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The first time Dottore proposed to Pantalone he had rejected him.
It was an ordinary day, and Pantalone had not long received his Harbinger title and was quickly adapting to the new workload required of him. Unfortunately, said adaptation simply meant spending all his time locked up in his - rather luxurious mind you - office.
Pantalone had indeed adapted to this change rather quickly; Dottore, on the other hand did not. He was not quite used to no longer having 24/7 access to his most beloved experiment, and he dealt with this issue by simply barging into his office and ranting about his day.
And so on the day of the first proposal that was the exact situation they had found themselves in.
"Honestly these segments Feofan, they were a nightmare to make but they just run rampant most of the time, I swear I wasn't so unruly in my youth." Zandik complained as he sprawled across a rather expensive velvet sofa, waving a glass of wine in his hand as he spoke, "They very well may be the death of me"
"Hmm? Oh yes, I'm sure they will be" Pantalone drawled flatly, stamping a firm rejection at some fool's ridiculous proposal, "yes, yes I'm sure you were sugar and spice and everything nice during your youth dear, nowhere close to the levels of nuisance of these segments of yours display."
Dottore chuckled heartedly, head thrown back as he did so.
"No need for the sarcasm darling it's unbecoming of a Harbinger isn't it?" Dottore purred, head cocked lazily in his direction.
Pantalone simply rolled his eyes and continued with his work. Silence swept over the pair for a while, one working monotonously, the other deep in thought. That was until Zandik beckoned Pantalone over towards him, one long gloved finger curled his way sweetly.
"My love do come here a moment," Dottore spoke, gaze half lidded as he watched the other man.
Pantalone arched an eyebrow at the request, staring at the other man's face. Though after seeing nothing to note he sighed, placed his stamp neatly onto the table and made his way over to the doctor, taking a seat at his side.
"Yes dearest?" He droned boredly, one leg crossed elegantly over another.
"Let's get married." He said, normally as though the sentence held little to no value.
Pantalone froze for a moment before frowning," I'm afraid you'll have to do more than that for me to agree to marriage dear, I've never seen such a half-baked proposal in my life. Do you even have a ring?"
Dottore himself frowned in turn, seemingly not expecting that response, "Do you truly care for such things? I will get you a ring if that's what you wish you simply need to say yes now."
Pantalone chuckled, taking the wine glass from Dottore's hand, finishing the rest of the drink in one clear swoop.
"If that's what you think perhaps I should go ahead and marry one of your segments instead, perhaps one of them will have a romantic bone in their body." Pantalone huffed, standing back up and returning to his desk, no longer paying any mind to the baffled doctor on his sofa. It was cute in a way, he was all ruffled up like an angry crow, squawking nonsense refutals.
After ignoring the man for an impressive 20 minutes the doctor stormed out, not forgetting to slam the door in frustration as he did so. Once he had left Pantalone chuckled to himself, lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag.
"Honestly, did he truly think I'd say yes to that?" He mumbled to himself before carrying on dutifully working.
--
The second time Dottore proposed Pantalone had rejected him again. Let it be known that Pantalone did have a particularly cruel streak occasionally, and unfortunately for the doctor, he had simply pushed all the banker's buttons that day.
It occurred during a ball, one that celebrated the Tsarista's birthday. It was a grand occasion and an absolute logistical nightmare that had unfortunately fallen squarely onto Pantalone's shoulders.
So it was sufficient to say that he was ever so slightly stressed.
The ball itself had turned out wonderfully, perfectly decorated and exquisitely catered, and despite the event being in full swing with no errors Pantalone was still rather on edge.
He sipped wine nervously on the fringes of the ball, eyes darting around in search of a mistake - not that he'd be able to see it with his poor eyesight - when suddenly his vision was flooded with blue and black.
Dottore stood before him, looking rather dashing in his tailored suit.
Pantalone looked him up and down appreciatively, the suit truly did wonders. He had it custom-made himself, Pantalone wearing a matching set of indigos and silvers.
"You look exquisite dear." Pantalone purred, hand coming to rest on the other's arm. He felt the stress slowly leaving his body as he closed the distance between himself and the doctor.
"Nowhere near as radiant as you my love," Dottore responded, tentatively taking the hand resting on his arm in his own and bringing it up to press a kiss into it.
"May I have this dance?" Zandik asked, a lazy smile prominent on his face.
"Why, you needn't ask darling," Pantalone responded.
And so he allowed himself to be whisked away onto the dance floor, Dottore's hands pressing him close as they swayed to the music.
It was perfect.
Well, it was perfect until the man started talking.
"Please darling, I know we agreed only for a five-million mora investment in this project - but I do need just a litt-" Dottore rushed, seemingly aware of Pantalone's very quickly diminishing spirits. A frown began to etch itself onto Pantalone's face.
"-Ah, yes I know what would make you happy." And with those words Dottore promptly stopped his movements and got down on one knee, brandishing a velvet box in one hand. He opened the box slowly, revealing a rather beautiful silver engagement ring. "Would you Feofan give me the greatest honour, and marry me?"
Pantalone felt a vein in his head throb, his eye beginning to twitch. Heads had snapped over to gaze at the pair, hushed whispers spreading quickly across the ballroom like a miasma.
"Dottore darling let's go somewhere private shall we?" Pantalone stated more than he asked, stalking away not even checking to see if the man was following.
He quickly found an empty room on the side, glaring daggers as the doctor entered.
"What on earth was that! Do you not realise how rude that was, it's a celebration for the Tsarista such a thing is hardly appropriate!" Pantalone rushed, trying his hardest to keep his volume at an appropriate level.
"Is that a yes?" Zandik spoke, face slowly falling from the expectant smile he previously wore.
"Of course not you idiot, honestly it astounds me someone as smart as you can act so stupid! Try again in a more appropriate manner and who knows what I'll say." Pantalone fumed.
Similar to last time, slammed doors were involved, and Dottore left in the room on his lonesome.
--
The third time was certainly an improvement over the first two. It seemed Dottore had learnt his lesson from his prior attempts and tried his hardest to cultivate the perfect proposal environment.
Pantalone had been led by two overly eager segments to their quarters, the two ushering him inside before promptly scampering off.
Inside was Dottore, sat poised and proper at the piano in the centre of the room, the room of which had been caked in a candlelit glow, roses adorning the area accompanied by a dinner laid out for two.
Pantalone gasped at the sight, hand raising to cover the delighted grin threatening to make itself known.
Dottore rose from the piano, making his way over to Pantalone before taking his hand and leading him to the delicately laid out table.
"I hope you're hungry my dear, I have quite the night planned for us." He spoke, smiling softly as he gazed back at his banker. He pulled out his chair for him, the perfect picture of a gentleman, helping him settle before seating himself across from Pantalone.
"I take this is to your liking?" He asked, tone taking a cheeky tinge as he smiled playfully at his lover.
"Oh darling, it's perfect." Pantalone smiled.
The day went on, a three-course meal served by various segments, all as eager to please as the last. A brief musical interlude by the Doctor himself, followed by a gentle swaying dance as another segment took over on the piano.
Pantalone rested his head on the Doctor's shoulder as they swayed, humming along with the music.
"This has been delightful my love, thank you," Pantalone whispered into his ear, playfully nibbling at the lobe.
Dottore chuckled in response before reluctantly separating himself from his lover, going down at one knee and presenting that very same ring from the ball.
"Thank me by saying yes?" He asked slowly, a rare sign of nervousness Pantalone had never seen from him before.
Pantalone smiled, plucking the ring from the box and sliding it onto his finger.
"Oh my Doctor dearest, I suppose I must." He drawled playfully, admiring the new weight on his finger.
Dottore shot up, taking Pantalone in his arms and spinning him around joyfully.
"You won't regret this my love, I will be here for you forever and always." He sighed, pressing kiss after kiss anywhere and everywhere he could.
Pantalone let out an unadulterated laugh at the affection, the moment he was set back on the ground he smiled seductively, dragging his now fiancé to the bedroom.
"Yes well, I do believe we must consummate that promise now." He purred, a finger coming up the graze softly at his cheek before pushing him down onto the bed.
The usually composed doctor flushed a brilliant red that resembled the scarlet of his eyes, eagerly scrambling after his darling banker.
--
Centuries later, Pantalone found himself alone on a train back to Snezhaya.
He stared vacantly at the wedding band adorning his finger, twisting it incessantly.
"Forever and alwayd you said?" Pantalone murmured to himself," What a beautiful lie."