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Today was the day.
He was going to propose to Luchino.
His beloved Luchino.
The man who he had spent countless matches with, sleepless nights full of agony or desire, the man who he had spent probably years stuck in this infernal loop that was the manor.
They had been together for some time now and the other had yet to grow sick of him it was a wonder in itself Frederick knew when they began this that the two may not last as being stuck with each other for all eternity could grow twisted vines within their beautiful garden that they call their love yet to Frederick’s surprise Luchino stayed he stayed throughout his breakdowns over the thoughts in his head, he stayed during his drunken rambles, he stayed when he was injured and couldn't be of aid temporarily, he stayed during his compositions.
Frederick wished to return the favour he wished to show that Luchino was just as deserving of the love he had shown the blonde he wanted the other to know that the subtle brush of his fingertips or the brief compliments or the coffee he made just to Luchino’s liking was not for nought he wanted to do as much as the other did for him not just what he reserved himself to because love had failed him in the past.
Yet how would he do this?
Luchino deserved everything he had always been the one in the team to succeed whether it be in stealing their hearts or taking the game for their win Luchino was a man many felt a fondness for he had plenty of friends in the manor even if he cared for his reptiles and isolation to work in peace he was still a man who cared for those around him.
At Least in Frederick’s eyes that was true.
Frederick sat on his bed rolling a ring Mary had given him in his fingers. It was beautiful. He had seen it once when he was younger, perhaps someday he would hear the story of how it came to be in her grasp yet he knew they both weren't ready to hear that story.. The woman was in front of him a sympathetic look on her features as she noticed the younger getting in his mind about what may happen.
“ That lad loves you. I'm sure he will be happy with a simple ‘Will You Marry Me?’ don't fret Frederick. “
She kneeled down before him it looked as if her dress consumed her whole maw wide open bloody and starved ah..it seemed as if those cruel thoughts that plagued him were once again back ever since he was young his mind was in a state of torment nothing to soothe it until he heard such a darling melody played by his father..
What would his father even think of this? And what of his mother? He hadn't seen them in so long the only relative he had in the manor now was Mary, the two black sheep of the Kreiburg name.
Mary knew that look in his eyes that he was physically present yet his mind wandered. She sighed heavily, shaking her head. What would she ever do with this boy? She knew what she’d do yet would never state aloud..he was like her own at this point she had heard from others of the soiled family name she couldn't have imagined how Frederick had tolerated it all. Mary rose again to go collect a music box the professor himself had gifted Frederick upon one of their anniversaries she had lost count of which one this was.
As soon as the wooden box was pulled out of its usual place Frederick's Eyes snapped towards it, his arms raised, shaking to take it within his hands and once he finally took hold of it he turned the key round and round.
And the sweetest melody played it felt like he was home again with Luchino he remembered the night he had been gifted this. Luchino had received his own gift, a whole new handmade notebook for his studies created by Frederick himself and so Luchino had gifted this to him a small little box containing a song..their song… Luchino had been practising the piano in his spare time to play a duet with Frederick and although he wasn't as good as the other, the attempt warmed both of their hearts.
That night he was gifted the music box Luchino held Frederick close he had just come back from a match as the hunter it wasn't much of a drastic change yet this was his Luchino he adored every piece scales and all he allowed himself to be held as he twisted the key letting the song play throughout the air as they remained embraced letting the night drift away enjoying the fact that it was just the two of them.
The memory was enough to ground Frederick
“ Mary, I'm at a loss… He deserves more than a simple Will you marry me he deserves flowers, fine dining he deserves to be treated well and- ”
“ Do you believe you could provide that for him? “
That’s true, did he think that? Outside the manor, he could spend as much money as he wished for Luchino to have the life he deserved yet here money meant nothing. It was all about survival. Were they actually in love or were they only together because it would pass the time until they were free from their shackles?
No.
No NO
Luchino loved him and he loved Luchino he knew that within his heart but did the other love him? It was always hard to love a Kreiburg Mary was living proof of this her fall from grace was not one he wanted to follow after. Yet something deep down pulled him towards Luchino that boyish smirk or the way he made Frederick feel whenever they were together it felt so unnatural he was scared of it he was scared to be loved. What if he were to break? What if this was just a long game he was not a fool… perhaps he was when it came to Luchino he had his head held high knowing the other may be his downfall yet he trusted him all those nights ago as they sat on the stairs of the manor's entrance.
Luchinos gaze was on the stars as Frederick kept looking at him as if nothing else existed in the world but the two of them and perhaps in that moment that was all there was he was a coward then he always declined his love for Luchino until it was stood right there in front of his face he opened his mouth to utter seven measly words.
‘ I think I'm in love with you ‘
The words left his mouth before he could think the two holding each other's gaze for a moment before Luchino raised a hand to place it against Frederick’s cheek, his thumb gliding against the skin rhythmically caressing it until he placed his lips against the composers.
They stayed their momentarily lips pressed against one another eyes closed as the moon held high once the need for oxygen kicked in Frederick was the one to pull apart one he regretted the moment he pulled away yet Luchino tugged him closer placing his forehead against Frederick’s the man could feel scales against his skin yet it didn't matter much compared the next words said by the professor.
‘ I think I'm in love with you too. ‘
That was the day he trusted Luchino with his heart.
Yes, there were bumps in the road but now they were fine… they were happy.
Mary knew there was no getting to him so she ushered him to his feet there was no amount way she would let her dearest Frederick feel so much self-degradation handing him his cane and leading him towards the door stopping just a few steps beforehand to put the music box back and return to him dusting down his coat and straightening it out.
“Let's not fret too much about it now alright? We have tea with Alice and Melly to attend to. I don't wish to be late to greet them. “
All she got was a nod that was fine Frederick wasn't much of a talker, especially with those two and Opheus they seemed to have history. After leaving the room the two walked side by side down the hallway muffled laughter and cheers could be heard in the distance it seemed as if the barmaid and the cowboy were finding themselves having a good time together.
And finally, there they were, the two women sat together at the dining table chatting away all it took was a single cough from the hunter to alert them that they had indeed arrived. Time passed, conversations dragged from one topic to the next, pieces of small finger foods appeared and disappeared and so did the drinks. He remained silent for the majority of it only adding his input where he deemed necessary.
“ What is wrong with Mr Kreiburg tonight? His mood seemed to be fouler than usual “
Melly spoke up about Frederick only for a light tap on the arm by Alice to disrupt her, chiding her on how it was rude before sharing her own concerns for the composer.
“ Our dear Frederick seems to be in his head is all nothing more nothing less. “
Mary had covered for him thank whatever deity was out there for her assistance but was that all there was? Thoughts of the proposal still plagued his mind yet she claimed there was nothing more nothing less-
he could feel himself spiralling once more.
Soon enough a knock could be heard against the door to the dining room and his beloved appeared; he seemed to be more presentable wasn't he hoarding himself up within his office for a few days?
“ Luchino? “
Frederick stood not caring for the people he was leaving behind yet the manners he grew up with held him back for a moment causing him to turn around and slightly bow apologising for his sudden disappearance and leaving the room forgetting his cane beside the other Kreiburg.
They stood just outside the dining room. He could still hear the inaudible confusion of the women he left behind; he was confused as to why Luchino was even here; he was sure the other said he would be away for some time except matches to focus on something that was important to him. Has he finally finished? Perhaps..
Before he could even open his mouth to speak Luchino took his gloved hands within his own and began to speak.
“ Frederick Kreiburg. You have been a mystery alongside this manor that I have been trying to deduce all your minor habits, your compositions, your past, your present and possibly if you'll allow me your future.. I wish to see it all. I wish to know what you hide and what you keep secret from everyone else. I wish to be the one that lies within your heart if you would allow that of me. ”
Luchino was nervous his hands felt like they were shaking yet he carried on his throat felt like it was going to close up but he carried on his eyes glued to Frederick’s he NEEDED the other to hear this before he made his announcement.
“ I wish to wake up in the morning by your side. I wish to fall asleep next to you. I wish to be the one who cares for you when you aren't yourself. I wish to be the one you spend your last days with… There are so many firsts I have missed out on with you, others have taken that spot that I am sure of but if you will do be the honour I would want to carry on making our firsts come to life.. I want our first date as a married couple, I want our first kiss as husband and husband, I want to have our life after this full of new firsts for the two of us..so if you will allow me to ”
The professor went down onto his knees, a hand reaching into his pocket to pull out a velvet box where he managed to get this from he was unsure it didn't look like something Luchino would own yet here it was being opened and shown to him.
“ If you will have me Frederick Kreiburg… Will you allow me to marry you? I be yours and you be mine for as long as you will have me “
No words were said afterwards as an indescribable feeling festered inside Frederick, his whole body rocking as sobs escaped him. Tears welling up in his eyes he wasn't one to show much passion or emotion yet he couldn't stop himself from falling into Luchinos arms begging and pleading nails gripping onto clothing trying to hold him close afraid that this was only a mere dream and once he woke up Luchino and the life promised to him would be gone.
Luchino fretted over the other trying and failing to pry him off worried that he had done something to wound the man in his arms but it seemed as though Frederick’s grip on him would not loosen he was stuck against the floor cradling the man close whispering comforts and hushing his sorrows.
It took some time for him to calm down sniffles and hiccups only arising from the composer, his eyes brimmed red tear stains all down his cheeks; he knew he looked a mess but he didn't care when Luchino had been the one to propose. Frederick had attempted to talk to explain himself only for his words to fail him he felt frustrated; he wanted nothing more than to tell him how much he loved the man before him.
All he managed to do was retrieve with a shaky hand the ring he intended to give to Luchino when he proposed and that's when it finally began to click into place Luchinos body shook with laughter as he pulled Frederick in closer kissing his face all from his forehead, to both his cheeks, nose then finally his lips when he was finished getting his fill on adoring his beloved he let himself relax letting himself settle against the crook of Frederick’s neck inhaling deeply satisfied that he knew even without words what the answer would be to his question.
Frederick’s arms closed around him muttering small “ I do ”s they both seemed to be a mess there settled against the ground of the main lobby yet held no care in the world as they were finally engaged, finally starting a new chapter of their lives.
Beyond the dining room door, Mary wiped her own tears, happy that the young one found his happiness and found the one that would cherish him. She threw a glance towards the girls who gave her a small nod hand in hand. They too were happy for him even with prior disagreements.
“ I Love You Luchino Diruse “
“ As Do I Frederick Kreiburg “
The ring from the velvet box slid perfectly onto ungloved fingers that seemed right at place with the mismatched patches of skin that used to be hidden only to be seen when cherished by the man before him.
“ Forever ? “
A family heirloom placed carefully against a new member of the Kreiburg name one that he knows would be the best out of all of them a man whose last name was not originally his but Diruse yet seemed to slot in perfectly in the comfortable life he's managed to salvage here within the manor.
“ And always “