Redundant Proposal is Redundant|Malagard, Khelek

[Darastrix]

Since their last fight--their last major fight--Schuldig had been quietly gnawing away at an idea. Well, two ideas, really, but he'd more or less decided that since he was keeping things together rather well, there was no need to take Zira's advice and bother Mikasi about his thoughts on The Issue. He had, however, decided to hire Mikasi for Zira as either a birthday or an Efilive gift, whichever the man's schedule would best allow.

The first idea was a little more pleasant (and daunting) to contemplate.

He couldn't give Filly what she really wanted. He just couldn't. He could practically feel the panic rising if he even halfway considered the idea. But a wedding...he could stand that. He still didn't see the point of one; they'd been living like they were married for years and since Filly had once been a Force, and the other Forces had let her take a mortal form to be with him, how much closer to "joined in the eyes of the Forces" could they get?

But Filly liked weddings and romance and all the things he hardly ever gave thought to. Schuldig wasn't daft enough to think a wedding would make her stop wanting another child, but it was something he thought would make her happy, and he wasn't dead-set against it. Besides, he was a Soahcian priest now; something being pointless shouldn't be a reason to not do it.

Of course, that didn't mean he was going to go the syrupy romantic route, even if he had paid a visit to the confectioner and the flower-seller. He didn't give two shits about 'romance,' but Filly had a sweet tooth and loved flowers. So when Filly came to their room that evening, it was nice and toasty (not that unusual), there was a box of her favourite sweet on the table (somewhat unusual), and a bouquet of peonies beside it (virtually unheard of).

Schuldig himself was sprawled on his stomach, facing the foot of the bed with his chin propped on one hand so he could watch her reaction.

[Kender Bard]

Filly stopped short at the sight, her eyes drawn immediately to the bright colors of the flowers. "Ooh," she murmured in surprise and interest and walked over to the gifts. Grinning widely, she scooped up the flowers first and inhaled their scent, her fingertips teasing open the petals a little. "Schuldig," she crooned, flashing him a bright and happy smile. "Are these for me?" She glanced at the box of little chocolates as well. "Wait, these are peonies." Her smile grew wider, showing an expression of pure delight she hadn't shown in a while. "They are for me aren't they?"

[Darastrix]

Schuldig grinned at the look on her face. Well, he'd done one thing right, at least. Maybe he ought to do that more often. "Well, I don't know anyone else who likes peonies and chocolate and comes in here about this time every day, so...yes."

[Kender Bard]

Filly just laughed and set the flowers down, making a note to find a vase to put them in water later. She opened the box and slipped a chocolate out to enjoy, then moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "This is an unexpected treat, my love. What did I--" she gave him a playfully stern look "--or you do to bring this about?" She reached over and ran her fingers through his hair to play with.

[Darastrix]

Schuldig smiled and gave a little shiver at Filly's fingers in his hair. "I am no more guilty than usual, thank you," he told her. "I do have something to ask you, though."

[Kender Bard]

Filly continued to tease his hair, smiling. "Then ask away," she murmured and leaned in to kiss his cheek. Clearly the thoughtful little gift had put her into an appreciative mood.

[Darastrix]

"Well then," Schuldig murmured, feeling oddly hesitant, which was stupid. They were (technically) married. What was she going to do--say no and 'divorce' him?

...don't think, just say it.

"Will you marry me?"

[Kender Bard]

Filly gave a muffled snort at the question, her first reaction just plain amusement. "Yes," she answered him and cuddled, giggling. "Now what did you want to really ask?"

What a strange precursor, she thought.

[Darastrix]

Of all the reactions he could have gotten, that was one Schuldig hadn't been expecting. He stared at Filly for a moment, bemused and, to be honest, a touch embarrassed. He was actually serious about it, it had taken him for-fucking-ever to decide to do it, and Filly'd just laughed at him. Well, okay, she'd probably thought she was going to be laughing with him, but still.

"That was it," Schuldig muttered, looking away.

[Kender Bard]

Filly's grin faded and now she mirrored his bemusement. "It was?" She considered the question again, but it still didn't make any sense to her. "But we are married, dear." A thought DID occur to her then and she looked at him more anxiously. "You do know I love you, right? That hasn't changed at all." She couldn't think of why it would have, or how he would perceive otherwise, but such a strange question did make her feel she had best make sure there weren't any sudden misunderstandings.

[Darastrix]

I should never try anything more complicated than sex and gifting, Schuldig thought as he left his face drop to the mattress.

"I know that," he said, voice muffled. He lifted his head and hit it against the bed a few more times for good measure. "But we never got married and you like weddings, and I thought...."

[Kender Bard]

"Oh Schu," Filly sighed, mostly in relief. NOW it made sense. "That's so sweet of you." She hugged him as best as she could in their positions. "I never would have dreamed..." She smiled and kissed the top of his head again. "I do. We didn't. But wouldn't it be rather odd now...? I like the idea, but, well, it's been six years, my love. I think the opportunity for it has passed." She gave a small laugh. "And aside from Locket, who enjoys a certain kind of silly, and Delilah, who hasn't known us for so long, I believe the rest of our family and friends would find the whole thing strange and awkward."

She grinned slightly. "Though, you are a priest now. If you'd like to exchange vows privately over this fine chocolate and some good wine and 'officially' wed us, I would like that."

[Darastrix]

Marital masturbation. Ugh. Why couldn't she just take what he was offering?

"Look at who you're dealing with," he pointed out. "Anyone we'd want there knows me well enough that it wouldn't be that strange."

[Kender Bard]

Filly sat up straighter as she gave the whole thing more serious consideration. She drew her wings in around herself and played with the feathers nervously. "You don't think it'd be silly?" she asked him, uncertain. "I'd like to, you know. But I don't want to seem foolish or embarrass anyone..." She bit her lip and turned to look at him again. "Maybe... just a little ceremony? A small, private one?" She offered him a nervous smile. She knew that this was a generous offer on his part. She didn't want to ruin things.

[Darastrix]

Don't act too excited, Schuldig thought dryly, before giving himself a mental shake. Fuck's sake, he was supposed to be doing this for her--whatever she wanted. He wasn't looking to start an argument.

He exhaled slowly into the bedding and lifted his head. "I just want to do something to make you happy," he murmured. "Me, I say fuck 'em all if they can't get it, but that's me. I just...I don't want you to feel like you have to settle for less than I'm willing to do if it's what you really want."