crescentview | winter catch-all

No, I didn't. I'm fine.

[ He says this as he brings Aether's plate over to him. The food looks really good, actually. It's a wonder why Vanitas doesn't cook more often.

He grabs his own meal and takes a seat at the dining table. His seat is right next to where he'd like Aether to sit. He takes in a deep breath and looks at his partner expectantly. ]

Tell me how you like it.

[Still unconvinced, Aether sits down and looks at the plate presented to him.]

It looks really good, but...

[He turns to his partner and grabs his hands, holding them firmly but gently.]

...I know it's not food that you're so nervous about.

[That would be so silly. There has to be more to it.]

So tell me... What happened?

[ He allows Aether to hold his hands, and he looks down at them; his hands are still gloved, but he can still feel Aether's warmth nevertheless. It's hard to deny him when he's so concerned, and Vanitas looks a little deep in thought. ]

...Aether. You'd like to return home, right?

[ He finally meets Aether's gaze before he takes in a quiet, deep breath. ]

Rather, to where you were before this. You were in search of your sister.

[He's silent for a moment, before squeezing Vanitas' hands a little tighter.]

I want to find my sister... but I don't want to leave you.

[He looks very serious.]

It's fine! Time is something... I have a lot of.

[ Oh.

He's a little surprised when Aether says that. All this time, he'd thought that the traveler had more important things to attend to, which is why...

... ]

You don't deserve to be stuck here for much longer. Your journey is far too meaningful for that.

[ His voice is quiet. It seems like he's choosing his words carefully.

He releases one of Aether's hands so he can reach into his pocket. He pulls out a pair of silver rings. Vanitas doesn't get down on one knee, but he will look at Aether with sincerity. He's pink, clearly still nervous, but he's going to continue on anyway. ]

Even so, that's not the only reason why I'd like to do this. [ He sets the rings on the table next to him and reaches for Aether's hand again. ] ... I've made up my mind. There's no one else that I'll feel this way about. I can't let this opportunity pass by while I still have it.

If I'm allowed to have a future...I'd like it to be with you, even if we end up being worlds apart.

Edited 2023-03-05 23:18 (UTC)

[His breath catches and Aether stares first at Vanitas, then at the silver rings that are presented to him. His cheeks grow warmer, but concern quickly overtakes his expression. Is his partner trying to sacrifice what they have for him?

Aether hesitates only for a moment, before leaning forward and pulling the other close into his arms.]

Don't be silly... I...!

[He presses himself closer to Vanitas.]

I told you already, I have a lot of time! And I want to stay with you for as long as I can!

[His hands tremble a little, but he only clings to the other more.]

...So let me be with you. Please...

[ He's surprised by how powerful Aether's reaction is. It hits him right in the heart, reminds him that Aether is just as serious about their relationship as he is. Vanitas takes in a deep, audible breath as his arms wrap around the traveler. There's guilt that settles in his chest when he realizes that Aether probably has much more time left than he does.

He may as well come out with it. Aether deserves to know what he's getting into. ]

...I don't have...as much as time as you do, Aether. I can't even tell you how much longer I have left to live. [ The blue marks on his arm aren't for nothing, after all. ] But...if you're still okay with that, I'll stay with you.

[ His breathing gets a little shaky. ]

Let's get married. I don't care where we end up going. I'll follow you.

[When Vanitas confesses that he doesn't have as much time, at first Aether thinks that it's because he's just an ordinary human. In that case, of course, he wouldn't live for as long as Aether has. But then his partner continues and realization hits the traveler that the time they have to enjoy each other's company will be cruelly short.]

Vanitas...

[How unfair. The other deserves a nice, long life of happiness! Aether's embrace becomes much more protective as he holds his partner close.]

In that case... that's all the more reason for me to never let go of you. [He whispers, pressing a small kiss to the side of Vanitas' head.] I'll make sure you're happy and I'll be always by your side.

[No matter where they end up going.]

...So yes. Let's get married.

[ His hold on Aether tightens a little more. He'd always thought that Aether could have, should have loved someone else, because it'd be better that way. Now, however, is the moment in which Vanitas realizes that he'll probably be with him for the remainder of his life. He makes a note to talk to Noé about that. It's overwhelming, but he'll endure feeling that way if it means being...happy.

Yeah. He's happy.

Vanitas forces himself to pull away from Aether. He grabs one of the rings and takes Aether's hand to slip it on his finger. ]

Thank you.

[ And after that's done, he'll touch his fingers to his partner's cheek, and lean in for a lingering kiss. ]

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