Wanderers At Rest

“If you didn’t mean it, you shouldn’t say it where someone can hear you,” she teased. “But really? You’re actually getting married?”

“I’ll keep that in mind now, especially when you’re around. You pinch like you mean it.” He laughed, then sighed, a lopsided grin on his face. “I really am, yeah. I mean, i’m an idiot and I didn’t ask her the way that I wanted to, but- but Merlin, she said yes.”

“A bad one.”

“Well, I mean, not everything can be directly out of a book of poetry, right? Some people are quite partial to sayings like that, you know. The...not great ones.”

Vi smirked slightly at the command, swiftly pinching him as requested. “Did that work, or are you stuck with that sickly sweet grin forever?”

“Ow!” He reached up to rub his arm, but his grin was quick to return when he realized who was speaking. “I didn’t actually mean it, Violet. But thank you- I think i’m almost convinced that i’m not in the middle some terrific dream.”

“No.”

“Oh, well I didn’t mean it in a literal sense. Just...you know, its a saying.”

“Well, I won’t pinch you, but I will offer my congratulations!”

“Thank you. Its...uh, oh wow. Still sinking in, I guess.”

“I’ll do it, but it’ll hurt a lot. My pinches are pretty strong.”

“Oh, really? Uh, maybe i’ll pass, then.”

Uh...I think we do, yes. They don’t have to be human, right? I could speak with, say, a centaur?

As he slid off the couch to kneel in front of her, she could feel her heart rate pick up and suddenly it felt harder to breathe. She had spent so many years trying to learn what it meant to love herself and love the people around her, and here he was offering her everything she had ever wanted. Of course they had already made promises to each other, but this was different. This was permanent, this was an inescapable symbol. Her parents had thrown aside the world so they could express their love and get married. But wasn’t she the luckiest one of all? She was being handed the entire world on a platter. And maybe it wasn’t grand or anything, but this was so him, and it was perfect. It was wonderfully absolutely perfect. With every word he spoke, she could feel herself grinning more and more, fingers laced tightly with his. “Yes. Yes of course. Of course I’ll marry you and build a life with you. You idiot,” she let out a small laugh, “I never cared about grand. I’ve only ever wanted you, and this was perfect.” He was tall enough that him kneeling was almost as tall as she was sitting, letting her lean forward and kiss him gently. There were many old spells sealed with a kiss, and promises ended this way had been considered binding. Who was she to argue with tradition when it worked so well for her? “Taran Rhun Prydain. My fiance.”

When she kissed him, he lifted his hands to cradle her face like it was second nature to him. A memorized movement that just felt right. Like kissing her. Or the feeling of her hand in his. Or the realization that he would get to spend the rest of his life with the most wondrous person in all of history. So when she pulled away-Taran staring back at her with rapid breathing-her words clicked perfectly. His heart was doing weird things in his chest, fluttering and faltering, and a wide smile was stretching across his face. This was real. He laughed again, the sound light and hopeful- everything good and pure in the world was staring him in the eye, and thank the gods for whatever had convinced her to love a boy like him. “Ellen Anne Prydain.” He tried the name out, falling in love with the way it sounded on his tongue. “Beautiful.” She was beautiful. He traced his fingers along her jaw, eyes never leaving hers. Then he couldn’t help himself, so he kissed her again, lingering against her mouth for a long moment before pulling away and pressing his forehead gently against hers. “You said yes. I don’t think I can even find words to tell you how happy you make me.” He let his eyes fall shut, but his smile remained. “I love you, you know that? I...I love you more than the sun loves the moon, and- and time be damned, i’ll follow you for longer than they’ve ever followed each other.”

“Oh. Um. Well thanks.” 

“Nothing to thank me for.” He shrugs, stuffing his hands in his pockets with a small smile. “So, other than rude people, how are you holding up?”

At the touch she shifted closer, legs tangling with his as they sat, and every point of contact sending a comforting warmth spiraling through her. This. This was home. And as he slipped into Welsh, she smiled, treasuring each word and each kiss, knowing that no matter what happened she’d have this. And then…was that what she thought it was? Her heart jumped and the ‘yes’ was trembling on the tip of her tongue, because how could she say no? Maybe they were too young and their lives still too uncertain, but what did she need to know that wasn’t right here? Unless…maybe he hadn’t meant it the way it sounded. Maybe that was just him talking and not realizing the way it would come across, in which case the yes would panic both of them. “Taran? Did you just propose to me?”

Taran stilled, immediately drawing back to better see her face. Oh. Oh Merlin, he had just said that. Truth be told, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that he wanted to propose to Ellen. A moment with her was beautiful enough, but a lifetime? Nothing he could dream of would be more perfect. But he had wanted this to be perfect. A grand gesture- well thought out. Something she deserved. But they were here now, Taran asking her in earnest if she would spend her life with him, and somehow it felt right. Maybe he still wished that it had been something bigger, but when she watched him with those eyes and he couldn’t keep himself from nodding. “I...did.” He paused then, a breathy laugh escaping him in disbelief of his own words. Well, if he was going to do this, then he wasn’t going to leave anything to question. Heart beating out a nervous rhythm in his ears, he drew back from her, dropping from the couch to kneel in front of her. He took her hands in his- his movements only somewhat clumsy, and drew a shaky breath. “I’m sorry this isn’t grander. I wanted it to be, but I don’t think my heart likes listening to my head.” Wait, no. Now he was babbling. Another slow breath, and he let himself relax, drawing from the feel of her hands. Just like when they had first kissed, he simply knew that this was the right thing. “You’re everything i’ve ever wanted, and everything I will always want. You’re my home, and I love you, with everything I am. Ellen Anne Llyr.” He smiled, despite all of the lingering feels that this was too soon or too little or not what she wanted. “Will you marry me?”

“You could try again. Sometimes it takes a little practice to get something like that right.” Not that she was finishing for compliments in the slightest. That would be ridiculous. Absolutely. Though considering how often he said the wrong thing when he was feeling self conscious, maybe she wanted to see how far this confident version would go.

He flashed a smile at her words- not arrogant, but crooked and genuine. The look on her face was enough to send his heart racing, so he took a brief instant to steady himself. Then he leaned closer, one hand sliding down to rest at her hip. Slowly, he ducked down to press his lips once to her left temple, then another to her cheek. “I love you.” A whisper against her skin, then another chaste kiss, this time at the corner of her mouth. “I love you so much.” Slipping into Welsh without a second thought, he ghosted his lips across hers- almost light enough for it not to be felt at all. “And what if i’m never practiced enough? Would you let spend the rest of my life trying to show you?”

At each successive kiss, her eyes fluttered closed, letting the words wash over her. At the same time, a soft grin spread so that she was torn between feeling smug and feeling a sense of overwhelming wonder that he was here and could think of things like this. Her awkward dreamer certainly had a way about him. As he pulled back, she struggled to open her eyes and take a deep breath, trying to continue the game. “Well. I suppose that answers my question in a satisfactory manner.”

“Only satisfactory?” He tried to look disappointed, but the evident grin on his face prevented him from doing exactly that. Fingers, tracing lightly along her jawline, he raised an eyebrow at her. “How disappointing.”