Love Next Door

Chapter Twenty Three- Back to normal (maybe)

For the first time in a month, Jay woke up smiling. Rubbing his eyes, he rolled over. Ash wasn't with him and his heart fell. He had hoped to be waking up next to him, in his arms. He listened to the birds outside again, realising how relaxed he felt under the soft, warm sheets in the bed of his lover. Once again, though, his conscious made him doubt his reality. Had last night been real? Would it still exist today? Tomorrow? He closed his eyes again in anger at the persistence of his mind in making him doubt himself.

Soon enough, Ash appeared in the room again with his trademark smirk. Jay felt his cheeks warm as he welcomed the man back into bed next to him, receiving a peck on the cheek. Ash half laid out on the bed, leaning on his forearm facing Jay, his other arm resting on top of his partner's. It was bliss.

"I told Ma...about us, this morning." Ash murmured, looking down at their hands which were now intertwined. "She was fine with it, happy actually. She said she really likes you and thinks we're a good pair." He blushed faintly and looked up again at Jay, smiling softly. Jay felt like he would melt under his gaze.

"That's great!" Jay cried, moving closer. "Did you tell her about coming back with me on Monday?"

Ash didn't answer immediately, looking down and fiddling with their joined hands instead. Then his mouth formed a faint smile again, and he made a noise like something was funny.

"Yeah I did tell her," he answered, still not looking up. "She wasn't entirely happy of course, she would rather me stay. But she will 'let me go' now that she knows I've 'found happiness', however, she has one condition," He looked up, his eyes bright but his mouth wary. "So that she knows this is serious, she wants to have a 'promise' ceremony before we go. It's not really a big deal so it shouldn't be an issue."

Jay was slightly worried at the word choice, 'promise' sounded ominous in itself. Was he going to be forced into some kind of warlock marriage? A look of worry must have plastered his face for Ash quickly started talking again.

"It's not like- a wedding ceremony or anything. It's more like an engagement party," however, noticing Jay's frown deepen he continued hastily, "I mean- more like a...pre-engagement party. We won't be engaged, just 'promised' to each other, like we're saying that this is an official relationship. There's no obligation to get married after though, remember promises can be broken so..."

Jay breathed out loudly but looked to Ash to show that he understood. He was placated but still worried as to what this ceremony involved. Really, he wasn't worried about being promised to Ash, as long as he wasn't going to disappear again.

"What does this 'ceremony' involve then?"

"There's a big feast, nothing special about it really. Oh, but before that the actual ceremony part is a couple dance. It's this old traditional dance that is supposed to signify the couple's coming together or something. Plus there are strange costumes. Yeah, like me my mother does not take things slow, full steam ahead."

Jay gulped. A dance? Seriously?

"Will this...be in front of a lot of people?"

"Not really, just some of the townspeople, my family, and friends." He replied casually, not realising that this was, in fact, a lot of people by Jay's definition.

Jay felt his heart began to race and his palms become sweaty. Ash made it sound simple, and maybe it was. But Jay wasn't exactly enthusiastic about dancing in front of a lot of strangers. Did they really have to do this just so that Ash could come back with him?

"D-do we really have to do this?" he pleaded, grabbing at the side of Ash's shirt by his waist. Ash looked alarmed, obviously only just realising that Jay was freaking out. He placed his hand gently on Jay's cheek and leaned in to kiss him. He met trembling, firm lips. Pulling away he looked into his lover's brown doe eyes to try and reassure him.

"It will be fine, ok? I'll be there with you and I'll guide you. If anything goes wrong, I'll be there and I'll sort it out. I won't let you make a fool of yourself or let you feel uncomfortable. I love you."

Jay closed his eyes and rested his forehead on Ash's. Yep, he was reassured (mostly) and he smiled. His Ash was back, back lying next to him and talking to him. His mission was complete- well it would be official once he was on the plane on Monday.

"Will you be coming back the same time as me, on the plane? Or will you be travelling the other way." He asked.

"I'm coming with you by plane. Travelling that large distance in an instant is incredibly draining, it took me days to get over it." He said bitterly, a spattering of regret returning to his voice. But as quickly as the frown appeared, it dissipated and he was smiling again. 

"Do you want coffee?" he said, moving gently away from Jay and up from the bed.

"Yes!" he cried out a little too loudly, blushing in embarrassment. "Please," He added quietly, watching Ash stifle a laugh. He hadn't had any coffee since his trip began, and he was surprised he hadn't had any withdrawal symptoms in that time.

He got up and followed Ash out of the room, quickly putting on pants and a shirt in the process.

He was greeted in the main room by Beatrice, who was beaming at him and enveloped him in a warm hug which took him by surprise.

"I'm just so happy!" she exclaimed as she released him, rushing off again to give them breakfast. Ash was slightly pink in embarrassment from his mother's excitement, but he still smiled tenderly at Jay in response. "We have a lot to do, though. You didn't give me much notice dear," she huffed, still smiling. Ash muttered an apology under his breath which sounded like it had been said more than once that morning.

They sat down to eat breakfast, honeyed oats and fruit. He was eating so well since being under the care of Beatrice. "Now, this afternoon your older sister is coming back, and she'll be helping me with the cooking and cleaning. I hope that the formal room is in good shape...if not it will have to do. I've already notified the rest of the family so I hope most of them can come this is very important."

Jay felt the blood drain from his face. Ash had said it wasn't a big deal, but this was sounding more and more of a 'big deal' than he could handle. Ash took his hand beneath the counter and began to rub small circles with his thumb.

"Ma...do we really need to go to all this trouble?" he asked.

"Yes, of course, you want to go back home, don't you? I would rather send you off knowing your love is serious, so that I know you are happy. Come now Adrien, you've never worried about this sort of thing before. You used to love parties."

"It's not me. Jay is anxious about it," he replied, turning his attention to Jay, who froze mid-swig of his coffee.

"No-No I'm fine!" he blurted out, not wanting to offend his mother or make himself look weak.

Beatrice smiled softly at him. "I understand dear, this is probably all quite strange to you but please don't worry. The dance is easy and it doesn't go for very long, and Adrien already knows the steps, he had to learn it as a child. He will guide you most of the time. The only other thing is the costumes...which are quite delightful I think. You two should go and get them made this morning, my friend is a fae dress maker so It should work out well."

"What difference does it make that she's a...fae?" Was that just another word for fairy?

"They have tiny hands, so they can get the intricate work done quicker and at a higher quality than most other magic folk." She explained. "Jay, once you're done eating I'll take you there and we'll get the costume fitted."

"I can take him," Ash said.

"No, no you'll be out inviting our neighbours."

"I am not doing that." He replied curtly, his eyes narrowing. Why? Is it because of those men we met the other day? Do the rest of the townsfolk think badly of him?

She sighed, but gave in and assigned him the initial cleaning duty.

***

A/N: A Ceremony??? Are they getting married?? Nah, It's just a fancy dance in front of a bunch of people to show your love, That's perfectly normal.

Anyway, Most of my big uni assignments for this semester are done so I have a bit more time to devote to this and other projects!

Thanks for reading :)