Of Love and Death.

The Present Chapter 19: Sunset Pt.4

"Has Xander told you why we're supposed to come to the beach yet?" Shu asked as they walked along the sidewalk. The sun was fully below the horizon now, and it was almost pitch black outside. There was no one around though, so Valt's boyfriend had summoned up a small bit of fire, looped around his wrist and cast just a little bit of light.

Their shadows flickered. Both from the flames and the occasional streetlamp.

There were two white plastic tables half-sunken into the sand. Slightly unsteady and uneven, covered in a few tablecloths that Valt recognized from when he had gone over to Shu's house as a kid. Those had a few plates of beybread and chips and a couple of pitchers of water on them. And standing all around was...everyone. His mom, Toko and Nika. What seemed like half of the Forces in the Universe. Jiji. Even Gingka and Benkei. And Lui, who looked like he'd been forcibly dragged here. And whose hair was still a mix of greenish yellow. Which Valt happened to know Shu did not feel the least bit guilty about.

Now Valt was beginning to understand why his mom had locked him and Shu away in the bakery all day.

As the chilly wind blew, failing to cut through Shu's jacket which Valt was still wearing. And had decided was just his now, a slightly cracked laugh echoed through his lips. Not to mean that he was broken. But the idea of this was just...he laughed again. "Okay, what is going on?" the mind reader said, grinning. He was grinning, with little bits of hair blowing into his face.

Out of nowhere, Xander came up behind Valt and Shu. He towered over them, his shadow cast over Valt's eyes, dimming the whole world as he turned to look up at his old friend. One strong hand clapped down on his shoulder. "This is a congratulations for finally making your relationship public!" The laughing giant leaned down a little bit. "Seriously though, I always knew it. Hard to believe it took you two till a month ago to finally kiss."

All that Valt could do was turn his head and grin, a lot. This was amazing. A gift and a surprise that he had no idea was coming. And-and he was going to have to explain how he'd just gotten engaged a half-hour ago to everyone who thought he'd just started dating. Ah. Ah this wasn't going to be awkward at all.

Looking over, Valt saw a open expression on Shu's face. Honest and happy. Maybe a little bit uncertain about being put on the spot. But honestly just relaxed. And calm. Valt probably should have been a good person, and not ruined the moment. But... You're telling them, he informed the Sun. This was your idea.

Horror suddenly dawned on Shu's face. Oh. oh that was what Valt menat. They were engaged. They had to tell people. What-no-no you said yes. You have to do it, he argued, panicked more than anything. He admittedly had not thought this far ahead. He really should have planned a little bit better.

But no. Shu had had to have gone on a walk last night. And he had to have seen a ring that looked exactly like the one he'd daydreamed about as a kid. Back when he'd been Red Eye. And had, for some dumb reason, decided to indulge his fantasies about Valt actually liking him back. So he'd decided to just buy the stupid ring and propose tomorrow. Agh. Agh he was going to have to explain why he was now engaged. And come up with a stupid excuse for how it had happened so quickly.

Sheepishly, Shu looked up at his friends, family, mentors, and annoyances named Water. "Well, um, you see there's actually," he began, stuttering again. Well, at least he had something to worry about so that he could function.

Then, then, then a miracle happened. A miracle that would probably only buy Shu and Valt a few hours, maybe a few days tops. But Kit still came barreling in. "Also, in addition, this party is to celebrate your guy's defeat of Cold! Because that deserves it!" The youngest member of The Five said, beginning a little bit of a clapping round from everyone. Which, okay, fine. Shu would grin and bear. Even if he was simultaneously so honored and touched and happy. And dying from embarrassment.