He'll see what he can do.
It's getting to be around lunch time by the time they exit the florist. It's perfect timing, which Leo hadn't actually planned, because their next stop is a bakery. He bumps Niles with his shoulder.]
[ it's a bell made out of silver??? what else could it be?????? why can't it just be plant #394 instead
Niles, to his credit, is doing his best to try and unravel this mystery with what little he has. He highly doubts Leo would say anything if he asks - he's always tight-lipped with his plans, telling who needs to know only what they need to know. But nothing connects cleanly. How do an outfit for a future ball and a flower arrangement even relate?
The bump jolts him out of his head quickly. ] Hm? [ Oh. Yes. Food. His stomach grumbles at the thought. ] Quite, milord.
[In other words, Leo requested the bakery to do some of the wedding dishes. They'll only be tasting appetizers today and maybe a couple desserts but it promises to be filling enough for lunch time.
The owners of the bakery (is it even a bakery) sit them down in a quiet corner and begin bringing a couple different plates around to them. A bottle of wine is brought to accompany the tasting despite the time of day. Leo doesn't even seem phased by it and gestures for a toast with his glass after they've both been poured.
Niles should be very familiar with the smile on Leo's face this time. He's very satisfied; everything's gone as planned.]
[ we're here at the combination fantasy bakery/high enough end place to cater wedding dishes for a royal
Niles picks up his wine glass with practiced (very practiced) poise and mirrors Leo's motions for the toast. ] Cheers. [ He takes that first sip of wine but before he takes a bite out of any of the appetizers he takes a moment to look at his love. ]
... I won't ask what else you have up your sleeve, Leo, [ Now that they're alone, it feels easier to drop the formalities. ] but I must say, I've quite enjoyed this adventure you've brought me along for so far. Though it is a little out of our norm.
[It's probably not even that high end, honestly, Leo just really likes the food. They make a really good stuffed tomato.
Niles is onto something but Leo's relieved he hasn't totally caught on yet. They're close to their final destination where Leo's finally going to propose.
He takes a sip from his own wine glass.] I thought it might be nice to do something a little different. Something a little more.. domestic, if I may.
[He offers his hand across the table, silently asking for Niles' own.] It's not often we can. But we deserve it. You deserve it.
[Hhh god he wants to marry this man. Leo never doubted whether this was the right choice but now he knows and its every bit of resistance in Leo's body to not pop the question right now.
He bites his lip but his smile is too strong.] I love you, too.
[They continue their sampling, Leo just a bit more antsy than he was previously, and end with a small dessert. Leo does his thing at the end where he whispers to the owner of the establishment and then bids them well.
Except this time, they're also sent off with another bottle of wine along with a pair of wine glasses tucked in whicker basket. That's uh, normal, right? Right.
Leo links his arm round Niles again. He's sure to press against him.] One last stop, I promise.
[Surprise, it's a church. A humble little building on the edge of a lake. But they aren't going in the church; the church actually has nothing to do with this - it just happens to be there. What Leo's really interested in is that lake and the open field that surrounds it.]
[ It's truly a beautiful scene - it's quiet, beautiful, given new life after so long of being dull and lifeless - and Niles feels his heart clench as he thinks, he thinks he knows what's going on, what's going to happen, but because he so desperately doesn't want to be wrong he refuses to think on it.
Besides, if he really is right, then surely he's about to hear it from the man himself, right?
He presses a light kiss against Leo's temple, then takes a moment to admire the lake. ] I never thought I'd say this, but... it's beautiful here. [ For most of Niles's life, Nohr has been a cruel place to live. Being by Leo's side made things easier, sure, but it didn't change the facts that many people suffered under previous kings and queens. A sight like this - it gives Niles hope for the future. A happy future. ]
Imagine at sundown... the reflection of the sun on the water will be breathtaking.
[Leo's chosen a spot on the lake that's removed enough away from everything that they wont be disturbed, but activity within the church can still be heard soft in the background.
It's peaceful.]
It's perfect... [Leo breathes, to himself, and bends at the knee to lower the basket down onto the floor. However, even after it's placed, he doesn't rise. He keeps on one knee and takes Niles' hand in his own.]
Niles I... I'm sure you've caught on by now, to what this is all about. And I don't have a speech for you - not when you've always understood my feelings better than anyone else. I just want to get straight to the point. [He takes out the ring, simple with a small gem in the middle, because he knows Niles would never like anything extravagant.] Niles, will you marry me?
[ Well. Looks like he was right. And though he expected it after a point, seeing Leo on one knee looking up at him with such love and adoration and the ring presented to him (god that ring. it's perfect. when did he even get it? how long and meticulously had he been planning everything up to this moment?) has his pulse racing, his face heating up slowly as reality sinks in that Leo really, truly asked for his hand in marriage.
A warm smile grows on his face and he drops down to his knees in front of Leo, to wrap his arms around him tight as he breathlessly replies ] Of course. I want to be yours forever, Leo.
[ The scene Leo described sounded truly beautiful - the orange and purple hues coloring the water as twilight creeps into the sky - but this, this is much more breathtaking. ]
Leo hadn't expected Niles to say no, that's why he went about this the way he did - essentially making some of the wedding plans as their date - but hearing Niles actually say yes (or a form of yes) and agreeing to marry him still makes Leo's heart swell. His own face blooms pink with his happiness and he throws his arms around Niles in return.
To be with Niles, his soulmate, forever... to be bound together as more than just lord and retainer. It almost feels too good to be true.]
Since the day you stepped into the castle, invited or not, you've changed my life. You've made me the happiest man in Nohr. I only want to be able to do the same for you.
[ The laugh that slips from his lips is not one of his usual sultry chuckles. He's embarrassed but fond, too emotional to think of much beyond how deeply in love he is with Leo.
He presses his face against Leo's shoulder and breathes in deeply. Squeezes him tighter. ] You already have, a million times over.
[ It's never been easy for Niles to be open with his feelings, even with Leo. But he really, truly wants to say this. Especially after all the effort Leo's gone through, for him. ] I never thought it was possible to feel as happy as I do with you.
Leo loves being held by Niles but it is by no means enough right now. He pulls away just so, so he can cup his now fiancé's (!!!!) face in his hands and bring them together to kiss.] I love you... so, so very much.
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Leo smiles behind his hand.] "A man like you".... There's a lot to unpack in that statement.
But thank you. [And to the florists, another thank you. Just as with the tailors, Leo promises that he will return later in the week. If they have any trouble procuring the flowers, please let him know. He'll see what he can do.
It's getting to be around lunch time by the time they exit the florist. It's perfect timing, which Leo hadn't actually planned, because their next stop is a bakery. He bumps Niles with his shoulder.]
Hope you're hungry.
no subject
Niles, to his credit, is doing his best to try and unravel this mystery with what little he has. He highly doubts Leo would say anything if he asks - he's always tight-lipped with his plans, telling who needs to know only what they need to know. But nothing connects cleanly. How do an outfit for a future ball and a flower arrangement even relate?
The bump jolts him out of his head quickly. ] Hm? [ Oh. Yes. Food. His stomach grumbles at the thought. ] Quite, milord.
[ So to the bakery they go...!! ]
no subject
[In other words, Leo requested the bakery to do some of the wedding dishes. They'll only be tasting appetizers today and maybe a couple desserts but it promises to be filling enough for lunch time.
The owners of the bakery (is it even a bakery) sit them down in a quiet corner and begin bringing a couple different plates around to them. A bottle of wine is brought to accompany the tasting despite the time of day. Leo doesn't even seem phased by it and gestures for a toast with his glass after they've both been poured.
Niles should be very familiar with the smile on Leo's face this time. He's very satisfied; everything's gone as planned.]
Cheers.
no subject
Niles picks up his wine glass with practiced (very practiced) poise and mirrors Leo's motions for the toast. ] Cheers. [ He takes that first sip of wine but before he takes a bite out of any of the appetizers he takes a moment to look at his love. ]
... I won't ask what else you have up your sleeve, Leo, [ Now that they're alone, it feels easier to drop the formalities. ] but I must say, I've quite enjoyed this adventure you've brought me along for so far. Though it is a little out of our norm.
[ HE'S ONTO SOMETHING, AT LEAST ]
no subject
Niles is onto something but Leo's relieved he hasn't totally caught on yet. They're close to their final destination where Leo's finally going to propose.
He takes a sip from his own wine glass.] I thought it might be nice to do something a little different. Something a little more.. domestic, if I may.
[He offers his hand across the table, silently asking for Niles' own.] It's not often we can. But we deserve it. You deserve it.
[This small bliss. This happiness.]
no subject
And here I thought I couldn't fall for you any more. [ His voice is soft, a little strained because he's happy. He's feeling the bliss. ] I love you.
no subject
He bites his lip but his smile is too strong.] I love you, too.
[They continue their sampling, Leo just a bit more antsy than he was previously, and end with a small dessert. Leo does his thing at the end where he whispers to the owner of the establishment and then bids them well.
Except this time, they're also sent off with another bottle of wine along with a pair of wine glasses tucked in whicker basket. That's uh, normal, right? Right.
Leo links his arm round Niles again. He's sure to press against him.] One last stop, I promise.
[Surprise, it's a church. A humble little building on the edge of a lake. But they aren't going in the church; the church actually has nothing to do with this - it just happens to be there. What Leo's really interested in is that lake and the open field that surrounds it.]
no subject
Besides, if he really is right, then surely he's about to hear it from the man himself, right?
He presses a light kiss against Leo's temple, then takes a moment to admire the lake. ] I never thought I'd say this, but... it's beautiful here. [ For most of Niles's life, Nohr has been a cruel place to live. Being by Leo's side made things easier, sure, but it didn't change the facts that many people suffered under previous kings and queens. A sight like this - it gives Niles hope for the future. A happy future. ]
no subject
[Leo's chosen a spot on the lake that's removed enough away from everything that they wont be disturbed, but activity within the church can still be heard soft in the background.
It's peaceful.]
It's perfect... [Leo breathes, to himself, and bends at the knee to lower the basket down onto the floor. However, even after it's placed, he doesn't rise. He keeps on one knee and takes Niles' hand in his own.]
Niles I... I'm sure you've caught on by now, to what this is all about. And I don't have a speech for you - not when you've always understood my feelings better than anyone else. I just want to get straight to the point. [He takes out the ring, simple with a small gem in the middle, because he knows Niles would never like anything extravagant.] Niles, will you marry me?
no subject
A warm smile grows on his face and he drops down to his knees in front of Leo, to wrap his arms around him tight as he breathlessly replies ] Of course. I want to be yours forever, Leo.
[ The scene Leo described sounded truly beautiful - the orange and purple hues coloring the water as twilight creeps into the sky - but this, this is much more breathtaking. ]
no subject
Leo hadn't expected Niles to say no, that's why he went about this the way he did - essentially making some of the wedding plans as their date - but hearing Niles actually say yes (or a form of yes) and agreeing to marry him still makes Leo's heart swell. His own face blooms pink with his happiness and he throws his arms around Niles in return.
To be with Niles, his soulmate, forever... to be bound together as more than just lord and retainer. It almost feels too good to be true.]
Since the day you stepped into the castle, invited or not, you've changed my life. You've made me the happiest man in Nohr. I only want to be able to do the same for you.
[He's so in love with this man. So, so in love.]
no subject
He presses his face against Leo's shoulder and breathes in deeply. Squeezes him tighter. ] You already have, a million times over.
[ It's never been easy for Niles to be open with his feelings, even with Leo. But he really, truly wants to say this. Especially after all the effort Leo's gone through, for him. ] I never thought it was possible to feel as happy as I do with you.
no subject
Leo loves being held by Niles but it is by no means enough right now. He pulls away just so, so he can cup his now fiancé's (!!!!) face in his hands and bring them together to kiss.] I love you... so, so very much.