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Ein did not understand why Gaelio insisted so much on him getting dressed nicely for the engagement party. He did not understand why he insisted on him going at all. It was Gaelio’s engagement party after all. Why did he want to rub it in? It was already heartbreaking as it is for Ein.
It’s not that he ever thought he could keep Gaelio to himself. A half-Martian was never meant to wake up next to a Seven Star heir. But each time Gaelio smiled at him, opened his arms to wrap around his waist or kissed him gently on a forehead, he thought it’s all worth it for all these small moments, even if they can never last. Today was the day when it was time to face the truth that it could never be meant to be.
‘Are you ready, love?’ The taller man asked and started doing Ein’s tie after noticing it’s still undone.
‘I’m going just because you asked me, even if I insisted I don’t wanna go. I have no desire to see you being married off, ’ Ein could not hide annoyance from his voice, it was curt and sharp, to mask off his feelings of hurt.
‘Don’t be like that. You know it’s just for political reasons, don’t you? My feelings for you remain unchanged.’
Gaelio reached out to grab Ein’s hand, but the other man turned to the mirror and fixed his hair, ignoring the gesture.
***
Ein was uncomfortable the whole evening. He felt awkward, out of place and generally unhappy with the situation. He felt everyone looked down on him as that annoying aide that the Groom always insists to bring with him everywhere. While he knew what comes as a package with leaning into that kiss on the bridge almost a year before where it was dark and they were alone, he still couldn’t help himself from hurting.
Gaelio stayed with him almost the whole time, just exchanging pleasantries with everyone, including his future bride, skilfully avoiding heavier conversations. The quick moment where he was dragged away left Ein with anguished expression, avoiding looking at the woman his lover was about to marry that was looking daggers at him, just as usual. He couldn’t blame her or feel angry at her since he was taking away Gaelio’s time and presence away from her. Even so, he couldn’t suppress the dislike towards her and wishing that she disappeared from their lives.
Somewhen along the evening, they had a quiet moment on the balcony where, after making sure noone sees them Ein got a quick peck on the lips and a suspiciously mischievous smile. It felt like they were back at kindergarten staying where they weren’t supposed to, just making sure the teacher won’t see them. Oh how much he’d give to keep this man and those moments.
And then the dreaded culmination of the party - the big dance dance time came. Ein saw the butlers bringing Bauduin a small box which supposedly contained the engagement ring. He felt like throwing up, all those emotions bubbling up at his chest. It was really happening. But he promised he’s gonna be brave and hold it together for his partner who at that moment was fiddling with his pockets, looking very nervous. Then the big megaphone announcement came.
‘Now, please get ready for the traditional waltz!’
It was the cue for Gaelio to take the chosen one of his partners to dance. Ein realised he did not think of what was he supposed to do during that time. He could dance since they were all taught in the military school, but that did not mean he wanted to. He briefly considered ask someone he didn’t know to dance, but that would most likely end up badly, so he decided against it. Just as he was about to turn back to the wall, trying not to attract anyone’s attention, Gaelio came to him with an extended arm and big bright smile on his face.
‘May I have this dance?’
Ein heard some muffled voices and whispers but he was just too shocked to process anything that was going on around him, so just automatically grabbed his lover’s arm and let himself be led to dance. He saw in his peripheral vision that the future wife is standing alone with her bridesmaids around her, covering her mouth with her hands in disbeliefs. He had no chance to look at her directly as everyone else began the waltz just behind them and he just needed to go along. Last thing he needed is slipping and falling while a lot of attention was on him, potentially ruining the whole dance the two were leading.
‘What on earth are you doing?,’ Ein whispered after majority of the couples were in the formation beginning the dance, when he managed to shake off some of the initial shock.
Gaelio winked and led the dance even more majestically, so that Ein could barely keep up.
‘And what it looks? Dancing with the love of my life.’ He said smiling widely and all discussion seemed inappropriate at that moment so he just let himself shamelessly look at the purple haired man in adoration while he lifted him up and spun him around. He was so glad he was part of the losers in the class that needed to dance with other men as there weren’t enough women in the class to pair everyone up, so he knew women’s steps by heart.
He felt so light and loved and felt so many things at the same time he didn’t even care how they look - a pair of well-built soldiers mimicking all the other mixed gender couples with small ladies in stunning dresses. It was overwhelming and it was all so incredibly exhilarating for Ein.
When the music came to a stop and all couples made their bows to the crowd, Gaelio turned to Ein and looked at him as if he was the most precious thing in the world. Ein suddenly remembered what is happening and all the questions of why and how came back. Before he managed to open his mouth, the other man put a finger on his lips to silence him. They barely noticed everyone was still looking at them, even though the music began playing again, this time quieter, meaning to be background, not the main sound.
Gaelio took the small box from his right pocket, looked at Ein, and kneeled opening it before him.
‘Ein, you’re the one that saved my life in the battlefield and stay by my side every day. I love you and wish to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?’
Ein’s head spun and heart raced quicker than his Graze could travel through space. It all felt surreal - the important banquet, the traditional dance and then a hair of one of the most powerful families in the galaxy kneeling before him, offering his life in exchange of his own. He was just being asked to marry the prince. He wanted to cry out of happiness and disappear from embarrassment of it all being in public at the same time. But Ein did waver and not hesitate to give the answer.
‘My life is already yours.’ He managed to say in the most dignified voice he could muster. It was so overwhelming, he prayed to the gods of war and peace it was not a dream he was going to wake up from.
But Gaelio just smiled, rose to his feet and put the ring on Ein’s finger. It was beautiful and fitting perfectly Ein’s calloused fingers. When he leaned down to his kiss him, Carta raised her glass and raised a toast ‘For the young couple!’.
And while not everyone cheered, a lot of people did. When they broke apart from the chaste kiss, Gaelio smiled and asked,
‘Are you all ready for the storm that’s gonna come at us now?’
‘If you’re mine, I’m ready for anything. ’