adifferentlife: (thoughtful)
[personal profile] adifferentlife
Two days and Sybil is more than tired of this place. She had packed enough clothes to last the three days they would be there, but being snowed in meant that she had loaned out much of it to friends. The suite that had seemed so large their first night now seemed cramped, even more than her training quarters had. That morning Rene had returned rather racously, and now Sybil sought silence in the bedroom. She also needed something to wear, her simple day dress tired and worn after a full 36 hours.

Her own bag was empty other than something she had hoped to wear for Henri on a more romantic night. That night had never come to pass, and now she found herself forced to go to his bag in the hope of a shirt or something that she could slip on and still be decent in the outer rooms. She pulled a button down shirt out of the bag, pleased at the size, and thinking it would do well over a pair of tights. It was only when she went to hold it up against her that she saw the box that had tumbled out of his bag.

Tempting, she can't help but crouch to pick it up. Pandora's box, perhaps, yet she opened it anyway. What she saw inside surprised her, the brightness of the diamonds both unexpected and welcome. Had he meant to propose? She stood, still in her day dress, staring at it, unable to do anything else.

Date: 2015-01-11 09:22 pm (UTC)
jaimemieux: (pic#6705182)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
Combeferre’s new year’s day plans, carefully constructed over the last few weeks, had fallen to pieces as the snow piled up outside. These first few days of the new year had brought not the romance and hope he had expected - that both he and Sybil had expected, if not in entirely the same way - but instead makeshift meals by a harried but helpful staff, and trapped friends piling into their rooms, and worry over how long they would be trapped. In fact, Henri and Sybil had found barely a few minutes alone, hardly enough time for a proposal. Or the right circumstances for one.

Most of the trapped guests and staff are in the ballroom, and Combeferre, too, takes the opportunity to slip away, not realizing in the general commotion of so many people in so small a place that Sybil has done the same. He could do with a nap, perhaps a shower, while the rooms that were meant to be theirs alone are blessedly unoccupied.

But when he returns the key and nudges open the door, he is startled by what greets him. There is Sybil, standing near their pile of luggage, and in her hand sits a small and terribly familiar box.

He swallows, and carefully shuts the door behind him.
Edited Date: 2015-01-11 09:26 pm (UTC)

Date: 2015-01-13 03:07 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Chimerical)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
Combeferre closes his eyes and takes a breath. This is not what he planned, not at all, and he is suddenly terrified that the entirety of the last few days is meant to serve as some sort of omen. Is some force telling him, turn back, before it is too late?

No, no, no. He mustn’t be ridiculous. This is Sybil before him, not some dream, and the madness of the last few days has amounted to mere silliness, not danger. With half a laugh, Combeferre takes off his spectacles and rubs his hand over his eyes. When he meets her gaze again, he is grinning sheepishly.

“If you would like it to be, then yes. Or I can find us a more romantic moment, if you prefer."

Date: 2015-01-14 03:27 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Chimerical)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
For a moment, Henri cannot breathe. True, he would never have been so bold as to buy the ring if he had not been certain of Sybil’s answer, but doubts can still beset a man at moments like this, and to hear her yes before he has even properly asked sends giddy joy through him.

A moment passes before he realizes that, by God, he has not even said the words. “Ah- ah, yes. Alors-“ Fumbling, Henri pick up the ring from her upturned palm, and sinking down beside her, takes her hand.

“Sybil, ma chere, mon amour-“ Strange, but even now, the words stick in his throat. “Will you marry me?"

Date: 2015-01-17 03:07 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Chimerical)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
Combeferre’s hands are trembling as he slides the ring on Sybil’s finger - not from fear, not really, but from a giddy, overwhelmed wonder. This has happened. She has said yes. Once the ring is settled snugly on her hand, he presses his palms to her cheeks and kisses her.

He has never felt so like he will float away, and yet also so perfectly steady.

Date: 2015-01-18 09:28 pm (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Chimerical)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
“If you truly wish it to be.” His eyes are bright with giddiness. “I know I cannot give you quite the wedding you would have expected at home, but I swear it will be memorable. And,” he chuckles, ducking his head, “less apt to be ruined by the weather than this proposal, I hope."

Date: 2015-01-22 02:10 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Default)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
“That we can manage, I hope.” Their faces still close together, Combeferre ducks his head, wonder lingering in his smile. There is still a part of him that still fears he will not meet her expectations, not through any fault of either of theirs, but through the great gap in their life experiences before Darrow, but at every turn, he finds assurances.

“How I love you, Sybil."

Date: 2015-01-27 04:10 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Chimerical)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
“Clever girl.” With an unsteady laugh, Combeferre pushes himself to his feet and offers Sybil a hand. “Quick, before he returns. With out luck, Courfeyrac shall barge in and demand to know what the fuss is about.” Despite his complaints, Combeferre’s eyes twinkle, for though he relishes these moments with his future bride, he delights in the thought of sharing his news with his friends.

Date: 2015-02-02 04:21 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Default)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
“Sybil!” Henri laughs as he scrambles to fetch the pair of champagne flutes that rest atop the suite’s small bar. The drink seems dangerously close to soaking their limited supply of clothes, but with such joy in his heart, he cannot even bring himself to care. “Ici…” He catches her lips for another kiss even as he tries to catch the bubbling liquid spilling out of the bottle.

Date: 2015-02-08 06:39 pm (UTC)
jaimemieux: (*facepalm*)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
Grinning stupidly, Henri turns his head to press a kiss to her palm, tasking that bit of champagne that has dried there. He clinks his glass against hers and sips the drink - it’s predictably warm, and a tad too sweet, and almost as much is on their skin as is caught in their glasses, but how can he can about any of that. “And I love you,” Henri murmurs, and leans in to kiss her again, this time with a little more fervor.

But he has barely met her lips when the door bursts open. “Mes chers amis! I was wondering where you might have…ah.” The familiar voice turns knowing, and Combeferre can feel the interloper’s smirk.

He sighs. “Courfeyrac."

Date: 2015-02-11 04:13 am (UTC)
thepaladin: (Diabolical beauty of mind)
From: [personal profile] thepaladin
Combeferre groans, but Courfeyrac’s grin predictably broadens further, and there is nothing anything can do to stop it. “I thought you would never ask, ma belle,” the interloper replies with a wink.

Combeferre sighs and bows his head, trying not to reach for the ring on Sybil’s finger. He loves Courfeyrac, but once he knows about the engagement, everyone will know, and Combeferre had been looking forward to sharing the news in his own way.

But how can he avoid it. Summing up a smile and a rueful sigh, he gestures towards the bottle Sybil still holds. “There’s champagne.”

“Well, well. What are we celebrating?” In light of his friend’s discomfort, Courfeyrac softens slightly, but that does not stop his curiosity from taking root.

Date: 2015-02-18 03:48 am (UTC)
thepaladin: (Default)
From: [personal profile] thepaladin
Pardieu!” Courfeyrac turns to his sheepishly smiling friend and claps him on both shoulders. “So you shall be the first of us sacrificed on the altar of middle class morality. Marius will be devastated.” Combeferre opened his mouth to protest, but Courfeyrac held up his hand. “And I would chide you terribly for it if I was not so deliriously happy for you. What a surprise.” With a twinkle in his eye, he turns back to Sybil. “He didn’t make a mess of the proposal, did he?”

“Courfeyrac!"

Date: 2015-02-20 12:23 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (pic#7178224)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
“I take that as a yes, then,” Courfeyrac beams, and Combeferre rolls his eyes. But the man seems to have completed his requisite teasing - at least for the time being - for next he clasps Sybil’s hand and brings her knuckles to her lips with genuine sweetness. “You are a very lucky woman, mademoiselle.”

Combeferre blushes. “I don’t suppose I can convince you to keep this to yourself for a short time? I’d like to tell people myself.”

Courfeyrac chuckles. “I promise to try. As I am sure you know, I cannot promise to succeed.”

Despite himself, Combeferre grins.

Date: 2015-02-26 04:06 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (*facepalm*)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
Both men laugh as they exchange a look. Courfeyrac offers Sybil a wink, and without waiting for an invitation, he plucks away the bottle of champagne and brings it to the side table, where he sloshes a decent amount into a drinking glass. For all he loves his friend, Combeferre has had quite enough of the man. He wants to spend the rest of the afternoon in his fiancee's arms. Starting now.

“Courfeyrac.”

He looks up with wide eyes full of innocence. “Mm?”

“Drink that quickly, will you?”
Edited Date: 2015-02-26 04:07 am (UTC)

Date: 2015-02-28 11:30 pm (UTC)
thepaladin: (Diabolical beauty of mind)
From: [personal profile] thepaladin
For once in his ridiculous life, Courfeyrac willingly takes the hint. “Yes! Yes, naturallement. The two of you have business to attend to.” He cannot resist the wink as he clinks his water glass against their flutes. “To the kindest, most sensible couple that Darrow has surely ever seen. Congratulations, mes amis.” As promised, he finishes his champagne in a single swallow.

“And to prove just how much I love the both of you, I will keep your houseguests occupied for, say, the next hour or so.”

Combeferre blushes anew, but he smiles. “Thank you, Rene."

Date: 2015-03-01 07:05 pm (UTC)
jaimemieux: (*facepalm*)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
“The very best.” Courfeyrac places his hand over his heart. “Farewell, ma chere, mon ami. And my deepest condolences - pardon, congratulations - to you both.” He hands Combeferre his glass, and Henri has no choice but to take it, watching Courfeyrac go with long-suffering fondness.

“Well. That was…unexpected."

Date: 2015-03-05 01:33 am (UTC)
jaimemieux: (Default)
From: [personal profile] jaimemieux
Le bon Dieu,” Combeferre groans at the very thought. But such concerns are swiftly chased from him by her sweet kiss. All he wishes to do now, more than anything in the world, is kiss Sybil until they are both senseless. “I love you very much, ma cherie,” he whispers, cupping her face to kiss her again, deeply and with more purpose now.

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Sybil Crawley

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