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[deniles]

For shipping/smut/anything else.

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saizo's not ugly his face is just stuck that way

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma is not an easy man to fluster... unless, apparently, you're Niles. Even then, the worst of Niles' raunchy teasing doesn't have half the effect that his simple praise and his fondest smiles have.]

I've been studying your methods. I've always been a quick learner.

[It was better to cede little pieces of ground so that he could take victories in other places--like the red in Niles' cheeks. Ryoma bowed his head, finally letting Niles draw away, arms instinctively folding across his chest as he took up his usual pose.]

The stars are quite beautiful from my vantage point. I hope to see you under them.

[He watches Niles leave, a bittersweet glint in his eye as he lets the retainer depart. He waits a few beats and then follows, innocent as anyone would expect with Saizo quick to meet his master's steps, the two of them silent as they move to rejoin the party--Ryoma makes his excuses, his need for a bit of air, chuckles at the right jokes and just... pretends like nothing is out of the ordinary. Moonrise couldn't come soon enough.]

___

[And as promised, when Ryoma returns to his room after the event finally winds down, he leaves the windows open. He's settled on a cushion, eyes occasionally trailing over the stars as they wink into place in the night sky, a book about Nohrian history open on his lap and a candle flickering at his side.

Saizo is likely taking the first watch, out of sight and out of mind.]

niles has a better place for it to be stuck

[deniles]

[Niles's raunchy teasing is common. But praise and charm is something that he almost never gives out. It's special. And it's something that only Ryoma gets to see.]

Oh? I hope you studied the right thing.

[Niles couldn't be topped in raunchiness or sexual energy, but romance? Being kind? Ryoma has him beat. Especially when he's alone with him. Niles feels off his game.

Not in a bad way.]

I look forward to.

[He wonders if it's always supposed to be this final feeling. This bitter sweet taste in his lips when he starts to walk away. What is he supposed to do? Do what he always has done.

Deny his feelings.]

- - -

[Which went as well as expected. Niles spent the rest of the party looking at Ryoma and waiting to see him. Even Leo had to knock him out of his daze. Embarrassed, he quickly excused himself and waited the rest of the night. It was something he had to admit himself.

He was in love.

In his mind, he went back and forth between what to do. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he wanted to go back to just outright denying his feelings and pretend it never happened. But how long could he do that? And what if Ryoma decided that enough was enough? And found someone else? Could Niles really handle that?

He never wanted to be those women who ran into weddings to try and get the man they loved but let go.

He made a promise tonight, however, and he'd see it through. When he saw the window open and a candle in the dark room, he quickly climbed his way up, and knocked at the window. He knew Saizo was nearby.]

I heard someone was lonely.

[Niles mentally fighting with his feelings was the hardest thing he's ever had to do.]

saizo is not emotionally ready for a foursome

[lightninglobster]

[Saizo followed Niles’ ascent with his eye, burrowing further into a borrowed cloak. Nohr was brisk at best and near to frozen at its worst--thankfully, with his Lord's one-eyed intruder safely shimmied into his space, Saizo could accept a change of the guard and retreat… glare at the inside doors for a wild change of pace.

Ryoma glanced up at the tap on the window, smile already in bloom as he set his book to the side with a marker carefully tucked between the pages. His hair fell loose without the crown and facial guard sweeping it back and away from his face, and it was almost easy to believe his constant patter than he was only a man when he was clothed in a simple, warm yukata.]

Lonely is a way to put it. I counted the hours.

[He had always been a simple, earnest man, fondest of speaking plain and bring understood clearly. If that came across as sentimental or romantic in its way… so be it. He'd spent his hours making polite conversation and listening to things that he wasn't particularly concerned with, though he filed every piece of gossip away all the same. Ryoma pushed to his feet, bringing his candle up with as he made his way to Niles.]

How long do I have you for tonight?

[There was a window to lock, a curtain to draw… and a night to portion out as long as he could.]

wait who's the fourth

[deniles]

[As Niles looked at him like this, without his crown, he couldn't help but fall even more in love with him. It made his heart beat and his mind race. What could he even say now?]

Ah, did you? I didn't think it was too many.

[Climbing inside now, he looked at him, and tried to meet his eyes. But here, right now, he felt even smaller than he had before.]

You can have me until you wish to let me go.

[Niles generally said until the next morning. Or gave a time line until he needed to be out. But tonight was different. Niles just looked at Ryoma in an earnest way, rather than a seductive way like most of their nights went.

He made his mind. He made his decision.

He wanted Ryoma forever.]

i mean there's all sorts of choices depending on your favorite flavor

[lightninglobster]

They feel insignificant now that you're here.

[Ryoma's one advantage was his old, romantic soul, and he was going to press the advantage as far as he could before Niles' rolled the dice and sent them tailspinning in some way that brought color to his cheeks and left him tongue-tied.

... there was something different in the air, though. Ryoma cocked his head as he shut the window and drew the curtain, setting the candle on a nearby table as he moved to wrap his arms around Niles, drawing him back-to-chest. Something... something was heavier here. Less flirting, more... weighty. Niles had seemingly capricious, but carefully kept patterns that he kept to--specific promises, certain turns of phrase. They were in strange new territory now.]

And what if I don't want to let you go?

[Ryoma rarely backed from a challenge--one good strike deserved its match, and Niles' eye seemed to glimmer with a new, strange peace of mind.]

what about takumi

[deniles]

[Niles looked at him closely. Trying to see if he was being serious or if he was joking. But he wasn't. Ryoma wasn't that person.

Niles looks right at him.]

...Then marry me.

[This wasn't Niles freaking out about a relationship. This was Niles being sincere and honest. He looked almost emotional as he said it, moving to grab Ryoma's hands.]

Marry me and make us official. Make me your spouse and never let me go again.

[He gave those hands a squeeze.]

abort mission the balls can't touch

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma wouldn't joke about something so serious.

... but Niles might--except, except not, because that wasn't the look that Niles wore when he was being open and honest. Ryoma sat, stock still and with his head cocked slightly to the side as his mind stopped, catching on the concept of marriage and how sweet it'd be to wake up to Niles at his side every day for the rest of their lives... only for every other piece of his training, instinct, and this thing called Duty to come racing in for their pound of flesh.

Still, Ryoma couldn't hide the open, honest want on his face, fingers lacing with Niles' as he looked for the right words, licking his lips.]

... there are two things keeping me from saying 'yes' right this second.

[And he held Niles' tight, unwilling to be abandoned at this moment because it was right there, everything he wanted and everything that made his heart feel so burstingly full.]

The first is a question of an heir for my bloodline, with two men. The second is your commitment to Lord Leo.

[And again, he paused. Still holding tight, leaning towards Niles as he studied his face with all the intensity he'd use on a map of a soon to be hardfought battle.]

Again, that's not a no.

too late

[deniles]

[Niles wanted this more than anything, and he couldn't hide his honest need for this. Ryoma could see it. Niles didn't talk about marriage or the need for it. But he did right now. In front of Ryoma.]

I've... discussed with Leo the possibility of me marrying someone and needing to leave his service. He'd just want to talk with you first.

[And threaten you with trees.

But he couldn't do the second one.]

...I know royals like you have concubines, often. Garon did too and I'm sure Xander will as well.

[Taking the seat beside him, he looks at Ryoma with a patient look. Just trying to get him to say yes. He swallowed the lump in his throat.]

...We'll figure it out, Ryoma. But... I don't want you to go back without me this time.

i don't want to buy a train to brotherfucker junction

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma was going to be picking splinters out of his tender pieces for months, but he didn't care because the way Niles was looking at him made his heart twist and ache, his insides flutter.]

I would happily speak with Prince Leo.

[And his asshole destroying trees. It was fine. Ryoma would do many things for love...

Including bend his thusfar unwavering commitment to Duty. It was very, very rare that Ryoma indulged himself, played selfish, took something for his own happiness without considering the greater good... and while he'd never really considered concubines, if that was the price he'd have to pay, then so be it.]

... as long as you understand what may have to come to pass and don't look unkindly on me for it.

[He loved Niles. He loved Hoshido. He'd spent so many nights trying to reconcile the two, and now... it was in his fingertips, just waiting for him to cup his hands together and draw it close.]

I'll marry you if you'll have me, Niles.

too late

[deniles]

[Niles made Leo agree not to use trees on his wannabe spouse. He did agree suspiciously, and asked 'why'. Niles, of course, gave no reason, but he wondered if Leo would figure it out.]

I have done far worse in my life. It's not my place to judge.

[And he never would. Not Ryoma. Never Ryoma. He looked at him for a moment... and smiled softly, his eyelid closing as he moved to press against Ryoma.]

I will have you until death does us part.

damn it not again

[lightninglobster]

[Hopefully prince Leo was a man of his word. Nevertheless, Ryoma would stay resilient... even as he was face to face with a man who wore a headband and usually had at least part of his clothing inside out.]

Your past does nothing to deter me from wanting you as my own.

[He squeezed Niles' hands, drawing close and wrapping his arms around him as he tried not to well over with... wonder. Happiness. He was really, truly saying yes to this, and Niles was whispering all of his fondest hopes and dreams as if they were mundane, everyday things that Ryoma could so easily take for granted.]

Not for many happy years, I hope.

[deniles]

...Then there will be nothing stopping us.

[Leo is awake right now, but Niles has already scheduled something in the morning for them to take care of. They'll get it all out.

And then that'll be that.

Niles looked at Ryoma for a moment and let out a heavy sigh, pressing his forehead against Ryoma's shoulder.]

Not for many years... I want nothing more.

[lightninglobster]

[He's really doing this. He's really, truly doing this--part of Ryoma worries, because part of Ryoma always worries. He's always thinking, always calculating and comparing his actions and weighing the costs and the outcomes...

... and then the rest of Ryoma's head comes flooding in, silencing all those ugly doubts as Niles presses against him, soft and in love and everything Ryoma never dared to hope for. He's never been a selfish man, but... there's nothing he wants more than this. He's allowed to have something for himself--and he'll do whatever he has to for it to work, so he swears to the gods.]

I wish I had something to--give you. Something more tangible than my word.

[Even though Ryoma's word is better than gold in many cases, there's still something real about a thing that you can hold in your hands... and then it hits him. He stands once more, pressing a quick kiss to Niles' forehead as he goes to the dresser with his clothing and effects, searching for a small wooden box.]

Wait a moment.

[deniles]

Your word is more than enough, Ryoma.

[He would take Ryoma's word on pretty much anything. There's no doubt in his mind that he won't try to run away from him in the middle of the night. Even without something to hold onto while he waited to be with Ryoma forever.

But when he went to his dresser, it made him curious. Blinking at him.]

...What is it?

[lightninglobster]

Still. There's a tradition for something like this, now isn't there...

[He gave a hum of triumph when he found the box he was searching for, setting it on the top of the dresser and carefully removing the beautifully inscribed top so that he could pick through the few pieces contained within. Ryoma wasn't a man who wore much in the way of jewelry, so there wasn't much to sort through--and he quickly found the piece he desired.

He turned and made his way to Niles, moving to sit next to him and reaching for Niles' hand.]

A manifestation of my promise.

[The signet ring may not have been the most glamorous or the shiniest piece of jewelry, but it was beautiful lacquered and inscribed with the symbol of Hoshido's kings, and it was on its way to Niles' finger.]

[deniles]

I'm not very familiar with tradition. It's not something I dealt with.

[He hasn't told Ryoma all about his past. He'd much rather not tell him anything about it at all, but he knows that Niles has had a troubled past. So he decides not to say anything more on it.

Holding out his fingers for Ryoma, he looks at the ring that was placed on his finger. He blinked for a moment, looking down at it. And then looking back up at Ryoma.

And back down again.]

R... Ryoma...? It's... incredible...

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma hopes, then, that he can... endear some of Hoshido's traditions to Niles in small, careful increments. The man has always been stubborn in ways--but Ryoma is equally bull-headed, if not moreso. Ryoma also has the power of raw, romantic sentiment and surprise on his side.

He looks very pleased with himself as Niles keeps looking back and forth, as if he doesn't quite trust his own eye.]

Until I can get you something a little more tailored and substantial for you, this will serve as a promise of my devotion. I'm going to marry you, Niles.

[deniles]

...Ryoma, I would be fine with anything you gave me at this point.

[He keeps turning red. He keeps being unable to focus on anything. Ryoma has gone all in already, in a way he never would have expected. But perhaps, he should have.

This is something that is so ultimately Ryoma.]

...Please say it again.

[lightninglobster]

I'm glad. I have so much more to give you in our coming years together, I promise.

[Red is a good color on Niles. He rests his forehead against Niles', bringing a hand up to cup his cheek and slowly, soothingly stroke idle patterns against his skin.

Ryoma has never been a man to half-take an action or sort-of commit to an idea. He weighs his options and then goes for his course with a single-minded intensity that's going to get him into trouble someday... but for right now, his samurai heart seems to be working just fine.]

... I. I love you, and I'm going to marry you, Niles.

[Might as well throw open the barn doors and let the pegasus out--it was already on the roof anyway and it was doing Ryoma's heart no favors to talk around it.]

[deniles]

...I want nothing more than for you to give me all of your love. Your heart. Your soul.

[Niles never wanted or needed a single material thing in his life. If Ryoma stopped being a lord and wanted to be a farmer for the rest of his days, Niles would follow in a heartbeat.

All he wanted was to be loved.]

...Say it again. Once more.

[He's so red. But he's so in love. And just hearing it a few times is not enough.]

[lightninglobster]

All you had to do was ask--and so it's yours.

[He traces his thumb along the jut of Niles' cheekbone, leaning in to press another kiss to his lips with a smile on his face. It's so--freeing, to finally say he loves Niles, even though he's been dancing around the concept for months into their affair. It'd gone from physical commiseration to so, so much more... and if it was selfish and short-sighted of Ryoma to follow his heart, so be it.

He would have this one thing for himself for the rest of his days. He would have love.]

I love you. I'm going to marry you. Even if Leo kills me, I'm going to marry you.

[deniles]

Would you believe I can't always be honest with my feelings? It took a lot of courage to ask you.

[He shivers, feeling Ryoma's finger in a romantic way. Before, this would lead to something far less sweet and far more rough. Tonight, Niles doesn't want that. He only wants Ryoma to look at him and hold him and tell him his true feelings.

All day. And all night.]

I'd marry you tonight if it wouldn't be an issue. We could escape and become wed... but I know everyone would wish to attend your wedding.

[He pauses for a moment.]

...Saizo. Please forgive me for stealing your lord away for life.

[lightninglobster]

I... understand how you feel. I only hope that it's easy to admit your true feelings in our days to come, even if it's only to me.

[He pulls Niles close, arms wrapping around him as he runs his hands up his lover's back, forehead against his as he gazes into that steely grey eye, the stain of red on his cheeks. Niles looking so open, so honest... it warms Ryoma's heart and makes him want to gather around him, to protect him from whoever would cause him to be so distant and cold.

The thought of eloping is a funny one--Ryoma smiles, kissing Niles' forehead.]

I'd be happy to marry you tonight--but I also want to present you as my spouse before everyone. Also, my sisters might kill him if I pulled a stunt like on them.

[Saizo grunted from the other room. Something like 'you aren't stealing him, you're adding to my burden' grumbled through the door.]

[deniles]

Someday. If you continue to be patient, I will be open.

[He smiles softly, looking into the kind gentle eyes that Ryoma is showing him right now. They're beautiful eyes. And he's a beautiful man. Every moment he looks at him, his face turns more and more red.]

Ha... Leo certainly would too.

[He ignored Saizo's grunt, and moved to grab onto Ryoma's hand, pulling him towards the bed.]

[lightninglobster]

I'm known for being patient. Perhaps too patient. But I will wait by you and support you.

[Ryoma strokes a thumb up Niles' cheekbone once more, smiling as softly and sweetly as he ever had--but there's something sweeter about it, with the sense of love in the air and the open, flushed glow to Niles' face. He allows himself to be drawn up and tugged towards the bed, following with no protest of his own. Saizo can do plenty of grumbling for both of them.]

See? So it's best I declare my love to the world, so you don't end up a widower before you're truly wed.