Work Text:
Corbeau has been noticing a change in Philippe's behavior. He’s been avoidant and oddly quiet. Usually he's a very chatty and talkative man, talking about his day, random things he might see throughout the day, cracking jokes, etc. Corbeau likes it, he's a pretty quiet person himself so it's nice having someone who yaps a lot. He also took that as a sign that someone is comfortable enough around him to share even the tiniest, most trivial stuff about anything.
So it's very unlike Philippe to be so quiet in the past couple of weeks. Sometimes he just disappeared in the middle of the day, saying that he has “some business matters” and meetings to attend to, or some errands to run. Which Corbeau found unusual because they usually do anything business-related together.
Whenever he tried to ask him about it, Philippe simply dodged the question and changed the topic of conversation immediately. Or he would just give him a one word answer, it’s annoying. Philippe is definitely hiding something from him.
***
It was summertime. Corbeau took a cab by himself and headed to Hotel Z. When he arrived in the lobby, he was greeted by quizzical and confused looks by Urbain, Lida, and Naveen.
Urbain greeted him, “Mr Corbeau! Welcome…? What brings you here?”
Corbeau rolled his eyes,”what does it look like? Of course I’m here to stay at your hotel.”
Lida approached him, “by yourself?”
Naveen whispered to her, “maybe they had a lovers' quarrel.”
Corbeau’s eyebrow twitched with annoyance, “I can still hear you… and it's none of your business!!!” He paused a bit before continuing, “but if Philippe shows up, tell him I'm not here.”
“So what's the tea?” Naveen wondered, suddenly interested in the drama.
Lida begged, “oh no. I hope you both make up!! I can’t have the city’s and my favorite ship sinking PLEASEEE!”
Corbeau glared at them, “HUH??!!”
Urbain stopped his friends, “g-guys let’s not pry! Mr Corbeau, I’m sure you both will work it out, whatever it is you're fighting about…”
Corbeau looked away, “we’re not fighting!!! I’m just… taking a break from him.”
Urbain smiled nervously, “please, you don't have to explain anything to us! I’ll take you to your room. Come this way.”
***
That night, Corbeau did nothing but sulk in his room. This week is supposed to be special for him and Philippe because their anniversary is coming up. He had something in mind to plan already but now he’s not even sure if they’ll still be together by the time the big day comes.
He couldn't help but overthink; is Philippe not interested in him anymore? Is he being too harsh as a boss and his righthand man is sick and tired of it? What did he do wrong? Corbeau was starting to spiral, this is not good…
Even though he wanted to be alone, he couldn’t help but wonder if Philippe was even thinking about him. Is he worried about me? Do I occupy his mind just as much as he does mine?
He decided to check his Rotom phone to see if he received any messages from his partner.
Suddenly it rang. Philippe was calling. Corbeau forgot he put his phone on “do not disturb” and saw there were actually dozens of missed calls and texts from him.
He declined the call. Corbeau felt horrible for ignoring him, but somehow also relieved that Philippe was in fact looking for him and that he still cared.
Corbeau simply texted: [ I’m safe. Be back tomorrow. ]
He laid down and closed his eyes for a few moments. He’s gonna try to sleep but his mind won’t shut up with all these questions and uncertainties. A sudden wave of sadness came over him, and he let himself cry.
Fuck, I need to stop. My eyes are gonna be so puffy tomorrow. I can’t have anyone seeing that.
He grabbed his phone and texted Urbain.
[ could you bring me a bag of ice cubes? You can just leave it in front of my door. ]
Urbain replied: [ certainly sir. Are you alright? ]
[ I’m okay. Thanks kid ]
A few minutes later, there’s a soft knock on his door. Corbeau waited a few moments before opening the door to find a bag of ice cubes on a tray. He closed the door and laid back down on his bed. He put the ice bag on top of his eyes.
***
The next morning, Corbeau is in the hotel’s lobby, ready to check out. Naveen and Urbain stood by the front desk.
Urbain smiled, “how was your stay, Mr Corbeau?”
“It was nice, as usual. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“It’s our pleasure! Please feel free to come back anytime–”
The front door of the hotel swung open, and Philippe walked in. Lida followed suit behind him, panicked.
Corbeau glared, “what the–”
Philippe looked relieved, “boss! I’m here to escort you home.”
Corbeau yelled at Lida, “you had ONE job!”
Lida felt so guilty, “I’m so so sorry sir!!!! Mr Philippe is very persuasive……..”
“Tch.” Corbeau crossed his arms, “how did you know I was here?”
Philippe scratched his head, “I just had a feeling..”
“Didn’t I say I'll be back?”
“Yes but–”
“But what? Do you not trust me?”
Philippe took a step closer, “of course I do! I thought something happened to you so I got worried and came to check. And I know you like to stay at hotel Z, but it's unlike you to disappear out of the blue. Please Corbeau tell me what's on your mind.”
Corbeau felt a bit bad, he didn't mean to worry him. He just wanted to clear his head.
There was a long pause before Corbeau decided to speak again.
“Are we okay?”
Lida gasped silently, visibly distressed, “this is worse than if my own parents are getting a divorce.”
Urbain winced, “I’m worried for them. Also, does anyone feel like a third wheel right now?”
Naveen side-eyed him, “at this moment the vehicle has five wheels.”
Philippe looked concerned, “Corbeau what are you saying?”
“You’ve been distant for weeks, you’ve been avoiding me, you wander off by yourself– and don’t think I didn't notice you sneaking out in the middle of the day! And when I ask you where you've been you always give some half-assed answer! ‘Business matters’ is your excuse? Really?? You need to try better than that, Philippe.”
“O-okay it’s not what you think..”
Corbeau continued ,”and your grunts seemed to be avoiding me as well, what the hell is going on? You're hiding something Philippe, I KNOW.”
Philippe spoke calmly, “I can explain.”
“Then please explain, what is it? Or should I say who is it??” Corbeau looked away and crossed his arms. He tried to be nonchalant but it's actually breaking his heart a lot. He really hoped he was wrong.
Philippe reassured him gently, “my love, I promise you this is a misunderstanding and I’ll tell you everything if you come with me, how does that sound?”
Corbeau turned to Philippe and finally looked at him. He always lets down his walls every time Philippe calls him by that nickname.
Corbeau nodded, “okay..”
Philippe smiled and put both his hands on Corbeau's shoulders to comfort him.
The tall man then turned to Urbain, Lida, and Naveen, “I’m very sorry for the disturbance! We will be leaving now.”
Urbain was lowkey sweating, “please don't apologize! Have a wonderful day.”
Corbeau waved, “see you around kids.”
***
Philippe and Corbeau stepped out of the hotel and were just walking around in the city. It's a nice sunny day.
Corbeau glanced up at him, “where are we going?”
“Just walk with me, okay?”
Philippe seemed anxious and agitated. It was also making Corbeau more nervous. He felt a pit in his stomach.
The truth is, he's not ready to lose Philippe. Their relationship has been going well, or so he thought. So what went wrong?
***
They finally arrived on a bridge on top of a beautiful canal, and the river flowed calmly below them. The vibe was peaceful, not a lot of people were walking to and fro. The gentle wind blew some of the petals off the cherry blossom trees around them. The view of Prism Tower was clear in front of them.
Corbeau recognized the place right away. This is where Philippe and him first met, many many years ago. He's not surprised Philippe still remembers, it was a day that changed both their lives. How poetic and tragic that the beginning and now also the end of their relationship is in this place.
They sat on a nearby bench.
Philippe took a deep breath, “Corbeau, I need to say something.”
He already knew what was coming. His eyes began to water and he felt so helpless. Corbeau turned away. He couldn't look at his own partner as he tried to suppress his tears.
“How do I make you love me again? Are you no longer happy with me? If I hurt you, or if I've been doing something that bothers you, please tell me Philippe. I can change, okay?” He didn’t expect his voice to come out so shaky, but he had a bit more to say.
“You promised we’re gonna communicate with each other. So please don’t just cut me off and keep me in the dark. Although, if you're not attracted to me anymore, then… I’m sorry. I suppose I can't do anything about that..”
Philippe held his partner’s hand and squeezed.
“My dearest Corbeau, please look at me.”
Corbeau composed himself. He took a deep breath and turned to Philippe.
Only to see him holding an open ring box. Inside it, is a ring decorated with a yellow-golden stone in the middle, the same color as Corbeau’s eyes.
Philippe smiled softly, ”firstly, I love you, so so much. I could NEVER stop loving you, even if I tried. Secondly, I'm terribly sorry that I've been so cold and distant for the past few weeks. The ring shopping took longer than I thought, and I had to keep it a secret from you of course. It hurts me that I hurt you by doing so. I deeply apologize for making you worry, my love. But I had no choice because you're too perceptive! I love and hate that about you,” Philippe chuckled.
“I’m forever grateful for this place. If it weren’t for it, I wouldn’t have met you. Although I suppose we would’ve met either way, because… you really are my other half. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you. It's crazy how one little encounter could turn my life upside down, or rather rightside up.
Everyday, I fall for you just a bit more than the day before. Even on our worst days, I never stopped loving you, and it made me realize I couldn’t imagine a version of myself where I’m not in love with you.
You are my light, and my greatest love. I want nothing but to spend the rest of my life with you, if you’d have me by your side as your husband.”
Philippe went down on one knee.
“So, Corbeau, will you marry–”
Corbeau grabbed Philippe's face and kissed him. There were tears on both sides of his face, he's just downright sobbing at this point.
Philippe giggled, “is that a yes…?”
Corbeau couldn't form words in between his sniffles, so he just nodded.
Philippe smiled and was also teary eyed, “okay my dear.”
He kissed Corbeau's head and took his hand. He then slid the ring gently to his finger. Corbeau almost never cries this much so this is a rare sighting even for Philippe.
He pulled out some tissues from his jacket and took Corbeau's glasses off. Philippe wiped the tears slowly from his now fiancé's cheeks.
“Oh Corbeau… come here.”
He hugged him tightly. Corbeau melted into the hug right away until he calmed down enough to speak. He sniffled.
“I’m yours, Philippe. I’ve always been yours, and always will be. I’ll say yes a thousand times, a million times. I love you more than life itself, and I promise I’ll keep loving you until we’re both old and wrinkly and all our hair turns white and we can’t eat crunchy shit anymore ‘cause our teeth will be mostly gone.”
Philippe giggled. He wiped his own tears that were also falling onto his cheeks.
Corbeau continued, “I'm really sorry for behaving so horribly. I was so stupid. Were you planning to propose on our anniversary? I totally ruined your surprise, didn’t I? Please forgive me…”
Philippe sniffled, “there’s absolutely nothing for you to be sorry about! Besides, I have more planned for our special day. Those will stay a surprise though,” he rubbed Corbeau’s back to comfort him.
“Really??”
“In fact, I'm only offended that you thought I wasn’t attracted to you anymore?! Because you still give me butterflies every time, even after all these years.”
Corbeau hid his face on Philippe’s chest, “well then you give me the entire butterfly conservatory every time I’m with you.” The big man chuckled and hugged his fiancé tighter.
Corbeau then raised his hand, admiring his engagement ring. The yellow stone glinted in the sun, “it’s beautiful and perfect.”
Philippe smiled as he looked into his partner’s eyes, “it’s my favorite color.”
They sat together a bit longer, enjoying the view and each other’s company. They ended up taking the day off work.
***
That night on the same day, Corbeau and Philippe visited hotel Z again. They walked inside the lobby while holding hands.
Corbeau smiled, “hi kids.”
Urbain saw them walk in and his face lit up, “Mr Corbeau and Mr Philippe! Good evening, and welcome back!”
“Thank you!” Philippe said, gleeful.
Naveen smirked, “both of you are in an awfully good mood.”
Lida clasped her hands together, “did you guys make up??!! Thank Arceus, I can sleep soundly tonight.”
“My fiancé and I would like to book a room please,” Philippe grinned.
Lida screamed.
Urbain gasped, “WHAT?????”
“Fiancé?! Congratulations to you both,” Naveen smiled.
Lida was teary eyed, “this is even better than if my own parents got divorced and remarried!”
“THAT’S AMAZING NEWS GUYS I’m so happy for you!!! You’ll invite us to your wedding right?” Urbain asked with starry eyes.
Lida raised her hand with excitement, “please let me be your ring bearer pretty please!!!”
“I could design and tailor your wedding suits,” Naveen offered.
The three of them surrounded the newly engaged couple. They both chuckled in amusement, flustered and a teeny bit overwhelmed.
Philippe scratched his head, “we didn't plan that far yet…”
“But of course we will involve you kids,” Corbeau grinned.
Urbain then chimed in, “oh and we’ll upgrade your room for free! As an engagement gift from us.”
Philippe was surprised, “y-you don't have to do that–”
Corbeau grabbed his arm, “shush Philippe,” he turned to Urbain, “that sounds great. We want your best room, preferably the one with rooftop access and nice view of the city. And please make sure no one else stays on our floor. Also, do NOT disturb us until the next morning.”
Urbain blushed at the implications, “say less!”
Naveen started walking away, “yeah please say less before you blurted something TMI.”
Lida gave them the keys, “have fun!!!”
The Rust leader took them and smirked, “really appreciate it.”
Philippe waved, “thank you very much! Have a great evening.”
They both entered the elevator.
Corbeau was thinking something, “would you still love me if I was a weedle?”
Philippe chuckled, “yes I would, boss.”
“Really? What about a caterpie?”
“Still a yes.”
“How about a wurmple?”
They both continued their playful banter until they arrived at the top floor.
End!