Bended Knee... Small Box...

[Sakura Gemini]

Sakura Gemini looked about her new flat and smiled to herself, this was her first official place of her own. It didn't bother her that she was only renting the place, it was hers and that's all that mattered. The room she stood in now over looked a small park which was great considering the view from the other side of the house was almost walled in with other buildings. She had been fortunate to have discovered this particular place when she had and sitting down on one of the wooden chairs she smiled to herself again. Of course it wasn't long before the rickety old chair broke and she landed in a heap on the floor. Sakura didn't get angry though, she merely laughed dusted herself off and stood up once again.

The sitting room was small enough containing the fireplace, one sofa and one armchair as well as a small coffee table. The wooden chair had been used to prop open the window earlier to air the room and she was glad the chair hadn't broken then and allowed the window to crash to smithereens. Sure she could mend things with a flick of her wand but she really didn't want to spend her entire first day cleaning, dusting and mending everything magically. Taking out her wand now, she moved the broken pieces of wood aside with intent to repair it much later.

Her trunk was inside on her bed, a rather quaint queen sized bed that she had made sure she had spent an insane amount of time cleaning and perhaps it was that reason alone that made her weary of cleaning anything else. She simply just wanted to enjoy her new living space for a moment. Other than the bed only a single wardrobe had been able to fit comfortably inside her bedroom; the bathroom was just as pokey but at least it housed a bathtub and had running hot and cold water. The kitchen could only really be called a kitchenette and she was grateful for that, she wasn't the best cook in the world and probably never would be. Fabulous potion maker perhaps but chef, never.

Earlier she had owled Nicolas to let him know where she would be after work and that he simply had to come around to see her new home. Part of her wondered had she been too hasty in sending that invitation to him, considering the appearance of her flat. It would need new paint and the carpets would need a serious cleaning as well as the drapes. She wasn't sure if he'd approve of her choice of living conditions but it was far better than living at the Leaky and much better than any of the other places she had viewed, considering her budget.

Glancing at her watch she nearly fainted in horror. She hadn't realized how fast the time had gone, a knock on the door signalled his arrival or she was certain it was him. Brushing some dust from her clothing and giving her face and hair a quick once over to make sure she looked somewhat presentable, she opened the door. How could she not smile every time she saw him? He took her breath away just as he always did. A smile brightened her features and she flung her arms about his neck, her legs swinging up behind her as she planted one kiss after another to his mouth. She would never get enough of him, never want enough of him either. Finally coming up for air and lowering her legs until her feet touched the ground again, she beamed at him.

"Welcome to my humble abode Mr. King, please come in?" she released him and stood back enough to allow him entry, biting her lip as she awaited the verdict.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas had received an owl from Sakura earlier that day stating that she had found a flat for herself and Nicolas had smiled at this thought, knowing how long she had been in search of one and hoe desperately she no longer wished to stay at the Leaky Cauldron. The letter went on to give her new address and to invite him to visit her there as soon as he was finished with work. He replied to the letter in order to state that he would be sure to come by before returning to the work of the day.

When the work day concluded Nicolas was worn, but the thought of seeing Sakura once more invigorated and energized him. He slipped on his travelling cloak, took a small box which he'd left on his desk off of it, slipping it in to his pocket, then locked up his office before leaving the Ministry for the evening.

Apparating to the locality specified by Sakura, Nicolas found the street then the number quickly. Entering the complex he climbed the stairs until he reached the apartment number indicated he. He smiled, checked the numbers again, and then knocked, anxious to see Sakura after having missed her a few days, and excited for the woman he loved that she finally had her own apartment (though how short a time she might need it for was unknown to her and only a vague thought to Nicolas). When the door opened and arms were flung about his neck great joy seemed to flow from Nicolas, revealed in his face, as he held on to Sakura, supporting her as she removed her feet from the floor and kissed him numerous times.

Letting Sakura back down, but reluctant to remove his arms from about her, Nicolas chuckled with her comment. "Ah, Ms. Gemini, I must thank you for your warm greeting and welcomes," He commented, kissing Sakura's cheek before releasing her and entering the apartment which she anxiously allowed him entry to. Nicolas looked about the room. It was bare, and dusty, but it was certainly larger than Sakura's room at the leaky and she was obviously quite excited by it. Nicolas smiled and took note of the broken chair in a pile. He shook his head and drew his wand, in-canting something under his breath and repairing it in a few seconds before turning back to Sakura, who seemed to be waiting for a comment from him. "You like it, here?" He enquired, looking about the room once more before he faced Sakura again. "I think it's quite wonderful, if you're happy with it."

 

[Sakura Gemini]

She had been a nervous wreck about how he might view her new place, she had never seen where he lived and could well imagine it was much better than the dump she seemed to think perfect for her. Yet Sakura looked about her and did not see her accomodation through laboured eyes, she viewed the place with optimism. Saw the potential that could come from a thorough cleaning, a few brighter curtains by the windows, a few cushions and throws and a few pictures. It was only an empty shell now but soon it would be her home, she would make it so.

Smiling at his response to her she watched him enter feeling her insides turn immediately when he chose to fix the chair. For some reason she took great umbridge to this, it had been her broken chair after all and she was well able to fix the thing. How many people actually walked into someone else's place and began fixing things willy nilly as they were shown about? Sakura felt her hackles rise but curbed her tongue from speaking aloud the thoughts that overcame her. Perhaps she was just brought up differently but surely he could have asked first, she might have wanted to use the broken bits for firewood or something. Well she didn't, but she stood there another moment brooding silently as he began to speak.

He seemed to measure his words carefully and Sakura after closing the door walked towards the fireplace and tried again to see it through his eyes. She felt a distinct protectiveness now for the old place under his scrutiny and wanted nothing more than to put her arms out and stop him from looking so keenly at each detail of the place. Even when he said it was 'wonderful' she felt it sounded a bit off and sighing she walked to the door taking his hand in hers as she did so.
"Let me show you all of the place... there's a lot of work to be done here but I like hard work. I've never shirked from it but ..." with a smile she turned to face him, her face alight as she did so. Desperately wanting him to know she wasn't insane for wanting to live here.
"what else have I to do most evenings when you work late. I will have the place painted and gleaming by the end of tomorrow. Will buy a few nick nacks from one of the second hand shops and it should begin to feel ... homelike soon enough."

She indicated the kitchenette to him as both would not be able to fit inside together, as they proceeded down the small hallway she indicated the bathroom before she stood before the open door of her bedroom. Standing before him she took his hands and wrapped them around her waist as she leaned back against him.
"I know it all looks so small and pokey but it's mine Nicolas, well it's a rental but ... it's mine" she turned to face him then gazing into the brown eyes she loved so much, "and ... you'll .. well," she blushed slightly as she floundered over her words, "maybe you'll want to sleep over now... not now as in now this minute.. but I mean... that is..."

Nothing she was saying seemed to want to come out right and to stem the flow of any more gibberish she tilted her face to his and kissed him.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas allowed Sakura to take his hand but noticed her doubt and annoyance with his responses. He hadn't been insincere at all. Sure, it wasn't the type of place that he would like to live in, but he'd always lived in much grandeur places and never had need to go out to find his own home. By the time he would have been prepared to move away from his parents, they had died, and their home was now his. He was robbed of many of the experiences Sakura was now surely experiencing and was unable to relate to her.

Nicolas followed Sakura about for the brief tour of her new abode, listening to her as she spoke, explaining her attachment to the place and her plans for it. Nicolas felt poorly, too, that she felt she had so little do when he was not by, that he wasn't able to be with her more - as much as they'd both like. However, the separation from Sakura often reminded him of how much he cared for her, loved her, and wished she was by him. "I'm sure," Nicolas began, a kind smile on his face to assure Sakura that he thought the place fine, and that he knew she could have it fixed in no time at all.

As Sakura pulled his arms around her, Nicolas smiled and held her tightly to him, resting his head by hers and looking in to the room she indicated. It was obvious that she had taken more care in preparing this room, that she'd already cleaned it considerably, and that this was the room she was currently most proud of. As Sakura spoke her reasoning to him once more Nicolas nodded, though she couldn't see it, her words affirming his suspicions - that she simply desired a place of her own, to call her own, and know that she had done something for it, that any improvement to it she could be proud of knowing that she'd done it. This brought his mind back to the repaired chair in the sitting room and Nicolas frowned a moment, feeling poorly for what he'd potentially robbed her of.

Nicolas' gentle hold of Sakura was maintained as she turned to face him. He forced his frown gone, and the remorseful thought from his mind. He smiled to Sakura, looking in to her eyes as she spoke. Her words were jumbled, and he didn't quite understand every tangent she almost went down, but in the end he felt he understood her desire and smiled, almost replying but finding his lips meeting her own. He kissed her tenderly, lovingly, expressing anything that could be expressed in such a simple action - his love, his desire, his honest feelings, that he couldn't be without her. His hand moved to the small of her back and supported her as their kiss continued a moment longer, then he broke it slowly, teasing her with his eyes and his smile. "I truly think this is wonderful for you." Nicolas stated in a soft tone, reassuring Sakura of his previous words.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

She could only beam brightly at his words, smiling up at his sincerity. Her body seemed to shiver once again at his touch and no more did she want to move from within the circle of his strong arms but knew that staying there would cause her to want for other things. Ache for him as she seemed to be doing a lot of lately. They were too close to her bedroom and this thought pushed her to move away slightly before walking to the kitchen.

"Did you want tea or coffee Nicolas?" surely she could manage that much without ruining it? she had still to discover whether her stove worked or not or whether her copper kettle had a leak in it. She wanted nothing to go wrong on his visit and now hoped that he didn't want anything to drink at all. Turning to look at him once again, she began walking backwards along the small hallway.
"I should have gotten in some firewhiskey for you" she smiled wondering why she was feeling ridiculously shy around him and could only fathom it was because for the very first time they were completely and utterly alone. No Yema hovering near her door as at the Leaky, no Mimsy or her parents... it was just the two of them.

She looked at him for a moment, unable to say anything as this realization dawned on her. Holding out her hand once more to him she guided them back into the sitting room and to the sofa. Releasing his hand just a moment as she sat down, gathering her legs up behind her and patting the small space beside her, room enough for him.
"It is ... clean. I know it doesn't look it but I did clean this much. It's just very very old" there was no way she could afford a brand new sofa on her wages and there was also no way she would ever ask her parents for a loan of money. She was much too proud for that and anything she owned was all her own, bought and paid for with her hard earned money. Sakura was extremely proud of that fact as well.

"Nicolas? Will you sit?" she smiled up at him, still disbelieving at times that he was hers. She didn't think she could ever not love him, he had her heart forever. It beat only for him and she was happy for this. Completely content in her love for him.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas was surprised as Sakura removed herself from him and started to walk away from him. Her bright smile only moments earlier had assured him he was on solid footing, and now she seemed withdrawn and distant from him. Why this change had occurred was beyond him, but he determined not to brew on it. He followed Sakura down the hallway "No, I should be fine." Nicolas offered, not being one to particularly enjoy coffee, and having already had several cups of tea through the day. "That's quite alright. I should have brought some goblin wine for this occasion." Nicolas continued on, a smile on his face as he looked at Sakura, his eyes locking with hers and wondering more and more why she seemed so anxious tonight but figuring it was simply her nerves of having a place of her own, which she seemed desperate to have Nicolas approve of. What it was that she thought would cause Nicolas to disapprove of it was beyond him. He didn't think he had ever given her any indication that he was that judgmental, that critical of living conditions, but he pushed this from his mind with the site of Sakura's outstretched hand.

Nicolas took Sakura's hand with a smile and was lead back in to the living area where Sakura sat down on a couch and assured him that it was clean. Again, it appeared that she was concerned for things which were quite far from his mind. He became lost in this thought a moment, how concerned she seemed about such things, then the sound of her voice drew him back in to the moment. He nodded his head and sat down beside Sakura on the small sofa. Turning to face Sakura, Nicolas smiled, contented to be near her once more, after a long day at work simply to be in her presence seemed to be refreshing, even if her behaviour seemed quite queer. "If you need any help with this place," Nicolas began, trying to choose his words careful so as not to hurt Sakura's pride and risk offending her, "I'd be happy to help you in any way possible. Plus it'd be more time together."

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Sakura had been in need of another outlet ever since she had left the auror department and begun work as an unspeakable. It was gruelling, she had thought because she got to work with potions all day long that she would absolutely love it but it was so secretive, so dangerous and because she spent so much of her time alone in one strange room or another brewing concoctions, solutions, potions and anything else they seemed to think she was capable of doing; Sakura was usally exhausted by the end of her day. She knew a lot of the unspeakables seemed to stay long after the working day was done but she wasn't quite so eager to do that yet. Figuring that when they gave her something better to create or work on, she might feel the incentive too. For the first time ever in her life she found that she did not want to doodle so much in her potions journals, the Department of Mysteries seemed to suck it all out of her.

Perhaps that was why she was so preoccupied with getting her flat organised, wanting it to be just right but wanting to do it her way and not someone elses. Taking constant orders and instruction all day long was wearing her down, she didn't remember the auror department being quite so meticulous. Watching Nicolas sit down beside her, she turned to face him and when he offered to help her she was ready to rebuke it until he added his reasoning. Her face brightened considerably.
"Really, you'd help? Surely you're exhausted after work and would rather do other things though?" she asked, well she had to make sure. The visual of herself and Nicolas righting the wrongs in her humble flat was a quaint one and one that had her smiling still brightly.

 

[Nicolas King]

"However you'd like me to," Nicolas nodded with a smile, reaching out and taking Sakura's hand in his own, squeezing it gently to show Sakura that it was in fact there that he wanted to be, with her, not at his own home eating, sleeping, then going back to work the next day to repeat the cycle. He really did feel rested when he spent time with Sakura, forgetting all the world around them and just focusing on her for that period of time. In fact, he'd been finding that recently Sakura was occupying his mind even more than ever. With the prospect of his proposal looming over him, and his planning and looking for the perfect opportunity to ask Sakura to be his forever his thoughts were often predisposed to be with Sakura, regardless. Why, then, would he give up on an opportunity to be with her, no matter what they did?

Once a few more moments had passed Nicolas sat up again and looked about the room. It was getting late and the sun was setting, the room's dust filled air danced in the sunlight as it peered through the windows. "How about we go for a stroll in the sunset, Sakura?" Nicolas offered, the sun now in his eyes on the couch and wanting to offer Sakura a time out of her flat, and not at work, as it seemed between the two much of her time would be occupied in the coming days. Surely a walk would do her some good, and might ease some of her anxiety as well.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

She felt so much better already that she would have company now to sort the place out. Isabella was constantly coming and going between her new guy and the Leaky that she rarely saw her any more. Even after the months she had been missing. Her own life was firmly caught up with Nicolas' and she didn't want it any other way really, though she did miss the chats with Bella. Talking to Nicolas about female things didn't seem right some how and her best friend had always been the one to calm her fears and worries on any matter. Yet as she looked at Nicolas, smiled into his brown eyes she knew that over the last few months together he had pretty much been doing that for her.

At the mention of a stroll she turned her head to gaze a moment out the window to see the orange glow of the setting sun. It looked beautiful even from here, so turning to look at him she smiled and nodded her head.
"Sure I'd love too" she stood up swiftly enough and summoned her cloak, for always at this time it was much cooler. Nicolas rose as well and taking the cloak from her helped Sakura to ease into it. Turning around with still a smile on her face she tilted her head and kissed him tenderly on the nose before winking at him.

"Come on then slow coach before the sun sets and the moon has risen" she grinned as they linked hands once again and began to head out. Sakura locked the flat after her, with a key and with her wand to be on the safe side though she had to laugh at herself for that much. There was nothing in there to steal really and if anyone did break in, one look at the shoddiness of the place would most likely even touch the thieves heart causing them to either assist in cleaning up or merely leaving completely and pitying the dweller of the abode.

Walking down the stairs they chatted amiably about her parents. Sakura letting him know how all of a sudden her mother was owling her every second day to see how she was and if not her, then her father was doing likewise. She was convinced they were simply lonesome and were probably trying to drop hints that they visit England again soon. At the bottom of the stairs she could not resist kissing him again on his cheek this time and as they finally left the house to view the breathtaking sunset, she snuggled up close against him savouring his scent, enjoying his strength and loving the man.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas rose as Sakura did, helping her with her cloak he smiled as he received her soft kiss on his nose as thanks. Nicolas smiled and became lost in the tenderness of the moment, Sakura's kiss being replayed in his mind and him wanting nothing more now than to remain indoors and keep Sakura close to him, where it was safe, and where he knew she would be with him no matter what.

Sakura's words snapped Nicolas back in to reality, he chuckled and took her hand, walking with her out of the flat and allowing her to lock the door, which she seemed to do with extra care and he chuckled. She likely didn't take that much care when she stayed at the Leaky, but now this was hers as she had already pointed out, and she seemed determined to keep it so, even if it wasn't in its finished state yet. As they walked down the stairs Nicolas laughed with Sakura's recounting of her parent's recent writings. They weren't being particularly subtle in keeping in touch with her, but at least they hadn't simply 'spilt the beans' on him, at the muggles say. He suggested, at the bottom of the stairs, that perhaps they might visit her parents again the coming month if Sakura would like, though he highly doubted that they wanted to see him. With this Sakura kissed his cheek and he smiled again, brighter, squeezing Sakura's hand slightly in his own as they stepped outside and in to the radiant beams of the setting sun.

As Sakura held herself close to Nicolas and the walked toward the setting sun, enjoying the show it was putting on that evening - the same show it put on every evening, Nicolas realized once more how special the woman in his midst was to him, how she made a sunset which happened every evening to become all the more special, all the more beautiful. He had never imagined that somebody's mere presence could change his outlook on thinks so large and so regular as the setting sun, but she had managed it, somehow. Somehow every step seemed a step in a dream with Sakura at his side.

Withdrawing a small box from his pocket he fumbled with it in his fingers. 'No, not now.' he told himself, slipping the box back in to his pocket without Sakura noticing.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

They continued on along the path, crossing over the cobbled streets and winding their way along talking about anything that came to mind. She hated not being able to tell him about her day at work anymore but she was an unspeakable now and anything that went on at work had to literally stay there. Instead she spoke about everything else she could think of, most especially her excitement at the upcoming exhibition game that he had gotten her tickets for at Christmas. She made sure to remind him about the date and to ascertain that it was him she planned on taking with her, so his calender had to be completely freed on that date.

They ended up at the harbour and Sakura turned around looking back the way they had come, they had been walking for over thirty minutes and she knew she would have happily walked another thirty with him, in fact she knew she'd walk to the ends of the world with him and for him. Leaning on the harbour railing she stared out at the sea and watched the sun making its final descent. It was beautiful and she seriously couldn't imagine viewing this with anyone else. A gentle smile graced her features as she turned her face up to his.
"I love you" she told him sincerely before leaning against his shoulder and continuing to gaze out on the magnificence of the world before them.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas was nearly euphoric as he talked and laughed with Sakura leaning against him, taking her refuge in him, and enjoying his presence as much as he was hers. They seemed to skirt about the issues of work, though this seemed reasonable enough, both of them in stressful ministry positions and neither wanting to spoil their time together. Nicolas, of course, was cleared to know much of what the Department of Mysteries was doing these days, at least the vague concepts (as even Unspeakables themselves seldom fully knew what their small projects contributed towards). The Ministry had realized how keeping everything so departmentalized detracted from the work of every department, so lines of communication were slightly more open, and at least the Department Heads and senior employees the Minister's office knew what was happening elsewhere in the ministry. Nicolas assumed that Sakura knew this and simply enjoyed the thought that they were avoiding a topic for that sake alone - to avoid it.

Nicolas thanked Sakura jokingly for deciding to bring him along with her to the match, and assured her that he had the day off anyway. She seemed intent to ensure that there was no way Nicolas' time could be occupied by anything else, that nothing else could pop up, and that somehow he would have to miss going to the game with her. Once more he assured her that nothing short of Death Eaters taking him in the night would prevent him from attending with her. She seemed to take some solace in this, and the walk grew to hold a comfortable silence between them as they approached the harbour.

Releasing Sakura's hand, Nicolas watched as she walked to the harbour railing and peered out to the world beyond that point, to the sun as it set for them and rose for somebody else, to the future. Nicolas stood behind her, his arms gently wrapping about her and he smiled with her words as she leaned in to him. "I love you, too."

"Sakura, I've a question to ask you..."

 

[Sakura Gemini]

The sunset in all it's glory could not compare to the words he spoke, she would never tire of hearing them. Leaning back against she sighed gently, it felt so safe here in his arms. He spoke again and she merely nodded her head, but after a second she leaned forward a little again. Wondering what it was he wanted to ask her. Thoughts of him wanting to stay over tonight hit her suddenly and she swallowed hard. Was she ready for that? She had thought about it plenty of times, she wasn't a prude but she was extremely innocent when it came to the male species.

Turning around slowly in his arms she bit her lip, hoping that wasn't what he was going to ask her but also hoping it wasn't far off the cards for them either. She just wasn't ready yet, no matter how much her body betrayed her when he was around. Looking into his brown eyes she tried not to look petrified but rather cool and collected instead. It seriously wouldn't do for him to think she was afraid of the thought of him staying in the same bed as her.
"Sure Nicolas, ask me anything... anything at all" she smiled though it felt painful to do so, as if her jaws had frozen in that pose and now she was in capable of removing it.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas loosened his hold on Sakura, allowing her to turn about in his arms and face him. He looked at her face, the expression etched on it, and the emotion her eyes betrayed. She seemed almost fearful of what he might ask, and as she spoke it came with such weight that Nicolas nearly felt sorry for breaking the perfect moment, felt that another time would be better, that this surely could have waited. His eyes wandered from Sakura's to his own feet on the ground, then back to Sakura's face, the sight of which caused him to smile reassuringly. The question was important, sure, but nothing he would hope she might fright over.

"One moment," Nicolas began, with a slight shake of his head and a smirk as he moved from his feet to kneel on one knee. He felt sort of foolish doing this, but it needed doing, right? Withdrawing his wand from his robe pocket he waved it over his shoe and the lace re-tied itself. With a confident nod he stood back up and chuckled to Sakura. "That was going to bother me." Then, after a moment, he continued. "Right. My question." Nicolas withdrew the small box from his pocket and held it in front of Sakura. Surely she knew what was held within.

"Sakura," Nicolas began, a beaming smile on his face as he grew confident that the sight of the box in his hands and the words he was about to speak would alleviate any worry in Sakura. "Are you quite, quite, sure that your mother's cauldron cakes will end my love affair with all others the world over?" He enquired, opening the box and revealing the two cauldron cakes that Sakura's mother had sent to him by owl earlier that week. "I'm kind of frightened." He admitted, glancing at the cakes then at Sakura. How could his obsession with such a splendid dessert end so quickly? With a single woman's baking? Surely they weren't that grand - and if they were he either needed a lifetime supply of them or to never try any.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Sakura nearly lost her life when he bent down to one knee, the only reason anyone had for doing that was... with some bit of relief she watched him tie his shoe lace and stand once more. For a moment she had thought his asking her a question would be the question. She knew she loved him, simply adored him and that he loved her but she wasn't sure if she was ready for marriage just yet. But then again it had never come up before. It was such a huge commitment, such a huge undertaking and as he took out a familiar box from his pocket she could only smile.

A few things hit her hard in that moment and the main one was, if he had asked her, she would have said yes. She knew with all certainty that her life could only be spent with this man and no other. Any stupid fears she may have had about his question earlier were insignificant now as she wiped a hand along the cover of the box. She could not help the tears that welled up in her eyes, no more than she could help loving this man. He must think her a complete dolt and marriage was probably the furthest thing from his mind but it didn't matter. If it came at all, she would be ready for it. Steadying her racing heart she smiled up at him.

"Nicolas you have waited your entire life for me and I was worth waiting for" she wasn't being in any way boastful but simply repeating what he had told her countless times, "if you want to wait for these alot longer then do so because once you've had the best ... you'll never want for any other." Leaning slightly over the their hands holding the box, she kissed him tenderly.
"I can explain to my mother but trust me, if you like them she will continue to send you a regular supply." she glanced down at the box still smiling, "this means she really likes you, she approves of you highly."

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas listened to Sakura's words and smiled, she was taking the question more seriously then he had intended but now that he thought on his actions only moments earlier, perhaps she'd thought his query was of another sort? The idea was humorous, to be sure. The evening was amazing and Sakura's presence only made it that much more spectacular, but it was by no means the conditions under which he intended to propose. Such a question deserved either the grandeur of a thousand eyes to witness the event, or the quaint romanticisms of time spent with each other, alone, perhaps over a supper, and he intended to give it, give her, one of those two experiences - not to fumble about it half heartedly after a walk in to the sunset.

"Well, I'm glad one of your parents definitely approves." Nicolas began, a cheeky smile on his face as he said the words. Sakura's father approved, now, too. At least approved enough to allow Nicolas to marry his daughter, but of course Sakura didn't know this - and likely wouldn't for some time. That was likely part of the reason why Nicolas had received Cauldron Cakes about the time that Sakura started to receive regular owls.

Looking down at the box, Nicolas sighed and decided to take Sakura's word at face value. Her mother would continue to send them, should he like them as much as Sakura guaranteed, and there was no reason why the evening shouldn't be one of bests. The best woman at his side and now standing before him, the best stroll in to the sunset imaginable, the best cauldron cakes to eat. He picked up a cake in one hand before lifting the box to Sakura. "You'll have one, with me?"

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Sakura smiled back at him shaking her head as if she were indulging a young child.
"Nicolas, Daddy does like you he just has a hard time showing it is all. When you have a daughter of your own someday, you'll understand I'm sure" she watched fascinated with the way he almost cradled the box in his hands. The mention of children had not had any effect on her at all which stumped her completely, usually when children became a topic of conversation among her friends or family, Sakura was usually the first one out of the room to get refreshments or anything else providing she didn't have to listen to talk about the pitter patter of tiny feet. Perhaps it was because she was secure in their love or that she had simply found the best candidate for the job in her view but before she could or would let her mind to conjure images of Nicolas with a little child hoisted over his shoulders, she brought her thoughts back to the here and now.

Here to Nicolas who was desperately craving a cauldron cake and not just any but her mothers. Now to the man who seemed to have an unhealthy weakness for the cakes, so much so that at times if one was in the same room as them, she felt as if she was in competition for his affections. Nothing could part the man from his cauldron cakes so she was extremely surprised that he would offer one to her but she shook her head slowly.
"No I think you'll need that one, if you decide that the cakes are as good as I said they were" she grinned. She knew full well how delicate the chocolate sponge crumbled on the first contact with the tongue, how the gooey chocolate center burst forth like lava from a volcano and how the mouth simply felt intense pleasure as if for the first time ever. One was never enough but she had grown up with them and for the sake of her figure had learnt to restrain herself over the years. It was difficult to do but it was still possible.

"Enjoy Nicolas" she smiled leaning back against the railing to watch him enjoy his delight.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas chuckled with Sakura's first comment. "If we have a daughter of our own one day, and I am anything like your father at all, you must promise to kill me then." he instructed, a wink following the statement. He hadn't paid special care to his choice of words, allowing the use of 'we' to fall off his tongue and paying it no mind at all. Sakura had already told him of her heart being his to have forever, and how she wouldn't be able to live without it, without him, and Nicolas, in his own time, had offered similar assurances - that he couldn't fathom himself with another woman, so the idea was not far off from their previously expressed emotions.


When Sakura declined the offer of a cauldron cake, Nicolas shrugged his shoulders and closed the box. "If you won't have one with me, then I can wait until later." He stated, slipping the box in to his robes pocket again and stepping in toward Sakura once more as she leaned back against the railing. He placed his hands softly on her hips now and gazed in to her eyes. How was it that he was this fortunate? Surely the gods had taken favour on him at last, felt pity for his past and granted him this presentation, this hope, for a brilliant future. No words seemed perfect enough to express his thoughts and feelings in that moment. No magic spectacular enough to equate to the simple love he felt for the woman before him. With these realizations, he leaned in to offer her a small token of the affections which, while fleeting, seemed to communicate such things well. His lips met hers.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

She would have counted the goosebumps that erupted along her flesh at his choice of words, she hadn't said a daughter with her but found that was exactly what she had meant and again an image of a little girl with hair the same colour of her mothers but with eyes of a delicious brown like her fathers came to her vividly. Suddenly she was pining for that little girl as if she indeed were real. The emotion shook her and Sakura grew slightly weary of herself. In the space of such short a time she had imaged marriage and children with Nicolas and found herself glad that the idea of raising a family with her was not repulsive at all to him.

Marveling at his restraint she smiled at him as he placed the cake back inside the box and closed the lid again. Pocketing the box once more, she bit her lip as he moved closer to her. With his hands now on her hips she smiled as he lowered his head to hers and gave herself to the sweetness of his mouth. Her arms slowly stealing around his own waist, gliding up his back and moving herself closer to him. Their was nothing more perfect than this moment, with the glorious sunset diminishing in the sky behind them, to the most perfect of men holding her, kissing her and loving her right here in her arms. Fortune favours the bold and she would always count her lucky stars the day she had shown up in Poland out of the blue.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas seemed to bubble within as Sakura embraced him, accepted this simple expression of his love, and returned his kiss with all the ardour he offered her, if not more. Breaking their kiss tauntingly, Nicolas drew his head back and admired Sakura's visage in the final rays of sunlight the penetrated the evening air about them and under the silver shine of the moon which now made itself visible to them. He sighed slightly as he drew back, realizing how late it was becoming and though he'd like to stand there, or anywhere at all, with Sakura for all eternity, the reality of the situation was quite different. Releasing Sakura from his arms, Nicolas took her hand and, squeezing it gently, beamed to her, "Thank you for inviting me over today, and I'm sorry if I took you away from your flat for too long." He offered this, trusting that Sakura hadn't minded the time away, and that if she had he could make it up to her a thousand times over.

Nicolas started to walk Sakura back to the building her apartment was located in, not striking up further conversation but rather quietly reflecting on those that they'd had already in the evening. The thoughts he'd shuffled aside to focus his attention on Sakura, the ideas he'd refused to entertain, the words he'd chosen without any thought at all, and the closeness, trust, and love that was between them which allowed all the conversations that had been enjoyed in the evening.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Slowly he released her and quietly she allowed him too, they both seemed to know instinctively that it was time to return to the humdrum of reality. As beautiful as the sunset was and as captivated as they were when alone together, he would have to go home and she would have to return to her dingy flat. The flat where only earlier she had been so proud of but just such a short time spent with Nicolas made her see how lonely and empty that place of hers would be without him in it. He was larger than life, brightened a room the moment he entered it and now without him there, her small flat would feel and look all the worse.

He took her hand and squeezed it gently, as he smiled at her she returned it knowing that she could only attempt to mirror the beauty that his had evoked. He was everything to her, so his words when spoken caused her to shake her head and place a finger to his lips gently.

"You have an open invitation Nicolas, for my flat and for my heart. Don't ever be sorry for the time we spend together. I loved this... being with you... being anywhere with you" her finger had moved to be replaced by her lips. The gentlest of kisses left fleetingly before they began their return to her flat. No other words were spoken as they made the journey back, no other words were necessary. And when finally they stood outside her building, they still weren't. Sakura reached up to kiss him farewell before placing her hand over his heart, a gentle smile before finding her way back inside the dismal grey building and into the small flat that indeed felt so much smaller without him in it.