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[xqueen-asheliax.livejournal.com]

Who: Ashe and Snow
What: Enjoying Gagazet's hot spring and making a promise
Where: Gagazet
When: After a long pilgrimage
Rating: PG


Snow gritted his teeth as he leaped up, caught a ledge, and pulled himself up. Turning and bracing himself, he held his hands down for Ashe. It was cold here, certainly not enough to bother him, but the trail was steep and hard.. they were on Gagazet, on their way back from seeing Zanarkand and finding it, for the most part, intact instead of just.. gone. "Careful.. the Ronso said the springs shouldn't be too far this way." it was strange, having to climb up to go down.

Indeed it was strange and Ashelia wasn't accustomed to the cold anymore. Mt Bur-Omisace was equally as cold as Mt Gagazet but she'd lived in Dalmasca for two years straight and it was -hot- there. Grasping Snow's hands and pulling herself up, she grinned at him. The Queen was entirely relaxed now, and she was very calm. No stress bugged her. Of course she worried about Dalmasca, but not to the point that she was making herself sick. "I'm quite looking forward to these springs. I have heard they're wonderful!"

"Nothin' like a hot bath in a cold place." he admitted it easily, grinning, "'Course, you must be used to the cold by now, hugging up to me at night and all." he winked playfully, holding her hand while Snow led her through the snowy path. Eventually he saw clouds of thick steam, and could smell the minerals on the air, "Phoo.. think we're close~!"

Ashe laughed and followed swiftly, not wishing to linger in the light snowfall. Even if it was quite ironic to be at a snowy mountain with a man named Snow. When they came closer, Ashe smiled a bit brighter, as was her way these days. She really was a lot more willing to show her emotions since coming to Spira. "Good!" She headed along with him, grinning as they came upon the hot springs. They radiated warmth and it was incredibly pleasant to feel it against her cold skin.

Snow grinned, and smiled back at her, shrugging out of his coat. He let it drop to the ground, and turned, looking around at the springs, "Well.. no point in leaving without getting in, right?" the smile on his face was unmistakable, as he unabashedly tugged off his little accessories; bandannas and bracelets and whatnot, leaving him in just boots and pants.

Ashelia gave a nod, slipping out of the clothing they'd gotten her at Bevelle. She even reached into her cleavage to remove a gil pouch and a small crystal she'd bought as a souvenire from Luca. Slinking into the water in just her undergarments, she let out a long sigh, moaning slightly in pleasure. "This is possitively glorious..." she murmured, smiling lightly. Really, she'd lost all shame concerning her state of undress.

The man didn't intend to get any of his things wet, so he stripped nude and sank into the water smoothly, soaking with a muttered oath in Al Bhed. It felt great against his normally cold skin, and he found gooseflesh on his arms, chuckling. "Yeah.. think we can have this mountain moved to Dalmasca?" he snickered softly, moving over and kissing her cheek sweetly.

"Mm... it might melt in her heat," she chuckled gently, leaning slightly to kiss his lips softly in reply. "Thank you for this trip, Snow. I hadn't realised how tense and likely unbearable I had become." She wiggled her toes in the water, closing her eyes and tilting her head back as she settled against the smooth rock that housed the waters. It really was so very relaxing.

"You've never been unbearable, Queenie. The unbearable part was watching you work yourself to death." he sounded a little distant, then shook himself, "But you've recovered nicely, I think.." he grinned, and patted her head gently, tousling her hair. "I love you, whether you're stressed or not."

She cracked her eyes open, smiling quite lovingly at him. "And I love you, whether you are simply being near or kidnapping me away to foreign countries." She chuckled softly, unable to resist reaching to fix her hair. It just wasn't in her Queenly nature to let her appearance be anything less than perfect. Which was probably a flaw of hers.

He didn't mind her vanity, as it made her easily teaseable, which she seemed to take in good stride, at least where he was concerned. Resting his hands on her hips, Snow kissed her gently, bumping her nose with his, "I shall keep that in mind, for the next time I kidnap you. Kidnapper X's reign of terror shall not abate~!"

Ashelia let out a laugh that only he was ever allowed to hear. One where she showed she was truly happy. "Well, I may just have Kidnapper X knighted. That would certainly put an end to his tirany." She chuckled lightly, settling her hands on his shoulders as she kissed him again, unable to keep her smile from her face.

"Ooh, that's playing hardball.. I'm not sure Kidnapper X would take kindly to being a knight.. though perhaps.." he tapped a finger to his chin, then pressed it to her lips. "Wait here." it wasn't a question, but a command, though he wasn't sure if she'd listen, he went over to a more secluded place.

Ashelia blinked but simply left him to his seclusion for the moment. She wasn't exactly a nosy person, so she was willing to let him do whatever it was he had to do, though she was certainly curious. Smiling softly, she hummed the Hymn of the Fayth, as she'd heard so many versions of it through out Spira and it had become quite a prominent piece in her mind and heart... though she couldn't help her glances towards Snow.

A sudden shock of cold passed through the springs, before they heated again, and Snow paled slightly, frost forming around him, before it was consumed by the heated water. He walked over with one hand trailing under the water, and a wistful smile on his face, standing near to Ashe. "That's a pretty tune you're humming."

Ashe shivered as the shock of cold trembled through the water, frowning as she looked at him, though only in thought and confusion. "What in Galtea's name were you doing?" She laughed softly, looking at him in confusion and bemusement. She wasn't exactly sure why he'd need to use his magic here. Although, the heat may have been affecting him, which posed as a problem, though that was just a theory.

Snow shrugged, and took her hand in his, pressing something -cold- onto her finger, then curling his around hers. "I.. know it may be sudden, and perhaps the wrong time.." he wished Lightning were there, she'd mock him into blurting, "Would you, when we get back to Rabanastre I mean... would you do me the honor of.. er.." he bit his lip, blushing in the crisp light of Gagazet, finding his tongue to feel quite thick.

The young Queen's hand tensed as the coldness was pressed to her finger, not really noting what it might have been. "Snow...?" She said nothing else, simply tiling her head in question as she looked at him, giving him the gentlest smile she could muster. Whatever it was that he was trying to say, it made her heart beat faster and her mouth was suddenly rather dry...

He raised his brows, and gave a sigh, trying to work up some nerve. He'd used a lot of it in kidnapping her.. "Will.. ah.." he rubbed the back of his head, worrying that she was still hung up on Rasler, and on almost losing him.. not to mention the massive line of brothers he had read about.. "Would you consider marrying me..?"

Ashelia could hardly fathom what he'd just said. Marriage? Really? She swallowed thickly, looking at him with wide eyes and slightly parted lips. She couldn't even manage to take a breath in just yet. Snow was proposing? Was this really happening? And then she took in the gasp and nodded slightly. "Yes... yes, of course I will!" She suddenly flung her arms around his neck and pressed her lips firmly to his, squeaking slightly as she did.

He blinked and grinned, kissing her back and holding her close, feeling quite pleased with himself. Sometimes unabashed nerve worked in a man's favour! He spoke against her lips, chuckling a little bit, "Do you like your ring, Queenie?" Snow couldn't think of anything else to say to her just then.

She furrowed her brow in confusion, soon looking at her hand with a gasp. "Gods... Snow... it is beautiful..." She looked at it, tilting it in the light, watching it sparkle. It wasn't a gem, she could tell, but something far more precious. She looked at it a moment longer. The Queen could get any gem she wished. This was unique. Something only she could have from Snow. "I... I love it, and I love you, Snow."

He beamed happily when she praised the ring he'd made for her, of ice so cold as to be eternal, from the sacred water of Gagazet's springs. Likely, it would be uncomfortable on her hand for the first little while, but then she would grow used to it, as she had with his touch, "I love you too.. s'why I want you for my wife.." he said the last bit quietly, holding her close.

Ashe laughed quietly, resting her head on his shoulder as she continued to inspect that ring. It was incredible. Slightly uncomfortable for how cold it was against her skin, but it wasn't any colder than Snow's touch, which made it all the more important to her. "This is... I just cannot believe I could be this happy," she laughed softly, kissing his shoulder gently.

"Oh? Well, that's reassuring. Don't stress out planning a wedding, either, or I'll kidnap you before our nuptuals, and we'll get married in the desert." he had taken him to Bikanel Island, and had made her try all kinds of local food. Ashe hadn't taken well to the almost exclusively Cactuar and insect-fiend diet, though.

Ashelia laughed again, unable to stop grinning. "I shall not stress about it. It is not my place to plan it. My maids shall deal with most of it, I just get to decide what I wear and when it will be." She giggled a little, wiggling the finger that held the sparkling ring. "I would like it if we did not get married where I married Rasler... that would be a little uncomfortable." She scrunched her nose slightly before all but pouncing on Snow, kissing him again.

Snow laughed a little, leaning back and kissing her in return, holding her in the water by her hips, "Mmh, I agree. No offense to the man.. but I do not wish to begin my marriage to the Queen in the same manner." he tapped her nose and smirked softly, "Of course, with so many children, we will be officially parents once we are married. Can you be a mother to so many, Queenie?"

"I will gladly be mother to so many and any more that may come. Dalmasca sees a baby boom every Autumn..." She chuckled, snuggling as close as she could to him. He was no longer just her suitor, but her betrothed. He was her fiancee. "I do enjoy seeing the newborns all over Rabanastre. It makes a Queen proud to see her people prosper."

"Indeed.. newborns are wonderful, and perhaps there will be some among the palace.." did he mean theirs by blood? "But I meant the parentless, the children of Lowtown.. Our children." he had been serious that day, and intended for himself and Ashe to take those children and give them the opportunities that the older ones had never had, to give them safety.. and love. This was important to Snow, who had seen far too many war orphans in his time, often caused by his Team.. Enemy soldiers had families too.

She nodded firmly, smiling brightly still. "Indeed, we have a lot of children. We shall raise them well. This trip has given me a clear mind to decide what should be done next, concerning the financial affairs of Dalmasca and all of the orphans. I shall ensure their lives are made dramatically easier." She smiled sweetly, nuzzling him a little. She wasn't going to press the subject of heirs. They'd come one day, if they were meant to be born. Besides, she wasn't married -yet-!

The blonde settled back against the shore of the hot springs, holding Ashe close to him and smiling. "I hope we can do well by them.. I know that money isn't infinite, but if you've a plan, I trust in you." he'd seen her keen mind unravel puzzles that had stumped him completely, in each Cloister.

"Of course, Dalmasca needs her father. There is a certain matter which you will need to decide upon..." She shifted to be able to look him in the eye properly. "With this marriage... you will need to choose. King or Prince? There is a great difference between each title, and I would give you the decision now, to allow you your time to decide."

He blinked, and raised his brows, "Er.. wouldn't a Prince be a son of ours..?" he was inclined, by his knowledge, to say King, "I mean, as your husband, wouldn't I be a King?" the honest confusion in his tone belied the lack of powergrabbing in the proposal. He honestly didn't care for the title or power that came with marrying her, he just wanted Ashe.

Ashe chuckled softly. "Well, Prince would give up most of the power you would hold, were you to choose King. It would simply mean you are my underling." She smiled, chewing her lower lip for a moment. "Whilst, if you were to choose to be King, you would be my equal. Were you born Dalmascan, it would make you more powerful than I but you would simply share power with me." Which, in all honesty, she'd have prefered. She saw Snow as her equal, despite her royal status.

"Well, then I would choose King. I am not a subordinate." he smiled softly, "Unless that means you're on top.. in which case, I am -sometimes- your subordinate." his eyes were merry, but he sobered quickly, "A marriage is a partnership; I will be there to share the hardships as well as the good times, Ashelia.. so I would be King, no mere play-King-Prince."

Ashelia gave a firm nod. "Then, you shall be King Snow Villiers of Dalmasca." She smiled, settling into him. "And I shall be Queen Ashelia B'nargin Villiers Dalmasca." She gave a soft laugh, finding it to be an especially long name, but it still sounded entirely perfect to her. "Though, that shall only be on mention of our wedding. Otherwise, I shall simply be Queen Ashe."

"That works for me, except that I sound like a supervillain. King Snow." he laughed softly, and rawr-ed at her, making a claw-like motion, "I shall steal all of your fun and warmth, for I am King Snow~! Muahaha!" he hugged her with one arm, trailing the clawlike hand down her front, tickling at her belly.

Ashe laughed, covering her mouth to stifle it a little bit. "Well, would you have another name you'd go by? King X?" She laughed again, settling her hand on the one on her belly. "Whatever you would be called for the history books, I would have no other," she murmured, smiling sinerely at him, her eyes full of warmth and love.

"I was joking.. King Snow Villiers of Dalmasca sounds wonderful to me.." he rubbed her belly gently, blushing faintly and smiling a secretive smile only she had seen. Even Lightning had never seen him so.. restive. Usually she ticked him off a long time before he got there.

The Queen smiled softly, kissing him sweetly before pulling away enough to fan herself. "I think I am feeling a little flushed. Perhaps the proposal and the heat is making me a little dizzy." She chuckled lightly, smiling as she drew her knees nearer her chest. Reaching her free hand to the rings on her necklace, the Queen resolved to remove them the moment they reached Rabanastre's palace.

"Well.. perhaps it is time to get out, then. You will have to shake the water off quickly, before it freezes on your skin, then get dressed. Part of the fun, I think~!" he was suddenly compelled to get them back, for no other reason to officially announce their engagement. He might not have shown it as acutely, but Snow was -damn- excited.

Ashelia nodded and stepped from the water, shaking it off as best she could, soon slipping into her clothing once more, pulling on the boots she had and the hold-all that contained the other outfits she'd bought in Spira and their supplies. She refused to let Snow carry it, for the mere fact that she insisted she was capable enough to carry it. It was perhaps a point of feminist pride to do so.

Snow clambered out of the water, finding it quite comfortable out even with water freezing to his skin. He dressed more slowly, until he finally shrugged into his coat, and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "Ready to go back, then? One stop in Besaid, then Kidnapper X has to take the ransom money and disappear forever, leaving you to your betrothed."

"I am ready. I believe I shall be sad to see Kidnapper X go," she chuckled lightly, grasping his hand with her right whilst looking at the ring on her other hand. It was just too much! She couldn't be any happier. Indeed, she just wished to get home and announce the engagement. Though, it would probably be a few days after they arrived home. She hadn't even thought about how angry her advisors would be for the sudden disappearing act.