Redamancy

• Chapter 18 •

The Confession and The Promise

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Nicolai could only nod, his body being so overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings in that single moment, that he wasn't entirely sure whether this was real, or just a dream.

The ginger's eyes widened quickly in realisation, his cheeks lighting up in embarrassment as his hands moved to rustle around in the picnic basket beside him. After a moment, his hands resurfaced, clutching a small black box of which Fred waisted little time in opening and displaying for his lover to see.

The ring inside was gorgeous.

Instead of a traditional gold or silver band, it was a beautiful rose gold, moulded into the twisted, natural pattern of a tree branch, its earthy design creating a clear link to the tree of life, showing Fred's appreciation for his lover due to it being a symbol of personal development, uniqueness and individual beauty.

Small leaves were scattered around the centre piece of the ring, a raw rose quartz crystal that had been shaped into the image of a budding rose.

Knowing that rose quartz was significant within the wizarding world for its magical healing qualities and its representation of unconditional, eternal love, Nicolai's heart swelled at the thoughtfulness of this rings design.

"I know that we have only been together for a year, but if I'm being completely honest, I've been in love with you since I saw you sticking up for a first year Gryffindor during our third year." That had Nicolai's full attention.

The idea that Fred had noticed him when he had though himself to have been invisible and loved him for so long - before they had even truly known each other - left him feeling so grateful that he could have cried in relief that perhaps he hadn't truly been alone during his time at Hogwarts.

Yes, Nicolai had always had Katherine and Draco, but knowing that someone like Fred had noticed him and liked him for simply being himself caused a whole new feeling to swell within his heart.

"You have such an amazing heart, mon amour, and from that point onwards, I was hooked." Fred almost seemed embarrassed to admit such a thing, the fact that he had always been practically infatuated with the brunette standing in front of him. But his tone expressed no trace of a lie, and the smile that crept onto Nicolai's lips at his words made every second of his embarrassment worth it.

"You had me questioning everything about myself and about the world surrounding me; and at first, I was scared. Scared of how people would react if I showed my interest in a Slytherin of the same gender, and so I hid." Sadness and guilt left Fred with a lump in his throat, and Nicolai with tears glistening in his eyes.

Both boys knew the strength of this fear, the reason why Fred had run away from his feelings, and Nicolai could certainly relate to Fred's past shame.

"I hid behind my persona of being a reckless prankster in Gryffindor." Fred spoke softly, his eyes shifting to look away from Nicolai in humiliation.

"I hid behind the guise of being straight by dating Angelina Johnson." Nicolai almost flinched at the mention of Fred's ex-girlfriend. He could vividly remember every painful emotion he had experienced during the period of time in which they dated, and definitely didn't need that reminder. His jealousy must have been noticeable enough to have caught Fred's eye, because the quite chuckles that the ginger let out had quickly resulted in his face turning an almost crimson red.

"But for some reason, as you have made it very clear, I could never hide from you." Fred continued, mentally recounting each and every time Nicolai had surprised him; whether it was the way he could easily tell him and George apart (something even his own mother and father struggled with), or even the very important act of Nicolai saving Fred's life during the battle of Hogwarts, going against his own family whilst doing so.

"I'm not asking for your hand in marriage right now, but- but I would like to make a promise to you Nicolai Amare." Fred rushed out, his voice expressing his determination and uncertainty.

"I promise that, if you'll let me, I will remain by your side for as long as humanly possible." Nicolai chuckled.

'Like I would ever let you leave.' The brunette mused internally, his love and adoration towards his lover growing by the second.

"I promise to love you unconditionally." Fred grinned up at the love of his life, an affectionate glimmer shining through his eyes.

Nicolai returned that same look tenfold.

"To love everything about you; even all of your little quirks like how you bite your lips when you're thinking really hard about something, and how you fiddle with in your hair when you're bored and bite your fingers and nails when you are feeling especially anxious or embarrassed."

"I promise to protect you, to comfort you when you have nightmares, and make you gingerbread men when your upset." At this point in Fred's little speech, Nicolai almost couldn't look the ginger in the eye, clearly embarrassed at how easily Fred seemed to pick up on all of his habits and appreciations.

"But most of all, I promise that one day, when you're ready, I will marry you. Because I can't imagine marrying anyone else."

"I love you." Seemed to be the only words Nicolai was able to say in that moment, but Fred could only smile wildly in response.

"Is that a yes?" Fred questioned, his eyes glinting mischievously. Really, he already knew the answer to his question, however, he'd be damned if he wasted this prime opportunity to fluster his adorable, soon-to-be fiancé.

"If you don't put that ring on my finger right now, Fredrick Gideon Weasley, I swear to Merlin I will-" Nicolai's flustered rambling was easily cut off by rough lips crashing against his own.

As their kiss continued, Fred slipped the ring onto the fourth finger on Nicolai's left hand, officiating their love for everyone to see.

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One chapter left guys!! Thank you for reading the eighteenth chapter of Redamancy! I hope you enjoyed!

Word count: 1042

EDITED = ?/?/?