[Closed] A Gift Of My Love

[ziedrich_bearer]

WHO: Gladiolus, Noctis
WHERE: Gladio and Noctis's Apartment
WHAT: A Romantic Evening Together
WHEN: End of September
WARNINGS: None

He's been preparing this for a while now. There's been so much going on that it's been delayed of course. But he'd called in what favors he can. There's food, of course, and a few gifts of course. But the important part is the moments together.

This moment.

Gladio finishes lighting the last candle, taking a deep breath. Now he just had to hope that Noctis would come back from fishing at the time he promised he would. Which, you know, not a guarantee and Gladio would forgive him for it, but he's still going to hope.

Tonight was important after all.

Comments

[ziedrich_bearer]

Just because the royal family didn't use rings like this didn't mean others hadn't. Gladio should have proposed to a woman with on of several heirloom bands kept in the family safe. As it was this...

This one was better. He takes Noctis's hand and slides the band onto the proper finger. Then, with a smile, he reaches again into his pocket and pulls out a matching gold band. One sized to a larger hand.

"I wanted them to be a pair. Made together. Matched. Equal. Like we can be here."

Like they could never be on Eos.

"Matched and simple, like we can be here. I don't want King and Shield to sit between us here. Never again. Just Noctis and Gladio, two parts of one equal whole. Hopefully that's okay. I've never made anything meant to last with my own hands. Learned more about metals and heat tolerances and molds than I ever expected. But it was all worth it for these."

[fatedsacrifice]

The metal was cool on his finger and there was a weight on his left hand that he'd never had before. Blue eyes stared at the gold ring delightedly because this was a symbol that at no time he would've ever thought he'd have a chance to have after what happened back home.

But then he noticed the second ring that Gladio pulled out of his pocket. There was a joy in his eyes that he wouldn't have tried to hide anyway, and plainly showed on his face. At hearing the other speak, the look got a little brighter.

"Equals, I really like that idea." He knew well that even if they got married back home, they'd never be seen as equals no matter what they said or did.

So his unringed hand started playing with the gold band, just to reassure himself of its presence as he listened. At the end, he shook his head. "I'll still look at you as my shield, but that's only because I like the idea of you being my protector. But I love the idea of being two parts of a whole."

Noct smiled because he had questions, but one was more important than the others right now. "So do I get to put the ring on your finger now?"

[ziedrich_bearer]

So, of course did Gladio. But he does nod his agreement at being a protector. For that, well, he would give that to Noctis no questions asked. Just like he hands over the other ring.

"Of course you do. I'm yours. Whatever you want to call us, so long as you call me yours."

[fatedsacrifice]

The king found that he was shaking now and nervous. His hand had slightly shaken when Gladio put the ring on, but now it was his turn. He let out a breath and smiled up at the other. "I didn't expect this, so I..uh don't have a speech planned." The proposal was a complete surprise, considering he hadn't ever expected to be anything beyond 'boyfriends' here, knowing what they still had yet to do back in their respective worlds.

This pair up wasn't a political match or contract. This was definitely on it's own level entirely and Noct feared he might stumble over his words. "We're engaged Gladio. You're my fiancee' now just like I'm yours."

Letting out another breath, he took the ring and held Gladio's left hand. Positioning the ring at the front of the shield's ring finger, Noct paused and his words were shy. "Whenever I look at my ring, it'll be a reminder to always stand by you and that I have your promise to stand by me."

Sliding the ring on Gladio's finger, he let out another breath and smiled, hoping he did well. He always was a sucker for his shield's approval ever since they were kids.

[ziedrich_bearer]

Stand by each other? Yeah, he likes that. Gladio smiles at the ring on his finger and then pulls Noctis in to kiss him. To just show his affection, how full his heart is in that moment.

Because there is nothing else in this moment that feels quite so important as this kiss. Not in this moment.

[fatedsacrifice]

Promises made, the king found himself wrapped up in his Shield's arms, right where he wanted to be. He closed his eyes and surrendered himself to this man, their kiss and their promises.

It felt like he was home.

this might be ready to ftb

[ziedrich_bearer]

It was home. THey were each others' home now. The rings only underlined that.

"I could kiss you forever. I will kiss you forever."