And I mean it from the bottom of my heart [closed to Ziggy Stardust only][Proposal for real now]

[somekindofspaceuncle]

It's an early morning.

Hiroki's already awake - if Ziggy's looked, he'll see he hasn't slept at all, tonight, actually, only pretended to sleep for a few hours, in a show of calm sleeping that probably could fool someone, but not everyone - and he's sitting at the edge of the bed.

He then stands up and paces the room nervously. Then leaves the room, and comes back a moment later.

Still nervous.

His thoughts and emotions are all jumbled up and mixed up, but don't worry, they're all his own. Just. So nervous. But determined about something, and hopeful.

Suddenly, he goes to Ziggy, looks Ziggy right into the eyes, and then, kneels.

"Ziggy Stardust," Hiroki Shirogane utters, solemnly, "I don't know the future, but, you're the one I want to share the future with. I know my own heart's desires, but, as for yours, I can only ask. Would you--?"

Suddenly, it's like it's hard to say anything even though he had it all planned, so instead, on the spur of the moment, Hiroki says,

"Ziggy, kimi wo aishiteru! That won't change, no matter what happens, from now on."

He then reaches for something and fumbles a bit, or rather, a whole lot more than a bit, so much so that whatever he's picking up from his pocket, he accidentally drops, and then it rolls under the bed.

Hiroki blushes furiously, thinks, that's not how I pictured this...I was trying to do this perfectly right now-- but I'm no good--what if Ziggy hates me now-

He's too emotional to realise that Ziggy can likely hear these thoughts, more or less.

He reaches under the bed, and, blushing all the while, pulls up a small box.

And then, holds it up for Ziggy, not looking at Ziggy anymore. And glowing tealish-purplish, because, yeah, emotions. Emotions in which there's a fear that this all went so horribley, there's no way, now.

A part of Hiroki wants to run away before hearing a possible 'no', and Ziggy might hear that, too, in Hiroki's mind. But stronger than that is the will to do anything to stay, that's another part, more prevalent, here.

No running away, no matter the answer.

"I... Either way, I won't ever leave your side."

Hiroki says, to make sure Ziggy knows that, first. He's utterly honest.

He holds up a small box, while looking squarely at the floor. What? The floor is safe to stare at.

Ziggy won't-- reject me--- right??? Or-- if Ziggy does, what should I do, when can I try again with Ziggy, how-- I'd try a billion times-- if-- Hiroki thinks, to himself, but Ziggy can likely hear it, still, even though Hiroki's way too emotional to realise that right now. Because Ziggy's worth a billion tries, forever if I must. Only Ziggy-

Hiroki's thoughts trail off as he suddenly realises that Ziggy might hear such thoughts, and the clone blushes and glows brightly.

Maybe he should've calmed himself first. Maybe. Maybe... well, what's done is done, now he can only hope that Ziggy would like a future together, too.

Inside the box, there's a ring.

Comments

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy didn't notice the lack of sleep. They had gotten into a rhythm where Ziggy often laid down with Hiroki but slipped away once he was asleep. It kept the boredom at bay that would interrupt the human's sleep.

Ziggy was in the studio playing to practice because he would be going on tour soon. That stresses him now that he knows Hiroki can't come along and there is an enemy in the Nexus. That probably does little to help him sleep. He sets the guitar aside when Hiroki calls him and goes into the bedroom.

Ziggy was about to say something when Hiroki abruptly knelt down. At first he's very confused but the missing words. He knows what should fit there and his heart feels like it is stopping and then pounding to an insane pace. He still smiles at all the fumbling and there's nothing but affection in his emotions. He's seen Hiroki, watched him become a person. That had included a lot more fumbling than this at some points.

When the thoughts of hate come Ziggy speaks telepathically "kimi wo aishiteru"

He kneels down with Hiroki to not tower over him while the shorter human is even shorter kneeling down. A glance at the box and then he leans in pressing a loving kiss to Hiroki's lips. A kiss may be better than words right now.

After he pulls away from the kiss he grins at his lover, brows raised and grinning. "You know, you're supposed to put that on me.. if that is what I think it is in that box." It's flirtatious and affectionate in tone but he's sympathetic to the feelings rushing off of his partner. He was going to hold out a hand and stopped. "Wait.. which hand does it go on?"

His mother wasn't married and Antheans didn't have these traditions. Ziggy wracks his brain trying to remember which hand he should be offering.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

There are tears in Hiroki's eyes now. And he's glowing, and not just glowing, there are little lights around him and Ziggy now, and in the whole room, too, like little teal fireflies. Ziggy's seen that before, though in the spiritual plane, not in physical one. The lights seem to be trying to coalescence into some shapes, even if they don't seem to be sure into what, quite yet. Anyway, they're warm, and they're full of warm feelings, too.

And if Allura was here, she'd know now that Hiroki can start learning alchemy whenever and would tell him so. Hiroki'd know, too, if some part of him didn't have a phobia, when it came to Altean alchemy.

Now, Hiroki Shirogane opens the box.

"L-felft," Shirogane whispers. He smiles, while trying to hold back tears. Though maybe he doesn't need to hold them back? They're from happiness, after all, so, maybe it's fine, right now.

"D-did you know your hands are really beautiful? I've wished to tell you since I first got to meet you, in my first life."

Shiro's clone is gazing at Ziggy's hands right now.

And he kisses Ziggy back, and it's like he never wants to stop.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy looks from his love to the firefly like shapes. They distract him as they glitter and move about. Though the click as the box opens brings his attention back to the person kneeling with him.

Ziggy shakily offers his left hand and smiles. "There's no first life or second life. There's just this life. Your life didn't end even if it's changed."

A giggle escapes though. "Here I thought you stared at my hands because you liked to watch me play, not because you were swooning over my hands." He teases.

Then their lips touch and Ziggy wraps his arms around Hiroki to pull him closer.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Hiroki Shirogane can no longer push back the tears. But with Ziggy, surely that's fine.

Hiroki carefully puts the ring on Ziggy's ring finger. Now he thinks he really should've taken more note, perhaps, of what kind of stuff Ziggy likes, but what's done is done. Besides, Hiroki was trying to find something that'd be visibly from him, also...

Hiroki shimmers, and when a light dies down, he suddenly has feathered wings. They're the colour of dark entities, but Hiroki barely takes note of the colour as he glances at the wings with wonder. Wings always impressed him, in a way, and he can't believe he has a pair even if it's likely for a short time. These wings are huge - like they could actually support Hiroki, because he knows a fair bit about flying. Maybe they can. That doesn't matter right now.

He focuses back on his beloved, hoping Ziggy's not freaked out or anything. No, surely not. It's Ziggy, after all. His beloved, who absolutely would like Hiroki, still, even if Hiroki were to remain in Atlas forever. Even then. Or so Hiroki hopes.

He hugs Ziggy back, wrapping his arms and his sudden wings around him.

"It's both, silly. I like your hands, Ziggy, and your music--"

He trails off. Kissing Ziggy now, ardently.

You're mine now. Now you can't get rid of me, ever, so what'll you do?

Hopefully get ready for an even closer embrace, because yes, that's what Hiroki's doing right now. A feather or two might land on Ziggy's face and shoulder. Hiroki's glowing again, a little, but not transforming again. He suddenly has a feeling the wings might stay, for a bit, maybe an hour or three, if that's fine. And why wouldn't it be? It must just, simply, be all these emotions that Hiroki wasn't sure what to do with.

Because he loves Ziggy more than he's able to show, he thinks, sometimes.

"You like it when I swoon over you, Your Highness."

He grins. He can tease you right back, Ziggy Stardust.

He hopes Ziggy doesn't mind the wings. It's not like Hiroki knew that'd happen!

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy takes a moment to look at the ring once it is on his finger. He likes the color but it is a bit masculine for his taste. However, he says nothing and only smiles because it is the meaning that matters.

The wings get a startled cry out of Ziggy when he notices them. He wasn't expecting them but then he just stares in awe at them.

I was already yours. I have been .. maybe since we met.

As they embrace more closely, Ziggy has to reach out and touch the wings. They are so pretty and he honestly hasn't noticed the color connection. As far as he is aware this color may just indicate something from a spiritual realm.

There's more laughter at the tease. "Not as much as you like it when I swoon over you."

True, Ziggy did it less often but it was certainly more dramatic.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Hiroki Shirogane'd be embarassed about spontanously transforming like that during such an important moment, but he's a bit too overjoyed for any embarassment. And huh, touching wings feels to Hiroki a bit like touching hair, who knew.

Already yours since met... honestly, Hiroki can't say the same for himself, the beginnings of the feelings were certainly there, but it took time not to feel scared to offer himself with abandon. And with utter trust.

"Should I make you swoon?"

He smiles. And then kisses Ziggy. His heart's beating fast from all the emotions right now.

Hiroki hopes Ziggy's as happy as he is.

I want to share my life with you, always. Thank you for accepting me, he thinks to Ziggy.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy can feel the appreciation of the touch and continues to stroke the wing feathers.

"You can try." He teases and kisses the tip of Hiroki's nose.

"You accept me too." Ziggy speaks back at the kiss. Leaning in when the kiss breaks he just curls himself against Hiroki's chest. "Should I get you something to wear too?"

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Who says I need your permission to try, now, hmmm? I'll try whether you like it all not," he mock-threatens, but speaking softly and warmly because right now he can't hide what he's seriously feeling even for half a tick. Which makes even mock-threats difficult to say properly, dammit.

"For me? Ah- in some places, both people in the couple do, so -yes? Please. If, if you want to. If-- yeah."

Hiroki blushes slightly. He likes the thought. Something to mark him as Ziggy's, so to speak.

Mark him? Isn't it strange... to think like that? What are they, animals???? But he wants it, yeah, now that Ziggy's mentioned it, and, he can feel that even without mentioning, he's wanted that before, too, secretly even from himself.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I hope you do." Ziggy smile and then giggles at the threats.

"I'll think about it. Maybe I'll find something." Of course he is going to find something. It just may take time.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"I meant, whether you like it or not--"

"You. Are. Perfect," Hiroki says, and then hugs Ziggy and floats a foot off the ground. And then lands quickly.

"I have no idea how to fly. Well, of course. I know that."

He laughs and kisses Ziggy gently.

"Well, if you get me anything," he says, after the kiss, "I'll treasure it till I die."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I can't say anyone's ever been so attracted to me that they start floating away." Ziggy laughs while trying to hold on.

Ziggy leans into the gentle kiss. "And I'll treasure you until I die."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"I... totally meant to do this."

Not really. But now he wants to learn to control his floating. It's the astronaut in him, of course he wants to do it on will someday. Yeah.

"Until- Doesn't that mean forever? I'll tell you a little secret, I somehow... not Shiro, I... I've always been a little scared of forever. Lance and you are the only people that know that, now. I doubt even Shiro quite knows."

Scared but desiring it, too. It's silly.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Oh? You did?" Ziggy starts laughing because he's pretty sure he didn't plan to.

"It's a long time." Ziggy admits. "Forever is an unknown amount of time. Things people can't know are usually scary to them."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"And now you're just embarassing me, Zigg. Zi? Hey, your name's so short, I can't even shorten it. Speaking of names, if some of my friends... family... friends... Paladins of Voltron"
he finally settles on saying
"ever get here and hear my new name, expect them to nickname me 'Hero'. I'll never live it down. Can't then say I didn't tell you."

Not that he minds. In fact, he's more cheerful now, scary thoughts almost forgotten (not literally, thankfully. There's been almost a few times in his whole life when he FORGOT or thought he forgot something and all those few times proved to him that something was wrong, that HE was wrong, because apart from that, his memory was absolutely crystal clear. Which made it terrifying, he wondered if Ziggy knew just how much, at times.).

"Yeah."

Shi--- Hiroki shakes his head.

"Enough about the bad stuff. Today's for you, and you're, you're all the good things."

And I'll treasure You until - well, I've been there, done that, when it comes to dying, so rather... rather... no matter how many times.

For happier stuff... At least I can safely say I'll no matter what never forget you, no matter what. No minute, no hour. That must be worth something at least, isn't it?

He touches his pendant from Ziggy.

"Hey. So. Now. How about. Hug me as tight as you can?"
He smiles, a little awkward, embarassed.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"You're my hero." Ziggy says with a smile and a tone befitting a Disney princess.

There's a happiness to hearing forever, whether it is how things will turn or not, that can probably only be felt by an immortal. Ziggy feels it. The happiness that comes with not worrying so much about losing someone.

"I have a photographic memory and will live forever, maybe." Ziggy tells Hiroki. "You'll always be part of me, a happy part of me."

Ziggy does hug him, as tight as he can which isn't that tight compared to a human, and adds several cheek kisses too.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Softly utters,
"That so? I should train my heroics more, then, so that I continue to pass."

"Ah..."

"Wow. Thank you. I mean. That happy part, I'm not exactly used to hearing or feeling that about myself, from people who actually know what and who I am."

He's touched, really. Because that... yeah.

And if I can actually make You happy, I might even forgive myself for all I haven't done, Hiroki thinks, probably loudly enough.

He tries not to hug Ziggy too hard. Fortunately, he thinks he knows the limits by now. So he's probably very much on edges on those limits, because he's moved, and grateful, and he wants-- he needs--

He smiles at the cheek kisses.

"You're the first person I have made glad in any way, probably, Ziggy. You don't know how much that means to me."

It's not the objective truth but it's what Hiroki honestly believes. Anybody else, before? That's just, back then, a shadow of Shiro making them any happy as far as Hiroki's concerned. Consciously or subconsciously.

"You... do know that I had once tried to hate you, and why, so... I'm grateful."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I think accepting this ring means you already won." Ziggy teased gently.

"I'm happy here with you. I want you to be my husband because you make me so happy." Ziggy sneaks a kiss to Hiroki's cheek.

He's laughing in the hug as he listens to his partner ramble on. "I know and I told you to fuck off because I'm more stubborn than you are."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Terrifyingly stubborn, verily, you are," Shiro mutters, chuckling a little in response. "Feel free to cow me into submission anytime."

"I always thought you deserve better than somebody like me, but then I've realised, knowing you, you can have me and anybody you deserve, too, so, it's fine."

I just want all the good things for you, Ziggy. So if I'm ever jealous, know that that's secondary to that desire and don't let that stop, I don't want to stop you from anything, as long it's not a secret between us. Because if it was secret, I'd feel--- well, enough about that for now...
Hiroki trails off in his thoughts.

"Hey. Is it just me, or are you even more radiant right now, Princess? Let me check-" Hiroki says, and kisses Ziggy's forehead. "I think you are. It's great."

And-- thank you. I know, I know, I already said it

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Will I need to again?" Ziggy asks curiously and teasing slightly.

"I get to determine who I deserve, just like you do." Ziggy kisses his cheek. "I'll never keep anything from you, especially not anyone else I see... which are very few."

Ziggy giggles and presses into a hug. "I thik you have rosy glasses on but they look good on you."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Probably not."

"Yeah, you do. And I'll never keep anything from you, either."

Hiroki grins. "No, I'm just telling the truth."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I'm always glad for your honesty." Ziggy says as he leans in. "It is part of the reason you managed to get this ring on my finger."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"What if someday I discover something horrible about my makeup and character and then refuse to tell you that, ever? I am a product of an evil witch, you know. So that's more possible than not to happen. I'm always slightly worried."

At least I'm not Pidge's clone and I'm always grateful for that. You don't know Pidge, so you can't even imagine how scary and effective possibly evil Green Paladin would be. A possibly evil shiro is nothing in comparison, since shiros are all about selfish heroics, not about math. Evil math and devotion? That's scary. Evil heroics can always be turned around.

He's only half-serious in these thoughts right now.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I'm from two Xenophobic species. That makes me but that isn't who I am. The evil witch isn't who you are."

Ziggy was certain and wouldn't accept anything else. Ziggy just hugs him and kisses him on the cheek.

"You've been trying to convince me you're evil or going to be evil since we met. It hasn't worked and it won't work."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"You're right, I---"

Hiroki hesitates, unsure how to put his thoughts and feelings into words.

"I'm not her."

There's a burst of joy in that.

"And you have done a lot for that, too. If not for you, I, well--"

He hesitates. While hugging back firmly.

He smiles.
"I wouldn't have much fun in my second life, I guess. Yep."

But then, Ziggy might see a memory.

Of Hiroki standing somewhere in the Nexus and thinking, I won't get close to anyone. I won't talk to anyone. Or be around anyone. I'll be alone, always. That's perfect, because that way, that way She won't hurt anyone through me, ever again. And that's all I can do for them all. All I can...

[ziggyplayedguitar]

He's glad to feel the happiness even if he can see the memories. They are just that, the past and memories.

"We should have more fun." Ziggy declares with a peck on his cheek. "We should do something today."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"We're doing, we're doing a lot!"

Enthusiastically. While nuzzling him/ her.

And then the clone blushes. He... feels as if he's just talked like some two year old, not an adult.

"Th-that is to say. Yea. Definitely."

2/2

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Sometimes I still wonder what I'd have been like as a child. Yeah, I can say child-Shiro, but... really? Doubt it. Or it's just cheating.

Sometimes, I think... I would like a childhood. Just a day or like five hours. Any more and I'd be missing my lovely wife.

Blushes again. And gazes shyly at Ziggy. Somehow, with Ziggy, he thinks he's always going to feel so freshly in love. He doesn't understand it himself.

"Yeah... yes. For sure."