Gideon looks around at the private room in the Golden Dragon, he's nervous but hopeful. The lights are dimmed to an intimate setting, while still having enough light to see the menu, and the table is not yet set as he is the only one there. The room is all blonde wood and gold accents. He's standing half-way between the door and the table, trying not to fidget. And then the door opens again.
Gideon's breath catches in his throat as Laric walks through the door with Harry and Fionn just behind him. He smiles and steps forward to greet them, when he realizes they aren't alone. Fred and George enter the room behind the others. Fred's arm wrapped around Fionn's waist, and George coming to a stop between Harry and Fionn.
"There has been a change since last we spoke of Courting." Laric's voice is slightly apologetic as he moves farther into the room and stops just within touching distance of Gideon.
"Yeah, Harry accidentally bonded us to him!" George laughs.
"So now we're all Courting so we can be bonded to more than just Harry!" Fred grins, pulling Fionn a little closer to him.
A short silence falls as Gideon processes that they have chosen to Court the twins. He looks down at the floor to hide the sadness that suddenly fills his body. They are Courting, and it is not him.
"I…see." He finally says, so softly they almost don't hear it. "I am happy for you all." He forces his lips into a smile, raising his eyes to look over them all and pretend happiness he no longer feels.
Laric looks rueful as he reaches out and touches Gideon's cheek. "I think we have not explained ourselves well. We are not in an exclusive Courtship. This half-bond with Fred and George to Harry happened when his Demon magics were unlocked, but only came to light recently."
"Think of us as a bonus!"
"Like a five-for-three special!" Fred and George grinned maniacally.
Gideon's eyes flicker between them all. Noting the uncertainty in Harry's eyes, the happiness in Fionn's, and the… hope? In Laric's eyes. He's still a little confused, not quite sure if they want him or are trying to let him down without a Courtship rejection.
"What are you saying?" He finally manages to ask.
"We'd like you to join our Courtship. But we understand if you don't want to." Harry's eyes meet Gideon's. "This was unexpected for all of us too. And I wouldn't blame you for not wanting us now…"
Laric steps in, silencing Harry's fretting with a soft touch to his arm. He runs his fingers lightly up and down Harry's arm, ice blue eyes never leaving Gideon's grey.
"All of you?" Gideon's voice is filled with an uncertainty that he cannot conceal, his eyes searching their faces for any hint of regret or doubt.
Fred grins from his place beside Fionn while George chuckles softly at his twin's enthusiasm. "Even the twins," Fred jests, nudging Fionn lightly in the ribs.
"Especially the twins," George interjects, a teasing gleam in his eyes.
Gideon feels laughter bubbling up within him at the twins' jests, but it is quickly quelled by Laric's next words, spoken with seriousness.
"Yes, Gideon. All of us." There was no humor in Laric's voice, only a gravity that commanded attention and silenced Fred and George. "The accidental bond with Fred and George...it changed things," Laric continues, his ice-blue eyes locked on Gideon's. "But it did not alter the fact that I - that we - desire you to be part of this Courtship. It is not a circumstance borne out of necessity, but of choice."
Fred pipes up then, laughing lightly at the formal wording but nodding agreement nonetheless. "What he means is, we kinda fancy you too, Gideon."
Gideon looked into each face, seeking any hint of hesitation or regret, but finding only sincerity. He takes a deep breath and then speaks. "Will you, Laric, Harry, Fionn, Fred and George, allow me to enter your Courtship?"
"We will" the five answered. Fred and George beaming, Harry and Fionn smiling happily and a bit shyly.
"Requested and Accepted, our Courtship has begun." Laric said, binding them together. And then he stepped forward and pulled Gideon into a kiss.
A gasp of surprise left Gideon's lips just before Laric's mouth descended onto his, effectively silencing any further protest. The surprise melted away as he found himself leaning into the kiss, hands instinctively reaching out, one entangling in the long black Warrior braids, the other wrapping around the Storm Demon's shoulder.
As they broke the kiss, Laric pulled back just enough to look at Gideon. "You are welcome among us," Laric spoke softly.
Harry, Fionn, Fred and George stood by and watched the exchange, their expressions varying from bemused smiles to outright glee. As Laric stepped back slightly, Fred shoved Harry forward. Harry stumbled a bit in shock, but ended up standing between the Warriors.
"Your turn," Fred teased, grinning at Harry's surprised expression.
Harry looked between Gideon and Laric, a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks. "I...um," he stuttered.
The Shadow Demon could feel no actual objections through the newly created Courtship bonds. Only embarrassment and a bit of unsurety. He gave a soft chuckle, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. "It's alright, Harry," he assured, patting his shoulder gently. "We do not need to rush."
Harry worried his lower lip with his teeth a moment, and then stretched up on his toes to kiss Gideon's cheek. Face bright red, he hurried to half hide behind Laric as Fred and George nearly bounced forward into Gideon's personal space.
Fred and George, their jade and lapis wings fluttering in their barely concealed excitement, flanked Gideon. Fred boldly clasps Gideon's shoulder and George cups the Shadow Demon's chin.
"Welcome to the madhouse," Fred teased, his arm sliding around Gideon's waist to pull him into a loose hold. "Hope you're ready for the ride."
George echoed his twin's sentiments, giving Gideon's chin an affectionate squeeze, his brilliant blue eyes twinkling with mischief. "And remember, no refunds or exchanges once the rides have started."
In perfect sync, they leaned up to give smacking kisses to Gideon's cheeks, as the Shadow Demon laughs at their antics. It was actually much tamer than he had been expecting from them. As they released him and stepped back, they reached out and grabbed Fionn gently, pulling him forward and towards Gideon.
The Golden Fae seemed hesitant, his gaze flickering between Gideon and Laric as if seeking approval or instruction.
"Go on, Fionn. If you wish to." Laric encouraged gently. He then stepped back, standing next to Harry, offering Fionn enough space to approach Gideon without feeling crowded.
With a shy smile, Fionn stepped forward. His hand shaking slightly as he reached out to cup Gideon's face. Despite the uncertainty still lingering in his eyes, he leaned up on his tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss against Gideon's cheek, his lips lingering for a moment before pulling away. A blush tinted his cheeks a soft pink and he quickly stepped back to join Fred and George, leaving Gideon standing in the center of their group.
Gideon looked at them all again, hardly able to believe that they were all his. At least until the Courtship had completed, and perhaps beyond that. He smiled, and he could feel all of their happiness as well. "Shall we have dinner then?"