Promises

Date/Timing: 9 June 2010
Setting: Ben Lomond, Scotland, United Kingdom
.
The late afternoon breeze plays in Hermann's hair, sneaks through the weave of his hoodie and shirts, teases his wings.
One twitches and he rolls his shoulders by reflex.
"Cold? I brought—"
"I'm fine. Only wishing I could strip off and really /feel this wind."
Edan side-eyes him. "I just wish I could strip you off."
Hermann hisses, digs an elbow into his ribs.
"Well, /excuuuuse me for finding you as gorgeous as the view from here."
"I'm flattered. Also: mortified."
"You love the attention."
"Not from strangers."
"Ah." Edan twists, peers over his shoulder. "Point taken."
"/Finally."
"I suppose I should be glad you don't love me for my brains, yea?"
"I /do love you for your brain—" Scoots closer, tucks himself under one of Edan's arms. "—among other things."
"Anything you can name in this setting?"
"Your incredible subtlety," drawls Hermann.
"Suppose I asked for that."
"You did, in point of fact."
Edan laughs.
Hermann hides the one that bubbles up in Edan's shoulder.
Edan tails off into a schoolboy giggle, buries his nose in Hermann's hair. "You smell like strawberry," he murmurs.
"I borrowed your shampoo this morning."
"Right! Yes! You did. I remember now."
Hermann leans away for a better view. "Are you alright?"
"Do I seem not alright?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
'Really,' replies Hermann's eyebrow.
Edan throws a glance over his shoulder, bows his head. "I've, uh, got something for you."
Hermann quirks an eyebrow.
Edan digs in a trouser pocket. "It's sort of a birthday present—" Switches pockets. "—sort of ... not. If I could find the fuckin'—" Unzips his jacket, fumbles about.
"Edan?"
Muffled Scots profanity.
Hermann rolls his eyes. "This wouldn't have something to do with the string tied around your belt loop, would it?"
Edan's head pops up. "My what now?"
"This—" Gives it a little tug. "—ribbon?"
Edan deflates. "Yea, that would be it." Sighs. "I did that so I wouldn't lose the thing. See now that might not've been the best approach."
"You didn't lose the thing, though."
"Thank /God for that." Edan's fingers follow the ribbon into the depths of his pocket, reappear holding a sliver of metal, offer it to Hermann.
He swallows, doesn't take it. "It's still attached to you."
"Oh fer fu—" Deep breath. "Hold it—/just hold it—"
Hermann takes it between thumb and forefinger.
"—'til I deal with this piece'a—aha!" Pulls out a pocketknife, cuts the ribbon, replaces the knife.
Hermann sets the ring on his flattened palm.
"Right. So. This's your birthday present." Edan takes a deep breath. "This—it's /not an en—unless you—it's a-a promise I'll be true and never, /ever leave you."
Hermann fights to keep his heart and voice steady. "That sounds a lot like an engagement ring, Edan."
"No!" Fluffs his hair with the ring-free hand. "I mean—it's—there's no pressure. /None of the pressure or-or expectations. Just ... a promise from me to you, yea? No strings attached."
"Yes."
"'Yes' what?"
"Yes, I'll marry you."
Edan stares, mouth dropped open.
"I do believe that belongs on my finger now." Hermann tilts his head, stifles a maniac's grin.
"Yes, yes it does," croaks Edan.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Ben Lomond (setting)
Category:Hermann
Category:Hermann's POV
Category:Hermann has wings
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Edan
Category:Edan (ficlet)
Category:Ficlets with images
Category:Pages with comments
Category:Starcrossed are engaged
Category:CM: Meeting the Reids