#delenn was not able to intervene

[ddagent]

BREEN, John searching for the perfect engagement ring under very different circumstances than canon. (read: he's not dying)

John/Delenn Weekend Promptathon | Read at AO3

“You go on ahead; I just want to pick up a souvenir for my sister.”

John lingered one stall down from the stall he really wanted to visit, knowing that Delenn would be able to sniff out his true intentions pretty quickly if he stopped next to a market stall displaying silver jewellery. Instead, he made a show of staring at the tacky merchandise, the Centauri vendor selling apparel that wouldn’t have been out of place in Times Square – purely aimed at Human tourists. But the only Human visiting the market in Centauri Prime today was John Sheridan, accompanied by the love of his life. Delenn left him to his perusal with a brief press of her lips to his. She then disappeared into the throng of shoppers, Marcus hovering nearby.

Clearing his throat, John approached the Centauri jeweller. “Hi. Do you have any engagement rings?”

The Centauri, a young woman swathed in blue silk, immediately retrieved a collection of rings. John had hoped to look through them before he was accosted by the others on their diplomatic trip to Centauri Prime. No. Such. Luck. “Ah, Captain! There you are. Would it be considered a diplomatic scandal if I murdered G’Kar?”

John drew in a deep breath. If it had been up to him, he and Delenn would have gone alone on this trip. After the Shadow War had dragged on, it was only now that they had some time together. John was intending to enjoy every moment of it – dinner dates, walks in the garden, building a life with Delenn – before dealing with Earth and Clark became a necessity. But as much as he’d wanted to get her alone, John had agreed that the other two major powers would be needed for this trip, to cement Centauri support for the fledgling Alliance.

Which was how he found himself playing referee in a Centauri market. “Yes, it would, Londo. Can’t you two just…play nice for the week we’re here?”

“Captain, you have to understand—” Londo’s attention was quickly diverted by the beautiful woman manning the jewellery stall and then the rings themselves. “Ah, Captain, you have finally decided to add some decadence to your wardrobe. You should have said! I know the finest jewellers on all of Centauri Prime.”

“Which he should only go to if he wants something gaudy and gauche,” G’Kar interrupted, elbowing Londo out the way to help John with his shopping. “Now, I happen to know a Narn jeweller that will—”

“—the Captain does not want your tasteless jewellery, G’Kar. He wants a ring that displays his status—”

“—no, what he wants—”

“—is an engagement ring,” John intervened, drawing the conversation to a close. “I don’t want a ring for me; not yet, anyway. What I want is an engagement ring for Delenn.”

Londo and G’Kar shared a single look before both of them devolved into cries of joy, smacking John on the back in celebration. It was only then that John realised the first people he had told about his intentions to propose were Londo and G’Kar. They wouldn’t be back home five minutes before the whole station would know. “Now, listen, Delenn and I have talked about marriage but I still want it to be a surprise. You can’t tell anyone.”

“Of course not, Captain,” Londo grinned, baring his teeth. “But as a man of excellent taste who has known Delenn for some considerable years, I will take this burden upon myself to help you find the perfect ring.” Londo once again turned his attention to the vendor, wrinkling his nose at the selection of rings on display. “Do you have any gold bands? We need rubies, emeralds; rings that speak of the immense power this man has!”

G’Kar flapped a hand in his face. “You know nothing, Mollari! Delenn does not need a ring that she cannot lift! She needs something silver, perhaps with a stone that matches her eyes.” G’Kar found an ornate silver ring with a blue stone at the centre. “Here.”

Londo sighed. “Delenn’s eyes are brown.”

“Blue.”

“Brown.”

John heaved out a sigh. He should have gone with Michael and Stephen; it would have been less traumatic. “Delenn’s eyes are green; they sparkle in the light, draw you in and never let go.” It was then that John caught sight of Delenn across the marketplace, offering a Centauri fruit to a young girl. She caught him watching her and they just stared, the entire market melting away as John found himself swept up in his love for her.

His reverie was only broken by a data crystal being thrust under his nose. The Centauri vendor smiled up at him. “I have a friend from Yedor who is a jeweller. The finest crystal you have ever seen, all sourced from Minbar. There, I think, will you find an engagement ring as beautiful as her.”

John smiled, thanked the vendor, and went to join his future wife by the fruit stalls. He knew that Delenn wouldn’t worry about the ring but John wanted everything to be perfect. After all, she was the One.

#john x delenn #babylon 5 #dd: fanfic #ship: john x delenn #tvshowaremylife #dd: prompts