A Possible Proposal

AU Senshi Academy

Written by V. for Panya. Eliane is Panya's darling, the others are mine.

It was a Thursday morning, with cool air and icy raindrops waiting to keep lesser people inside. As morning came and turned the charcoal clouds to dove gray, a commanding figure left the resort and entered the white luxury transport that had been arranged the day before. Éliane Shahrizai gave a polite nod to the doorman as he closed the door, utterly unaware than an identical transport had just dropped off someone at the back of the resort. The Princess of the Sun sped off to her morning's appointments just as a certain successful pop idol entered the resort from the service entrance.

Alleyne Rooney took the service elevator to the penthouse, smiling at a pair of housekeepers who were beside themselves once they realized that one third of Random Moonlight had actually held the door open for them. After doling out two pairs of tickets to tomorrow's concert, Alleyne arrived at the penthouse. Heart in his throat, he hesitated at the door. A hundred thousand people in the audience, countless broadcasts and interviews and magazine shoots, and he still couldn't muster the courage to knock on the door at the first attempt.

Clearly, there were some things about Alleyne that fame and fortune could never change.

He raised his hand to knock once more, succeeding this time. The door opened and Alleyne gave a respectful nod before entering. One could never be too polite, especially when addressing the governor of the fief of the Sun.

~*~

Less than an hour passed before the door opened again, Alleyne leaving silently. Hands went to his pockets and he made a point of keeping his eyes on the carpet. The ride in the elevator was silent, sunglasses worn as he walked outside despite the fact that the weather didn't necessitate them. A few photographers stood along the sidewalk, intermittent flashes reminding Alleyne that regardless of whether he liked it or not, everyone would always be watching him, with or without Éliane at his side. He gave a long sigh before offering a half-hearted wave to the group, sliding into the white transport. Alleyne slumped in the seat as the door closed and the transport sped off.

Across from him, Allegra tutted softly. "Oh, Alleyne. was it really that bad? I'm sure if you meet with him again, you might be able to change his mind." She reached over to pat his knee, her own heart heavy for him. Her own wedding had been in the works for months, and she'd hoped to see him as happy as she'd been eight months ago.

"Why would I want to change his mind?" One dimple began to show in his cheek as he purposefully lowered the sunglasses. Alleyne's blue-green eyes twinkled mischievously over the lenses at the willowy drummer. "And who said anything about it being that bad?"

Allegra sat, stunned for a brief moment. "You. you mean."

"Shhhh. You don't know about anything."

~*~

From his place on the balcony, Alleyne could see the sensors on the door go from red to green as the door opened. Boots clicked smartly on the marble floor as she moved from the foyer to the main room of the suite. She stopped next to a plush armchair, most likely to rid herself of the boots, but Éliane never managed to bend down. One hand gripped the top of the chair, manicured nails digging into the fabric as rosy patches began to glow in her cheeks. Alleyne chuckled to himself softly, the reaction exactly as he'd hoped. Every possible surface in the room had been covered with bowls of white roses, surrounding taller crystal vases of the silvery lavender roses he knew she favored. White rose petals littered the smoky grey carpet, save for a path that led to the balcony.

Sunlight hid him from view, allowing his delight to go unseen by Éliane for the moment. Only a single red rosebud was visible on the balcony, seeming to hover as it came through the doorway. Once inside, Alleyne's form shimmered into view, the familiar blue and grey fuku worn briefly before it fell away to reveal his now-signature white suit. The rose was held to his lips, barely concealing the smile on his face. He walked barefoot up to her, his blue-green eyes dancing with mischief.

"I know, I know. I should have asked, but I planned this and wanted it to be a surprise," Alleyne began, a warm hand placed over her icy fingers. "You were late, though. Your father had promised that you'd be here a half-hour before, after I'd talked to him over breakfast." He paused, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes briefly. "I. I could have waited to do this tomorrow night at the dinner at the Embassy, but I figured that you wouldn't have wanted that much attention. I know I'm just barely getting used to it, but." He stopped and opened his eyes. "But I'm working on it. I've done my best so far."

Alleyne finally remembered the rose he held in his hand. Tenderly, he reached for her blue-black hair and tucked the flower behind her ear. "You're lovely, Éliane," he breathed, his hand resting against her cheek. "Lovely and brilliant. How I ever managed to hold your attention for so many years, I'll never know. Maybe you just wanted someone to sing to you." His thumb brushed gently against her lips before he stepped back. Alleyne trembled, hand shaking as he reached inside the pocket of his coat.

"I can't promise that you'll ever leave the spotlight, but I'll do my best to keep you from the brighter areas when you want peace," he began. "I want to stand next to you, or have you stand next to me." Alleyne paused; clearly, he hadn't rehearsed anything of what he was going to say, and the blush in his cheeks proved this. "I want us to stand together," he finally said, smiling. "But, and I know that you never liked me doing this, but I promise this will be the very last time."

Slowly, Alleyne sank to one knee, a white velvet box in his hand as he looked up into her face. The same blue eyes he'd adored for so many years now stared at him in wonder, fear, and something else that he couldn't quite describe. Deftly, he opened the box to reveal a stunning platinum band inset with diamonds and star sapphire. "It's not conventional, but I thought something to bring out your eyes would be best," he offered shyly. A warm hand reached for hers, and Alleyne smiled warmly. "I love you, Éliane Shahrizai, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy and keep you safe for as long as you'll let me." His own eyes were bright, and the last five words were smooth, soft, and spoken in that same tone as when he'd first told her that he'd loved her.

"Éliane, will you marry me?"