Dinner, unluckily, was a terrible time for Atticus and Viola, who couldn’t seem to get an edge in word wise as Mr. Hayashi and his mother dominated the conversation. His fingers constantly strummed against his leg as he watched the man and his future wife (there was no other way of putting it lightly - Atticus was here for one reason and one reason only) converse in a language he didn’t understand. It was aggravating and he was pretty sure his mama was going to throttle the poor man’s mother when they stepped outside of the home. She glowered at the other woman as he listened to the foreign words. Was he promising her all the riches in the world? To love and cherish her? He highly doubted that, although he’d promise her the sun, the moon and the stars if that’s what she desired in life.
He only desired her.
As dinner ended and they were ushered away from the table, Atticus reached out to graze his hand against her in an act of reassurance that the only woman he had interest in was her.
She went one way as he went another, and soon he was ushered into a room to pray, although Atticus wasn’t quite sure what that actually meant. The shrine was well put together as he eyed it, unsure if he was to pray to find love and prosperity or something else entirely. He opted to not do anything. His first session was with a woman who seemed intent on marrying anyone who would offer their hand to her, leaving their conversations strained because he had to explain that he wasn’t there for anyone except Miss Mountbatton. Neither were too keen on the other. The second session went just as poorly as the girl was nervous and spoke so much that Atticus wasn’t sure he spoke any words outside of his name and a greeting.
It was Miss Mountbatton’s room he was ready for, and he nervously inhaled as his fingers wrapped around the handle of the door before he pushed it open; and when she spoke his name he exhaled. Stepping into the room Atticus closed the door behind him before he turned his attention onto her, his lips curling into a smile. The world fell into place and he wanted to close the gap between them and kiss her like his life depending on it. She was radiate in her dress. But he couldn’t, so Atticus stopped in front of her. Her expression was unreadable but he hoped that she was pleased to see him.
“Natsuko…” He paused then before he added on, “Mountbatton, I am here for you. Poppy told me about the matchmaker and I couldn’t let you go through with it, but I’m afraid it was already too late to stop it. I couldn’t stop it then I knew I had to come because I need you. It is you, or no one.” Atticus reached forward to take her hand. “I love you.” He breathed out out the words as they hung between them, unsure if they would be enough to convince her to stay here, with him.
The ring in his pocket was still heavy and he knew he should sink to one knee, but Atticus wasn’t sure if he was allowed to do that. Instead he knew he’d do a do-over, if she accepted of course, to ensure she got the proposal she deserved. But for now, this was going to have to do.
He only desired her.
As dinner ended and they were ushered away from the table, Atticus reached out to graze his hand against her in an act of reassurance that the only woman he had interest in was her.
She went one way as he went another, and soon he was ushered into a room to pray, although Atticus wasn’t quite sure what that actually meant. The shrine was well put together as he eyed it, unsure if he was to pray to find love and prosperity or something else entirely. He opted to not do anything. His first session was with a woman who seemed intent on marrying anyone who would offer their hand to her, leaving their conversations strained because he had to explain that he wasn’t there for anyone except Miss Mountbatton. Neither were too keen on the other. The second session went just as poorly as the girl was nervous and spoke so much that Atticus wasn’t sure he spoke any words outside of his name and a greeting.
It was Miss Mountbatton’s room he was ready for, and he nervously inhaled as his fingers wrapped around the handle of the door before he pushed it open; and when she spoke his name he exhaled. Stepping into the room Atticus closed the door behind him before he turned his attention onto her, his lips curling into a smile. The world fell into place and he wanted to close the gap between them and kiss her like his life depending on it. She was radiate in her dress. But he couldn’t, so Atticus stopped in front of her. Her expression was unreadable but he hoped that she was pleased to see him.
“Natsuko…” He paused then before he added on, “Mountbatton, I am here for you. Poppy told me about the matchmaker and I couldn’t let you go through with it, but I’m afraid it was already too late to stop it. I couldn’t stop it then I knew I had to come because I need you. It is you, or no one.” Atticus reached forward to take her hand. “I love you.” He breathed out out the words as they hung between them, unsure if they would be enough to convince her to stay here, with him.
The ring in his pocket was still heavy and he knew he should sink to one knee, but Atticus wasn’t sure if he was allowed to do that. Instead he knew he’d do a do-over, if she accepted of course, to ensure she got the proposal she deserved. But for now, this was going to have to do.
![[Image: cBAJGlb.png]](https://i.imgur.com/cBAJGlb.png)