Page 20 of Homesick, Lovesick
Ronan snorted a laugh."Not even close.I just don't like chamomile, and his was weirdly bitter.I just thought he was over steeping it.God, I feel dumb.The clues were right there."He explained the 'sugar' he'd noticed and dismissed."I should have noticed, I guess, but it never crossed my mind.Because why would they do something so stupid and dangerous?Also they clearly didn't like me, but theydolike you.Why would they hurt you like that?"
Match hugged him tightly."I don't care what you say, I should have trusted my gut.Should have told all of them to get fucked, instead of continuing to make nice and listening to all their stupid blathering.But I was distracted by pain and frankly regretting agreeing to this, so…"
"That's the second time you've mentioned pain," Ronan said, forcing him back up a bit."What pain?"
"From being away from my wards.It's like a constant, low-level ache.Like when you work out too hard and your body is sore the whole next day or three.But it's constant until I get back to my wards.I thought with my mom watching over them, it would help some.If itishelping, then fuck I never want to leave anyone else in charge when I have to go out of town."He sighed and rested his head against Ronan's chest, arms tight around him."I was really hoping it would work, though, because I know there are places you'd like to see, things you'd like to do, and you'd never leave me behind, so you'd never do them…"
Ronan kissed the top of his head."Is that why you seemed so interested in Italy?I don't give a shit about any of that.I just want you.And maybe something for this goddamn headache that's come back.I was really sad you didn't give me the powder for it when you gave me the tonic."
"What!"Match jerked back and looked up."I didn't— Please don't tell me I actually forgot that.I swore I grabbed both out of my bag and gave them to you."
"Maybe it slipped out of your hand and you didn't notice?"
Match looked anguished."Why didn't you say anything, dumbass?"
"I thought you were pissed at me for falling asleep and didn't want to bug you."
"I—No—" Match clung to him again, which was good, because Ronan really wanted him close right now.He leaned up to kiss Ronan hard."I'd never punish you with pain.I'm sorry I led you to believe I would do something like that.Never, not anyone— No, wait, I'm a liar, those two I would definitely punish with unmitigated pain if I got the chance—but definitely never you.Next time just knock me upside the head.I was certain I'd grabbed them both.I keep them right next to each other, because the tonic is a bitch without the powder.I'm sorry.I'm really, really sorry."
"It's okay," Ronan said softly."Honestly, sounds like this trip has been cursed from the start."
Match sniffled."Here I was so certain it was destined to be a great one because we handfasted."
"We what?"
Match tried to smile, but it didn't quite catch as he pulled away again looking heartbroken."It was so silly, and completely an accident, and of course not in earnest because you weren't aware, so couldn't…but it was just so perfect…" He sighed and went to his bag, pulled out the strip of ivy he'd been wearing earlier and something else.
The rope, Ronan realized, but at some point in the day he'd woven it into a Celtic knot looking thing.Returning to Ronan, he pressed it into his hands."It's an old witch tradition, not often done anymore.My parents didn't even do it, and you know how Mom is with her rites.Cord for binding, to show that where we go, we go together, that nothing can pull us apart.Ivy for affection, friendship, happy marriage, fidelity."His cheeks flushed as he looked at Ronan's chest instead of meeting his eyes."Handfasting is somewhere above engaged but below marriage.Traditionally, a handfasted couple would live together for a year in like a test-run marriage, and if at the end of that year they were happy with each other and their lives together, they'd get actually married."
Ronan remembered getting tangled together in the ivy and rope, that shy, happy smile."I wish I'd known, so I could be happy with you."
"I was going to tell you tonight, but you insisted I stay with Jackass and Jackassier in the tent, and I wanted to keep an eye on them anyway, so I was hoping to wake up early and tell you then."
"What a mess," Ronan said with a sigh."I feel kind of silly now that I didn't know about handfasting, and just did the usual engagement ring instead."
"Youwhat," Match said, staring at him wide-eyed, frozen in place.Then he reached out to grasp Ronan's shirt and made a futile attempt to shake him."You didwhat.You can't say that and then not keep going!Stop being a jerk!"
"Okay, okay," Ronan said, grinning, suddenly feeling lighter than air."Can we do this not by those dumbasses, though?They're killing the vibe."
Match snorted, but let himself be dragged off into the woods after Ronan had fished the ring box from his bag.
And then Ronan heard it.Water.Loud and rushing.His heart kicked up.Could it be?Could this one fucking thing go his way?
He almost cheered, loudly and obnoxiously, when a waterfall came into view.It wasn't enormous, maybe nine feet or so, but it was pretty, cascading down over two tiers, almost more like a double waterfall, and there was greenery all over, lichen on many of the rocks, flowers overflowing the entire field, all of it beautifully visible and near-glowing under a brilliant harvest moon.
Match smiled as he took it all in."This is beautiful.Harvest Moon, a time of gathering, bonding.Much better for ceremonies related to that rather than a ceremony tied to violence and bloodshed."
"See, I knew Blood Moon made more sense.But yeah, this place is perfect," Ronan said, not stopping until they were at the bank of the pond, in front of the waterfall, moonlight shining down from above and reflecting off the water, flowers all around them.Only then did he finally go down on one knee, opening the ring box and offering it up as he said, "I love you more than life itself, Match.Would you marry me?"
"Yes!"Match shouted, then threw himself at Ronan, knocking them to the ground.
"Don't lose the ring," Ronan wheezed out.
Match laughed and scrambled back upright, found the box in the grass, and pulled out the ring."This is beautiful!Don't ever tell me what you spent.I can already tell it will stress me out.Look at this color.It's like a crystalized piece of flame."He put the ring on then looked up with a smile, and Ronan finally understood whatstars in his eyesmeant, because that was definitely how Match looked at him."I'm not sure I deserve you after how shittily we all treated you this trip, even me.Especially me.For which I am so fucking sorry.I know what it's like—"
"Hey, hey," Ronan said, pressing a finger to his mouth and then bending to kiss him briefly."Forget about it.Shit happens.It's over.Those little rat bastards will get what they deserve, and I got the fiancé I was hoping for.I don't care about the rest."
Match threw his arms around Ronan's neck and kissed him like it was the last thing he'd ever do."I love you too, Ronan.I really wanted to tell you about the handfasting.I was so mad I kept being denied a chance, even though I was also anxious that maybe you wouldn't want to be."He drew back enough to admire his ring."I've never had anything this fancy in mylife.This ring could buy a house.I'm scared to wear it."
