crescentview | 🌲 winter catchall 🌲

[More? Syrlya shifts back, holding the poem aside as he looks back at the box. He lifts the top compartment, and doesn't even notice what's missing in the bottom in the face of what it is filled with.

He stares, slowly comprehending what the feather is, exactly. And then he snaps his attention up.] ... Trahearne?

[ Trahearne's gaze is there to meet Syrlya's when he looks up. He's not smiling, like he usually is. The nerves are too much. He purses his lips together, corners of his mouth downturned, and he remains silent for a moment.

When he finally finds his voice, his tone is shaky. ]

It has taken me...a while to truly understand that while you changed my life, I was but a passing chapter in yours.

[ It feels weird to say it out loud like that. The odd uncertainty he'd been sitting with for such a long time finally has an explanation, and he wrests with it. Syrlya has spent much of his life without him, moved on, made new friends. Found new love--like Adelis. And that's natural (and that is an apology for another day). But here he is, clinging to the fear that Syrlya has long gone and forgotten him. That clearly isn't the case, though. Would they be here if he did?

Of course not. And it would serve them both well if he remembered that. ]

But selfishly, I want to be there for you--with you for all of your future chapters. I can't say I'm exactly ready for...this yet, but I do know that I want to spend this new life with you. And what is marriage, if not a vow to be with one another through all of life's joys and sorrows, come what may?

[ His expression eases at last, the slight frown on his lips morphing into a smile. ]

You're brilliant, Syrlya. And I love you.

[ He shifts on the couch to face him more fully, because the question deserves that much. ]

Will you marry me?

Edited (im picky) 2023-03-05 10:06 (UTC)

[Stunned as Syrlya is, he at least has the sense to not blurt it it himself. Trahearne... probably has something specific he wants to say if he's going to propose (and Syrlya would be too embarrassed if it turned out he wasn't proposing--).

Gingerly he takes the feather between his fingers before returning his attention to Trahearne, in time to listen. And withholds, with all if his ability, any comments in the middle.

It's kind of a relief to hear Trahearne admit he isn't ready, because Syrlya sure isn't. He's let the acceptance settle in his gut these last few weeks, but marrying and just for the sake of love... feels like such a tall order. But he has duties, promises that require him to return to Tyria. So he already knows his answer.

His hands reach out, to take one of Trahearne's in both of them, the feather pressed between their palms. The initial surprise has long since melted off his face, and now he wears a calm, peaceful smile. An easiness that belies his own nerves, but if both of them are fretting he thinks Trahearne might explode from the feedback.

Anyway--] Of course, Trahearne. I will marry you.

[ It's funny, because somewhere in the back of Trahearne's mind, he's aware this is...out of character for both of them. They're both content to put duty first, as they did for so long, and though his own love is deep and all-encompassing, a part of him finds it difficult to use that as the sole excuse to keep the other to himself.

But if they're going back to Tyria together, and they're going to be spending their time together--romantically, then what harm can it do?

When Trahearne hears Syrlya's yes, a smile blossoms across his face. All his nerves melt away, and Syrlya's serenity fills him with confidence. Slowly, he leans in to kiss him--

When he feels a sudden shift on his palm. What was the soft texture of the feather now digs into his palm cold, and hard. He pauses, pulls back, and slowly pries his hand from Syrlya's to see...silver rings.

With a curious look, Trahearne lifts his gaze from the sudden appearance of the rings--and sudden disappearance from the feather--to Syrlya's eyes. ]

[... Syrlya opens his hands to peer at the rings now cradled in their palms.]

... I suppose it figures it would be a magic feather if she was so adamant about it. [He scoops them up carefully, holding one up in view.] Do we save these for the wedding?

[ Trahearne observes Syrlya's ring, then gingerly plucks the other one in his palm. They're plain, almost unremarkable, if he didn't know where they came from. ]

I can't say. [ He does not have the answer to that. ] I believe rings are a part of the human engagement process as well. [ Since that's what this feels like. ] Is that what they could be?

Edited (i can't read actually) 2023-03-08 17:15 (UTC)

Then do we just take them off and put them back on for the wedding? [Marjory and Kasmeer didn't exchange rings at their engagement announcement that he can remember--but then again he's never looked to see if they started wearing rings since then. Maybe he should have paid closer attention.]

I don't know. But if these are our only rings, then I suppose so.

[ He observes the ring quietly for a few more seconds before looking up at Syrlya. There might also be some kind of magic at play, too. But. Who knows. He feels like he should go back and ask the goddess.

Anyway. He smiles. ]

Let me put this on you, then.

[Syrlya pulls the glove off his right hand, holding his hand with his fingers spread out for Trahearne. He has no idea if there's a particular hand it's meant to go on.]

[ Not like Trahearne knows, either!

With his free hand, Trahearne gently holds Syrlya's in place and reverently slides the ring onto his ring finger. It fits perfectly--he lights up a little bit. It's like magic, or something.

He looks up at Syrlya with a pleased chuckle before peeling off his own glove on his right hand. The left one has the other ring on it, so. ]

[And Syrlya returns the favor, slipping the silver band on Trahearne's right ring finger.

... If he's honest, he thinks the ring he had made is much nicer than these.] There. One for each hand.

[ One for each hand!

Trahearne lifts his other hand, and looks between the rings. And when he looks up at Syrlya, there's a sly little smile on his face.

He definitely likes Syrlya's much better.

His thumb absently brushes the ring Syrlya gave him--a little habit he's developed in the days since--as both hands reach to entwine with both of Syrlya's. ]

And one for each of us. [ The fondness reaches his eyes. ] In whatever time we have together, I am yours.

[Syrlya grips Trahearne's hands tightly in return with a smile.] And I am yours. Always.

[ Trahearne lifts Syrlya's hand, the one with the ring, and gently places a kiss to his ringed finger. His eyes raise, settle on Syrlya, and-- ]

--Oh, that's right. One last thing.

[ He lets his hands slip from Syrlya's as he turns to collect the rest of the contents of the bag. He produces from it a small, see-through package--in it is a small stack of deep purple velvet trays in various sizes--and hands it to Syrlya. ]

These go with the box. You're free to arrange them how you like.

Hm? [Oh, he understands when he sees them. It's a modular box.

He takes the separators, turning them in his hands before tucking them into the box.] I will use this for my most important treasures.

[Meaning his jewelry. He doesn't have much.]

[ Trahearne watches Syrlya take the trays fondly, and his smile widens when he mentions his intentions with the box. It's nice knowing he sees use in it.

His chest hurts. He's adorable. ]

I'm glad.

[ He leans over, fingers reaching up to gently press against the back of his neck as he plants a light kiss on Syrlya's cheek. ]

I look forward to a new life together with you at home in Tyria, Syrlya.

[ He leans back, flashes him a smile, and goes back to his pie. ]

[Syrlya smiles warmingly... though it twitches with amusement as Trahearne says that and then immediately goes back to his pie. Is this getting comfortable with each other?

He closes the box and sets it aside, scooting over to leans against Trahearne's side as he grabs his own plate again.]

🌲 winter catchall 🌲

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