open post.

[pathography]

to be beautified later.

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[pathography]

The closest she comes to compromising his stride is raising the desire to stop and kiss her properly - but he resists for now. The thought's taking shape in his mind, though, to see if his endurance can be stretched as far as sex after a short walk. It'd certainly make a better reward than the vague sense of accomplishment that comes of making a full circuit around the courtyard. If Vex is on top, or if they restrict themselves to touching, and they take it slow, it can't be so far out of reach.

(Focus, de Rolo.)

"I like the sound of that." He squeezes her hand in answer. "We'll come back to it when it seems right - that's enough planning for now."

Especially since he has the sense that committing to a wedding means a great deal of planning, entirely regarding things he has absolutely no interest in. Decoration colors and cake flavors and just what kind of flower he sticks into his lapel - it seems tedious at best. Pity they can't simply skip to the part where they're married.

percy has a list of priorities 😂

[sinaeths]

"Agreed," Vex says, glad. It feels like she's just making herself at home in Percy's bed. He needs to continue to improve and she needs to settle in before any more planning about them can be done. She already has so much more than she could have dreamed.

Except she's of a similar mind, and she can't help but sigh aloud.

"A pity we can't just... elope. What a scandal that would be if we were found out."

Not that she has anything to be ashamed of, but she imagines marrying a de Rolo will be a rather public affair. Something to bring the people joy. It won't be just theirs.

😉

[pathography]

"Can it be any more scandalous than everything else about us?" he asks, telling himself it's an entirely theoretical conversation. And it is, really - they've committed to nothing, and he'd still like to talk to his sister before they actually make a move - but he's never so much as considered elopement before now. Why couldn't they run off and marry? Or stay right here and marry, but privately? If Whitestone needs a wedding, it can have one, but it doesn't have to be the real one. "We're technically mercenaries and occasionally drunkards, I was possessed by a demon for years, and you...well, you're perfect, as far as I'm concerned, but Trinket's a little terrifying until you get to know him."

Not that everyone knows all of that, of course, but Vox Machina's got something of a checkered past - and in the wrong taverns, probably a checkered present as well. The idea of eloping is sounding less and less absurd by the moment.

[sinaeths]

Beloved, logical Percy. Vex arches a brow at him, lip curved in amusement. This very theoretical conversation has some very valid points.

"And it's not as if we'd be obvious. What would change between us, really?" He's the one for her. She's not afraid of falling because she's in it, and the worst has already happened to them--they've overcome death more than once.

(Nevermind it was because of Vax, both times, and she often tries not to think about the price for meddling.)

Nothing much would change between them that she can imagine, but it would be nice to be his wife in a way she can't describe.

[pathography]

She looks at him, and he looks at her, and suddenly, it feels inevitable that they'll do it. They both know it, Percy suspects - they've just got to get to the point of saying it, yes, why not. It buoys him to think of it; he could walk a league today (and probably sleep for a day and a half after) off the feeling alone.

"We're already obvious," he says warmly, because they are. There's nothing subtle about the room they share, or the way he leans on her, or the way her eyes follow him. "If we kept this secret, it'd be a miracle."

And the idea of trying appeals more by the second.

[sinaeths]

"You think so? If I were a betting woman..." She absolutely is a betting woman. Though she doesn't bet on losing dogs. We'll see is the train of thought, but she knows he's right. Vex shrugs with a smile and a wave of her hand. "Well, I suppose it's all just speculation, anyway."

Unless. She looks back at him again. He seems fond of the idea. She doesn't hate it. They're in love, and they've almost lost one another too many times. Being wed wouldn't protect them from that in the future, and might in fact make the pain worse, but the fondness in his voice is encouraging.

There are worse things they could do. Criminal activities and murder and the like. This would be a selfish act, but she knows they're going to dedicate the rest of their lives to Whitestone. They should be selfish.

[pathography]

She gives them both an out, just speculation, and Percy takes it with a little noise. Mmm, yes, it's true - all theoretical, nothing real. They walk along with that thought, silently checking how it fits for them.

Now that the idea's raised, it won't leave Percy alone, though. There's something about having something that's entirely theirs, a secret to keep between them. Something about being able to say - if only to her - that he's chosen this, chosen them. If she wants him now, when he's tottering along like someone's great-great-grandfather, what's the point of waiting?

"Oh, fuck it," he says, grinning like an idiot, and stops where he stands, turning to face her properly. "Let's get married, Vex."

[sinaeths]

She knows what's coming as soon as he opens his mouth. She turns to face him, the man she loves. He's not looking his best, still too gaunt, too pale, too thin for her liking. But there's a life behind his eyes that makes her excited where she might have once spooked and fled. Vex laughs.

"I'll only ask you the one time if you're sure, darling," she says, mostly teasing. She wants no one else, and she doesn't think anyone else would be a worthy match for a man like Percy. A keen eye, such as one right before her face and with the help of spectacles, might see the faintest twinge of pink on her cheeks and the tips of her ears.

[pathography]

"Am I sure I want to marry you?" he asks, unable to keep a laugh from bubbling into the words. It's pure joy, the same kind of manic-ish sensation that comes over him when he solves some stubborn little problem with his weaponry. Tinkering until he gets something right - and in this case, right means Vex'ahlia at his side for the rest of their lives - has always served him well. And how beautiful she looks right now, soft-eyed and blushing, with no need to say sure, let's do it when it's written all over her face. "I can't think of anything I want more than to be your husband."

In his haste to embrace her, he drops his cane - but they're standing still, and he'd like to think he's mastered that, at least. Percy kisses her like nothing else in the world matters, because right now, it doesn't.

[sinaeths]

The clatter of his cane hitting the path is a distant noise to her ears. He wouldn't need it even if he did find himself unsteady on his feet, not with the way Vex wraps her arms around him as they kiss. To have and to hold and all that. She kisses him deeply and strongly and she knows he knows he's her heart.

Her lungs, however, call for a proper breath, though she only just takes her mouth off his. His glasses are crooked. It's cute. It's good to see him messy rather than just unwell, so she doesn't bother to straighten them for him.

"Today?"

[pathography]

"Do you think we could?" It feels awfully soon, but he has the feeling that waiting's going to be impossible, now that they've decided on it. He runs a hand awkwardly through his hair, the wheels turning in his head. "Keeper Yennen would be willing, I'm sure - and Cassandra could serve as witness..."

It's a pity Vax isn't here to help with the witnessing bit, but Percy's not going to raise the subject now. Vex knows her own heart better than anyone else; if this is something she's willing to do without her twin's presence, then they'll do it without him.

[sinaeths]

It is a pity her brother isn't here. It's a pang in her chest that's quickly covered by the thought that he and Keyleth and everyone else can be present when they want the pomp and circumstance.

"We can do whatever we want. That includes waiting until tomorrow, if you'd prefer," she offers, voice warm. Today is soon. But she has no idea how they're supposed to act anything near normal, now that there's this plan between them. She feels almost giddy. People will definitely notice, but then again, they can simply avoid people under the guise of Percy's recovery.

"At the end of the day, regardless, I'm yours."

[pathography]

"I know," he says, resting his forehead against hers, "and that's why I don't want to wait."

Not every plan has to be executed immediately; he managed to spend years stalking the objects of his vengeance, on and off. By comparison, this is a rush job, and some part of him wonders if they might regret marrying in haste. But it's a very small part of him, easily drowned out by the idea of calling Vex his wife. He pecks her on the mouth. "I'll find my sister, if you'll look for Keeper Yennen. We could have it done by suppertime, if we wanted."

He'll bring Trinket along to steady him, if he has to. But he's determined not to show up to this wedding empty-handed.

[sinaeths]

Vex has scarcely left his side, and it's clear the idea of letting him go bothers her with the way her smile falters. He's fully capable--well, mostly--and she'd not let him go far without Trinket to be there to cushion any falls. Still...

"We're not in such a rush that we need to save an hour's time. I'll go with you to find your sister, and perhaps she'll do us the favor of fetching Keeper Yennen."

If a somewhat more domesticated life has done anything to Vex, it's made her stop and think. Eloping is great. Good. Amazing. She'd do it right now if they had all the parts, but she also knows Percy isn't at his best.

[pathography]

His lips press thin as he thinks. It's a kind offer, and likely a wise one - they both know he shouldn't go trekking all over the castle when he's still struggling with a single garden - but it'll throw a wrench into his plans.

"I'd like to speak to her privately, if I could." There's guilt written all over his face at the admission. The last thing he wants to do is shut Vex out in any meaningful way; he doesn't even want to give the impression of doing so. "For - reasons. I promise you'll know why as soon as we're wed."

It still feels a little awful, though.

[sinaeths]

The moment he hesitates, she knows he's about to decline her offer. It does sting slightly, but she knows if Vax were present, she'd want a moment in private to talk to her brother, eloping or not. Whatever he has to say to Cassandra is their business. She understands.

"... you don't need to explain to me, darling," she promises after a moment, but she's stubborn. "Let me take you halfway, at least. Then I'll go see how much of a heart attack I can give poor Keeper Yennen."

She's sure assumptions will be made about a quick and sudden wedding.

[pathography]

The tension running through him eases as soon as she agrees. He could kiss her - and does, with a little laugh, after she brings up Yennen. It's probably not high on the woman's list of plans for the day, after all.

(He hasn't considered just how this might look to her, mostly because he hasn't thought of anything except how dearly he wants her. After...well, it'll be easy to clear up, at least.)

"All right." Percy gives her a little squeeze, letting go only so he can turn back and start walking to the door. "You can come with me the whole way, if you like, and I'll leave you at the door. We'll meet again at...where should we do this?"

Our room was on the tip of his tongue, but it's hardly occasion-ready. Maybe they can come back outside, someplace in the golden glow of the late afternoon. It's cool out, but he can't think of anywhere else that might match the mood.

[sinaeths]

It's impossible to feel anything but happiness when he looks at her like that, kisses her like that. Her hand finds his as they walk, squeezing affectionately. They're doing this.

"Somewhere private," she says. Our room? She tries to think if there's anything left out that would add to his poor sister's trauma. Not that there's been much time or energy to get up to anything, lately.

"I imagine the whole thing is rather quick..."

The romantic in her would say under the Sun Tree, but they can save that for the real wedding. Besides, that's far too open.

"Surely there are some vacant rooms in this place."

Vex feels lucky she knows how to get from the front to their room without having to leave breadcrumbs.

[pathography]

"Too many," he says, and it's rueful despite his good mood. Whitestone is a home in need of family - and while there's more love here than there has been in years, it's still nothing like it was. The two of them are a fine start, though, and if Cassandra meets someone, that won't hurt...and perhaps someday, there'll be children sliding down banisters and shrieking through the halls again.

(And that thought is a breathtaking one, impossible and suddenly far nearer to hand than it was twenty minutes ago. They'll have to talk about that - but not right now. They've enough to do this afternoon.)

"There's a balcony one floor up," Percy says, nodding up toward it as they come up to the stone walls of the castle, "if you trust me with stairs."

He's teasing, mostly.

[sinaeths]

Too many. She knows Whitestone is impossibly changed from when he was a boy, when he'd yet to see how cruel and unjust the world could be. Her hand tightens around his for a moment, and she thinks it would be nice to one day raise children here that would grow up with loving parents that kept the reality of the world at bay until they were ready.

And she doesn't need to think twice about whether she'd want children with Percy, because she does, without question. It's a discussion she knows is on his mind, because it's been on hers, too.

She tears her eyes away from Percy's profile to look upwards at the balcony. Private, but out in the sunlight. It'll do.

"In this instance, I would say to hell with your pride and hoist you over my shoulder," Vex says all too casually. She's probably joking.

But she's also probably at least a little bit serious.

[pathography]

"I don't think that will be necessary," he answers, pausing for a moment at the door to catch his breath. They've made it back in record time - by his current standards, at least - thanks to his newfound desire to see this plan through. If he could sprint to the room Cassandra's adopted as her study, he would (and no doubt survive a tongue-lashing from his soon-to-be-wife after). "I'd crawl up there if I had to."

It'll look more like the uncertain steps of an old man, though, or the first faltering attempts of a toddler. Slow work, going up there, but to a worthy end.

Inside, he starts toward Cassandra's office, still trying his best to maintain some speed. "Is there anything else we'll need to do? This seems too easy, somehow."

[sinaeths]

This little jaunt is turning into a bit more than a small break to get some fresh air and sunshine. Vex is sure once the excitement wears off he'll be stuck in bed for a day or two, but that's fine. Healthy or not, that's where he'd be after marrying her.

Still. He's not about to undo all her hard work of keeping him from overexertion. So she does slow their stride, free hand reaching over to give his arm a little warning pinch.

"Wouldn't know. Never been married before."

And she only plans to be married the one time.

[pathography]

He knows perfectly well what she's saying, without actually saying it - and he sighs, not nearly as annoyed as he might sound. Yes, yes, my health, I know. But he does slow down.

A little.

"Neither have I. I never thought I would be." It seemed resoundingly unlikely that someone would be interested in the possibility, even after he and Vex became involved. "I'm starting to wonder why anyone bothers making a fuss over the whole thing - this is so much more straightforward."

In theory, he knows why a big wedding might appeal to people; in practice, he might be a little too practical for the kind of frippery that'd be required. And yet, he keeps asking himself things like Should I change clothes for this? and What in the hell am I going to do if I can't find a ring for her? Pragmatism can only take him so far, it seems.

Soon enough, they're at Cassandra's door; Percy turns to Vex and gives her hand a squeeze before letting go. "I'll meet you upstairs as soon as we're finished here."

[sinaeths]

Vex already has a full heart. A ring isn't even on the table, for her. After all, a secret wedding is a little less secret with a rock on her finger.

There might be a pause where someone, a kinder someone, might reassure Percy he would have found someone. Vex, however, would be the first to (lovingly) say he could be a magnificent prick upon first meeting, depending on the situation, and there are all too many that would marry for money. Even if Whitestone had burned to the ground and they were living from inn to inn, making camp under the stars like they once did, she would still want to marry him.

They've both come too far to lose any more time.

"I suppose we'll find out soon enough." It's said with a helpless, but happy smile as she takes a deep breath. "Please make sure your sister knows I'm not knocked up."

And with that, she turns to head off to first and foremost let Keeper Yennen this isn't a shotgun wedding, so please pick your jaw up off the floor. Thank you.

[pathography]

He blanches - rather impressive, given just how pale he is normally - at the request. It's evident the possibility hadn't occurred to him, and he barely manages to sputter out a yes, of course before Vex is heading down the hall.

Telling Cassandra is wonderful, and it's embarrassing, and perhaps that's how it should be. She hugs him, tells him how happy she is for him, and asks why they decided to get married today. Which means, he realizes, that everyone's thoughts really will stray immediately towards whether Vex has been knocked up (ugh), even if his didn't. Whatever colour he lost outside her door comes back in full force, and she laughs, and for a moment he's a teenager again and she's the most irritating kid sister any one person could have.

He loves it, truthfully. Even when he asks about their mother's rings, and her face falls, everything about this afternoon feels right. The two of them make their way upstairs slowly, Cassandra even more studious than Vex about keeping him from hurrying. ("If you show up sweaty and about to faint, Percival, you can't marry her.") By the time they get up there, the sun's beginning to slip past the mountains, the sky alight with orange and red.