ABANDON ALL HOPE

Her books occupied half the shelves in his study, his spare clothes had long since stopped being “spare” and remained at her place, and neither of them could remember the last week they had spent entirely apart since the crisis. What began as a conversation about their living arrangements and finding a larger space together eventually circled back to one revelation: if they were already idealising a home together, there is no reason to delay everything else.

“If we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, do I really need to wait until we have a house to show it?”

Before she could answer, he reached for her hand and turned it gently in his. His thumb brushed over the bare ring finger before he lowered his head and pressed a kiss there.

(Is he asking what I think he’s asking?)

(I am asking what you think I’m asking.)

The delighted squeal that escaped her was so sudden and bright that it startled a few birds outside her window. Her eyes welled up with tears but she could not contain her excitement. She nearly threw herself on top of him in an embrace, clutching at his shoulders as another squeal slipped free, “Can we look soon—?”

“We can still look for the house,” he said, chuckling. “But I see no reason we can’t start looking for rings… today.”

That had been the original intention: simply to look. But somewhere between trying on rings, discussing dates, and realising wedding planning was a meticulous affair, the rest of the day snowballed into something else entirely.

By the afternoon, they were slipping matching rings onto each other’s fingers and selecting ornate fabrics that would become outfits befitting for their impromptu elopement, which was sealed in a handful of signatures and officiated by the lovely gentleman who did his utmost not to reveal that he had recognised the scribe. (Strange, he thought. Though, not altogether surprising. Alhaitham seemed like the type to elope).

Laughter escaped them both at the absurdity of how easy it was.

Afterwards, they submitted leave requests under the pretense of a much needed vacation. Being the former Acting Grand Sage had its perks, for their request got approved within the hour.

Just like that, there was nothing left standing between them and marriage, and later, they quietly disappeared from Sumeru City without much explanation. Their friends would discover the truth eventually, but for now they intended to travel to a place so far from the Akademiya, no one would think to look for them there.

Tucked in their little corner of no where, they spend their days napping under the golden sun, stealing kisses whenever they please, and growing accustomed to the new, wonderful sound of calling each other husband and wife.

The celebrations can wait until they return.

aaaaaaa i just wanted to say a quick but very sincere thank you to my beloved @/sylure for this beautiful gift. i was so lightheaded after crying over it ;-; the timing of the gift was just… divine LOL. i love you so much! and also honourable mention to my tulip girl rae @/sleepyqinfei for associating this song with ryuhaitham ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡🕊