Ready or Nott (Vi)

[Deleted]

River was at the Notts home, again. School had ended a few weeks ago and he was busy getting his home affairs in order so he couldn't come for dinner right away. It was the first week of June now and here he was with Vi and her parents. They had just had dinner, which was mostly quiet and awkward, when Vi's father asked to talk to him in the other room while Vi's mother talked to her.

"We've decided it's best for you two to get married right away, while you have your parents fortune and home in such good standing," he said. Rivers eyes widened. Get... married... now? "Wh-where? Where are we getting married?" Vi's father waved a hand, "let the women worry about that, River. Just alert your siblings, if you wish to, and get your affairs in order for Vi to take on your fortunes with you," then he gave a firm nod and walked out.

River looked back to the dining room, where Vi's mother had just left her alone. He made eye contact with his betrothed... had her mother just told her the same thing? He tried to give a small smile, but couldn't move his feet to go to her...

@vi

[Deleted]

Viovinnia had become used to River visiting her home. He and his parents had done so enough times in the past that it had become less weird a long time ago. Though, with how nice River had been in the last few months and with the absence of River's late parents, it was far more awkward now than it ever had been. After dinner, Vi's father asked if he could talk to River in the other room. Vi's brow furrowed slightly as she watched the two men walk out of the room and she didn't look away from the door through which they went through until her mother spoke her name. "Vioviinia. Your father and I have decided it best for you and River to be married as soon as possible." Vi's eyes had widened immediately, her face blank, knowing better than to speak up while her mother was talking. "We know he is still in school, but your father and I think with you entering the Ministry and River's house and fortune still being practically untouched, that you two marry within the next few weeks." Viovinnia looked away from her mother and stared at the middle of the table. She had no words.

The servants began to clear the table and Vi's mother got up to head to her own study when River entered the now empty dining room. She looked up at him with probably the most defeated look she had ever let herself have in front of anyone. She didn't have to ask to know what her father had just told him. "You... you don't have to do this," she said quietly after a long, silent moment.

@river

[Deleted]

Vi looked up at him, and the look on her face chipped at the corners of Rivers heart, threatening to break it into tiny pieces. At her words, her quiet voice, River took one step forward and then bent his other knee to the ground, so he was down on one knee. "I want to," he said softly, taking a moment to swallow the rock in his throat. He held both of his hands out to her, resting his elbows on his knee, "marry me, Vi. What else is there?" he said, his voice stronger then he had ever thought it would be around her. He was sure of this more than anything else, even if that made no sense to anyone but himself. Even if that didn't make sense to Vi.

@vi

[Deleted]

Viovinnia had no idea how she personally felt about marriage. She didn't think she would get married to River for years to come, if they did at all. She had never imagined she would be in the dining room of her parents' house, age eightteen, with River getting down on one knee in front of her. As he did, Vi's eyebrows rose slightly. Her mouth parted to speak but nothing came out. Inside, she was panicking and she hoped it wasn't too evident on her face. But then again, she had a feeling River wouldn't judge her even if it did. He had been so nice lately... and that fact calmed her if only slightly.

He wanted to marry her? He actually wanted to? Viovinnia had some doubt in the back of her mind about that. She wondered if her father had said something to him to convince him further to do this. Vi glanced down at his hands and then back up at him. "B-but... y-you're... school. And, we're so..." She realized before she spoke that there was nothing she could say that would get them out of this. They were in this for the long haul, and had been since the day they had been born. But Vi couldn't stop herself from asking, "W-why?"

@river

[Deleted]

In that split second she looked at his hands he caught his breath, then her eyes were on his again. She mentioned school and, he assumed, was going to say they were so young or so not friends or so not good for each other. He shook his head, not speaking until she asked 'why'. All the stumbling and stuttering coming from her made her look more human which, in a sad sort of way, made him want to be married to her even more. "Because that's what we're expected to do. And we can carry on our families abilities and blood and... I know those seem like stupid reasons," he said, shrugging, "but I'll take care of you, Vi. I mean, I'll try to. Do you have anyone else who's going to do that?" not her brother, Theo, that was certain. He didn't realize that last question could have sounded rude until after he said it, but he didn't take it back. She would see that as weakness, and this wasn't the time to be weak.

@vi