Cody had gone to such lengths to make sure the date was perfect that he hadn't realized what day it was in the first place. Sure he'd missed Valentine's Day by a week or so, but that didn't stop him. No, by far that gave him extra incentive to make sure this date would make up for that fact and everything else he'd done. Leaving a little note with a Hershey's Kiss next to it on the apartment table, the greed spawn made sure to leave another note with directions somewhere Edes would find it.
Of course, the little trail of rose petals to it had been a major plus as well. Not to mention placing a really soft puppy pillow pet at the end with said note tied around its neck would certainly do the trick ultimately. With the plan enacted, he just had to make sure he had skates rented and the outdoor skating rink was indeed open. And that the park they'd go to after was still decorated with the beautiful lights they had put up for the holidays. It wouldn't be a date if the rink was closed and the park back to it's boring old self.
Thankfully both were still open and beautifully decorated so everything was cool. He just needed to wait till later and hopefully not forget anything. With a sigh, Cody settled onto a bench, checking for what must have been the hundredth time that the object was still in his pocket. "Gah, tonight's got to be great or else," he muttered, checking his watch.
The First Note
Dear Edes, my one and only Love;
Tonight is a night you will never forget, a night of magic and awe. Take this sweet kiss in replacement of the one I would give you if I were there. I promise you a thousand fold later if you so desire. I love you, never forget it, and would travel to the ends of the earth or wait an eternity for you.
Find my second note, you will find our date and a special treat waiting for you.
Love,
Cody
The Second Note
Dear Love,
Dress warm for ice skating at 3. Don't be late~<3
Love,
Cody
Dress warm for ice skating at 3. Don't be late~<3
Love,
Cody
~
Work, to be honest, was beginning to become more an more stressful, especially with the return of his beloved boy. He woke up early in the morning, which felt like all hell, due to his inability to even wake up at noon, and moved out of bed, rolling out so that he would not disturb his lover who slept beside him at night. Then the normal routine of getting ready, though it seemed almost automatic, for by the time he was at the breakfast table, He couldn't remember at all what he had done! Sometimes Cody would be there, sometimes he would not, but he always made sure his love's breakfast was ready before he left for work..
He was running out of steam, and fast... More and more, he wanted to just curl up and sleep the day away, but... That was more than Impossible due to the extent by which he was depended on.. He loved every moment, but he needed a break..
A breath of relief escaped him as he returned to his apartment on a Sunny Friday afternoon, bundled up tighter than a Caterpillar, with his nose a pretty cherry color from the cold.
"Cody!! I'm Home!!" He called out, slowly peeling away layer after layer of clothing, before settling down in a slim pair of jeans and a overly large sweater. It was a green color, one that matched his lover's eyes.. When he received no response, he looked around, to find a lone petal in the doorway to the living room.
"What the...?" With his ears perking up with curiosity, he followed the trail. It changed to one petal, to two.. to seven, to a countless number of sweetly scented petals, covering his small coffee table, and ending surrounding a rather plus puppy pillow.
"Cody...." His words were a sigh, but not a saddened one, no, it was one of the rather love-struck kind. The note beside him was the first thing that met his fingertips, a sweet note with a chocolate kiss beside it. The words, so sweet, caused his cheeks to blush, and with much happiness, he placed the kiss into his mouth, savoring it's sweetness, though in no way did it even compare to the real thing. He placed the first note where it once was.
As he picked up the toy, a note came loose from around it's neck. It was soft and plushy in his fingers...
"Hehe... Looks like we'll have someone different in our bed, hmm?" He murmured softly to the toy, giving it a kiss on it's black nose before picking up the next note, reading that one as well. "W-what...?"
His gaze turned to the clock again... it was 2:45 pm.
"Crap!!!" He dropped the puppy pillow back onto the table, making sure it was alright, before replacing the layer's he had just taken off, grabbing his skates, and dashing to the park.
"Crap crap crap!" He chanted the entire way, his chest moving a mile a minute, trying to get to the park on time! Soon enough, his eyes rested on the one he held dear, and a smile crept onto his lips. Unable to stop himself, he crashed into Cody, not enough to knock him down, but enough that made him dizzy.
"I... hope... I made... It... On time..." He wheezed, beaming up at his lover.
~
Cody stumbled back a bit, laughing at how rushed Edes looked. "You did, no worries," he replied, enveloping him in a soft hug. Hell, if the spawn had been almost an HOUR late it would still be on time for him. He'd wait no matter what, so long as the one he was waiting for showed up. Time and time again, he did so who was he to complain about waiting a few extra minutes out in the cold?
"I assume you found my gift?" he asked, brushing away loose strands of hair from the boy's face. It seemed so long ago that they had fallen asleep in that library, becoming fast friends after that and then some as time aged on. "Picked it out a while ago, actually. Figured you would enjoy it if I'm ever not there," Cody continued, a soft smile appearing on his lips for a moment.
"I suppose we should head off to go do what we had originally intended to do, yes? The pond near here is set up for skating." Moving a little so Edes could see, he pointed to where several people were already skating around on the smooth, icy surface of the frozen pond. The one who owned it was pretty good at keeping the water frozen and smooth, using a very small smell on the pond for a few months each year. It was nice when indoor skating rinks were too much of a hassle, provided one had their own skates.
~
One of the things Edes loved most about Cody was his fingertips.. They way they gently touched his cheeks, stroking his sides, holding him close, keeping him warm and safe... It was a bit indescribable, but it always sent his cheeks blazing. As they were now, they were dusted such a sweet shade of pink, rivaling that of Cody's hair.
He turned just a bit, to kiss those very ones that brushed away the strands from cheeks. Then leaned into the embrace.
"It's adorable.. Thank you, sweetie.. I really do love it. It's soft and cuddly like you~ " His words were soft, hiding behind a giggle. As the other pointed to the frozen pond just beyond the trees before them... It was small, and quaint, and very secluded.. If it wasn't for the fact that this was CODY, he would have panicked, thinking there was something devious about this. .... Well.. Maybe there was, but he trusted the boy who always came for him.
"I'll beat you there~" Edes sang out to the other, hurrying over to the edge of the ice, and slipping on his skates, before standing and skating away, blowing a kiss in Cody's direction. "Bet you can't catch me, darling~"
~
Cody smiled at the soft kiss, running a hand through those curly brown locks that he loved. Always soft and perfect, just like Edes. “You’re welcome, and really now, I’m sure I’m the cuddlier of the two,” he replied teasingly, poking the boy’s nose softly. “Because I don’t want to be beaten by a stuffed animal at such a thing,” he laughed, finding the thought too amusing. Edes preferring a toy over him, psh. Yeah, right.
Laughing at the challenge of a race, he ran after Edes while making sure he won. What point was there in winning anyways? Racing to the edge and pulling the skates on, Cody ended up skating rather clumsily onto the ice moments after Edes had. “Why should we bet on that when we both know I can’t,” he called out, chuckling softly. Damn, he’d forgotten how terrible he was at skating and anything else relying on balance.
Oh well. If Edes had fun who was he to care how terrible he was? Skating after said boy, concentrating hard on not falling or running into someone else, Cody slowly started to catch up. Maybe he’d survive the day without crashing into the icy surface after all...
~
Their time apart had made the Kindness/Sloth spawn realize the little things that Cody had that made him love the other so.. The way he laughed, with his eyes lighting up like a million fireflies simply set his heart ablaze in the most fantastic of ways. And his laugh... Oh his sweet boy's laugh... As strong as thunder, but as sweet as the chocolate that had graced his lips mere minutes before.
But then again... There were the times where he did not look near as strong as he seemed, turning around on the ice, skating backwards for a few moments, he watched Cody struggle onto it, wobbling and tipping like a teeter-totter, but smiling all the same, trying his best to catch up with him.
"Yeah, I know, but it's fun playing together, reminds me of when we were young~" He began to skate towards the other, getting close enough to circle around him a few times, before pulling in close to him, gripping both of his hands with his own, not only providing support, but giving him some warmth as well.
"You know... You've always held my hand for me when we were just little ones... How about I do the same for you today?"
~
Cody smiled as Edes finally came to the rescue, holding his hands gently as they skated. “That sounds great, love,” he replied, slowly trying to skate more on his own and relying on his lover’s help less and less. Balance issues, they were never the easiest to get over, but at least he had Edes there for support all the way.
“Yeah, it was fun back then when we were so little. Seems like forever since that day in the library, huh?” he asked, flashing the boy another smile. He could do this! He had wings and the ability to steady himself using wind magic! So why in the world did it feel like he was about to topple over every other moment?
“And it almost feels like it was yesterday too, strange huh?” Looking up from his feet, his eyes locked onto those soft pink ones that belonged to Edes. Even if he wouldn’t admit to it, Cody still felt they were the prettiest he had ever seen. Especially when the sun caught them, making them glitter and sparkle like pink diamonds. And they were his pink gems to forever stare at and keep for himself.
~
With their hands laced together, he led the other around the pond in little circles, allowing the boy to gain a better footing on the ice.
"Forever ago, yet so much is the same.. I still adore it when you wrap your wings around me, creating a little cove that's nothing but us. You make me feel so safe." As their eyes met, he turned away, an instance of shyness gathering up in his chest, making it's way to his cheeks. Just the idea that something as strong as Cody was.. As handsome, as sweet, as determined as his darling was, could love someone rather plain like him sent him spiraling into a pool of happy Edes' goo.
"The thing about skating, my dear, is that it's not just your feet. It's your arms, your legs, your hips, your heart.. All plays a part in whether you're going to fall or not." He took his hands away from the other, skating away just a bit faster, but facing Cody all the same.
It wasn't the best decision he ever made, because instead of turning, he tripped over the raised edge, and was sent tumbling backwards, landing in a rather deep snowbank beside the rink.
~
“I love it when you cuddle with me and fall asleep. It’s so peaceful and calming, just being together and alone,” Cody replied, also loving doing such a thing to him. Just being with Edes was the best thing ever in his mind with no moment too dull or boring or something not to be cherished. From the little things like the way Edes blushed and shied away to bigger things such as skating together on a frozen pond, each moment was special and amazing.
As Edes let go, Cody magically managed to stay upright without flailing and stumbling. Yet, once Edes tripped over the bank and fell into the snow on the other side the greed spawn unfortunately followed suit. It wasn’t like he really knew how to stop, nor had he seen the edge till it was far too late. Tumbling down and landing next to Edes, he couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“Wow that was fun. You alright Edes?” he called out, flapping his wings to get the snow off of them before it could melt and refreeze to them. An incredibly unpleasant way to get frostbite, that was for sure.
~
When he had fallen, he had landed back first, so that most of his wings took the fall, and now they were covered in snow, changing from gray color, to one of a near startling white. He rather liked the change, personally, white was simply more stunning then mere gray.
"Gah!!" He shouted as the other came falling after him, but managed to land beside him, rather than on him. And with that, Edes broke into a soft, laughter. He never could laugh loudly, always laughing in a way that was quiet, but just as intense, the same sort of laughter that ended up with your hands on your stomach, and you found it hard to breath. Amid his laughter, he stood up, helping to pull his darling out of the snow.
"I-I'm fine!! That was hilarious!" his voice rang out, lathered in laughter, and he gave is wings a strong flap, ridding them of snow. But now... He was getting cold. Landing in snow is never good for warmth...
"How about we go get hot cocoa?" He suggested, moving to press himself up against the other in an innocent manner, only seeking out the warmth that the other gave.
~
Cody couldn’t help but laugh as well at the whole thing. Edes’ laughter was contagious, especially when they were a part of the whole thing. No matter what it was, he couldn’t help but laugh along with his lover whenever he felt something was horribly amusing.
Taking Edes’ offered hand, Cody managed to stand and shake off the rest of the snow that had accumulated on his form during the fall. Moments after clearing the powdery white substance, he was latched onto by something else. This time, something alive and very cold apparently. “Sure. There’s a little stand on the main pathway not too far,” he replied, placing a soft kiss on his lover’s forehead.
Wrapping his wing around the boy, he led them up to where they could change shoes. It may have felt like they were only on the ice for a few minutes, but they had been actually skating around for well over an hour. By now a good chunk of the skaters had left and premature darkness was beginning to settle upon them. Thankfully the park’s pathways were well lit with Christmas lights and old-fashioned lamps.
~
"Wonderful!" He clapped his mittened hands, wading out of the snow bank back to being protected by wings of a different sort. In a way, he was slightly jealous of the wings that Cody had. They didn't get wet in the same way his own did, and they were so sleek....
As he reached the top, he plopped down back into the snow, changing from his iceskates to his normal boots, a pair that Cody had helped him pick out not too long ago.
"I love these boots. They are so soft and warm, like being hugged over and over again." He murmured to himself, beaming at his lover, and standing back up, letting his skates hang over his shoulder.
He took off one of his mittens, and instead, laced his fingertips with the other's, blushing. He honestly hated his hands being seen. They were pretty hands, nicely clawed, and not too thin, nor too thick, but.. Something about them just made him afraid to show them to anyone. He longed for Cody's warmth, and he didn't care about that right now, especially how his hand fit the Greed/Patience spawn's perfectly.
Humming, and swinging their hands back and forth like a 5 year old, he made their way over to the stand, buying them both cocoa. Before Cody could do anything, he had paid for it, handing the other his cup.
"My treat, love."
~
As Edes plopped down in the snow, Cody remained standing and managing to change out his skates for his boots without toppling over somehow. “I’m glad you like them,” he murmured, chuckling softly at the boy’s description of what it felt like to wear them. At least he was good at something shopping-wise that didn’t involve the value of something and comparing it to another. Shoes, boots, all went by comfort and only occasionally on how well they were made.
Of which he had the most trouble figuring out values OF. Gems were easy, clothing and the like were horrible to tell apart as they varied only slightly most of the time. Taking Edes hand, he allowed the boy to swing them back and forth without much of a care. It was cute and amusing how happy his lover was and how he acted like a child at times. In a good way of course.
“Fine, thought I was the one that was supposed to treat you,” Cody teased, taking the cup without much in the way of arguing. If Edes wanted to pay, then so be it. “Come, there’s something I wanted to show you,” he added, heart pounding softly in his chest just thinking about what he was going to do in such a short amount of time. He didn’t even WANT to think about what would happen if things went badly.
Linking back their free hands, the taller spawn led the way down the winding path that showed off the beauty of the park the best. Not many traveled the path, which was a shame in his opinion. Drinking the hot cocoa slowly, green-blue eyes occasionally glanced over at the spawn huddled under his outstretched wing. With every glance, a soft smile graced his lips. Soon, the spawn would be his forever and the world would know it.
~
"Of course I'm going to treat you! I'm the man in this relationship after all!" Just the simple thought of that made him laugh pretty hard, and he was forced to be careful, as to not drop any of the cocoa on himself. As if he could ever... You know... Um... Be the man. He loved being made to feel small under Cody, and he loved to be showered with affection... To be honest.... There was something inside him that wanted to be claimed as the other's forever. No. What was he thinking, the other spawn had claimed him long, long ago, there was no doubt about that.
From the time they had been in the prison together, to their first date at the beach, to now, while they walked down the wintry path, hand in hand, in a peaceful, gentle silence, there was not a single moment where Edes could remember not ever being without Cody. With a small smile, he finished the last bit of cocoa he had, tossing it in the trash can nearby, never once leaving Cody's Side.
Well, sure, there were those times where it seemed like they were so far apart.. But even then... His now free hand reached up, touching the necklace that the other gave him so long ago... He never took it off, except for when he showered.. It reminded him of everything they've been through, of all the love they shared between each other.. If anything, he never wanted this happiness to end..
~
“Oh really?” Cody laughed, knowing full well Edes was joking. But he didn’t mind it at all, being the man of their relationship and whatnot. It was tons more fun knowing all of his lover’s little desires and making as many of them come true in some way, shape, or form. Not to mention protecting him from the dangers of the outside world that had come close to snuffing out what they had time and time again.
Sipping down the last of his cocoa, he tossed the cup away and gently steered Edes down the path that led to the fountain that rested in the center of the park. Due to the cold weather it happened to be turned off with a magnificent display of ice where the jets usually were. He supposed there was some benefits to magic if it could create things like this.
“Edes... I know I’ve been a jerk and a pain at times, sometimes bordering on insane,” Cody paused as they came to the edge of the path and the beginning of the walkway around the fountain. “And that despite it all, you’ve been there for me, through all the crap I made you put up with and then some. To make up for that, and anything else just as stupid I may do and to make sure I can never leave your side again I have one thing to ask...” he trailed off, heart pounding. What was he doing?! This was crazy; of COURSE Edes was going to say no after that terrible speech. Pulling the boy to a stop next to the frozen fountain, he slipped a small black box from his pocket and dropped himself down to one knee, revealing the ring as he spoke his next few words.
“Will you marry me?”
~
"Yeah Really! It's my job, my duty, and it's what I want. To protect you, that is." It was all true. But he supposed the protection he had to offer was much, much different than that of the protection that Cody offered him. He himself was not physically strong, nor was he quickest. Hell, he was the slowest person he knew! The only reasons he could even relatively protect himself was because when he panicked, faced with danger, he near blacked out, and did only that which could enable him to run away. That's beside the point. The protection he offered was one that had him hold Cody tightly at night, that allowed him to hold his hand, to prove that he accepted the other boy no matter what happened. At least, that's how he himself thought of it anyway.
The more they walked, the more unfamiliar the place became. The path became narrower, and the trees began to cross overhead, creating an almost tunnel effect. Breathtaking. At the end of the pathway, a fountain rested, strong and powerful, it's jets turned off to create the most stunning of displays, Almost as if time stopped in the little world around them.
And it very well did... The boy who was so powerful, so strong and unbeatable in his eyes, nervous and rambling, dropped to one knee, pulling out something he had only thought existed in fairy tales.
"....." He tried to move his mouth, simply paused by the display, and the words just wouldn't come out, even though he knew the answer. There was just one answer that could have even be considered!
"Yes, Cody... I'll marry you... A-and you will be mine forever, as I will be yours." Tears were brimming in his eyes as he allowed Cody to slip the ring on to his finger, and his arms reached up to pull down Cody for a gentle, sweet, and filled with love kiss. Here, in this hidden area, only two beings existed at that time, and both could not live without the other. Such is how life, love, should be.
For the longest time, he did not believe there were such things as 'happy endings' in this world, especially for himself, with all the pain and suffering he and his loved one's went through. But now he realized... Yes, fairy tales are just that, fairy tales, but it was entirely possible to create something of the sorts for yourself. He had found that proof in Cody. His love, his best friend, his protector, and now, more recently, his fiancée.
~
Cody held his breath, waiting for Edes to answer him. The suspense nearly killed him as his heart thudded painfully in his chest. The possibility of him saying no was painfully obvious, especially after such a horribly lame speech beforehand. He was such an idiot, why did he have to say any of that anyhow?
Yet, as soon as he said yes, all his nerves vanished and were replaced by absolute sheer joy. Nothing in the whole world at that very moment could have made him any happier. Sure they had yet to make it official, but his lover, no, his fiancée was his and his alone from now till the day time stopped and the universe collapsed in upon itself.
Slipping the ring onto Edes’ finger, Cody let himself be pulled close for a kiss. Nothing mattered anymore, for they could get through anything. Now and forever, they’d tackle any problem together. No more being alone or weathering storms apart. “I love you Edes, so much,” he murmured, returning the loving kiss. Things certainly couldn’t have gone any better. “Mm, and I’ve been meaning to tell you that I got a job. It’s a minor job at the jewelry store in the mall and I have roughly the same hours as you. We won’t be so strapped for money anymore too,” he added, feeling it was probably necessary to say such a thing now that they were engaged.
~
"I love you too, my darling..." His words were murmured as he pressed his cheek to the other's chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart... He must have been so nervous, so terrified... But... It was all over, and his heart was slowing down back to normal. It was soothing, to say the least.
"That's wonderful news~" Edes looked up at Cody from his spot against the other's chest, beaming at him. "Financial stability, a wonderful home... A handsome, charming, strong Husband to be... I feel like I have everything in the world... Thank you Cody."
~
Cody nodded, relieved that everything seemed to be going well. He had been so scared and worried there for a while... Gently running a hand through Edes’ soft brown curls, his eyes looked down to meet the ones looking so happily up at him. “No problem, love. That’s my job,” he murmured, kissing Edes’ forehead lightly.
“We should probably head home, it’s getting late,” the spawn added, noticing how dark it was getting despite all the lights that were set up. Moving so that Edes was once again holding his hand and protected under a wing, the two set off for their home and taking to the slight winding paths through the park that led to it no longer simply lovers, but engaged to be wed. Such thoughts could wait, though, with no rush to plan such things. Everything was just perfect.
