ME IN REGARDS TO MR SALTARIAN AFTER CHAPTER 16

ME IN REGARDS TO MR SALTARIAN AFTER CHAPTER 16

Do you think Cicero asks the night mother for permission to woo/date/marry the listener? Like, clearly the listener doesn't need to ask permission to woo/date/marry anybody, inside the brotherhood or out, since they're, you know, the fucking listener, but do you think that as both the just the keeper & the guy technically at the very bottom of the totem pole Cicero feels like he's gotta "ask mom" first just to make sure she's ok with it? And yea he knows she won't answer him, so do you think he starts asking the listener little things like "Sooooooo........did the night mother mention me at all?" like, not outright telling them he asked but hoping the night mother did at least drop it into a convo with his dear, sweet listener? (I dunno if this makes any sense at all, but I think it's super cute to imagine)

I would absolutely love if he did this. After he spent so many years desperately talking to the Night Mother wishing she would speak to him or even help him find a new Listener. When he's finally found his Listener he stops speaking to the Night Mother, content with the knowledge that she speaks solely to the Listener and he is merely the Keeper. He found them without her help and for a long while feels that he has no questions left for her.

He hadn't anticipated his feelings for the Listener to be more than camaraderie. Cicero hadn't planned on his heart fluttering every time they smile at him or the nervous way his hands shake in their presence. Checking once more that they're alone he turns to the Night Mother, oils and flowers tucked safely away after completing his duties.

"Sweet matron, I know now that you will never speak to poor Cicero." He hesitates, unsure if she even listens to him. "Your Listener is so well chosen, Night Mother. You chose them so well! So well that humble Cicero feels, hm." Gathering his courage, Cicero faces the Night Mother. "Would you strike down your loyal Keeper for daring to woo the Listener? For wanting to romance them?"

not nsft i just wrote a lot

Cicero leaves the chamber unscathed and with a bounce in his step, sure that his ability to leave the room alive meant the Night Mother approved of his feelings. Every time he completes his rituals to maintain the Night Mother he finds himself humming or filling her in on how well his relationship with the Listener is going, reassuring her that his love for them will never interfere with his duties. Cicero will always remain loyal.

With his face flushed and lips a tad swollen from kissing his Listener, Cicero gazes at them. He's still unsure how he earned their affection but is willing to do anything to remain by their side. He feels his Listener take his hand, a smile in their voice when they trace constellations across the sky for him.

"Do you and the Night Mother speak?" Cicero asks, surprised by suddenly voicing the question that's been eating at him for quite a while.

"Of course. That's how I keep my job."

"Do you speak of things other than contracts?" Cicero blushes with sudden self consciousness upon feeling his Listener's curious gaze turn to him. "Does she ever mention the Keeper?"

"She told me of you asking for permission to woo me." His Listener giggles and Cicero felt his heart melting. She hadn't answered him directly but she approved of his love for the Listener. "My sweet Cicero, I love you so dearly."

He is content for a long while. He loves his Listener more with each day that passes and slowly becomes accustomed to being loved in return. His Listener flinging themself into his arms after completing a difficult contract and staying up with him on nights when sleep is out of the question. He wishes to show his Listener how deeply devoted to them he is and finds himself once again standing in front of the iron coffin.

"I must come to you for permission once again, sweet mother." Cicero begins, voice hushed. The Dawnstar Sanctuary is less private than the chamber in Falkreath but his question is just as important. "Thank you for approving of humble Cicero's love for the Listener, dear mother. Thank you for choosing them. If you'll allow, please let loyal Cicero make one more request."

"Are you asking the Night Mother's permission to romance someone else?" His Listener's voice interrupts the speech Cicero had been planning since breakfast. He cringes, face bright red and unwilling to look at them. How can he explain without spoiling the surprise?

"Never, my Listener."

"Then ask away, I'll let you know if she answers."

"Night Mother." Cicero continues, sweaty fingers clasping the ring he'd picked so carefully. "What would you say if loyal Cicero offered his hand in marriage to the Listener?"

Their silence is painful. Cicero waits impatiently for his Listener to say anything but the moment stretches far too long. He doesn't hear their approach but suddenly there's a hand on his, curious eyes peeking at the ring.

"Well?" He chokes out, desperate for an answer. His Listener grins up at him, full of mischief as always.

"I say yes." Cicero's world is flipped upside down when his Listener plucks the ring from his grasp, sliding it easily onto their finger. "I say that I accept loyal Cicero's hand in marriage."

trying to move my fics from point a to point b but unfortunately for me point a is 1. tumblr and 2. convinced that i've only written one thing in my life so boy oh boy this is gonna be fun

REBLOG IF IT'S OKAY FOR ME TO BOTHER YOU IF YOU'RE MY MUTUAL

Your sixth most recent emoji is how your guardian angel feels about you