Discussion
In an instant, Gideon Atwood was in the air, spun around and lifted by the shirt by the clenched fists of a man much larger than him. “What the hell did you just say?” Braxton demanded, his grip tightening. Braxton knew damn well what he had heard, but because he was a merciful person and did generally kinda like the kid, he was presenting the opportunity for Gideon to change it.
“It’s not what you think,” Gideon fumbled, his arms raising defensively but uselessly. “Well, okay, it’s probably close to what you think.” At this, Braxton’s grip tightened again. “Wait, wait, wait!” the younger man protested.
“You’ve got ten seconds to explain what I just walked in on,” Braxton growled.
Fortunately, talking quickly was one of Gideon’s strong suits. “Okay so I definitely just asked Sally to marry me but it’s not because I’m in love with her or want to steal her away or anything! It’s just that I need to marry a pureblood girl and she’s supposed to marry a pureblood guy so if we just married each other and then kept on living our normal lives everybody would be happy!”
“Not everybody would be happy!” Braxton shouted, dropping him unceremoniously. “I wouldn’t be happy! I can’t believe you would even ask that!”
“Maybe.” Braxton and Gideon’s heads both turned sharply to face her. Sally had been quiet thus far, considering the implications and complications of the proposal. Like all things, there were benefits and drawbacks, things to be gained and things to be lost. The Aladren alumna had to think carefully and critically before any sort of decision could be reached.
Braxton looked affronted, and the word what> appeared to have died on his lips. Sally stood up from her position on the couch and moved to him, reaching up to place a tender hand on his jaw. His larger hand slid over hers. “This… this might be a good idea,” she said hesitantly. “My grandmother would leave us alone. Everyone would leave us alone. Let’s just… talk about this as an option. Later. You and me. Okay?” Braxton clearly did not like the idea, but he nodded reluctantly. Sally turned to Gideon, who was still somewhat sprawled out on the floor after being dropped. “Talk it through with Asher. See what he thinks. If all parties can reach some sort of agreement, we’ll go from there.”
It was an incredibly pragmatic discussion of a potential engagement, so much so that it surprised even the ever pragmatic Sally to hear coming from her own mouth, but it was - potentially - something.