the first day of the rest of my life

Valentine latched onto Jack's arm and started dragging him into the fondue place as soon as he parked and leapt out of his father's car. No, no. His car. It was all his. His father was gone and pathetic, Clarence was still in school, and his mother was strong but not the most ambitious of them. He was the star Crowther right then. His car, his home, his legacy.

Despite his very adult interests and goals, Val was filled with nothing but childish energy, something he rather missed out in when the right age for it. They'd sped over here, firstly to get far, far away from the Academy, and secondly because Val both wanted to talk Jack's ear off and deflate in exhaustion. He wasn't sure how it was possible to be both bubbly and tired, but right then, that was how he felt. That, and a ridiculous mix of emotions he could barely even identify.

Val had chosen to go to this restaurant in particular for a few reasons. It was classy, but not stiff, so Jack would be comfortable and Val could burst into nervous, happy giggles all he wanted and ramble without worrying about looking too proper. The lighting and decoration here was cute and romantic. And he craved fondue, he didn't give two fucks if it was early. The last reason was the most simple and the most relevant.

After throwing his last name around, Val snagged them a very nice table out on the back patio faster than a snap of his fingers. He ordered them some pricey champagne and, of course, the fondue, and wasted no time getting to eating and drinking right away.

He flashed Jack a million dollar grin, reaching across the table to take his hand and squeeze it. With his free hand, he held up his champagne flute in toast. "To the first day of the rest of my life."

After the toast, Valentine slumped in his seat, melted cheese he'd just bitten into tasting and feeling like heaven. He gave a little moan and kicked his feet happily. He smiled dorkily at Jack when the man moved closer to him, giggling, and wrapped his ankles around Jack's leg under the table. He leaned forward, closer, chin resting in a palm, heart eyes shameless as his chest warmed. "Hi, you."

"First college, next, the world!" Val said, laughing. He paused, and cleared his throat, composing himself. He ate a bit of bread and took on a martial expression, holding his fork like a particularly threatening weapon. "It won't be an easy, carefree life to take on, but I never had that privilege in the first place. I want that minister position, and I'll have it. No faltering, no hesitation, no hiding myself away, not anymore."

He paused. "It's thanks to you, do you know that? All of this." He placed the fork down, brushing the back of his hand over Jack's cheek. "I owe you a lifetime of date nights, don't I? I won't forget that, I promise." Val shook his head, chuckling again, and rested his forehead against Jack's shoulder as he grinned. "I love you."

Valentine poked Jack's cheeks as he was nuzzled. "Oversized teddy bear." Mushy wasn't something Val would've previously associated with himself, but here they were. He still didn't think Vince had any right to make fun of him, as he'd ended up the same way. They'd both been bamboozled. Val cuddled against Jack without a bit of shame, basking in the way this man looked at him.

"Kick it while it's down, huh? And here I'm trying to be more fair, a respectable citizen. I suppose there isn't a such thing as fair in my line of work anyway, though, so why not?" He sputtered a little at the next words, and huffed another laugh. "Flatterer! Jack, melting ice hearts through gushing, quite the formidable foe."

His breath caught in his throat when his face was taken and kissed, then, the added intimacy. He smiled. "And vice versa, the same applies both ways. Maybe it isn't about owing, maybe it's just what I want to do, and I'm making excuses to seem more stoic, like I have it together and I'm repaying favors rather than simply… very simply, being in love. And you don't need complicated reasons for doing anything when you're in love, do you? It blinds, it lifts up." He snorted and shook his head. "Ah. Psh. You always make me ramble."

Val lightly traced patterns on Jack's thigh while he ate, then quirked an eyebrow at the topic switch and his boyfriend's sudden awkwardness. "What's the matter with you?" he asked outright, not caring to hide that he noticed. "Something to be clumsy over, in this line of conversation? I'm also not entirely sure what you're asking..."

He hummed and went on. "I've talked to my mother, yes. She's thrilled I'm making efforts to finally tie myself into the family, not stay the sullen outcast. I think I may even be able to gain magical head status before Clarence reaches business, since I have graduated. Our heads have to be active, strong representatives. I might have better claim to that than our mother in no time at all. My relations with my family are better now-- is that what you meant?"

This was nice. Real nice. Like an alternate universe, or a dream he hadn't yet woken up from. Valentine allowed his eyes to flutter shut as he leaned on Jack, quiet, as though he were a very tired man that was only now being allowed rest. He gave a chuckle. "Ah, I see! End justifies the means based morality, is it? I can buy into that. I have the temperament to, I think."

"Hush, Jack. Being reminded of that is embarrassing. I didn't take long to crack at all," Val said, dry. "A soft disgrace, that's what I am, but one with a future." It was something he could hold on to, that by far outshone his previous distaste of the behavior he was now displaying. He huffed in amusement. "Stop saying things like that, by the way, else smiling won't be the only thing I'll do-- and I think the restaurant may take issue with us making out on their table. Just a theory."

Val only focused in on Jack's odd behavior more, once there was an apparent panic at being noticed. He'd sink his teeth into this, as that was the kind of person he was. Though softer, he still had his ruthless aspects, the sharper way he mentally processed and rationalized things. He could see thoughts, plans, flashing through the man's head, then dying. He raised an eyebrow and moved to cross his arms, the dreaded pose. Jack wasn't good at lying to him. He was too much of a puppy dog for anything but earnest, then nervousness when he fretted over pleasing him.

Sounded like bullshit talk, but Val nodded patiently. He could wait, because he wasn't the only one who seemed to be quick to crack. His cool red eyes flashed downward to their hands, then up to Jack's face once more, settling there, holding the eye contact and studying him. He braced himself for impact of some kind. He didn't really have a clue what Jack was about to say, but if it was bad news, he wouldn't flinch away.

Far from it, or anything Val could've predicted in general. This hadn't even crossed his mind. Not in a million years, on his own. Valentine Crowther, regular cursed child, marriage material? Unimaginable, with his growth or not. As Jack spoke, it started an implication, hinted and hinted again, then placed forward in the most direct way possible, no mincing words for the real question, and accompanied with a ring. It was very traditional.

It was only when he saw, from the corner of his eye, other patrons of the restaurant watching them in delight that he was brought back to reality. He hadn't even realized he'd been zoning out, nor had he realized, before that moment, that he was blushing furiously, face hotter than it was when he had a fever. "Huh?" was the first thing out of his mouth, then, immediately after, "Yes!" His lip wobbled and he averted the eye contact, fighting back tears. They were in public, for god's sake! He needed to pull himself together!

Oh, who the fuck was he kidding. For a while, Jack said. How long was a while? And had they really been together for that long? Val started crying. "Of course, you big stupid idiot! Are you fucking with me? Why wouldn't I bloody marry you? Yes!" They were the most romantic possible words he could have mustered while he sobbed, face red, chest burning.

While he expressed his overwhelmed affection in funny ways, there was one response that wouldn't be as confusing. He grabbed Jack and kissed him, deep, passionate, and needy. People clapped. He felt ridiculous. He felt like crawling into bed and curling up into a ball. He felt happy. And that was love. He wouldn't have it any other way.