Happy Lantern Rite
Ship: Xiao x April | Word Count: 1571 | Warnings/Tags: food mention, sappy proposal time :3
A/N: happy valentine's day everyone~ here's the proposal fic i promised :D (and yes, that means it's official - though i could have posted the fic around Saturday or so - wanted to keep it for today :3) anyways! i hope you enjoy it!!
Liyue Harbor always feels so cozy this time of year, the warm glow of the lanterns creating an atmosphere she's never found anywhere else. Out of all the festivals and celebrations she's been apart of, April has to say that the Lantern Rite is one of her favorites if not her number one.
This Lantern Rite finds her walking through the streets as usual, admiring all the different stalls set up for the occasion, but there's a key difference. This year she has her partner by her side. Usually, Xiao prefers to keep a distance during the festivities or he'll continue his usual duties to Liyue, keeping its people safe from monsters.
She doesn't know what convinced him to say yes when she asked him to accompany her this year, but she's certainly not complaining. It's likely a testament to how long they've been together. After all, he's started going on walks through the city with her on occasion.
As cheesy as it sounds, she's enjoying the atmosphere even more with him by her side. Occasionally, she'll catch him looking at her with the softest look in his eyes - the same one that always appears when she's particularly happy or excited. At this point, he doesn't even try to hide it or shy away like he would have before. Both of them know how much he admires her, and it makes her heart flutter every time she catches it.
The time passes slowly as they visit the various food and activity stalls, every moment counting down to the usual firework display and the releasing of the lanterns. Xiao starts getting a little antsy as the time draws nearer, wanting to have plenty of time to carry out what he has planned.
He gently pulls April closer and leans in to whisper in her ear, "It's almost time to find somewhere to watch the fireworks. So, if you want any snacks or anything, get that now."
April tilts her head a little, but she doesn't question it based on the serious look in his eyes. It's a little early yet, but she also understands that the crowds might be getting to be too much for him. "Okay!" She pecks his cheek softly before going to a nearby stand to order something they can both snack on.
His eyes stay on her through the whole process, tense and ready to step in should he need to. His tension eases once she heads back over to him, and he wraps an arm around her once she's close.
Usually, he wouldn't be quite so affectionate in public, but it's a little easier to teleport both of them if he has a good hold on her. "You ready?" He asks, and he teleports away once she nods.
They appear on one of the lower areas on Mount Tianheng, one of the flatter areas with a good view of the city below them. As impressive as the view already is, April gets a little rush of excitement about how it's going to look when the fireworks go off.
Xiao clears his throat lightly, bringing her attention back to him. That serious look is still in his eyes, tinged with a little nervousness that wouldn't be obvious to anyone else. He doesn't speak yet, he doesn't have to, as April easily understands to sit down when he nods toward the ground.
Once both of them are seated, Xiao huffs softly, trying to dispel some of his nerves. He thought some about how he'd do this before, but he's never been one for a big speech, which makes this a little difficult.
"April, I have something important to ask you," He says, taking one of her hands in his and staring down at their intertwined fingers. It's not that he doesn't want to look at her, but it's a little easier to say this when he doesn't see every minute change of her expression. "Of course, you're allowed to say no, but I couldn't let another Lantern Rite go by without asking you."
April sits there quietly, a soft expression on her face that exudes fondness. Her heartrate picks up with anticipation, having the slightest idea of what he's about to ask, given that this feels exactly like how he would ask that question. No other eyes around, but still surrounded by Liyue's beauty…
"I love you more than I ever expected to love anyone. Just knowing you has made my days brighter, and I don't want to lose that - I want to have that forever if you'll let me…" As he speaks, Xiao reaches down into a pouch at his hip, one that he'd been using to store the little souvenirs April's collected due to the festival games and merchant stalls. He pulls out a small bag and deftly opens it while his eyes return to hers, his eyes once again holding that incredibly soft look.
"April… will you marry me?" He asks, pulling a ring out of the bag. April's eyes widen at the pretty silver and blue ring, made out of an exquisite piece of noctilucous jade cut into a shape resembling a glaze lily.
"Yes," She says simply, her eyes sparkling at him sweetly. It's enough to make him smile, especially as he sees her eyes watering, the prettiest grin spreading across her face.
Xiao chuckles softly and takes her hand, gently sliding the ring into place where it's meant to belong. "It's so pretty…" April murmurs, holding her hand close to her face to look at the way the gems sparkle in the faint lights given by the city below.
"Keep it on whenever you go out," Xiao murmurs, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her nearly into his lap. When she looks at him with a cute curious expression, he flusters and looks away. "It's been blessed by the adepti, so it'll keep you safe," He explains, a little shyly.
April wonders silently if he was the one to bless the amulet or if it was one of the other adepti, but she giggles regardless. "Thank you, Xiao. Actually, I have something for you too," She says, her grin widening as she digs around in one of her pouches.
"You-- what? You didn't have to…" Xiao mutters, blinking a little as she pulls out something on a necklace chain. He holds his hand out and watches as she sets it in his palm, the metal feeling slightly warm from being in her bag all this time.
A soft gasp leaves his throat as he realizes that it's a ring strung on the necklace, and her eyes sparkle with mischief this time when his hurriedly meet hers. "Seems you're not the only one who had plans of proposing," She says playfully, before letting out a faux sigh. "Though… I wrote you a song and everything… but you beat me to it."
She giggles at the almost-pout that settles on his face. "Oh, don't worry, I'll play it for you when we return to the inn tonight. But what do you think? This way you can wear it around your neck and not have to worry about fitting your gloves over it. Also, the chain's fairly strong so it won't just break even if you wear it during combat."
Xiao peers at the ring, also made of silver but cor lapis instead for the jewel - a shade that perfectly matches his eye color. The gem is styled to resemble the sun, and it's enough to bring tears to his eyes despite him not usually being one to cry.
"It's perfect…" He mutters softly, huffing when she throws her arms around him. "Sunlight, when will you get that you don't have to get me things to remind me of you? You're always on my mind…" His words are muffled against her shoulder, but they make her giggle nonetheless.
"I know! But it seemed perfect! Especially when I found that gem on one of my adventures! I knew exactly what it should be used for."
"Put it on me?" He asks quietly, letting the necklace drop back into her hand. April opens the clasp and Xiao leans forward to let her put it around his neck, staying still until it's been clasped into place.
The ring falls perfectly over his heart, a fact that makes both of them smile. One of her hands find his and she squeezes softly, the faint sounds of the city growing louder as the fireworks show draws nearer.
"Oh! I love you too," April says after a moment of silence. Xiao makes an inquisitive 'hm' sound and she giggles softly. "You know, you said it in your proposal and I never said it back."
Xiao chuckles and draws her nearer. "Silly girl, focus on the city. The fireworks are about to start soon." He can hear the clamor of voices even more clearly than she can down to the way the people's excitement is growing.
"Happy Lantern Rite, Xiao," She says and he hums, setting his chin on her shoulder, his eyes on her instead of on the lanterns which are beginning to float up into the sky.
"Happy Lantern Rite, qingxin…" He murmurs.
The two of them stay curled up together, watching the lanterns float higher into the sky, and when the fireworks start, they enjoy that show too, happy to be with the one they love.
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Falling Snow
Ship: Astarion x April | Word Count: 643 | Warnings/Tags: sappy times :3
A/N: I love that the first thing I'm posting about him is something so sappy & soft. He deserves it~ Anyway, here's a cute little snow day thing. I hope you enjoy it! <3
"It's snowing!" The gleeful shout snags Astarion's attention, and he turns to look at her with a fond, mostly amused expression.
"It is winter, darling," He answers dryly, though he finds it cute how easily excitable she is over these things. He hasn't been too fond of the cooler months for the past who knows how many decades. It's hardly the most enjoyable weather to be out in especially when trying to lure people back for Cazador…
"I know," April says, a cute little grin on her face and an almost mischievous look in her eye. "But it's exciting, isn't it?"
"I suppose…" He answers, raising an eyebrow at her. "What are you planning, my dear?"
"Nothing!" Her voice is too playful for him to believe her, and when has she been good at deception anyway?
"Right," He says flatly, still looking at her in that fond and amused way. "I know you, sweetheart. You want to go out in it, hmm?"
Her sheepish expression makes him want to kiss her even more, and he chuckles when the only response he gets is a quiet 'maybe…'. He sighs in this dramatic, put-out way that makes her giggle softly. "Fine. If that's what my beloved wants… go get dressed for it, you silly thing."
April giggles more and hastily pecks his cheek on the way by as she goes to the bedroom to get ready for their outing. Astarion just chuckles and shakes his head a little, sticking a bookmark in his book so he can go join her.
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Twenty minutes later finds them in a small field not too far from their house. The ground is covered in a thin layer of snow, undisturbed of any footprints aside from their own. Seeing it like this, with the snow lightly sparkling under the moonlight, he can see why she'd find beauty in it.
April pauses and tilts her head up, the snow settling in her hair and eyelashes, looking so peaceful that his heart aches a little. "Alright, my little snow angel…" He murmurs, admiring how her pale skin looks in the snow's artificial light. "What's your plan now?"
Her eyes open to meet his, and whatever response she had dies on the tip of her tongue. His hair camouflages the snow much better than hers, but that doesn't stop her from noticing how lovely he looks under the moonlight - a fact she's always held true since she's known him. "Um…"
Astarion chuckles softly. "Surely, there's something in that pretty head of yours?" As he speaks, he tugs her closer, one of his hands coming up so he can trail his fingertips down the side of her face.
She shivers at the touch, and only one thought comes to mind. How could she think anything else when he's looking at her so softly? "…Kiss me, please…"
His eyes soften and he gently cups her cheek to lift her face toward his. Then he leans down and presses his lips against hers, a soft little kiss that has warmth spreading through both (though it's more like he's stealing her warmth).
"Now… you wanted a dance, didn't you?" He asks quietly, chuckling when she looks at him with surprise. "I know you, you little romantic. A dance under the falling snow sounds exactly like your thing, darling."
"I… yes, please," She says softly, and he lets out a soft hum.
"On one condition, my sweet."
"Yes?"
"Once we're done here, we light a fire in the fireplace, and I get to hold you in my arms for as long as I want."
April laughs softly, reaching up to lightly flick one of his ears. "You are just like a cat, you know. But still… I think that can be arranged."
"Perfect," Astarion purrs softly, tugging her even closer to his body. "Then let's dance."
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