31 Strings

Though always submerged in darkness, Castle Krakenburg and it's surrounding shone bright like the moon and the stars up in the sky tonight. It was a magical visage, almost unbelievable. Everything decorated, bathed in colorful lights; stands with games, food, trinkets, flowers, anything one could imagine lining up the streets; the people happy, smiling, laughing like no one had seen in what felt like an eternity. Nothing of this would be happening if not for the arduous work of King Xander and the cooperation of King Ryoma and King Corrin, which is why the royal families from both neighboring countries would be the guests of honor during this season's celebrations.

Ignatius eagerness was noticeable weeks before the event, and it was that he had a very especial reason to look forward to these kinds of occasions. If the whole Hoshidan royal family was coming, that meant Prince Shiro would be here, and if Prince Shiro would be here, then so would his retainers. Then, Ignatius could finally see Asugi for the first time in months.

They had grown close during the struggle against Anankos, far too close, to the point where friendship became love and lasted for years well after the war was over. Unfortunately, even before they swore the retainer’s oath to their respective Lords, they could only meet personally every some months, keeping communication through letters as best as they could.

It’s hours after the initial arrival of the kings of Hoshido and Valla that Ignatius and Asugi have a chance to get away, leaving their safely Lords in Castle Krakenburg and in the care of their partners.

As soon as they’re out and considerably far from the others, Asugi grabs Ignatius’ hands, spins him around and pulls him close to plant a small kiss on his lips.

"You missed me Cupcake? 'Cause I missed you a lot."

"Of course, I've missed you!" This time is the knight who leans forward for a peck before pulling the ninja into a hug. "I've missed you so much."

“We gotta stop seeing each other like this, uh?”

“Yeah, not much we can do about it, though.”

“I know, I know, at least we get three days, this time, two more than the last. Takumi, Hinoka, and Kiragi and leaving tomorrow morning, but Ryoma, Sakura, and Shiro are staying for a while longer."

“Wonderful! I hope we can make some time to bake something before you go.”

“I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time; if we ask to cook the dessert for a day I know no one will complain.”

They’re able to run through the stands and the joys and the dances for a few hours before they have to return the castle to stay up on night patrol. They eventually stop to rest and stare up at the eternally starry nohrian sky out of a window together.

"Hey–" Asugi starts but stops himself mid-sentence.

Unfortunately for him, Ignatius heard. "Hmm?"

Damn. No, he couldn’t turn back, he’s been waiting for this chance. Asugi scratches the back of his neck trying to find the courage to continue. "Well, it's just that, this is kind of inconvenient, the coming and going and being together so little."

"O-oh, that. I guess it’s true.” Ignatius suddenly didn't like this. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind but he feared Asugi had grown tired of this a long time ago. He starts to bite his lip involuntarily.

"So, yeah, I've been thinking and–" Asugi fumbles with one of his pockets, pulling out a small box and keeping it in his hand, not showing it to Ignatius yet "–why don't we marry?"

Alright, no, this wasn't what he was expecting at all; the knight turns to the other wide-eyed, heat rushing through his body. "W-w-what?"

“Well, I mean, maybe you could move with me if we marry, or I could move with you.”

“A-Asugi–”

“But, it’s not only because of that, I know it’s not going to work like that because neither can drop their position as retainer just like that but, Ignatius, I could wait for you forever, I don’t care if we see each other once every hundred years, and I want to make sure you know that.”

There must be something in his ears. If Ignatius heard correctly, Asugi just proposed him marriage. “I-I-I don’t know what to say, I-I– What about your father? Does he know anything yet?”

“No, he doesn’t, but he’ll have to understand, I’ve been thinking about this for a very long time, he has to respect my decisions. Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure evrything– Ignatius, is that blood on your lip? I-Ignatius? Snap out of it, Ignatius!”

When Asugi thought about proposing to Ignatius three months ago he didn’t think he would faint. He barely catches the knight before he hits the ground, but the weight of his armor pulls them both down.

"What did you do to him?" Dwyer, who had passed by and helped Asugi bring Ignatius into the castle's apothecary asks after he confirms his friend is fine and should come to his senses in a short while.

"Nothing! Well, I proposed him we marry."

"Ow, that explains." The butler chuckles.

"Shut up, he just fainted from the surprise." Asugi points him a glance, which only makes the other laugh harder.

"Heh, I would faint too if you proposed to me– Hey, I think he's waking up."

He sits up slowly, trying to find out where he was, how he got here, what was he doing before that. Asugi and Dwyer immediately surround the bed in which their friend lays on.

"Ignatius, how do you feel?"

"Cupcake, you okay? Tell me you're okay."

Ignatius stares back at his worried boyfriend, and suddenly he recalls. "Y-yes!"

"N-no, I don't mean that! I mean, yes, I'm fine, but what I mean was that– Asugi, yes, I will marry you."

"R-really?”

Ignatius stands up and pulls the startled Asugi into a kiss, slow, passionate.

"Oh for the love of– Alright, I'm giving you your space, but don't use this bed for anything, get another room."

Ignatius instantly stops and separates himself from Asugi, covering his face that quickly became a deep shade of red.

"Way to ruin the mood, Naps." The ninja gives him another annoyed stare.

"Just giving you a fair warning, my father is going to lit you on fire if he knows you–"

"That's enough Naps, we get it."

“You better. And congratulations to you.” If only Dwyer didn’t look so satisfied with himself, Asugi wouldn’t feel the need to kick his ass as soon as the morning arrived.

“So, what do we do now?”

“Uh?" The ninja turns his attention back to Ingnatius. "Guess we can start by informing Shiro and Siegbert. Aaaand our fathers, too.”

Ignatius sighs. It was going to be an interesting morning. “Yeah.”

“Hey, don’t worry, we have come this far, no one can stop us, I won’t let them.”

“You’re right, but we should relax too, it’s not like we’re going to fight anyone.”

“Oh, you can’t be so sure about that.” Asugi rolls his eyes. The thought of confronting his father about this didn’t make him feel any better. First, there would be questions about why he didn’t know about this relationship, to begin with. Then again, this was Saizo they were talking about. He probably knew already.

“Let’s hope it isn’t like that,” Ignatius smiles and squeezes his fiancé’s hand for reassurance.

“Yeah, let’s hope.”