wizardmanor | Floor 1, Room 6

[He joins his human easily, immediately moving to pull Yamato close and nuzzling against his cheek.]

Great. Bein' this close is always nice.

Yeah, it is.

[ Yamato's lips curve into a smile, and he tries to catch Ametrine off-guard by turning his head slightly to pull him into a soft kiss. Hehe. ]

You're really happy. It's cute.

[It does get a soft noise from him before he kisses his boyfriend back, and then Ametrine pulls back to laugh at that.]

Yeah? Don't think "cute" is the sorta word most people'd use to describe me, but I'm glad you would!

Well, too bad for them. They're missing out. I know you best, after all.

[ He's proud of that, too. Have you seen this silly evil man!!! ]

Oh, well. More for me.

Ya sure do. An' it's all for you, y'know.

[Which of course Yamato probably knows, but Ametrine says it anyway, grinning.]

I know.

[ And he's glad for it. He moves in to lean his head on Ametrine's shoulder. ]

It's pretty funny, how we got here, isn't it? And it all started because you just wanted to do something funny with me. Back then, I thought it was pretty silly, but...I'm grateful for it nonw.

I thought you'd be pretty fun to pester. An' look at that, turns out I'm right!

[He laughs and runs a hand through Yamato's hair.]

I couldn't've planned it better if I'd tried.

You sure love doing that, huh.

[ But...it's cute, now. It's nice that Malice keeps "pestering" him. ]

It's like you knew something was gonna happen. Bother me more often.

Said as though I don't bother ya all the time already?

[It's said like a joke, but is it... is it really...]

I had no idea things'd turn out like this. I just thought you'd be fun to annoy, but ya turned out to be way more than just that!

Heh, funny how that worked out, right?

[ Who knew bothering Yamato would lead to getting a boyfriend... ]

Glad I decided to bother you back, too. You're stuck with me now.

Wouldn't have it any other way, Yama.

[Ametrine nuzzles against his human again, settling against him.]

Love ya.

[It's mumbled into Yamato's hair; the simple, sincere words are easy enough to get out when he isn't stressed, after all.]

Love you too, Am.

[ He says it easily, too, without shame or embarrassment this time. It's so easy to say it, now. ]

Thanks. ... For everything.

[It's not like they need to say it, obviously they both know it. But still, hearing it - and with his new nickname attached - does something funny to him and makes him feel warm. He may be a little pink, it's fine.]

Heh, you don't gotta thank me for any of it. I only ever do what I wanna, y'know! But I feel the same way - so thanks to you too, Yama.

If you get to say that, then so do I. It's the same for me, too.

[ He's just doing what feels right. Funny, that. He used to overthink and act based on his thoughts instead of his intuition. With Ametrine, though, it's the opposite. He's just going with his gut, and it seems to be working out very well. ]

I don't know what I'd do without you.

You ain't losin' me, don't worry.

[Yet his mind provides and he can't help but think back to his conversation with Jing Yuan about what they'd do after all of this. From the sound of it, Yamato's world wouldn't exactly be the best place for a fight-happy vampire to go, but Yamato needs to go back to his friends and his career. It wouldn't be fair to expect him to give up on that, particularly when he made so much progress here figuring out his feelings and thoughts on it all.

Maybe there isn't a nice, neat way to wrap all this up, but they won't know that for sure until they've saved this world. There's no reason to be thinking about that right now, when they don't even know if they'll survive the final battle.

Ametrine nuzzles against Yamato again and wills those thoughts away.]

Just make sure to keep yourself safe for me, yeah? I don't wanna think 'bout what I'd do without you.

[ The thought of losing Ametrine is incomprehensible, but Yamato understands that it could be a reality, with there being much to do until they can even consider leaving this world in one piece. He's worried, more than he's letting on, and the thought of having to go home without Ametrine keeps him awake at night sometimes.

But, much like his boyfriend, he's choosing to ignore those thoughts for now. ]

I told you before, right? That I'd stop being reckless. I have even less of a reason to do that, now, thanks to you.

Good. 'Cause I'd be real upset if anythin' happens to ya again.

[It's still difficult to think about last time, and he'd prefer to avoid a repeat of that, thanks!!]

An' I know you'd feel the same way. So I'm tryin' to be more careful. I came back from our mission up north just fine!

You did. I was pretty impressed.

[ Even though he was carrying a very badly injured Solomon....... ]

Don't worry, though. We won't lose each other.

[ His gaze softens, and he reaches for Ametrine's hand to take it in his own. ]

I'll find my way back to you.

[ No matter what. ]

[shhhhhhh don't worry about it]

I know ya will.

[He takes Yamato's hand and grips it tightly.]

I ain't gonna stop believin' in that, no matter what happens.

[ He's content to stay next to Ametrine, fingers intertwined, but after a few quiet moments, he seems to think of something -- ]

Do you mind if I grab something for my room? It's...something I've been holding on to, but I think it's a good time to give it to you.

[Ametrine blinks at that, pulling back a bit to give Yamato his space.]

Yeah, I don't mind, but you don't gotta give me anythin'!

[Though he is notably not saying no!! Go get it, Yama!]

[ He squeezes Ametrine's hand before he gets out of the bed and moves towards the door. He's out quickly -- looks like he's a little eager. It only takes him a minute or so before he's back, and it doesn't seem like he's carrying anything, strangely enough.

Yamato returns to the bed...and takes Ametrine's hand once again. Ametrine may be able to pick up on his heart beating a little faster. ]

Alright...are you ready?

[Huh. Maybe it's not a physical something...? Well, there's only one way to find out what it is!]

'Course I am.

[He squeezes Yamato's hand with a grin.]

[ Surprise! It actually is, because Yamato reaches into his pocket (yes, actually) and pulls out...

...a ring. It's a ring with a small topaz gemstone on it, in the same shade of Ametrine's eyes. Yamato gently holds Ametrine's left hand and slides it onto his ring finger. ]

Ah, it's -- it's not a marriage proposal. It's...

[ A promise ring, essentially, but he can't say that. He won't put himself or Ametrine in a dangerous position, even if neither of them intend on breaking any promises they make to each other. ]

It's my way of saying that I'll be here, even when you can't see me.

[Oh... Oh. It could have been a marriage proposal for the way it punched Ametrine directly in the lungs and stole his breath away; it certainly would've hit just as hard either way.

He knows about this - he learned it from Ithaqua - and once again Ametrine finds himself struggling to find words. It's a beautiful ring, but it's what it means that's got his heart in a vicegrip that refuses to let go.]

I... I'll keep it safe. Always, Yama. I'll always wait for you.

[His prosthetic hand comes up to trace over the ring and the mark on the back of his hand. There was never any doubt in his mind about his love for Yamato, and yet somehow he feels like he's fallen even deeper in love with his human.]

Ya got to it before I could, huh? Well, not to spoil the surprise or anythin', but I'm workin' on makin' you somethin' too. It ain't ready just yet, though.

[He has to get the shade just right, not to mention imbue it with a charm to protect Yamato...]

Thank you. Thank you so much, Yama, I... Hell, I really am at a loss for words. You've done so much for me today.

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