Chapter Text
David woke, hoping that for once his family would stay out of his business. His hopes lasted about three steps out of his bedroom door.
‘David, can I see you for a minute?’ Johnny asked. David groaned and followed his father into his study.
‘What?’ David asked, already frustrated.
‘I didn’t realise that two of my children were on the brink of marriage. It seems like congratulations are in order,’ Johnny said leaning on his desk.
‘Wha--- what are you talking about?’ David asked, already regretting getting out of bed and wondering if it was possible to retreat back there for the day. Or the week.
‘I got a letter from Roland this morning. He says that you’re engaged to a gentleman but doesn’t name him,’ David shakes his head as Johnny speaks, ‘Is this what Ronnie was here about yesterday? Are you engaged to Patrick?’
David felt light headed all of a sudden. The thought that Patrick’s proposal could become common knowledge, and would haunt David for the rest of his life was overwhelming. He couldn’t bare to think how the information would impact Patrick.
‘I’m not engaged to anyone,’ David replied as best he could.
‘But that’s what Ronnie came to talk to you about isn’t it?’ Johnny asked.
‘Yes, but there’s no engagement,’ David said, taking hold of the back of a chair to steady himself. All of a sudden his house felt suffocating.
‘Ok,’ Johnny said, looking at the letter again, ‘What did you want me to do with this?’
‘Burn it. I don’t want to hear about it anymore,’ David turned and left the room, desperate for fresh air.
***
In the days following Ronnie’s visit to Rosebourn, Ted continued to visit, however Patrick began to come with him.
For the first few days, Patrick ensured that he was never alone with David, so David could never ask about how the rumour about the engagement started, or to assure Patrick that he wasn’t the one spreading it.
One day however as Ted, Alexis, Stevie, Patrick and David walked through the woods near Rosebourn, Patrick looked at David and slowed. David, understanding what he was doing also slowed. The two men watched as the other three members of the party disappeared around a bend in the path.
David stopped and looked nervously at Patrick. He wasn’t sure what to expect. Anger? Derision? Pitty?
‘I never told anyone about… about the proposal,’ David said, wanting desperately for Patrick to know that it wasn’t through him that the rumour started.
The tiniest hint of a smile played across Patrick’s lips, ‘I know that David. I told someone I probably shouldn’t have. Do you know Ray Butani?’ David nodded, ‘I didn’t mean to say anything, it just sort of happened. I’m sorry that Ronnie came and spoke to you like she did. That wasn’t fair,’ Patrick wrung his hands nervously.
‘Don’t apologise. After everything you’ve done for my family, please don’t apologise,’ David said, taking a step closer. Patrick looked up to David, confusion spreading over his face.
‘I don’t… I didn’t,’ Patrick fumbled nervously. David bit back a smile at seeing Patrick’s nerves, his heart beating loudly in his chest.
‘Thank you for what you did for Stevie and I’m guessing Alexis too,’ David said.
‘You know I did it for you don’t you David? I’d do anything for you,’ Patrick replied, his eyes soft and full of emotion.
‘You don’t have to do that,’ David could feel a blush spreading across his cheeks.
‘I think that I do. I wanted to,’ Patrick glanced around them. David studied his features.
‘Well thank you,’ David offered him a smile.
‘When I heard from Ronnie, she told me what you said to her, and it caused me to hope, like I’d never let myself hope before. I knew that if your feelings were the same as they were when we saw each other in Elm Valley, you wouldn’t have any problem telling Ronnie that,’ Patrick said.
‘You’re right. You know enough about my personality to know that if I’m happy to insult you to your face, I’d do it to your relatives as well,’ David huffed a laugh. Patrick smiled for a moment.
‘Did my letter help change your opinion of me?’ Patrick asked.
‘Yeah. It helped clear some things up,’ David replied.
‘Did you destroy it?’ Patrick began to wring his hands again.
‘No. But I can,’ David promised. If Patrick needed that he would do it immediately.
Patrick stared at David, his eyes soft and gentle, David swallowed nervously under his gaze, but shifted closer again.
‘You’re too generous to waste your time with me. But I need to tell you David,’ Patrick began, ‘that my feelings for you and my wishes haven’t changed. I need you to know that. One word from you and you never have to hear me discuss it again.’
David felt his mouth go dry, his eyes stung with unshed tears. Something he had dared not hope for, had been sure was lost to him, was being offered again. He had been sure that Patrick would never even speak to him again, let alone tell him that his feelings were still as they had been.
‘And if my wishes have changed?’ David asked taking a step closer to Patrick, he glanced down quickly to Patrick’s mouth.
‘Then I would need to tell you how much I love you and how I never want to be separated from you again,’ Patrick leaned closer, so they were only inches from each other.
‘I think I can work with that,’ David said with a smile. David leaned forward, an almost imperceptible movement. Patrick glanced down at his lips.
Reaching up David cupped the side of Patrick’s face, his fingers pressing into the back of Patrick’s head, pulling him closer. Their lips met. Patrick wrapped his arms around David’s waist, pulling him closer. The kiss was gentle, yet full of passion.
They pulled back from the kiss, their lips barely parted but Patrick breathed his questions, ‘marry me?’ David could only laugh with happiness, leaning his head back and squeezing his eyes shut, David knew he had never before felt as happy as he felt in that moment.
‘Yes, It’s a yes, I love you,’ David said, not quite believing that those words so easily left his mouth.
Patrick smiled and leaned forward to capture David’s lips again.
This time the kiss was heated, the passion that they felt, from the moment they met, poured into that kiss. David traced his tongue against Patrick’s lips, gentle searching, wanting to be as close to this man, his fiance , as possible.
Patrick opened his lips and greeted David’s tongue with his own. He moaned into the kiss, David’s arms wrapped around Patrick’s shoulders.
Patrick ran his hands under David’s black jacket, pressing his fingers into the strong muscles.
When they finally broke apart, desperate for breath, they both smiled, arms still clinging to each other.
‘I should probably go and ask for your families blessing,’ Patrick said.
‘Let’s not spoil this by getting them involved yet,’ David replied, running his hands along Patrick’s shoulders.
‘Tomorrow then?’
‘Perfect.’
David and Patrick walked fingers entwined, David could practically hear his mother’s screams when he announced his engagement. But for once the thought of his mother’s reaction - overreaction - didn’t terrify him. He knew that Patrick would be by his side. And with him there, David knew everything would work out.
***
‘Where did you get to this afternoon David?’ Alexis asked as she brushed her hair. Stevie sat on the end of the bed. David felt himself blush as he bit back a smile.
‘Umm… Patrick and I are engaged,’ he said.
Alexis turned in her chair, ‘what? You don’t even like Patrick.’
‘Oh but he does,’ Stevie said slyly.
‘Since when?’ Alexis asked.
David took a seat and told them everything. From their meeting at the ball, to Patrick’s first proposal and the letter Patrick gave him at Elm Valley. It was late into the night by the time he finished speaking.
Alexis rose from her seat and lightly slapped David’s arm, ‘Oh my god David. Why didn’t you tell me? Mom’s going to freak out.’ From her smile David could tell how happy she was for him.
Stevie beamed knowingly, ‘I told you he was a pretty eligible bachelor.’
***
The following morning Patrick’s arrival with Ted was announced as most things are in the Rose household, via Moira shouting about it.
‘That Patrick fellow has come back with our Ted. One must wonder why he persists on invading our abode,’ she cried. Alexis and Stevie gave David a sympathetic look. David didn’t care what his mother thought. She didn’t know the truth, he did.
‘David, you have to distract him today. Take him for a walk into town or something,’ Moira said, ‘Ted needs to spend time with Alexis without his friend handing over his shoulder.
‘Fine,’ David said, struggling to bite back a smile.
‘Patrick,’ David announced not long after they walked in the door, ‘the blossoms are particularly beautiful today. Would you like to join me and see them?’
‘Yep,’ Patrick stood. Moira gave David a very unsubtle thumbs up as the two men headed outside.
As they walked, hand in hand once they were out of sight of the house, they agreed that Patrick would speak with Johnny at some point in the evening. David said he would prefer to tell his mother, unsure exactly what her reaction would be. He suspected however that his wealth would outway any bias that Moira held.
***
Later in the evening, after dinner, Johnny stood and excused himself to his study. Moments later Patrick stood and followed him out the door, offering David a smallest smile before he disappeared. David’s heart fluttered nervously in his chest. He wasn’t entirely sure what Johnny’s response would be. David knew he was level headed enough to handle the proposal on a level that Moira Rose would never reach, but he hoped that whatever the reaction was didn’t frighten Patrick too much.
Patrick appeared again a short time later. He didn’t look at David, but seemed calm. A few minutes after he returned, he approached David, who was sitting at the table, and leaned in close, feigning interest in David’s novel, ‘go and see your father. He’s in his study.’ David felt Patrick’s breath against his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
After Patrick moved away, David stood and walked to his father’s study.
There he found Johnny pacing, his hand scratching his chin, deep in thought.
‘David. Have a seat,’ Johnny sat opposite, ‘what are you doing? Are you out of your mind? I thought you hated him.’
David wished he could take back everything he had said about Patrick before he had realised his mistake. He thought that if only his opinion had been more moderate, his family would not be so stunned and questioning about the proposal.
‘I know you are determined to be with him, David. He is rich, to be sure, you will have more clothes and carriages than Alexis. But will that make you happy?’ Johnny asked, leaning forward in his chair.
‘Is your only objection that you think I don’t care about Patrick?’ David asked.
‘None at all, if you really liked him…’ Johnny replied.
‘I do. I do like him… I love him,’ David said, tears welling in his eyes, ‘you don’t know what he’s really like. What he’s done.’
‘What did he do?’ Johnny queried. David realised too late that he had said something he shouldn’t. But he trusted his father, so told him everything that Patrick had done to help Stevie and how his own feelings for Patrick changed and developed and grew.
‘I’m so happy for you David,’ Johnny smiled broadly when David finished speaking, ‘I don’t think anyone is more worthy of your love than he is. You deserve all the happiness in the world.’
David smiled as he returned to the parlour. Patrick looked up as David entered the room, an equal smile forming on his own lips.
David collected his book and moved to sit beside Patrick on the couch, keeping a respectable distance.
‘Was he ok?’ Patrick breathed so only David could hear.
‘Very ok. I’ll tell my mom tonight,’ David whispered, pretending to read his book.
When Ted and Patrick went to leave later that night, Patrick leaned over and kissed David quickly on the cheek, while Johnny and Moira were turned to address Ted.
Johnny shook Patrick’s hand firmly, but didn’t say anything about the engagement as they bid farewell, promising to return tomorrow.
After they left, David followed his mother to her room. He sat on the end of her bed waiting for her to turn her attention to him.
When David told her, she cried out. It soon became evident that she was happy, probably more so because she knew what Patrick’s finances were like.
‘Oh David! How rich and happy you’ll be. And Patrick is so handsome and charming. So tall!’ Moira shouted excitedly, ‘you must forgive me David for having disliked him. But ten thousand a year! A house in town. You will be radiantly happy.’ David just nodded along as Moira listed all the monetary things that he would now have access to. David decided it wasn’t worth, then, pointing out that he would have accepted Patrick’s proposal if he had been a pauper. He wasn’t marrying Patrick for his wealth.
***
‘So when did you realise you loved me?’ David asked as he sat under a large tree with Patrick’s arm resting over his shoulder, David’s back pressed into Patrick’s chest.
Patrick thought for a moment before he answered, ‘I couldn’t tell you the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which started me loving you. It was too long ago, but I think I was in the middle of it before I even realised I’d begun.’ David could only laugh as Patrick pressed a kiss onto David’s shoulder.
‘And how will you tell Lady Ronnie the news of our engagement?’ David asked, he knew she would be furious.
‘I’ll write her a letter as soon as we get back to Rosebourn,’ Patrick said, kissing David’s temple.
Ronnie was incredibly upset by the marriage, but David and Patrick didn’t care. Through their union, they both achieved something, neither thought was possible. A committed relationship with someone that loved them for them. David couldn’t wait to start his new life with Patrick, not because of any wealth or social prestige that he received, but because he had found a man who loved him, body and soul.