Three Little Words-Roxi

[LEON]

The moonlight danced across the surface of Hisakata Pond, reflecting the starry back drop of the night. A lone silhouette marred the placid surface, from the single figure standing by the water. The night did nothing to hide him given the setting he'd painstakingly crafted for this night. It had been almost a century in the making, and he was determined to make everything as perfect as possible. He stood in white trousers that hung comfortably about his frame, with a white button up on above it. A golden tie was around his throat, hanging to midchest, tucked securely beneath a white vest with golden stitching. From the corner of his vest pocket, one could see the chain to an honest to god antique golden pocket watch, and every few moments he'd check it nervously. His shoes were a white oxford style, made from leather. They clicked softly against the white marble he'd placed for this night, a raised dais creating solid footing. White marble columns decorated the boundaries of the area, leaving the sky open to viewing above, and woven between them were screens of roses, blocking outside view.

Within, a single table made in white marble waited, silver encased dishes waited as a single candle basked the table in it's steady glow. The rest of the area was softly lighted by his own ability at heliomancy, weaving the moonlight around the nights setting to give them light enough to see by. One end of the dais was open from the roses to stare out across the water and one could clearly see the full moon sitting in the sky. His right hand slipped into his pocket, making sure that his gift was still there as he looked back at the table. A white gold decanter sat waiting for them, holding a 1945 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, an expensive and rare vintage he'd had some difficulty in acquiring. It was more than worth it, as a radiant smile blossomed on his face as he thought of the one he loved. He stood at a little over six feet tall, with silver hair as bright as the moon shining above him, and golden eyes that held a perpetual smile. In his human form, his wings weren't in view, and he was glad he hadn't needed to find a tailor that could build a suit around them.

With a conscious effort of will, he ceases fidgeting and instead picks up his violin, an original Stradivarius he'd had since it's creation. His golden eyes slip shut as he began to play, the soft melody filling the night air and calming him somewhat. Put him on the battlefield against the raging hordes of the burning hells and he would never flinch, but put him in this scenario and he was far too nervous. He sighs as he levels his breathing, letting the music flow out as he relaxed. All he could do now was wait and hope that she had received his message. He could only wait to see if she would come. He could only hope that she felt as he did.

[KATSUMIKI]

this was odd. what did he want at this time of night? usually he only called upon her for small things. but this. this seemed important. the female stared at the piece of paper on her desk, her mind wandering to all sorts of places. she had so much paperwork to do and so many things to take care of, but he was calling to her. something within her stirred and she blew a feather out of her face. there were so many of those lately. sighing, the female kicked her feet up on the desk and stared at the ceiling. what was it he wanted? she was really curious. picking up the piece of paper, she folded it and placed it in her pocket. tonight she wore her usual outfit, black zip up half shirt and a pair of jeans. snagging her leather jacket off the hook, she slipped it on and headed out. her stomach was twisting nervously, but she didn't know why. was it something she ate? blowing away another feather, she stepped outside.

the cool air nipped at her skin but with a surge of warmth she was fine. her skin flushed slightly as she stuffed her hands in her jacket. there was a light coming from across the pond and she was slightly concerned it was from him. sero. the man who had been in and out of her life for years. he'd been her closest friend and she liked him. more than a friend actually. probably a lot more than a headmaster should like their security consultant. a blush crossed over her face as she zipped up her jacket. boots silent against the earth, she scanned the area. there was practically no one out. which was good because it was late and the students should be in bed. teachers should be in bed as well but she wasn't their mother. they could do what they wanted. another feather caught her attention and she frowned. ok this was getting ridiculous. what was going on with her?

the lights became brighter as she approached and her mouth dropped. what? what was this? there was marble and flowers and music. just what in the world was this? her stomach twisted nervously as she walked closer. her boots were still silent even on the marble. the female tracked the sound of the music to sero playing the violin. since when did he play violin? why was he dressed like that too? what was all this?! "sero? what in the world is all this?" confused didn't even begin to describe how she was feeling. this was totally out of character for him. hands in her pockets she walked over to him and brushed her hair off her shoulder. it was straight today for whatever reason. it decides when it wants to be straight and wave.

[LEON]

He smiles softly as he heard her approach. Silent she may be, but her clothes weren't. What kind of security consultant would he be if he let people sneak up on him? He lowers his violin and smiles radiantly at her, light and warmth seeming to emanate from him. "Roxi, I wasn't sure you'd come. I thought it was about time you took a night off, so I took the liberty of planning one for you." he says with a smile at her, gesturing for her to take a seat at the table. "You're always holed away in that office of yours working on bettering the school and the town, it's about time you got out for a breathe of fresh air." he says softly, standing behind her seat to push her chair in. If she'd paid any kind of attention to him over the years, she'd know that he was every bit the gentleman, and would hopefully set her stubborn streak aside for this one night and indulge him. She was always working so hard, caring for everyone else, it was time that someone cared for her.

He would wait until she was seated, pushing her chair in and pouring her a glass of wine, and one for himself as well, smiling at her again. "I hope you don't mind that I took the trouble to arrange this for you, or set this up. I know it's hardly school funded and approved, but I thought that, for tonight at least, you could set aside your role as head of the Academy, and be the woman I met all those years ago." he says with a soft smile at her, removing the coverings of the food. He'd specially prepared for her a filet mignon in a red wine balsamic reduction. The food was still warm and tender, and he was more than happy to let her dig in. It was served over a smile pile of steamed vegetables, and he took a seat opposite of her. "Since you rarely visit to chat with me anymore, I had to take a stab at what you'd like, I hope this is ok." he says a little nervously, hand unknowingly holding the little package beneath the table.

[KATSUMIKI]

the female just stared. her eyes were wide and her mouth was open. he had prepared this for her? for her to enjoy a night out and away from work? but she still had so much paperwork and things to do. there were S class students coming and arrangements needed to be made for them. she was almost half tempted to turn and head back to her office but he ushered her to a seat. sitting down, she looked around at everything he had and a blush crossed over her face. oh god. she hoped that they couldn't see this from the dorms. if the students saw all of this she would be so embarrassed. mostly because they'd never let her live it down. "sero you really didn't have to do all this. a simple dinner or something would do, but this well this is just amazing." roxi muttered softly as he revealed the meals for the evening. oh yum filet mignon. she went quiet for a bit as she took a small bite of the food. mixed with the wine it was delicious. she wondered if he had prepared this himself.

sipping the wine, she let her gaze travel over him. what was he wearing? was this like some kind of funeral? maybe opposite of a funeral but wait what was opposite a funeral? her mind swam as she tried to take in everything. "I'm sorry I haven't spent much time with you lately. but with the school opening and all the students, not to mention hiring all the staff. I've just been swamped with paper work. not to mention the mayor wants a written report about all the species I am keeping in my school." roxi sighed hiding behind her glass of wine. here she was rambling about work while he had this lovely night planned for her. one of her fingers twirled in her hair as she looked down at the table. a beautiful night like this and all she could think about was work. what was wrong with her. "it is lovely sero really. all of this is really wonderful." she smiled at him her eyes softening a bit as she looked at him. this man. the one who had been with her for so long. he always tried to pull her away from her work. always tried to make her smile when she was stressed. this man was something else.

[LEON]

He smiles softly, more than a little relieved to find her enjoying the night. So far everything was going as well as could be expected, he only hoped he didn't epicly screw things up between them. "I know you would have preferred something simple Roxi, but for someone as special as you, you deserve a night that's equally special." he says with a smile, taking a sip from his glass of wine. The night air was cool and crisp as it carried the scent of the roses around them, luckily not a frigid night, else this would have been a poorly conceived plan indeed! He smiles as he refills their glasses, allowing her a few moments to eat without having to speak by answering her words.

"It's alright Roxi, really. I understand how busy you've been. With all the little monsters running around, it's been hectic for me as well." he says with a laugh, smiling softly at her. "But tonight isn't about work, alright? It isn't about the mayor, the students or the staff. It isn't about reports and worries and paper work .You do enough of that that you need a night off, whether you like it or not. Tonight is about us, and I want you to enjoy it." he says with another smile, taking a bite of his food. It hadn't turned out half bad, which he was thankful for. He'd been practicing for awhile to make sure he could create it well when the occasion rose for the need, and he'd become quite the excellent chef. More than once he'd been tempted to commandeer the cafeteria to give the students some decent food.

He smiles at her last words, pleased beyond measure. "I'm glad you like it, you deserve it." he says softly, setting his finished plate aside and his wine glass, taking up his violin and playing a slow melody for her. With everything that had been happening lately, he wasn't sure if she'd remember it, since it had been so long. It was the same tune he'd played when they first met, all those years ago in the middle of the London Blitz. He smiles softly as he remembers the memory. He had been standing on a roof top amidst the German Luftwaffe attacks as the bombs rained down around him, playing his violin in defiance of the Nazi's. The next thing he knew, a red headed woman had tackled him and had immediately launched into berating him as she dragged him to safety.

She hadn't known at the time that she'd just tackled a literal Angel, and he was far too amused by the idea to disillusion her. He calmly accepted her beratings, letting her finish before explaining to her what he was and exactly how he was in no danger to begin with. The look on her face had been priceless, and at that moment he had fallen in love with her. She hadn't cared at all for her own safety, instead determined to save someone else. He'd traveled with her for a few years after that, before having to return to report before the council, where he'd been banished and cast back to earth. He smiles as he sets his violin aside, the music continuing in the air around them as he holds out his hand to her, "Roxi, would you do me the honor of granting me this dance?" he asks softly, eyes holding nothing but love for her as he waited her response.

[KATSUMIKI]

roxanne watched him as he spoke. this was a time for her to relax? well it never hurt to take a break every now and then. taking a deep breath, roxi forced all thoughts of work and the school out of her mind. "alright for you I will forget about work and everything. we will just enjoy this little night you made." a smile played at her lips as she finished off her meal. picking up her glass of wine, she watched him grab his violin and start to play a song. images and memories flashed before her eyes and she smiled sipping her wine. she remembered this song. his dumb ass had been playing it when she met him. he was simply sitting on a roof top not minding the bombs that were falling around him. when she had tackled him off that roof top, she wanted to do nothing more than punch him in the face. how could someone be so stupid, but then he explained what he was. well needless to say she felt really stupid. the same blush seemed to cross over her face at the memory. god she had been so embarrassed.

he asked to dance with her and she stammered a bit hiding behind her wine glass. "sero you know I can't dance. I never could and probably never will. can't we just talk or something?" the female sipped her wine a bit and held his gaze with a smile. he probably really wanted to dance but she could not dance to save her life. she never could figure it out no matter how many times she tried to dance it never worked. she stared at his hand and gently placed hers in his. "if this ends badly I blame you." roxi muttered the words softly as she pulled up to him. a feather floated passed her head and she glared at it until it burst into flames and burned to nothing. this was actually a good night. ok good didn't even begin to describe it because this was an amazing night. roxi looked him over for a second and tilted her head to the side.

"sero why do you try so hard? you are always trying to make me happy and do stuff for me, but in all honestly you don't have too." the female looked away as she spoke, her eyes traveling to the roses. they smelled wonderful and just added to the night. unzipping her jacket, she let it fall on her chair. she was getting warm and she couldn't tell if it was from her blushing or just her body heating up. stupid hot flashes she had been having lately. being so stressed had really messed with her body' norm. gaze drifting back to sero, she met his eyes again and couldn't help but smile. every time she looked at him she smiled. even when she thought about him she smiled. he made her happy and made her heart flutter in her chest. but he didn't feel the same way she did. of course he didn't because she was always holed up in her work. she hardly made time to see him and talk with him. he couldn't possibly be feeling the same as she was right now, could he?

[LEON]

He smiles as she rises up to meet him, warily agreeing to dance. He knew she was terrible, but he was determined to make tonight perfect for her. "It's ok, just stand on my feet Roxi." he says with a smile, waiting until she did as he instructed. He slips an arm around her waist as she gets settled, clasping her hand in his and smiles softly as he leads them through a moonlit waltz. He held her close as they twirled across the dance flow, moving with effortless grace in the rose veiled dais, lost in their own little world. He lets the music surround them as he leads, closing his eyes as he held her close, feeling her heart beating against his. This is what he'd longed for, what he'd sacrificed everything in order to attain, the chance to hold the woman he loved close. He'd gladly given everything for her, and he wouldn't change it for the world.

As the music slows into something softer, he too slows their movements, gently stepping back from her, letting his hands hold hers, directing her gaze with his face across the water. They'd come to the open edge, and the moon hung full and huge in the sky , casting it's reflection on the water. He smiles softly as he looks at her, staring into her eyes. "Roxi. The reason I try so hard, is because I..." the words catch in his throat, nervousness over taking him for a moment before sheer iron will forced it down. Not this time, not this night. He would not remain silent any longer he told himself. He inhales deeply, before starting again. "I try so hard, because I love you Roxi." he whispers softly, smiling somewhat nervously at her. He had no idea how she felt about him, and could only hope it was the same way.

"I've loved you since that first day seventy years ago, do you remember? The twelfth of September, Nineteen Forty. Amidst the hellish battlefield with the German Luftwaffe dropping bombs all over London. I've loved you ever since that day, where you were ready to risk your own life to protect a complete stranger." he says softly, hoping to the gods above he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life. "And now, here we are, almost a century removed from that battlefield in this wonderful place you've built to protect even more people." he raises her hands to his lips and kisses them softly. "I've tried so hard over the years because I wanted to be the one to make you happy, to always be there for you if you needed someone." he says gently.

"I always wanted to be able to take care of you, and help you if you've ever needed it. I've lived each day these long years determined to protect you. And now, I have only one thing to ask in return." he says, his nerves rising up again, threatening to make his movements erratic. But his hands were steady as he slowly went down to one knee, drawing forth the little box from his pocket, opening it for her. It was a simple ring, but one that he had painstakingly crafted himself. Wrought of pure silver and a brilliant ruby, reflecting the fires of the woman he loved, he held it out to her. "Roxanne Davanto, will you marry me?" he asks softly. The wait for her reply would be the longest of his life, and he unknowingly held his breath. He could only hope she loved him too.

[KATSUMIKI]

the blush that had settled across her face deepened when he slipped an arm around her waist and led her in a dance. she was really nervous mostly because she couldn't dance to save her life. she was already worried about having to stand on his toes. closing her eyes, she leaned her head on his chest and let him lead her around. she could hear his heart beating and it was going almost as fast as hers was. the female kept her eyes closed until they stopped moving and they were standing by the water's edge. it was a truly beautiful night and she couldn't ask for it to be any other way. she was glad he had come up with this little escape. he turned her attention to the water and her eyes widened. the moon was full and it reflected beautifully on it's surface. how was a night like this even possible? the moon wasn't this bright or nearly this full when she saw it last. after a few moments, she finally brought her attention back to him and she blinked a bit.

something had changed in the air. at least in the air between them. the way he looked at her seemed very different than before. the female remained quiet as he spoke. wait he loved her? her eyes widened slightly and she stared at him in shock. he loved her? all this time she questioned how he felt about her and he loved her? how could she have missed that? as he went on she felt like she was almost in a daze looking back at their time together. she could see it now. every time he looked at her, she could see it in his eyes. in his face. in his motions and everything. oh god she felt stupid. he had loved her for seventy years?! how could he have not said anything since then? how in the world could he have loved her for seventy years. tears filled her eyes and threatened to fall as she looked at him. they weren't tears of sadness, but tears of happiness. for a moment she didn't know what to say from his words. how he remembered all those things and loved her for so long.

he wanted to take care of her? he wanted to be the one to help her? "sero...I...you..." she was truly at a loss for words. her mind was swimming and her mouth had completely stopped working. how could she not have seen it? all this time and she completely missed it? she almost felt relieved. all this time she thought that her feelings for him were one sided. and then he did something completely unexpected. roxi backed up slightly as he went down on one knee. the little box came out and her mouth dropped. the ring was beautiful and it was almost perfect. a hand went to cover her mouth as she held his gaze and he spoke those words. those words that she had wanted to hear from him for so long. so what if it was girlish of her but she had thought about him asking for her hand in marriage so many times. "oh my.....sero....I yes...oh god I need to sit down..." the tears streamed down her face as she ran a hand through her hair trying to keep from freaking out.

[LEON]

He smiles softly, rising up and sliding an arm around her waist, carefully leading her over to the chairs, easing her into one. He smiles softly at her, the nervousness fast fading, filled with only love for the most amazing woman he'd ever met. "I'm sorry I made you cry my love. he whispers gently, raising a hand to brush the tears from her face softly, kneeling beside her. He smiles gently at her, "Roxi, you've made me the happiest man alive, truly. I was afraid you didn't feel the same way I did. I was scared that you didn't want me by your side." he says softly, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. He could only hope that she was crying out of happiness, and not that he'd upset her. He wanted this to be the perfect night for her, and it wasn't over yet, not by a long shot.

"I love you Roxanne, more than anything. I'll always stay by your side, and every day I want to be able to make you happy, to make you smile." he says softly as more of the nights plans went into effect. A fireworks display went up on the far side of the pond, bathing the area in red, blue and golden light. They weren't the loud or concussive blasts most associated with the Fourth of July, instead the soft cracks and pops that sent burst of light into the air. He smiles softly as he rises, draping an arm around her shoulders to squeeze her gently as he stood by her side. "Mm, will you be wanting your dessert my love?" he asks with a soft smile, uncovering the final dish he'd had sitting on the table. Before her on the tray were chocolate dipped strawberries, a simple and light finish to their evening meal.

"I hope tonight was perfect for you my love." he whispers softly, smiling gently as he held her against him. His body radiated a soft light around them, as he was unable to diminish it, his true angelic nature shining through as love for her surged through his being. He leans over and gently kisses the top of her head, watching the show over the water. He remains silent, standing faithfully beside her as she collected herself, more than willing to wait for her for an eternity if he had to. He keeps his arm around her, holding her gently against him as he waited for her to speak, happy beyond all words. So what if he'd been cast from heaven? He had the woman he loved, and she had agreed to marry him. That was worth any sacrifice to him, and he'd never change a single thing that might have changed this moment for them.