Genderswitch AU

[ay_my_lord]

*by this point, Horatio, Reina, and Anticleia have a house--a nice, one-and-a-half-story place with a bit of a yard and a trellis with roses just beginning to climb it. things have begun to settle; there are still awkward moments at times, still little jealousies and conflicts over space, but even those are only small and quickly resolved.

it's nearly evening. Horatio is sitting on the couch in their front room, fingering the hem of his sweater, waiting for Reina to come home*

Comments

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

*she's in a good mood to-day, happy to be home, sighing like the sentimental fool she is because it is her home -- she can stop to look at the roses on her way to the door, delighted to see them growing, and once she's inside she can take off her heels at last and smile at her boyfriend on the couch* Hello --

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*beaming, standing and going to hug her and help her with her coat if she has one* Hello! How was work today?

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

*a close-fitting coat, and a jacket, too -- gives him a kiss* Good, good. Mostly I answered phones while the chamberlain was busy -- so I got to give frustrated people slightly more helpful advice than I'm being paid to. I know all calls are recorded, so I could get in trouble, but -- *laughs* -- it's nice. How was your day?

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Good! I got to work on a really interesting hardware problem today. Usually I'm programming software, but I like hardware, so-- *a helpless, slightly geeky smile* --I was wondering if you might like to go out to dinner with me tonight?

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

Oh -- *delighted* I'd love that. Where do you want to go?

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*smile* There's a nice Italian place I know, if you don't mind taking the bus ...

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

Of course I don't -- will you give me a minute to change? I won't take too long --

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*beaming, kissing her hair* You're beautiful just the way you are ... but go ahead. *he's a little dressed up, himself, in a nice grey sweater with purple argyle bits, and he's even got a pair of slacks on instead of jeans*

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

You're so sweet to me ... *just smiles a moment, glad of him -- and goes to change into something nice, red and rose-patterned, perhaps, with a gathered skirt, and a fine-knit black sweater to wear over it*

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*when she's finished, he'll just look her over for a moment, appreciating the care that she takes with herself--then, with a beam, he'll take her hand* You're so beautiful--! *then, sheepish* I say that a lot ...

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

*squeezes his hand in return* And you're terribly handsome -- I don't say it enough.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*coloring just a little* Thank you. *then brings her hand up to kiss, and leads her out and to the bus stop at the end of the street (stopping only to pick a rose and tuck it into her hair)*

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

*blushes a bit, herself, and rests her head upon his arm as they walk*

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*^______^ after the bus ride, they'll reach a nice Italian restaurant--not the sort of place to which one should wear one's most elegant attire, but certainly nice enough to require reservations. the host takes them to their table and offers them menus*

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

*but it's so rare that she goes out to eat, nevertheless at a place that requires reservations, and menu full of foods with Italian names that aren't even horribly mangled -- she smiles a touch nervously --* Did something important happen today?

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Not so far. *sillylittlesmile* It's nice, though, isn't it?

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

It is -- it's very nice. I was wondering if we were celebrating something, and I'd forgotten it.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

You haven't forgotten anything important. Promise. *the waitress comes, and he orders a glass of wine--he likes the occasional opportunity for wine, since he doesn't have much at home*

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

*smiles, then -- she can relax, and it's good to relax with him; after she's ordered the same* I'm happy you brought me here.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*he fiddles with his silverware, smiling down at his plate because he can't quite relax when he's got an important question stirring in him. he takes her hands, more to still his own than anything else*

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

*raises his hands to her lips to kiss -- just sweetly, discreetly, not wanting to embarrass him* Is everything all right, love?

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*quiet, heart pounding at that soft kiss, the only words that he can bring to mind the ones he'd asked her here so that he could say* Reina ... would you marry me?

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

Oh -- *her eyes go wide, her own heart skipping --* Truly?

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*littlesmile* If you want ...

[carpoftruth.livejournal.com]

I do -- I do.