[Albert's smile shifts to something a little brighter again at that assertion, though the part of him that thinks Mitsuki deserves better than a killer is hard to bite back. He breathes deeply for a moment, eyes fixed on Mitsuki's, his chest aching.]
Be mine, until then.
[Until something inevitably takes this happiness away from one or both of them. They've weathered the truth being revealed. The rest is up to fate.
Albert looks at him with all the devoted affection he has in his heart, their hands joined. Things that are impossible elsewhere are possible here.]
I'm quite serious. I know it... it may be complicated as things stand, but consider this me announcing my intentions.
[Pulling his hands away as if suddenly remembering something, he offers a little glance to Mitsuki before focusing on slipping off a ring. It's a familiar one, or at least it should be to Mitsuki, considering Albert does wear it with relative frequency. He bought it not long after arriving, when he was padding out his wardrobe with things that more suited the place, very shortly before he met Mitsuki. It has a green stone, with a recessed etching of a star.]
Take this. [A little huff of breath, like a weight has been lifted off him.] I was wearing it the day we met. Do whatever you want with it, but keep it. Consider it a solemn oath, that I will love you until the end.
[Now is not the time for the self-deprecation, Albert.]
Okay.
[There's more he could say, more he wants to say, and usually he would just say what he's thinking. Moderation be damned, he cares about Albert and he wants Albert to never be able to doubt that.
It seems more important that ever, to get his feelings across in a way that can't be misinterpreted, but he holds his tongue as he watches Albert slip his ring off. He's familiar with it by now - he's seen Albert wear it countless times, but he's still surprised by the offer.
He takes the ring carefully, turning it over in his hands for a moment. He doesn't even bother trying to slip it on, because he knows it'll be far too large for him, a thought that gets him to snort.]
I'll have to get a chain for this. I'll keep it close to my heart.
[Another pause, as he mulls things over. He feels so much lighter, so much happier now, with everything that's been dragging him down finally letting him free. There's no more furrow between his brows, even if this hasn't made the dark circles under his eyes go away, and he doesn't bother trying to school his smile into something more serious.]
...Heh.
[He remembers when Albert gave him the license for Fonte Chocolat, the way people in the cafe congratulated them on what they assumed was a proposal, getting annoyed and flustered and saying they weren't getting married yet. And now here he is, knowing the truth about Albert, and with a ring that's a promise.
He doesn't know how his life has ended up like this, or how they've gotten to this point. He's sure Albert remembers as well, even if he hasn't placed that's why Mitsuki starts giggling.]
[Mitsuki starts laughing, and Albert looks at him in fond confusion. He'd remember it if he wasn't so dead set on making things right, if he wasn't so absolutely convinced that this could go to hell at any given moment. An exacting man, a man of principles and ideals, a man who knows he's flawed and can hardly stand it... Albert doesn't know if he'll be able to hold Mitsuki forever, as he'd like to. But he'll try anyway.
He can't help reaching out, pulling Mitsuki into his arms and tugging him close even as the younger man laughs. It makes Albert's shoulders shake, too, and he joins in Mitsuki's contagious mirth even as he wants to rip his own heart out for not being able to be more.]
[Give him a moment to stop giggling, as he nestles into Albert's side.]
I was thinking about when you gave me the license, and I said we weren't getting married yet. But now I've ended up with a promise ring, and everything is just...
[He waves a hand, as if that'll encapsulate everything they've been through over the past month. All of the anger, grief, loneliness... It all was so much but now they're here, in this room, and Mitsuki has realized Albert will always have a place in his heart.]
[This is warm and right and he missed it so much he could scream. Mitsuki is his again, though maybe he never stopped being his... and Albert is so grateful for that miracle.
He wraps both arms around Mitsuki, ducking his head toward him and kissing wherever he can, slowly, methodically, full of love.]
It is so often funny how things work out, when they do.
[He smiles wistfully.]
Should I selfishly ask for more, even at a time like this? Stay the night with me.
[If he stops to think about it, it’s strange how comfortable he is with Albert touching, kissing him again. He was so hurt, so upset, but all of that seems to melt away with every brush of Albert’s lips.]
You’re allowed some selfishness, I think.
[As if he wants to leave right now, after how long it took to get to this point…]
[That's surprising to hear, considering it's Albert who feels wholly in the wrong here. He's been selfish... that's what caused all of this, in his opinion.
But somehow Mitsuki doesn't hold his own monstrosity against him, and he could not be more grateful for such mercy.
His eyes light up, and he tips Mitsuki's chin so their gazes meet.]
May I hold you? I... I feel like I've practically been in mourning, I missed you so.
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no subject
Be mine, until then.
[Until something inevitably takes this happiness away from one or both of them. They've weathered the truth being revealed. The rest is up to fate.
Albert looks at him with all the devoted affection he has in his heart, their hands joined. Things that are impossible elsewhere are possible here.]
I'm quite serious. I know it... it may be complicated as things stand, but consider this me announcing my intentions.
[Pulling his hands away as if suddenly remembering something, he offers a little glance to Mitsuki before focusing on slipping off a ring. It's a familiar one, or at least it should be to Mitsuki, considering Albert does wear it with relative frequency. He bought it not long after arriving, when he was padding out his wardrobe with things that more suited the place, very shortly before he met Mitsuki. It has a green stone, with a recessed etching of a star.]
Take this. [A little huff of breath, like a weight has been lifted off him.] I was wearing it the day we met. Do whatever you want with it, but keep it. Consider it a solemn oath, that I will love you until the end.
no subject
Okay.
[There's more he could say, more he wants to say, and usually he would just say what he's thinking. Moderation be damned, he cares about Albert and he wants Albert to never be able to doubt that.
It seems more important that ever, to get his feelings across in a way that can't be misinterpreted, but he holds his tongue as he watches Albert slip his ring off. He's familiar with it by now - he's seen Albert wear it countless times, but he's still surprised by the offer.
He takes the ring carefully, turning it over in his hands for a moment. He doesn't even bother trying to slip it on, because he knows it'll be far too large for him, a thought that gets him to snort.]
I'll have to get a chain for this. I'll keep it close to my heart.
[Another pause, as he mulls things over. He feels so much lighter, so much happier now, with everything that's been dragging him down finally letting him free. There's no more furrow between his brows, even if this hasn't made the dark circles under his eyes go away, and he doesn't bother trying to school his smile into something more serious.]
...Heh.
[He remembers when Albert gave him the license for Fonte Chocolat, the way people in the cafe congratulated them on what they assumed was a proposal, getting annoyed and flustered and saying they weren't getting married yet. And now here he is, knowing the truth about Albert, and with a ring that's a promise.
He doesn't know how his life has ended up like this, or how they've gotten to this point. He's sure Albert remembers as well, even if he hasn't placed that's why Mitsuki starts giggling.]
no subject
He can't help reaching out, pulling Mitsuki into his arms and tugging him close even as the younger man laughs. It makes Albert's shoulders shake, too, and he joins in Mitsuki's contagious mirth even as he wants to rip his own heart out for not being able to be more.]
I love you.
no subject
[Give him a moment to stop giggling, as he nestles into Albert's side.]
I was thinking about when you gave me the license, and I said we weren't getting married yet. But now I've ended up with a promise ring, and everything is just...
[He waves a hand, as if that'll encapsulate everything they've been through over the past month. All of the anger, grief, loneliness... It all was so much but now they're here, in this room, and Mitsuki has realized Albert will always have a place in his heart.]
I just love you too, y'know?
no subject
He wraps both arms around Mitsuki, ducking his head toward him and kissing wherever he can, slowly, methodically, full of love.]
It is so often funny how things work out, when they do.
[He smiles wistfully.]
Should I selfishly ask for more, even at a time like this? Stay the night with me.
no subject
You’re allowed some selfishness, I think.
[As if he wants to leave right now, after how long it took to get to this point…]
I want to stay.
no subject
But somehow Mitsuki doesn't hold his own monstrosity against him, and he could not be more grateful for such mercy.
His eyes light up, and he tips Mitsuki's chin so their gazes meet.]
May I hold you? I... I feel like I've practically been in mourning, I missed you so.