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Aloysius was nervous today, as he always was when it came to the Star Fest and even more so with the change of tradition surrounding the merchant. Though with another trip to mirror space coming up with Liam, things were not as bad as they usually were when the unaligned oddities plague the city. It was something to look forward to, that little slice of their world where it was peaceful and quiet.

Liam had sent him a text to meet him somewhere near the edge of the city and he had worried over why they hadn’t just had him drive over there. They’d even forgone the earring which meant it wasn’t something powered, or at least he hoped it wasn’t because that would make him worry more. It was one of the few times that, as he made his way to the location, he reached absentmindedly for a pack of cigarettes in his vest pocket that he knew wasn’t there.

So he did the next best thing and just focused on the fact he could trust them, on the things they did to make him feel safe and comfortable. It helped in its own way to keep him from slipping into a panic, something that hadn’t really happened since the night after Liam had been attacked by that senshi. Exhaling, he slowly felt less stressed as he parked beneath the hill that seemed to be the location mentioned. It looked less like a park and more like a viewing area, maybe something was going on tonight. Were there fireworks? Something like that might make sense for Star Fest but he never really went out to see as he attempted to avoid most if not all the oddities when given the chance to.

Aloysius looked around for a moment before making his way up the hill, the sky looked clear so at least there wouldn’t be any rain. Something he hoped would continue through the week until after whatever Almadel needed help with was handled. He’d been considering helping the merchant originally but when Laurelite had sent a message out, it had changed things. But there were still a few days until then, time to figure things out which he needed since it had been a long while since he’d been on a mission this large of a scale.

Spotting a head of blonde hair and a picnic blanket, he sighed with a bit of relief. “You could have told me this was your plan darling.” Sure it wasn’t a picnic in their realm but it seemed the idea he’d brought up had stuck to his partner.

Sitting next to them on the blanket, he worked his shoes off and laid down as well. “So are there fireworks tonight? Or…?” He tried to think of the rumors and updates the city had on things that happened this time of year, always marred with a bit of extra information and scientific explanation to wipe away what might otherwise send people into a panic. Either way, it didn’t matter much as he laid there because this was nice and it was a quiet night for once.

It made sense and he could understand that, even if he’d worried at first. “True, especially with how long it has been since I have been pulled into something that is potentially this large scale.” Sitting back up, he looked at the basket and sifted through it to see what sort of snacks they had grabbed. Deciding on what looked like some sort of tea sandwich and a cannoli, he settled in to eat a bit while leaning his side against them.

“It really is a nice view up here and it looks like you stopped at that nice bakery. Thank you, it really does help.” It tasted good as always because everything was fresh and made and filled as they had ordered it. At the mention of stars, he looked up at the sky again and noticed a few little things here and there until it clicked in his head. “Oh, the meteor shower. This will be the first one I have seen fully, usually, I would be down in the Rift at night or working in my office.” Or home drinking, but he wasn’t going to bring that up because they knew that was over and done with.

Aloysius was about to speak up, to try and say something against what they were saying because it was a risk he wanted to avoid. Then he found himself speechless and staring down at the box and what it held, the food in his lap forgotten as he looked up and down between the ring and Liam. It was something he’d been planning, had been working on in his office when he got the time and chance to do things.

Reaching for it, part of him worried it might not be real even though he knew he was sober and had been for over a year. “Yes, of course, how could I not say yes?” Again it seemed like Liam was the one taking the steps for him when he would hesitate to avoid messing up. But with this, he didn’t mind as much though he still intended to finish what he was working on.

Laughing slightly as he scooted closer, he pulled them into a hug and rested his chin on their shoulder. “Does this make you a Sharp or me a Blackwood?” It could go either way, though he wanted to keep his own last name if possible but he didn’t mind.

“I love it, though I will say… I was working on a set for us.” Shifting a bit to kiss their cheek. “I guess mine can be the rings for the wedding if you would be alright with that?” Teasing just a bit as he held the velvet box in his hand after loosening his hold on them. It looked elegant while still remaining low enough profile so he was certain it wouldn’t get caught on anything while working or even while powered up because he would be wearing it at all times.

“Of course, though I would have to say you have been a Sharp for a while if you consider what Melody says.” He knew a bit about how she had his partner going out in his place to things and representing him and the interests of his family. It was something he was alright with because it was just the normal bit of annoyance with no physical harm coming to them. That and it meant they dressed up more often, much as they were like now and he greatly enjoyed seeing them dressed up.

“Put it on me?” Looking between the box in his hands and them for a moment, he couldn’t stop smiling. He might not go off showing it to others like he knew his sister would when she inevitably married into the Evans family but he was more than ready to wear it and talk about his partner when asked about it, at least during civilian things.

“I wanted to but… part of me was worried you may not accept and I kept getting hung up on trying to have the perfect plan for things.” Overthinking and worrying about things, getting lost in the details as he always did. Even now he was still trying to find the perfect stone or crystal for the other part of the rings he was making. He’d found a nice sample of the mineral he shared his powered name with but he wanted to find something from mirrospace that would fit well with it and they had only found one crystal so far so he had to be patient.

“Normally I might be put off by you scheming with her but… I think this turned out wonderfully. You had it made custom for me?” Letting the fact that so much thought had been put into this on their part sink in, he watched as they slipped it onto his finger. It felt comfortable, not too heavy and he admired the blue stone.

“I can do that, for you and maybe it might be time for me to make an appearance in society again occasionally.” He’d avoided it for a while, it was too much to manage on top of everything else but he had Liam now, and maybe… he had his sister again in a way.

Seeing something move in the corner of his eye, he looked up and saw things streaking across the sky. “Oh it looks like the shower is starting darling.” Smiling, he moved the case to the basket and turned to lean into them so they could both watch things as he nibbled on his food again while they had their arms around him. “Maybe… we could go enjoy some of the festival this year? See if there are any new things to eat out together?”

That confirmation, that they would never say no to him, it always made him feel better. He needed that, needed to know that they weren’t going to stab him in the back or leave because he really had gotten attached after all the help they gave him. All the attention and affection to fill the cracks in him from over the years. Trailing his fingers over their arm as he ate his sandwich and watched the sky, he felt better about things coming up. He hadn’t really been alone since they’d picked him up off that bench but now he felt even more sure of things.

“I think you chose blue because of my eyes, I can see that being the reason.” Taking a moment to look at them as he raised a brow. “Though you joke about that, I am fairly certain Mel told you about the time my favorite cologne sold out once people figured out which one I wore. It took months for me to get a replacement because of it all.” If she hadn’t, he was telling them that now.

Chuckling to himself as he got into the cannoli, he had a bit of nervous excitement in him over all this. “I like the sound of that, Liam Sharp and Aloysius Sharp.” He just had to make sure he kept them safe and he was certain he could do that. “You never cease to make me happy, sometimes in the most unexpected ways, it is quite amazing.” He laced his fingers with theirs and relaxed more against them, content and blissfully happy with this evening even if it had started with him very worried.

“True, I do like cooler tones.” It just worked out that way over time but he didn’t mind. He’d never really worn lighter colors and only had a few scarves and socks that were warm colors for fall.

“You really do like seeing all the people of high society and their little problems and issues. Bickering and faking so many niceties.” Sighing as he shook his head for a moment, he could see things playing out like they said but it would be annoying. “I feel as if many hearts would be broken, not that I really care. I never really had any interest in the people fawning over me during events or at recitals, it was superficial at best their interest in me.” A name and money along with a nice face but no depth to anything and he knew it wouldn’t have worked out well once any of them figured out his position as a General.

Reaching back with his free hand now that he was done with his dessert, he traced his fingers along their cheek. “I think all of them are odd colors, maybe this bit of unaligned magic is alright. Something peaceful and colorful to watch with you darling.” More and more streaks darted across the sky in a rainbow of colors, something that had to be magic of some sort but at least it was up in the sky and not causing trouble down here.

“We can figure out more details about things after the mission because tonight I have some things in mind we can do to celebrate.” Leaning his head back he gave them a devious look before pressing back into them more.