[Leo had prepared himself for Xander to not be around today. He was fine with it - he understood that Xander was busy. He would expect nothing less of his diligent king. Besides, that Xander had even gotten him a gift - a beautiful, beautiful gift that he is going to wear as often as possible - was more than enough for Leo. There was no doubt in his mind that, despite not being around, Xander had not forgotten him on this day. He was still in his brother's mind.
All that mental prep and talking himself out of being disappointed falls to shambles when he actually sees Xander there in the stables with Niles and Eve. Leo feels his breath catch and suddenly he's not so confident in his ability to not cry yet.
Because he feels so relieved and happy to see Xander, and he feels the rush of it all at once. He hadn't realized just how much he wanted to see Xander today.]
Xander. [He hopes to all the gods and dragons above that his voice is steady.] I thought you were in meetings all day today.
[ Xander laughs, soft and light, and steps towards Leo. ]
Yes, I was supposed to be. But I postponed all my afternoon meetings so I could play a role in the celebration. [ He's never been the most physically affectionate person - unlike his sisters, it's not something that comes naturally to him. But now he pulls Leo into an embrace without a hesitation, resting one hand on his back and the other on the back of his head. ] There is nothing in this world that could've kept me from being here, Leo.
[ Especially when he knows what's coming up next. But that's Odin's surprise, and no one else's. ]
[Leo feels like his brain is short circuiting momentarily, unable to process what is happening. Xander isn't the most affectionate, true, but it's not like he's never given Leo a hug before - so why - Leo sucks in a breath and squeezes his eyes shut, effectively forcing the tiniest of tears that had formed to drip down his face. It's a quiet cry, but he's crying nonetheless.]
The king of Nohr really does as he pleases, doesn't he? [His voice cracks a little more with each word, but he ignores it. He ignores his own sniffles, too, and squeezes Xander back.] Camilla's already given me your gift, though... I love it. [But now it pales in comparison to Xander's actual presence here.]
[ Though there's the urge to squeeze Leo tighter, to wipe away his tears, Xander refrains from doing so and simply cards his fingers through his hair. He's not here to make Leo feel embarrassed for crying... ]
I'm relieved to hear that. [ As he's being held by Xander, Leo will feel a hand on his back - Niles silently showing his presence as Xander continues to talk. ] But you mustn't linger here. Odin is no doubt waiting for you.
[ Not that he'll rush Leo right now - but when he's ready to let go, Niles will offer him a (crudely) hand-drawn map that guides him away from the castle walls, to a quiet, scenic place they've snuck off to together when the castle felt too suffocating. ]
[ Odin is waiting for him - and in the typical Odin Dark (Scion of Darkness!!!!!!!) fashion, he's got quite an entrance planned for his beloved.
As Leo comes into sight, magical fireworks begin exploding above, lighting up the sky with bright, beautiful, and bold colors. ... An effect that might look better if he'd waited for nightfall, sure, but he thinks it still looks really cool.
With magical energy gathered in his palms, he raises his arms up high and exclaims in his loud, exuberant voice ] Behold! The all-powerful and legendary prince of darkness approaches!
[ He lowers one arm, hand extended out toward Leo. ] Tell me, my love - are you ready to free me from this curse that grips at my very soul?!
[Good gods. Leo is not at all surprised by the theatrics but they sure still are something.
The sound of the fireworks are loud in his ears and of course he can see the colors around him. They are beautiful but he doesn't pay them much mind beyond that. He's making a beeline for Odin and as he speaks, Leo's pace quickens.
By the time Odin extends his hand to him, Leo is walking a speedy but controlled sprint and more or less throws himself into Odin's arms. He throws his own arms around his boyfriend's shoulders and kissing him deeply in a flurry of movement.
He doesn't know if this is what Odin needs to "rid him of the curse" but it will have to do for now.]
[ To be fair, Odin himself had no clue how Leo was going to rid him of his most terrible curse. But his kiss does wonders for his heart, at least.
His arms wrap around Leo tight and he returns the kiss with equal fervor. It's only when their lips part and they have to catch their breath that he tries to speak again. ] Uh- kiss me like that again? That should do the trick. [ Not a very elegant line, but it's something? ]
And, most importantly, the wonderful boy that's producing that laugh and kissing him so nicely. Odin melts so easily into Leo's arms and for a moment he forgets himself entirely.
Only for a moment, though - he leans his forehead against his, a doofy grin on his face. ] Hah - of course, no measly curse is a match for you. [ Has he mentioned recently that he loves Leo with all his heart and soul? ] Have you enjoyed your adventure, my love?
[Leo flushes, but not from embarrassment.] Yes, it's been wonderful. I'm touched, Odin, really. [He looks down at the small space between them - nearly nonexistent. He never imagined anyone would ever put forth this much effort for him. For his birthday.]
You've put a lot of work and thought into this... I think this has been my best birthday ever. Thank you.
[He would have been happy with just Odin. But Odin gave him more, just as he always does.]
[ Odin would give Leo the world on a silver platter of darkness, if he ever desired it.
But speaking of having more to give - ] It's much too early to say that, my love - I still have one more gift that I must present to you. A reward for saving my soul, if you will.
[ He's a bit reluctant to step away from Leo, but he slips out of his grasp to take a few steps back, so he can be as dramatic as he pleases. ] For you are the brightest light of all in my life - he who commands the shadows themselves, yet eases my heart with your gentle smiles. You are amazing - incredible, wondrous, magnificent - and there's none other in any world that I would rather stand beside.
So behold! My final gift to you, on this day of your birth!
[ Odin moves back to Leo... but only to drop on one knee before him. ]
Leo... I have sworn my life and loyalty to you once before, but I would like to renew this sacred oath of mine.
I, Odin - no, Owain Dark, swear to love and cherish you for the rest of eternity. Wherever you may go, I will ever be by your side, until neither of us draw breath.
[ He pulls a ring out of his pocket - a silver band with an intricate vine design - and presents it to Leo, as that confident grin of his turns sheepish. ]
[Leo's heart stops exactly three times during Odin's speech. First when Odin dropped to his knee because anyone knows the symbolism behind that action - he thinks he'd be hard pressed to find someone who's heart wouldn't flutter seeing that, proposal or not.
It stops again when Odin gives his real name, Owain. Much of Odin's past is still shrouded in mystery but there's one truth of it that Leo knows and has always cherished, and that's Odin's name. It's always on the back of his mind, sometimes on the tip of his tongue like a forbidden spell. A love song they've both promised never to speak of. Odin singing that song means miles to Leo.
And, of course, Leo's heart stops once more as a ring is produced and presented to him. This is a proposal. Odin is proposing to him.
Leo presses his hand to his chest as if to will his heart back into motion. He needs it to beat, he needs to be able to breathe, in order to give the reply he doesn't even need to think twice about. ] Yes... [Finally he breathes again. The smile that had escaped him only for a second, to form a small surprised 'o,' comes back full force. He feels dizzy with love.] Yes. I will marry you, Owain.
[ Odin's face lights up, brighter than any magical firework in the night sky, and he scrambles to his feet in an excited flurry of motion. Not that he had any doubts about Leo accepting his proposal - they're two souls, bound through time and space, destined to be together now and forevermore!! - but to hear him say yes is just- just--!!! ]
Truly?! [ Before Leo can actually respond to that exclamation, though, he throws his arms around him in an embrace nearly powerful enough to knock them both off their feet. His joyous laughter rings in the quiet night sky and his cheeks hurt from the broadness of his grin. ] Leo!!!
You're my soulmate..! [He's felt it for a long time. This love they share between them is strong enough to cross time and whatever universes that stood between them before. Leo holds Odin's face in his hands; he trusts Odin to keep a safe hold on him if he does decide to lift him or otherwise.]
[ Odin does, indeed, lift him - picks him right off his feet and spins him around for a moment as his heart nearly bursts straight from his chest. ] Then together we shall be, in this life and the next! No, in every life, now and forevermore, until the end of time itself!!!
[ He puts Leo back on his feet, but keeps an ever safe and secure hold on him. Giving him a tight squeeze, he touches his forehead to his and says with surprising clarity the most powerful words in all the universes: ] I love you, Leo.
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All that mental prep and talking himself out of being disappointed falls to shambles when he actually sees Xander there in the stables with Niles and Eve. Leo feels his breath catch and suddenly he's not so confident in his ability to not cry yet.
Because he feels so relieved and happy to see Xander, and he feels the rush of it all at once. He hadn't realized just how much he wanted to see Xander today.]
Xander. [He hopes to all the gods and dragons above that his voice is steady.] I thought you were in meetings all day today.
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Yes, I was supposed to be. But I postponed all my afternoon meetings so I could play a role in the celebration. [ He's never been the most physically affectionate person - unlike his sisters, it's not something that comes naturally to him. But now he pulls Leo into an embrace without a hesitation, resting one hand on his back and the other on the back of his head. ] There is nothing in this world that could've kept me from being here, Leo.
[ Especially when he knows what's coming up next. But that's Odin's surprise, and no one else's. ]
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The king of Nohr really does as he pleases, doesn't he? [His voice cracks a little more with each word, but he ignores it. He ignores his own sniffles, too, and squeezes Xander back.] Camilla's already given me your gift, though... I love it. [But now it pales in comparison to Xander's actual presence here.]
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I'm relieved to hear that. [ As he's being held by Xander, Leo will feel a hand on his back - Niles silently showing his presence as Xander continues to talk. ] But you mustn't linger here. Odin is no doubt waiting for you.
[ Not that he'll rush Leo right now - but when he's ready to let go, Niles will offer him a (crudely) hand-drawn map that guides him away from the castle walls, to a quiet, scenic place they've snuck off to together when the castle felt too suffocating. ]
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Leo gathers himself so he can give both Xander and Niles a proper thank you and farewell.
And though the map may be crude, Leo knows exactly where Odin’s leading him from just a glance. There’s no mistake.
He hurries. Because Odin is waiting and his heart cannot wait another second.]
no subject
As Leo comes into sight, magical fireworks begin exploding above, lighting up the sky with bright, beautiful, and bold colors. ... An effect that might look better if he'd waited for nightfall, sure, but he thinks it still looks really cool.
With magical energy gathered in his palms, he raises his arms up high and exclaims in his loud, exuberant voice ] Behold! The all-powerful and legendary prince of darkness approaches!
[ He lowers one arm, hand extended out toward Leo. ] Tell me, my love - are you ready to free me from this curse that grips at my very soul?!
no subject
The sound of the fireworks are loud in his ears and of course he can see the colors around him. They are beautiful but he doesn't pay them much mind beyond that. He's making a beeline for Odin and as he speaks, Leo's pace quickens.
By the time Odin extends his hand to him, Leo is walking a speedy but controlled sprint and more or less throws himself into Odin's arms. He throws his own arms around his boyfriend's shoulders and kissing him deeply in a flurry of movement.
He doesn't know if this is what Odin needs to "rid him of the curse" but it will have to do for now.]
no subject
His arms wrap around Leo tight and he returns the kiss with equal fervor. It's only when their lips part and they have to catch their breath that he tries to speak again. ] Uh- kiss me like that again? That should do the trick. [ Not a very elegant line, but it's something? ]
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True love's kiss is truly powerful..! [He jokes but he isn't about to not kiss Odin again. He is very much kissing Odin again.]
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And those kisses.
And, most importantly, the wonderful boy that's producing that laugh and kissing him so nicely. Odin melts so easily into Leo's arms and for a moment he forgets himself entirely.
Only for a moment, though - he leans his forehead against his, a doofy grin on his face. ] Hah - of course, no measly curse is a match for you. [ Has he mentioned recently that he loves Leo with all his heart and soul? ] Have you enjoyed your adventure, my love?
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You've put a lot of work and thought into this... I think this has been my best birthday ever. Thank you.
[He would have been happy with just Odin. But Odin gave him more, just as he always does.]
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But speaking of having more to give - ] It's much too early to say that, my love - I still have one more gift that I must present to you. A reward for saving my soul, if you will.
[ He's a bit reluctant to step away from Leo, but he slips out of his grasp to take a few steps back, so he can be as dramatic as he pleases. ] For you are the brightest light of all in my life - he who commands the shadows themselves, yet eases my heart with your gentle smiles. You are amazing - incredible, wondrous, magnificent - and there's none other in any world that I would rather stand beside.
So behold! My final gift to you, on this day of your birth!
no subject
Leo... I have sworn my life and loyalty to you once before, but I would like to renew this sacred oath of mine.
I, Odin - no, Owain Dark, swear to love and cherish you for the rest of eternity. Wherever you may go, I will ever be by your side, until neither of us draw breath.
[ He pulls a ring out of his pocket - a silver band with an intricate vine design - and presents it to Leo, as that confident grin of his turns sheepish. ]
That is to say - would you marry me?
no subject
It stops again when Odin gives his real name, Owain. Much of Odin's past is still shrouded in mystery but there's one truth of it that Leo knows and has always cherished, and that's Odin's name. It's always on the back of his mind, sometimes on the tip of his tongue like a forbidden spell. A love song they've both promised never to speak of. Odin singing that song means miles to Leo.
And, of course, Leo's heart stops once more as a ring is produced and presented to him. This is a proposal. Odin is proposing to him.
Leo presses his hand to his chest as if to will his heart back into motion. He needs it to beat, he needs to be able to breathe, in order to give the reply he doesn't even need to think twice about. ] Yes... [Finally he breathes again. The smile that had escaped him only for a second, to form a small surprised 'o,' comes back full force. He feels dizzy with love.] Yes. I will marry you, Owain.
no subject
Truly?! [ Before Leo can actually respond to that exclamation, though, he throws his arms around him in an embrace nearly powerful enough to knock them both off their feet. His joyous laughter rings in the quiet night sky and his cheeks hurt from the broadness of his grin. ] Leo!!!
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To be with you forever would be a dream.
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[ He puts Leo back on his feet, but keeps an ever safe and secure hold on him. Giving him a tight squeeze, he touches his forehead to his and says with surprising clarity the most powerful words in all the universes: ] I love you, Leo.