"Will you stop fidgeting?" The scathing remark of the eldest Du Couteau chided. Her fingers delicately entangled in purple locks as she brought a brush along the strands. The remark was enough to cease the movements of the Demacian in the room.

"I really cannot see what my brother saw in you." Another feminine voice barged into the silence, this was the youngest of the female Du Couteau. In her arms are a selection of dresses that she did not wear anymore, "Then again, that's my brother for you. Ever the mystery despite how many years he's lived with us."

"Cass, you don't need to be so rude to the birthday girl." Emerald eyes scolded the younger woman. Cassiopeia let out a petulant sigh before dumping the dresses on the bedspread. "I guess I'm just a bit jealous. Who knew that Talon had a romantic bone in him?" She chuckled, fingers lazily twiddling on the soft fabric of the dresses.

"It's not often that boy asks his older sisters for help anyways." Katarina roughly pulls on the younger girl's short locks earning a pained cry, "And you, you've been tightlipped the entire time."

"Kat got your tongue?" Cass joked and she stepped beside her older sister to assess the Demacian. "You've got good features. I think some light makeup will do for tonight."

"That's good to hear." Quinn couldn't help but chuckle softly. She stared at her reflection on the mirror, hair pulled back into a tight bun to clear any locks from her face. She'd worn one of Talon's old polos so that it wouldn't get in the way of ruining her hair and makeup, as Kat had mentioned. This reminded her so much of when Ashe was getting married and she'd been one of the Freljordian's bridesmaids.

Shaking the thought away, Katarina stepped away from the vanity to make room for the younger Du Couteau. Cass ran her fingers along the tuff of hair that counted as a ponytail. Her manicured fingernails grazing lightly on the Demacian's scalp. "Well, best not to dally." She plucks a brush and the liquid foundation from the selection in front of her. Quinn sucks up a breath, asking herself how did it end up like this.

Early morning…

The Demacian had woken up to their bed alone, the sheets beside her long cold. It was uncommon for Talon to get up earlier than she did. That didn't mean the pang of loneliness was less painful than before; her fingers mindlessly fiddled with the rumpled blankets on his side. She dozed off a little longer before peeling herself off the bed. It was Friday today, she was thankful for the chance to spend more time with the Noxian this evening.

Her small feet padded along the wooden floorboards of their apartment, making a beeline for the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled for breakfast and she decided on eggs for breakfast. However, she was cut short on cooking as a delicate breakfast set was spread on the wooden table. It'd been covered with some plastic wrap with a small card on top of it. The Demacian couldn't help but chuckle at the tackiness of the card. Deft fingers picked the small card up, amber eyes following each familiar stroke of the letters.

Happy Birthday. Eat up and get ready. Katarina and Cass are picking you up by 4 today.

- Talon

Quinn stared at the greeting them shifted her gaze to the calendar. March 1. Yes, it was her birthday today. With so many commissions to be accomplished, she'd forgotten the dates already. She ran a hand along her unruly hair, time to get started before his sister abduct her for the day.

Present…

And so, this is how the tomboy was dragged into the Du Couteau manor. Cass was finishing on her makeup and to Quinn's dismay, the younger Du Couteau lady had turned the seat away from the mirror. Katarina was busy filtering through the dresses that Cass had brought, muttering on each one she threw away.

"Kat, those dresses aren't cheap!"

"Not like you wear them anymore."

"That's true. But still!" Cass indignantly cried and puckered Quinn's lips to line them with rouge.

"Stop being so overly dramatic Cass. Here, I picked out a dress." She held a midnight black off shoulder dress with silver floral accents embroidered along the edges. A thin silver chain was also draped along Katarina's arms, "This will be a little accent to your waist. Now you better hurry up and get dressed, you've got an hour for your reservations."

"R-reservations?!" Quinn sputtered but Katarina was pushing her to the bathroom, "Yes, yes. Now hurry up before you actually miss it." With that last line, Quinn is pushed behind the ornate Mahogany door of Katarina's bathroom. She lets out a huff before undoing the polo and dropping it on the sink. She quickly slipped the dress on, dragging the zipper up as high as she could. It fits well, the fabric soft on her skin.

"Katarina, I might need some help." She poked her head out of the door, seeing the sisters bustling on some jewelry and shoes. "Come out and let us look."

Quinn shyly steps out and the sisters are quick to sort the dress on her lithe form, "It fits you well but you're slouching. Stop slouching, will you?" Katarina dragged the zipper close and wrapped the belt around her waist. "There. That should be good. Use these shoes." Cass quickly slips her dainty feet into dark blue pumps which Quinn is sure to be the cause of her death. The younger Noxian pushes Quinn to a stand and they both eye her getup.

"That should do." Katarina has a smirk on her features while Cass lets a wide grin lighten her features, "Talon is sure to thank us for being his older sisters."

"Speaking of which, he should be waiting for you by the foyer." Katarina guides the unsteady Demacian out of the room; only to be greeted by their father. Markus has a warm aura around him as he appraises his daughters and the sight of his son's lover. "Ah, I heard today was an occasion. Happy Birthday my dear." He bends down to place a quick peck on her cheek, which is custom to this household.

Quinn flushes a dark crimson at the gesture but offers a smile in return. She gives an awkward curtsey that stirs the sisters in laughter, "Thank you sir."

"Do enjoy your evening. Talon is hardly selfish and we're all happy he's called on his family to help you out today."

"It's my pleasure to be under your care."

"All right, enough with the sappiness. I'm sure he's been waiting for you to come out." Katarina ushers her towards the foyer. Quinn feels like a princess dressed ornately in a dress she didn't own and shoes she didn't know would fit. It feels like Cinderella. She chuckles to herself and she can't wait to tell Lux how it'd gone.

It's his stiff form that catches her gaze. She could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Her gloved hand settles on the polished wooden banister before descending on the carpeted floorboards. The soft footstep catches his attention and Talon turns to the newcomer, completely in awe at how this woman looked. In all honesty, Quinn wanted to melt into a puddle and hide. The intensity of her lover's gaze was something she wasn't accustomed to and she feared the worst when her foot settled on the last step. So nervous was she that she felt her legs turn to jelly at the last step.

Was it cliché enough that Talon had quickly stabilized her? She felt a furious blush rise to her cheeks, painting her neck crimson under his sepia gaze. "Do I look weird?" She muttered, eyes averted away.

"When did you ever look weird?" He replied smoothly and Quinn had to stifle the urge to groan. "I think this is out of the usual so it feels really weird to me." She straightened herself up but Talon's hands were still supporting her forearms and the Noxian took this moment to truly study her. It was also Quinn's turn to ogle at her stoic boyfriend. He had his long hair neatly tied back with some of the shorter locks framing his angular face. He'd done a smart dark blue suit with some gold accents here and there. The tie was a subdued gold with the insignia of the Du Couteau embroidered in silver on it. Overall, Talon look very much like the scion of the Du Couteau household.

"You look a little out of your element." She chuckled and he in turn loosened the tie around his neck, "Do I? Then again, tonight's your day, let's get going." He takes her hand and leads her outside where the family limousine was waiting on them. Quinn had an inkling where they'd be going but opted not to say it out loud.

…

She wasn't wrong. They were finishing their dinner in the five-star restaurant she'd been dreaming to try out. It was a fleeting thought when she told Talon about going here for one of their dates. The youngest Du Couteau child was not a fan of the fancy life that his older sisters enjoyed and Quinn understood that. She dabbed lightly on her lips, careful not to smudge the intricate makeup Cass had put on her.

The dishes were cleared and Quinn was anticipating their dessert but for now-

She touched his hand, earning his attention over the candelabra placed in front of them, "Thank you."

"What for?" He asked, wiping the last traces of lamb off his lips. Quinn can feel the smile tugging on her lips, "For this. I know you're not one to enjoy such fine dining like or dressing in such stiff clothing."

"It's your birthday."

"Talon, even if you'd buy me a pint of ice cream and pizza. If we'd just watch the latest episodes of Violet Evergarden on Netflix, I wouldn't mind." She added. She wasn't used to this finery though she couldn't help but wonder why her man would ever consider this for her birthday.

"I remember you talked about going here in passing. Or that time you wished to experience a life of a princess. I thought maybe, you would like…" He drifted off, his cheeks stained red in thought. Quinn was equally flushed at the sentiment. True, she'd always told him how much she'd try to be more effeminate or what it was like to live a life of luxury. She never thought he'd key in on such ideas.

She took his hand, entwined their fingers as she gazed at him warmly, "Thank you Talon. I don't think I deserve this."

"You insolent woman. Of course you do." He stands abruptly, pulling her to stand with him. In the sudden movement, she staggers towards him. His lean arm wraps around her waist while his other hand trails lightly along her rouged cheek. "You deserve to feel like a princess if you so wish."

She shakes her head in exasperation, "So then you are my prince?"

"If you so wish."

"You know you're speech pattern is a little creepy right now. I'm not really used to you going out of character, you know." She mutters which makes the Noxian chuckle. He eases his hold on her and guides them both towards the balcony of the restaurant, foregoing dessert. The moon shines full above them with the clouds parted to give a spectacular view.

"Thank you for making my wish come true." She whispers, smiling softly. She didn't think he'd keep in mind of her inane thoughts or of the spur of the moment decisions to wishing she was a princess. "Was I not the dream that came true?"

Quinn flushes deep at the words, "All right, all right. Stop replaying those words. I know it was so cheesy." She hides behind her gloved palm. The mirth rumbles her partner's body as he slowly releases her. He takes her hands off her face, running his fingers along the fine material of her gloves.

He released her hands and steps away from her.

"Talon?"

He lets a rare smile lighten his features and takes an item from his pocket. A small velvet box that stands out on his calloused hands. Never in her wildest dreams could Quinn ever expect this to happen.

The Noxian who vowed to stay at her side, drops down to a single knee, his hand opening the box. "Happy Birthday, Quinn…."

And in that moment, Quinn realized, dreams do truly come true.

"Will you marry me?"

Author's Note: Sorry this took a while. I got a little busy with work. Quinn's birthday was last March 1. Hopefully this is still good. I hope it wasn't too out of character. I hope that that the little addition of a domesticated version of our favorite pair helps lighten the mood. To be honest, I still don't know how Talon would propose (if he would!) to his significant other. I don't think he's the type to just be overly romantic but people can have various takes on how Talon would reciprocate his feelings. I like to think he's the type who would only show his true self to the people he trusts the most, his lover and his family.

I hope you enjoyed this update. I'm still struggling with how to continue Tainted Wings but rest assured I didn't ditch it.