"I think that's wonderful. He needs a bright spot in his life, like you. Even though you're my sunlight, I'm willing to share a few rays with him. He could use them."
Alfred grins at this as he winds Herbert's hair around and around - tidy, even, graceful.
"I am...still getting used to the...ah...unusual relationships, here," he admits, slowly. "But at the end of the day...I am yours. And he is a good man, he just... he's stubborn."
"Yes, it's all a bit tangled, isn't it? Especially with Sarah and Magda spending more time together, lately." Magda's quickly becoming a good friend of his, and tells him all the most interesting gossip around the castle. He makes a point to spend time with her at least once or twice a week to trade secrets. "But at the end of the day, I'm glad you're mine."
Then the last part hits him -- "You yelled at Father?" Herbert gasps, looking utterly delighted. "Oh Alfred I'm so proud of you. He needs someone to yell at him, now and again. He's stubborn, as you say.
"It...is. But as long as everyone is all right, I...well. Anyway." It's still a bit of a strange topic, after all.
The praise actually makes Alfred giggle bashfully as he ties off the braid, setting it with a bow.
"Yes, he - you know I don't get angry, Engel, but he wouldn't listen, and I just...something gave. The...the fire all flickered, when it happened. It was so strange."
But he appreciates the pride, all the same - and he meets it with a kiss to the crown of Herbert's head.
"Well you certainly did something. I think it's wonderful. I hope he listens to you more, in the future."
Herbert fluffs his ribbon a little and reaches behind him to steal one of Alfred's hands to kiss it. "Let's head down, then! If you're ready, I'm ready."
On the way to the ballroom, his father pulls him aside and tucks a handkerchief into Herbert's sleeve while saying Just trust me. Cryptic, and odd, as usual, but Herbert takes it in stride because it's his father and he's used to that sort of thing.
Herbert holds Alfred's hand as they make their entrance, and gives him a bit of a twirl, just for fun. Then they move to the side to allow Georg to give his usual welcoming speech.
But much to Herbert's surprise, he pauses in his speech and says, "Before we present our meal for this year, I would like to give the floor over to Alfred. I believe he has something very important to say."
Herbert turns to Alfred, looking surprised but expectant. Looking forward to whatever he has to say.
When Georg pulls Herbert aside, Alfred takes that moment to allow himself his nerves, a bit of panic, blue eyes darting around the room. The coven, hissing and twitching...it brings back memories. Difficult ones.
But then his eyes fall on Herbert.
And he's Sure, all over again, just like that.
He grins as he's spun, keeping in step with ease, watching as Georg begins his speech...but this time, he's not pretending to belong. He does belong, Herbert's hand soft where their fingers are laced together.
But then he is being signaled...and he draws a long, steadying breath, letting go, striding forward, shoulders back and head held high. It's time.
He can swear he feels a gentle hand at his back, softly shepherding him forward.
"Thank you," he murmurs to Georg...before turning on his heel, raising his voice to echo through the ballroom.
"One year ago, I stood in this room as what I thought was a stranger. One year ago, I was scared to death, walking among you and not knowing if I was going to make it out alive. One year ago, I was lost, and I didn't know what I needed to find. I thought I knew, but...I was wrong.
One year ago...I was found. And one year ago...was when I really saw the moonlight for the first time."
He turns towards Herbert, holding out his hand beckoning for him to come forward.
Oh, Alfred has been trying so hard not to cry - but the sweet words, that little kiss...no, there's no sense pretending he isn't emotional. He grins sweetly, sniffling, nuzzling at Herbert's nose with his own.
"In you, Herbert, I have found everything I didn't know I was looking for. You have the other half of my heart, my soul... everything that I am is yours, Engel. Flesh, bone, and blood. And so...so...."
Now or never. In a motion he had practiced over and over and over again in his room, Alfred smoothly reaches into his pocket, pulling the ring box out as he drops down to one knee. His eyes sparkle as he looks up at his lover, expression full of love.
"...Herbert Von Krolock. Will you be mine, in return?"
He opens the box - inside is a ring, simple in make, but elegantly done. A moonstone sits glistening in the center, shining in the candlelight. The setting looks centuries old in style, an echo of another time, another life.
Choking back a little sob of joy, Alfred wastes no time in taking Herbert's hand to slide the ring onto his slender, graceful finger - and then he's practically jumping into his arms, grabbing him to pull him into a deep, enthusiastic kiss.
This is perfect. A perfect moment, and he didn't even mess it up.
Pulling back, he grins breathlessly, wiping away his own tears.
"...For eternity, Engel. I promise never to leave you, ever, ever again."
"For eternity," he sighs, pulling Alfred into a tight embrace. "We'll have each other forever."
Georg applauds, prompting some scattered clapping from the rest of the coven. But they are hungry, and Herbert needs to celebrate with his new fiance.
So he pulls Alfred into the next room and kisses him again. Long and deep and sweet, one hand coming up to stroke his cheek. When he finally pulls away, he holds up his hand to admire the way the ring looks on it. "Oh Alfred, it's perfect. Everything is perfect."
As sweeping as the gesture had been, Alfred is relieved to be out of the spotlight again - so he noticeably relaxes when he is pulled into the next room, where they have a moment of privacy. The kiss is reciprocated, one slender hand running softly down Herbert's back, holding him close.
He giggles when they pull apart, smiling sweetly at his - his fiance.
Oh, that's nice.
"I'm - I'm glad. I was afraid I would...make a mess of it, somehow? But I...I wanted to do this here. It felt right." He looks at the ring, laughing softly. "...And I want you to know, that ring was...well, I was trying to think of what to do for a ring, and...someone...told me where he had hidden this." From his pocket, he pulls the little box, so that Herbert can get a better look at it.
The inside, where the ring had been nestled, is cushioned with soft, dyed green wool.
Herbert presses his hands to his mouth, himself getting choked up again. Solin had lead Alfred to this ring. Given them his blessing, essentially. To be together. To be happy.
"Oh, my love. Thank you. Thank you for telling me." He wipes at his eyes with the handkerchief again, not wanting to get bloody tears on his best suit.
-- and then he laughs, remembering who had given it to him. "Father handed me this before the ball," he says, gesturing with the handkerchief. "Did he know?"
Somewhere inside, Alfred feels the echo he has come to know as Solin - a knot forming in his throat at the reaction. Herbert has the right of it, of course. That's precisely what it means.
Grow. Move forward. Heal. The form may have changed, but the heart is still there. The love is still there.
Alfred laughs too, seeing the handkerchief.
"Yes. I...I asked him, if I could do this tonight. He was pleased, that I asked. And that I... I'm going to be taking your name." He grins,lopsided as ever.
"What do you think? How does Alfred Von Krolock sound?"
"I think he sounds like a king. Certainly the king of my heart." Alfred Von Krolock sounds wonderful, even if he would have been just as happy to be Herbert Schrieber. It means a lot to him, to know that Alfred will be part of their family.
"I think it's absolutely precious and wonderful and perfect that you asked Father before you proposed. How delightful."
Herbert hears a distance scream and he pulls Alfred further way from the ballroom, kissing him firmly.
"I know we can't get married, not fully, but we can be promised to each other. May I get you a ring, as well? I want us to be promised to each other. Properly."
Despite how lovely this moment is, Alfred's stomach drops a little at the scream - he can feel the wave of panic, too, coming off the poor villager in there, getting -
Not the time to think about it. He kisses Herbert back, letting himself be pulled away.
"I would love that, Engel. I would wear it proudly. Legal marriage doesn't matter to us, anyway - it isn't as if we're going to go to a church." A little laugh. "But maybe we can...have a little ceremony, anyhow. Just here, with...our family."
This is his family, now.
Besides, if he invited his father, that would go over like a lead balloon, now wouldn't it?
"I'm sure Father will make a lovely speech," he says, teasingly. He takes one of Alfred's hands and kisses each fingertip, then his palm.
"We can have it under the moonlight, out in the garden. By all the roses. Oh!" he gasps, thinking of a brilliant idea, if he does say so himself. "Will you make us each a special suit, for the day?"
"I don't think we could keep him from doing so if we tried," Alfred giggles right back, standing very close as he's kissed. Staying close, very close.
At the suggestion, his face lights up, his eyes sparkling. "I would love to, Engel! Of course. With any sort of cut you want. I-" He smiles, guiding Herbert's hand to his waist so he can feel the corset under his formalwear.
"I'm...being a little more experimental, lately, so I will...have a bit of fun with it, I think."
Herbert gasps in delight, sliding his hand over Alfred's waist. Remembering exactly how he looks with a corset on. Devastating, in the best way possible.
"Oh you naughty boy. I'll be thinking of what's under your suit every time I dance with you tonight. I'll be thoroughly distracted. By that, and by my ring, whenever it catches the light."
The corset had been worn for confidence, for stability while standing up in front of a whole room of people to do something nervewracking.
But he would be lying if he didn't also put it on thinking about other things, too.
"Well, there are worse things to be distracted by," he giggles, tilting his head to kiss at Herbert's jawline. "The ring for now...and the corset for when you've had your fill of dancing."
"You're terrible." But the way he says it, it sounds like a compliment. "I love your laugh, you know. It's so bright. Like a starburst. Or the way I remember the sun looks, coming through the leaves of a tree.
Another soft laugh...followed by a fond, sweet smile.
"...I hadn't laughed in a long time, before coming here. Not really. It...feels good, to laugh again." The comment makes him think a bit, and he draws up the hand with the ring on it, kissing at Herbert's knuckles before speaking.
"I feel the same way, Engel. It's...all like a dream. I worry I'm going to wake up, sometimes, but...I know this is real. Nothing could be more real."
A glance down to the ring.
"It's funny you should mention a tree, you know. I bet you could guess where I found that."
"Our tree." He presses his hand to his mouth, feeling choked up again. "We'll go there, you and I. And we'll carve our own initials into it. Make it our tree.
Alfred..." he says gently, taking both of Alfred's hands in his. "After -- after Solin. I thought my heart was too broken to ever truly feel love again. But you mended me, like you mend so many things. You sewed my heart back together so well it feels as though it was never broken in the first place.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-02-16 11:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-02-16 12:14 pm (UTC)"I am...still getting used to the...ah...unusual relationships, here," he admits, slowly. "But at the end of the day...I am yours. And he is a good man, he just... he's stubborn."
A beat, and then -
"I...may have yelled at him. A little."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-16 12:20 pm (UTC)Then the last part hits him -- "You yelled at Father?" Herbert gasps, looking utterly delighted. "Oh Alfred I'm so proud of you. He needs someone to yell at him, now and again. He's stubborn, as you say.
no subject
Date: 2022-02-16 12:27 pm (UTC)The praise actually makes Alfred giggle bashfully as he ties off the braid, setting it with a bow.
"Yes, he - you know I don't get angry, Engel, but he wouldn't listen, and I just...something gave. The...the fire all flickered, when it happened. It was so strange."
But he appreciates the pride, all the same - and he meets it with a kiss to the crown of Herbert's head.
"There! All tied up."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 01:44 am (UTC)Herbert fluffs his ribbon a little and reaches behind him to steal one of Alfred's hands to kiss it. "Let's head down, then! If you're ready, I'm ready."
On the way to the ballroom, his father pulls him aside and tucks a handkerchief into Herbert's sleeve while saying Just trust me. Cryptic, and odd, as usual, but Herbert takes it in stride because it's his father and he's used to that sort of thing.
Herbert holds Alfred's hand as they make their entrance, and gives him a bit of a twirl, just for fun. Then they move to the side to allow Georg to give his usual welcoming speech.
But much to Herbert's surprise, he pauses in his speech and says, "Before we present our meal for this year, I would like to give the floor over to Alfred. I believe he has something very important to say."
Herbert turns to Alfred, looking surprised but expectant. Looking forward to whatever he has to say.
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 03:17 am (UTC)And then, before he knows it - they're off.
When Georg pulls Herbert aside, Alfred takes that moment to allow himself his nerves, a bit of panic, blue eyes darting around the room. The coven, hissing and twitching...it brings back memories. Difficult ones.
But then his eyes fall on Herbert.
And he's Sure, all over again, just like that.
He grins as he's spun, keeping in step with ease, watching as Georg begins his speech...but this time, he's not pretending to belong. He does belong, Herbert's hand soft where their fingers are laced together.
But then he is being signaled...and he draws a long, steadying breath, letting go, striding forward, shoulders back and head held high. It's time.
He can swear he feels a gentle hand at his back, softly shepherding him forward.
"Thank you," he murmurs to Georg...before turning on his heel, raising his voice to echo through the ballroom.
"One year ago, I stood in this room as what I thought was a stranger. One year ago, I was scared to death, walking among you and not knowing if I was going to make it out alive. One year ago, I was lost, and I didn't know what I needed to find. I thought I knew, but...I was wrong.
One year ago...I was found. And one year ago...was when I really saw the moonlight for the first time."
He turns towards Herbert, holding out his hand beckoning for him to come forward.
"MY moonlight."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 03:20 am (UTC)He kisses Alfred lightly, nudging their noses together. "A year ago, I saw the sunlight for the first time in centuries. My sunlight, my Alfred."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 03:40 am (UTC)"In you, Herbert, I have found everything I didn't know I was looking for. You have the other half of my heart, my soul... everything that I am is yours, Engel. Flesh, bone, and blood. And so...so...."
Now or never. In a motion he had practiced over and over and over again in his room, Alfred smoothly reaches into his pocket, pulling the ring box out as he drops down to one knee. His eyes sparkle as he looks up at his lover, expression full of love.
"...Herbert Von Krolock. Will you be mine, in return?"
He opens the box - inside is a ring, simple in make, but elegantly done. A moonstone sits glistening in the center, shining in the candlelight. The setting looks centuries old in style, an echo of another time, another life.
"I love you, Engel. Will you marry me?"
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 03:47 am (UTC)It's a beautiful ring. An even more beautiful proposal and Herbert nods enthusiastically, hands fluttering until they finally land against his chest.
"Oh Alfred, mon cheri, my beloved. Of course I'll marry you. I belong to you completely already, but yes -- gods, yes."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 03:54 am (UTC)This is perfect. A perfect moment, and he didn't even mess it up.
Pulling back, he grins breathlessly, wiping away his own tears.
"...For eternity, Engel. I promise never to leave you, ever, ever again."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 10:28 am (UTC)Georg applauds, prompting some scattered clapping from the rest of the coven. But they are hungry, and Herbert needs to celebrate with his new fiance.
So he pulls Alfred into the next room and kisses him again. Long and deep and sweet, one hand coming up to stroke his cheek. When he finally pulls away, he holds up his hand to admire the way the ring looks on it. "Oh Alfred, it's perfect. Everything is perfect."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 10:52 am (UTC)He giggles when they pull apart, smiling sweetly at his - his fiance.
Oh, that's nice.
"I'm - I'm glad. I was afraid I would...make a mess of it, somehow? But I...I wanted to do this here. It felt right." He looks at the ring, laughing softly. "...And I want you to know, that ring was...well, I was trying to think of what to do for a ring, and...someone...told me where he had hidden this." From his pocket, he pulls the little box, so that Herbert can get a better look at it.
The inside, where the ring had been nestled, is cushioned with soft, dyed green wool.
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 10:57 am (UTC)"Oh, my love. Thank you. Thank you for telling me." He wipes at his eyes with the handkerchief again, not wanting to get bloody tears on his best suit.
-- and then he laughs, remembering who had given it to him. "Father handed me this before the ball," he says, gesturing with the handkerchief. "Did he know?"
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 11:12 am (UTC)Grow. Move forward. Heal. The form may have changed, but the heart is still there. The love is still there.
Alfred laughs too, seeing the handkerchief.
"Yes. I...I asked him, if I could do this tonight. He was pleased, that I asked. And that I... I'm going to be taking your name." He grins,lopsided as ever.
"What do you think? How does Alfred Von Krolock sound?"
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 11:20 am (UTC)"I think it's absolutely precious and wonderful and perfect that you asked Father before you proposed. How delightful."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-18 11:36 am (UTC)"It seemed...right. I felt like it was important. You're...well, I wanted to treat you with the respect you deserve."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 06:59 am (UTC)Herbert hears a distance scream and he pulls Alfred further way from the ballroom, kissing him firmly.
"I know we can't get married, not fully, but we can be promised to each other. May I get you a ring, as well? I want us to be promised to each other. Properly."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 07:06 am (UTC)Not the time to think about it. He kisses Herbert back, letting himself be pulled away.
"I would love that, Engel. I would wear it proudly. Legal marriage doesn't matter to us, anyway - it isn't as if we're going to go to a church." A little laugh. "But maybe we can...have a little ceremony, anyhow. Just here, with...our family."
This is his family, now.
Besides, if he invited his father, that would go over like a lead balloon, now wouldn't it?
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 07:11 am (UTC)"We can have it under the moonlight, out in the garden. By all the roses. Oh!" he gasps, thinking of a brilliant idea, if he does say so himself. "Will you make us each a special suit, for the day?"
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 07:22 am (UTC)At the suggestion, his face lights up, his eyes sparkling. "I would love to, Engel! Of course. With any sort of cut you want. I-" He smiles, guiding Herbert's hand to his waist so he can feel the corset under his formalwear.
"I'm...being a little more experimental, lately, so I will...have a bit of fun with it, I think."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 07:41 am (UTC)"Oh you naughty boy. I'll be thinking of what's under your suit every time I dance with you tonight. I'll be thoroughly distracted. By that, and by my ring, whenever it catches the light."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 07:44 am (UTC)But he would be lying if he didn't also put it on thinking about other things, too.
"Well, there are worse things to be distracted by," he giggles, tilting his head to kiss at Herbert's jawline. "The ring for now...and the corset for when you've had your fill of dancing."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 07:57 am (UTC)I can't believe you're mine for all eternity."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 08:03 am (UTC)"...I hadn't laughed in a long time, before coming here. Not really. It...feels good, to laugh again." The comment makes him think a bit, and he draws up the hand with the ring on it, kissing at Herbert's knuckles before speaking.
"I feel the same way, Engel. It's...all like a dream. I worry I'm going to wake up, sometimes, but...I know this is real. Nothing could be more real."
A glance down to the ring.
"It's funny you should mention a tree, you know. I bet you could guess where I found that."
no subject
Date: 2022-02-20 08:18 am (UTC)Alfred..." he says gently, taking both of Alfred's hands in his. "After -- after Solin. I thought my heart was too broken to ever truly feel love again. But you mended me, like you mend so many things. You sewed my heart back together so well it feels as though it was never broken in the first place.
I don't think you realize how you rescued me."
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