#i turned up the christmas carols but its louder despite being unsaid | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

caesurabywriting · 5 years

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💑 zayla

💑 / propose to or ask my muse to be their girl / boyfriend . ( specify which . )

Zosia could not determine how long they had been at the festive gathering, although judging by the few not-so-subtle glances of surprise and under-the-table exchanges of cash she’d caught sight of; there had been several bets hinging the two introverts being long gone by now. In fact, if it were purely up to Kayla and Zosia’s wishes they certainly would have retreated to the comfort of their own oasis of home. Alas, it was a petite-sized third party that had thus far been the primary dictator their collective sustained participation in the party. Cordelia.

Undoubtedly thrilled to follow hot on the heels of the handful of other children present; the young girl’s four-year old legs seemingly limitless in their energy expenditure as she skipped, jumped, and ran about the downstairs playroom. Zosia was in no rush to interrupt the fun company her daughter was so joyfully keeping.

However, inevitably, a reclusive moment of recharge of sorts was necessary.

Over the course of the party, Zosia had barely left her place flanking Kayla’s side. The variety of their host’s provided drinks, snacks, and food had been imbibed in similar quantities and timing. At the end of hour four, both women were synced in the mellow and languid wavelength they occupied. Bloodstreams and flushed cheeks warmed by the cups of mulled wine, spiced apple cider, and hot cocoa served throughout the evening; being in a room crowded full of people was quickly losing appeal, yet Zosia was unwilling to curfew Cordelia. Not quite yet, at least…

The distant buzz of overlapping conversations that mingled over the light clinking of dessert spoons on porcelain was all but a muffled soundtrack to Zosia and Kayla’s eventual silent agreement to take a solo venture away from the main living room’s busyness and wander towards the sunroom at the back of the house.

Surrounded by panes of alternating glass and screen, a modest array of patio couches and a coffee table had been set up to accommodate houseguests. The room was appealing not only for its pleasantly cool circulation of fresh air, but for the antique Steinway & Sons upright piano Zosia spotted; tucked away in the far corner.

Upon closer inspection, it was an instrument clearly weathered by many one too many seasons spent in the conditions of the sunroom — the mahogany panelling on the side closest to the outside noticeably and rougher than the rest; some of the key notes produced ( discovered after a gentle tapping of Zosia’s curious fingertips ) ringing slightly out of tune; and a few of the higher keys tending to stick a few seconds too long. Nonetheless, Zosia was content to take a seat on the bench poised beneath it. Kayla quietly followed in her footsteps, standing behind her to watch.

The piano’s music rack boasted limited select of Christmas carol music, which Zosia briefly entertained; experimentally playing the opening few bars to Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas before deviating to a tune not found on the sheet paper. A memorized composition, perhaps especially prepared for the occasion.

Kayla noticed the change in direction and concentrated with more intent, trying to place the upbeat and mellifluous melody.

Zosia’s fingers lithely flowed over the piano’s ivory and ebony keys. The unfamiliar apparatus suddenly a continuation of her limbs, emitting sound with ease, each swell romantic and smooth despite the periodically uncooperative keys at her disposal.

As Zosia completed another round of the same mesmerizing tune, Kayla at last had to ask: “What is that? Are there words?”

Nodding, Zosia returned to the beginning of the song, this time providing the accompaniment of lyrics. Her voice, barely louder than the piano’s music, of a velveteen and soothing timbre:

“Marry me a little, Love me just enough. Warm and sweet and easy, Just the simple stuff. Keep a tender distance, So we’ll both be free.That’s the way it ought to be.I’m ready…Marry me a little, Body, heart, and soul. Passionate as hell But always in control. Want me first and foremost, Keep me company. That’s the way it ought to be. I’m ready…”

Throughout, Zosia’s gaze stayed carefully pinned to the same place it had been since she had initially taken up playing –- averted to watch her hands in motion. She could viscerally feel Kayla’s nearby presence, smouldering just behind her. Part of her wondered what Kayla might look like in that very instant; if she were taking the song at entertaining face value, or paying closer attention to the details. Clearing her throat, Zosia almost missed her cue as she approached the final piece of the bridge:

“O-oh, how gently we’ll talk, Oh, how softly we’ll tread. All the stings,The ugly thingsWe’ll keep unsaid.We’ll build a cocoon Of love and respect. You promise whatever you like, I’ll never collect. Right? Okay, then. I’m ready. I’m ready now…”

Zosia’s foot shifts to press the damper pedal, prolonging the finally struck piano keys until their reverb faded the room back into silence. She kept her eyes closed until it had, straining her ears to try and pick up on the pattern of Kayla’s quiet breathing. Zosia’s own had recently fallen shallow, heart suddenly uncomfortably tight in her chest; too big for her body. Her stomach anxiously churned in protest. “Kayla, would–-” Again, she paused to clear her throat, willfully overcoming the newfound dry sensation of her mouth that made it a struggle to raise her volume above a fragmented whisper. “Would you ever consider it?”

“Zosia…” Kayla rasped, neither confirm or denying the suggestion. Evidently, it was a request that had taken her by surprise.

Still, despite the ambiguity of the response, Zosia found it inexplicably comforting. Even after several years of hearing it uttered in practically every possible rendition, Zosia would always find enjoyment simple solace in the sound of her name spoken so tenderly in Kayla’s voice.

“I—” Kayla swallowed thickly as Zosia turned in her seat towards her, attempting to measure the taller woman’s questioning expression. After a moment, Zosia wordlessly leaned upwards. Kayla automatically mirrored the move with a generous duck of her head, permitting Zosia the ability to bridge their distance with two light kisses pressed to each corner of Kayla’s still slightly parted mouth.

“I would, you know…” Zosia began in a murmur, voice pitched lower than before; tentative yet convicted. A muscle in her jaw worked, a repeated clenching and unclenching, both nervous and cautiously anticipant of the answer she may receive. Daring to keep her face brazenly upturned and emboldened by vulnerability, brown eyes actively searched green for any inkling of a similar desire as she reiterated her point again: “I would… like to.”

Kayla gingerly placed her hands upon Zosia’s shoulders, slowly easing them down across her upper back until they rest just below her shoulder blades.

“Yeah?” Uttered barely above a soft whisper, the comment is all but lost in the affectionate press of Kayla’s lips to the crown of Zosia’s head. “You and I married just a little, hm?” Kayla’s arms remained encircled around her as she spoke, cradling the smaller woman into her chest until Zosia’s cheek lay flush against it. “I’d like that too.”

Zosia struggled to identify if it was her own heartbeat or Kayla’s that she was suddenly vividly cognizant of, rapidly pounding in her ears. Nonetheless, miraculously, she managed to convince her seemingly cottoned voicebox to cooperate with her wish to press onwards, “So…?”

Kayla takes a deep breath, shaking her head. “What?“

"Ask me then,” Zosia’s proposal coincided with the suggestive upward quirk of an eyebrow, further underpinned by her impish smile. Expression softened considerably, it was at once warmly, coyly, and with the utmost fondness that she concluded her request: “Properly.”

#only 7 months late! :) :*#otp: ask me properly #tell me a story;#c: zosia #o; kayla

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