Remus had been doing his very best impression of playing it cool and pretending like nothing was up for the last several days while he waited for just the right moment to finally put his plan into action. It had been far longer than he had intended for it to be after he asked Venom for her permission, but with the huge move the pack made and Ike's new siblings coming into the world he wanted to wait so this moment wouldn't be a distraction from anything else–or be overshadowed by anything either. Even though he had asked the Empress for permission to propose to her daughter and even though he had spent nearly every day with Ike since agreeing to join Ashen to be with her it still didn't really sink in that he was actually going to do this until he finally settled on a plan. Once the idea settled in his head it was all he could think about and it was all he could really do to keep his nerves from showing.

He spent a lot of time watching the weather in their new home and following the patterns to predict when the perfect night would be to put his plan into action, anxious to finally do this, but refusing to compromise on what he hoped would be a moment they could look back on for the rest of their lives. He desperately wished his brother was here to discuss it with or really anyone that he could bounce ideas off of without worrying that they might accidentally let something slip to Ike, but in the end he had to just trust that he knew Ike well enough to know what she would like and what would be special for them. It was nerve wracking, but oh so exciting, and finally he felt like the time was just right. The night was crystal clear with not a cloud in the sky and if he predicted the up coming weather correctly, which he was confident he had, then it would remain that way well into the night and into the early morning. The night was cool, but not unpleasant, and that was exactly what he had been waiting for.

Darkness had settled over Ashen's lands maybe an hour or two before so there was still plenty of night ahead of them as Remus went to find Ike, waiting patiently for her near her family's palace. He had to take a steadying breath as soon as he saw her, but played it off easily, giving her a warm smile as he approached her to give her cheek an affectionate kiss. "I found something I want to show you out by the canyon. Take a walk with me?"

"Remus & Ike"

The Crown Princess was finally settling into their new home. Leaving the islands that she had been born onto was a huge change that threw her off and made her regress in all of the progress that she made. Had Remus not been there for support and comfort her she might not be where she was now. Though, even he had been off since the move, and Ike didn’t really feel like this was home yet. That lingering sensation of not belonging was chased away when she was with Remus though. Home was where the heart was, and Remus absolutely had her heart. He’d weaseled his way into her life and now she couldn’t imagine a path without him.

Ike’s thoughts were often on the exotic pelted man, another sign of her love for him, even as she finished her first patrol. Like her forebears Princess Kiyohime was mostly nocturnal. She headed back to the den after a short sprint over the beaches that bordered the ravine. Mostly ready for a quick bite before going back out or maybe finding Remus, who was actually seemingly waiting there on the grand entrance of the palace.

Mismatched taloned paws carried her towards him, a smile brightening her features as her dual toned eyes found his. He grinned as well while she closed the distance between them. Ike leaned into his sweet kiss as he asked to show her something. "Of course,” She returned curiously, wondering what he could possibly have to show her that he could not have brought here. "Where are we going?” She asked as she stole her own innocent kiss.

"Remus & Ike"

He certainly hadn't expected for her to turn him down, but he also hadn't known if she already had plans or tasks she had to attend to so it was a relief when she easily agreed to his request for her to join him on a walk. When she questioned where they were going, he gave her a grin as he returned her kiss as well, adding in a playful wink as he replied, "It's a surprise. You'll have to wait and see." He turned back toward the canyon then, walking beside her and guiding her toward the spot he had picked out and prepared earlier in the day. He couldn't say much out of fear of giving something away or saying something dumb in his nervousness, but luckily it was such a pleasant night that as they walked along the rocky landscape in the natural beauty of this place it was easy to fall into a comfortable silence and instead just enjoy the view. His path brought them along the edge of the canyon, showing off the sweeping expanse of it ahead of them and the layers of colored rock that the exposed cliffs revealed. Eventually he brought her up to the highest point that he head been able to find and that was where his surprise for her was set up.

Under the blanket of stars at the edge of the cliffs was a blanket of furs surrounded by candles that were placed on rocks all around this secluded spot. Some of the candles had begun to burn down and were surrounded by drips and puddles of wax from the time it took him to go get Ike and bring her here, but the romantic effect was still there as they flickered and glowed with the gentle firelight. But more importantly, from this point at the northern part of the Redwater Rocks, they could see the streaks of light dancing across a portion of the sky in the distance, the various hues of the northern lights casting shades of green, blue, purple, and pink across the stars. It wasn't as close or as bright as it might have been if they were further north, but he knew she had been feeling a little uncertain about their new home so he wanted to make sure she had a good memory tied to this place... or at least he sincerely hoped it would be a good memory.

Remus brought her over to the furs and candles, giving her small glances as he went to see her reactions and to try and calm the nervous beating of his heart against his ribs. He wasn't usually one to believe in superstitions or signs, but everything felt like it was lining up so perfectly that it was hard not to think that this was really meant to be. He had noticed the northern lights here in his night time wanderings not too long ago, but he hadn't really known how to predict when they might show up again and had just hoped that he might get lucky when he brought Ike out here. He had comforted himself with the knowledge that the stars and candles would create a romantic enough atmosphere on their own, but seeing the northern lights in the distance gave him some kind of reassurance that he was doing this right and that he was giving Ike the special experience that she deserved.

"Remus & Ike"

Of course Ike wouldn’t have ever denied her sweet Remus a little trip outside of pack lands. The young princess had gotten used to having her beloved by her side. He had created a place in her life and now that she had him the girl wasn’t so sure that she could be without him. Remus had been the one to help her become the woman she was today. He helped her develop her self confidence and growth into the graceful woman that had always been hiding beneath the clumsy child she had been when they met. Remus didn’t give her any hints to their destination, and she felt a tickle of excitement grow in her chest as she followed Remus out.

Walking at his shoulder she couldn’t help her occasional bumping into his side. Sharing little glances and touches as he brought her to the red rocks. There weren’t many words exchanged, but there didn’t need to be. Just silently enjoying the pleasant night was enough for the young woman. However, the surprise was much larger than she could have expected.

She blinked in surprise at the little picnic area he had laid out. Soft thick furs for them to lay on, little spots of light where he had lit candles around the bed beneath the stars. Her pale pink lips parted in surprise, but more than the little area he had set up her breath was taken away by the brilliant streaks of light that flashed in the sky. By now Ike was more heavily leaning into Remus’ shoulder, unbelieving of the scene he set before her.

"Remus…” She said in disbelief, easily letting him lead her to the furs where she easily found her seat. In complete awe as her dual toned eyes glittered with the light splashing across the sky. "This is… for me?” The Princess questioned softly as her gaze returned to his features. Love and adoration obvious on her features.

Wc: 334
"Remus & Ike"

Remus had already known that every bit of effort for this surprise was worth it, but when he saw the surprise and awe on Ike's face that fact was only confirmed in his mind. He couldn't help but grin as she leaned into him as he lead her over to the picnic area he had set up for them while staring up at the northern lights. The lights were undoubtedly beautiful, but he hardly looked at them. He was too enraptured by this woman that he loved so dearly and taking in every single moment. The way the shifting colors of the northern lights danced in her pale gaze and across the lighter parts of her fur made him grin and once they were settled on the furs it was even easier to enjoy all of her reactions. Eventually her gaze returned to his as she questioned whether all of this was for her and he nodded as he looked at her with all of the love and adoration in the world.

He shifted a bit to face her as he sat on his haunches, taking her forepaws in his and giving them a gentle squeeze as he desperately tried to remember all of the sweet, cheesy things he had planned to say. Somehow none of it felt right now that he was finally here with her. "This is all for you. You are so special and so beautiful that it was the only thing I could think of that even came close to being even half as special and beautiful as you are to me." He gave her a bashful grin as he went on, slowly managing to untangle his scrambled thoughts and fight past the way his heart was pounding nervously in his chest. "You're my best friend, the woman I love, and the only wolf I could ever see myself spending the rest of my life with. I want to give you the whole world and then some."

He gave her paws another gentle squeeze, his ears flicking back against his head as he held her gaze hopefully. "Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Klein... Will you marry me?"

"Remus & Ike"

Remus led her up to the small prepared area for a picnic, the glow of the candles and the brilliance of the aurora guiding their path. Ike’s dual toned eyes shifted from the sky, to the romantic set up, and back to Remus all in a few moments time. No one had ever made her feel this special. Despite being a princess, the crown princess of the royal family, she wasn’t given much privilege that wasn’t weighed down by responsibility. It all kept her humble.

Shuriken looked up at Remus, joy filling her smile as she leaned back onto her haunches, getting comfortable as her ivory splattered tail wrapped around her hips. Remus faced her, and Ike didn’t miss that his eyes remained on her features, undistracted from the vibrant colors and lights above them. He spoke, and easily commanded all of her attention in return.

The girl was already blushing beneath her pale fur, Remus had barely started to speak and her cheeks flushed. He assured her that this was indeed for her, comparing her to the scenery they were experiencing. Going so far as to tell her that he thought she was far more beautiful than the aurora. She giggled softly and shook her head as he squeezed her paws, barely believing what he said. The princess Kiyohime didn’t have near the value in herself, but that was what made Remus special. He showed her what her own eyes would not see.

He went on, bearing his heart to her there beneath nature’s brilliant show. "Remus…” She whispered to him, barely able to believe the words he said. He did his best to raise her confidence and convince her of her worth. That was why she loved him so much, and the inverse was just as true. They were best friends, and neither had any intention of spending their lives with another wolf, it was just the process of making everything official. Which, Ike finally realized was what Remus was doing.

Her eyes grew wide with surprise as he looked up to her and offered his proposal. Her pale jaws parted, there was no option as to her answer but she certainly had not expected this result. She very nearly pulled her paw away to cover her mouth but she squeezed his paws in return insead. "Yes! Yes, Remus. With every fiber of my being I love you, and want so badly to be your wife.” She told him in return before wrapping her long legs around his neck. The beautiful scenery didn’t mean anything compared to the joy that rose in her heart and filled her now. All because of her darling Remus, her future husband.

"Remus & Ike"

Remus didn't realize he was holding his breath after he finally managed to ask Ike the question that had been lingering on his mind for what felt like ages until she finally gave her answer and he sighed with relief as a huge, joyous smile spread across his face. In reality he hadn't doubted that she would say yes since it was so clear that they both wanted this, but he had his own doubts in himself to be the husband she probably needed him to be–someone that could be at her side and take on the responsibility to lead with her whenever she was given the most powerful position in this big, important pack. He didn't know how much of that she would actually want form him, but he wanted to continue supporting her and being whatever she needed him to be regardless. But just as he had done his best to boost her confidence and show her how amazing she really was, she had shown him that he could be so much more than a roaming vagabond. She made him believe that together they could really do this... that they could be themselves with their love of fun and of each other and still be this important, responsible pair that she was destined for.

It seemed that maybe Ike saw that too or maybe she was just willing to fully follow her heart to be with her best friend. Regardless, when she said yes it was the happiest he had ever been. His tail wagged like crazy behind him and as soon as her paws pulled away from him to throw her forelegs around his neck he wrapped his own forelegs around her waist, catching her and holding her slender form against his own as giddy laughter bubbled up in his chest. He squeezed her tight to him, nuzzling his cheek into her neck as he closed his eyes to fight off the tears of happiness that threatened to fall from them. "Gods, I love you so much..." he rumbled softly as he held onto her, his cheeks hurting from how much he was smiling. He knew that asking her to marry him wasn't going to really change their day to day life all that much and that ultimately it was just an official way to show the rest of the world how much they cared for one another, but that felt important too. For someone like him that hadn't really seen himself settling down like this it was a big step and a real show of how committed he was to this. To them.

After a few long moments of just holding Ike with a mix of giddy laughter and small affections, he lifted his head and leaned back just enough to find her two-toned gaze with his own again, looking at her with all of the love in the world as one of his paws trailed up her side and neck to rest on her cheek. He tipped his muzzle forward, catching her lips with his, and kissed her with a deep tenderness that spoke in ways words never could. Yes, she was uniquely and stunningly beautiful and he was still shocked that he had managed to catch such a rare beauty to be his mate, but more importantly he was getting to marry his best friend and his favorite companion and that meant more to him than anything else in this world. When his lips finally parted from hers again, their gazes met and a silly, lopsided grin spread across his lips as he whispered, "I'm going to be your husband," in pure disbelief.

"Remus & Ike"

The Princess barely said yes before Remus’ features grew into a huge grin, one which she shared on her own features. Like her sister had promised so long ago, and after her heart had been broken knowing Ezra already had a girlfriend, she had found her prince. He had been there to help her become the woman she was today and Ike didn’t want anything else but to have him at her side for the rest of their lives. They would make a vow, for better or worse, they would take on the challenge of life together.

Joy and laughter was shared between the both of them as they embraced each other tightly. Kiyohime had been brought up with both pomp and circumstance, she knew how to be a royal and knew what that meant for her life. She was held to a higher standard, and being able to have Remus who made himself fit in that place beside her was more special than he could ever know. He was willingly stepping into a restricted life, but they had each other and that was all that mattered. Remus mumbled sweet words of love into her fur and she couldn’t have agreed more, but the words didn’t want to fall from her lips. Instead a silly little whine slipped from her lips. Her dual toned gaze closed as indescribable emotions filled her to the brim and spilled over.

She could have lingered there holding him for all of eternity, with the emotion and disbelief that filled her. As much as the pure joy and love that rushed between them. It was almost too much as Remus gently pulled away so their eyes could meet once more. She wouldn’t ever tire of gazing into his unique dual toned eyes. He then kissed her in a way that made the love they felt for one another tangible. The tender affection was easy to lose herself in, however short and sweet it was.

"And I, your wife.” She returned with equal disbelief as that same grin couldn’t be swept from her features. "You’re sure you want to inherit all of this with me? One more chance to back out.” She teased with another silly kiss against his lips. She knew he wasn’t going anywhere, and that whatever challenges lay ahead they would be faced together.

"Remus & Ike"