thecapitol | and then it's down on one knee

Who| Cullen Rutherford and Adella Trevelyan
What| This goober is proposing to his girlfriend.
Where| A fancy restaurant in the Capitol.
When| Not long after the end of the mini-arena.
Warnings/Notes| EXXXXXXTREME SCHMOOP.

If there's one thing Cullen is good at when it comes to his personal life, it's second-guessing himself. It's far too soon to be thinking about this. Even if it wasn't, this isn't the right time or place for it. All of this is true, and yet, and yet.

What's also true is that there might not be a better time to do it. Much as Cullen will insist to anyone who asks that they will find a way home, he knows they might not. He knows they may all die here, as dangerous as this place is, and does he want to die without having done this? Without having at least asked -

The restaurant is one of the more expensive places in the city. Most people have to wait months for a reservation, but when he explained who he was, and what he wanted to do - and that he would be willing to represent them in advertising in exchange - they gave him a private dining room for the evening. The ring he acquired, a strange weight in the pocket of his new suit (both also acquired in exchange for a sponsorship agreement). He's sure he's going about this all the wrong way, and yet -

Well, at this point, it's both something he wants to do, and a kind of necessity. Much as he hates to admit it, gaining public sympathy for his relationship with Adella could mean the difference between life and death for them both. Especially after so many others from their world are continually disappearing. The more public they are, the more the public likes them, the more likely they are to stay alive. Right?

Right.

So he waits for her to arrive, fidgeting a little with the cuffs of his suit. This, at least, fits him well. And they're - more or less - private, here, instead of in a room full of strangers. If nothing else, he needs this night to be special. For her. She deserves nothing less than the best.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That dream. It had really put this in mind for him, too. What his life has become, what he wants now, as different as it is from what he wanted as a child, from what he thought his life would be.

But he also never imagined he would meet anyone like Adella. Ever. Everything is worth it, for her.

"It was a nice dream," he points out, still grinning absurdly at her from across the table.

She drops her hand from his cheek, to grasp his hand with both of hers, her smile widening.

"You know how we live in the Circle. You know I never expected..." she lets out a small breath, shrugging her shoulders. "But it's something worth fighting for. I realize that, now."

"Neither did I," he admits with a faint smile. He knows it's not the same for him as for her - but it's still true. A wife, a future with someone he loves - for the longest time he simply didn't think himself capable, or deserving.

Part of him still doesn't, but that doesn't mean he won't try.

"You are worth - everything I can give, and more," he says.

It's probably a small thing to some people, that another considers them worthwhile but for Adella it means so much. Most of her life was built around pushing others away because she'd been tossed out like garbage when she'd been deemed not good enough to be part of the Trevelyan family. Cullen was-is everything she needed that she never knew she wanted.

Not being able to resist the urge she stands from her seat and moves around the table to slide into his lap. Before she's even fully situated herself she presses her mouth to his, kissing him firmly.

"I love you," she whispers against his lips after breaking away.

"I love you, too," he murmurs, his arms going around her tightly. He doesn't even care that the staff can spy on them - this moment is theirs, just for them. In a few days, everyone in the Capitol will know, and no doubt it'll be bedlam at that point, but for right now, it's just this. Just her.

"I guess that means I did it right?" he says, smiling faintly against her lips.

"You could have proposed in the kitchens with a bit of rope tied in a hoop and I would have said yes," she replies, her smile widening as she shifts to lean her forehead against his, stroking her fingers along his cheeks. "This is wonderful, though."

"You deserve something special," he says immediately. "You deserve - everything."

As happy as she's made him, if he can make her even the tiniest bit happy in return, he's going to try.

She rarely feels like she's actually deserving of the praise and affection that Cullen gives. He's a remarkable man and she spends a good deal of time wondering how it is she got so lucky, to find someone so good. Tonight, though, it doesn't matter to her. Because he asked her to marry him. He's made it very clear she's the one he wants, forever.

"So, I'm not an expert at this, but I do believe you're supposed to put the ring on my finger at some point." She hadn't actually given the ring much of a look, but she's realizing that he likely had to drum up a lot of Sponsorly support to put together this evening, so they might be expecting a bit of a show. "No rush, though."

"Am I?" Cullen smiles, gently taking her hand and kissing her palm. Then he slips the ring on her finger. "How's that? Acceptable?"

This place isn't ideal, but he wants her to know that she - she is perfect. She is everything he wants, for the rest of his life, no matter what world they're in.

The smile that spreads across her face as he slides the ring onto her finger has less to do with the jewelry itself than it does the man doing it. She holds tight to his hand, leaning in to kiss him again.

"Perfect. Though I think it'll be considered a weapon in the Arena."

"I wouldn't want you taking it into the arena, anyway," he points out between kisses. "Best leave it here, somewhere safe."

It's not even the expense, it's just the symbol of it. He wouldn't want her to lose it. His arms wrap tightly around her, as though if he just holds her close enough, he can keep her safe.

"Though, a ring that doubles as a weapon might not be such a bad idea."

"I think that would be considered an unfair advantage," she replies gently, the slightest amusement in her tone. Really the idea that they have any kind of even playing field seems a myth. She would likely only consider herself Cullen's equal in combat if she had full use of her magic, and that went for many of the other warriors as well.

"I have my coin, though. I wouldn't want to leave that behind."

Cullen nods, breathing in her scent, as familiar as ever even in this strange place. "I'm not sure it's been doing you much good here, but I wouldn't want you to lose that, either."

and then it's down on one knee

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