Ben Brainard + The Table x Reader

Louisiana x Reader (Any!) - Fluff - Daquiries at Mardi Gras

A/N:
I would like to go ahead and state that while I have been to New Orleans and Mardi Gras , I've only ever been to a Mardi Gras in my home state, but I very much want to go to a Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Y/n's POV

I slam back a shot, Louis cheering me on. Once I put the little glass down I go to close out my tab so we can move out to the streets for the parade, but Louis stops me, paying for it instead. "Mais Sha, do you really expec' me tuh le' you to pay foh your own drinks, now?" He asks, wrapping his arms around me. I hum, laying my head on him. He smelled like Cajun seasonings and damp wood. It was a strange combination, but soothing none the less. "Less go get uh few daiquiris, den go watch the parade," Louis suggests, and I smile. "Sounds perfect!" I agree, stepping back so Louis and I can walk out of the bar. He takes my hand, giving me a quick kiss before we walk out. "Lead the way! You know the best spot in town!" I tease, giggling at the end. Louis chuckles, letting go of my hand before slinging his arm around my shoulders to pull me closer. "Je t'aime, Sha" Louis whispers in my ear, a blush creeping across my face as I smile. I curl into him, responding in English, "and I love you." We continue in silence for a few minutes, allowing me to take in the scenery. Everyone was laughing and wearing beads. The street performers were all extra lively today, as well. Most people were drinking, while others were making sure those that were, were staying safe. There were a large amount of people also wearing masquerade masks, and several were also wearing feathers and feather boas. Streamers and paper flowers were hung from awnings, balconies, and wherever else they could place them. There was music filling the air, allowing people to dance in the streets and along the side walks. Nobody was driving today, seeing as the parade would last most of the day to travel all through town. It didn't take much longer for us to get to drive thru daiquiri place, however the line was pretty long.

It ended up taking us about thirty minutes to get our drinks, but once we had them we headed outside just in time for everyone to start gathering at the edge of the street. Louisiana and I stand right at the edge, sipping on our drinks as we watch the crowd around us. We still had some time before the parade would be passing through here. Louis began telling me of past Mardi Gras experiences, sipping on his drink every now and then. It didn't take me long to finish my daiquiri, so Louis waited in our spot for me to throw it in a nearby trash can, so we didn't lose it. When I got back Louis was on the phone. He gave me a kiss on the forehead and told me he'd be right back. I stood in our spot, fiddling with my fingers as I waited for my boyfriend to return. After what felt like forever, but in reality was only five minutes, Louis came back empty handed. "Did you finish your drink?" I asked him, and he nodded. He seemed nervous. "Are you okay?" Louis wraps his arms around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. "I just want today to be perfect," He assured me as I wrap my arms around his middle. The crowd began cheering, so Louis and I pulled apart to see that the parade was starting. The floats were huge! Most were medieval court jesters in some variant, usually purple and gold. Dragons and trains were also pretty common, with purples and greens. There were also a few floats with the fleur-de-lis on them. They were throwing beads and candy, marching bands following behind every few floats. The different genres of music began to blend together, creating a mixture of jazz and rhythm and blues. Everyone was laughing and cheering as the floats came through, trying to catch the beads and candy. There were a lot of men taking their shirts off and several women were flashing the passing floats. Louis and I continued to cheer, jumping in place as we wave our arms around as an attempt to catch the items being thrown at us. The people on the floats all kept smiling and waving as they threw out the beads and the candy. Everyone was wearing a costume of some fashion, whether it be just a mask, feather boa, or something more extravagant such as a court jester or something resembling Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog. The crowd began to simmer down as the last of the floats passed through, the music fading as well. I turned to Louis, grinning from ear to ear, but he wasn't paying attention to me. He was fumbling around in his pocket and looking down the street. Confused, I began to peer down with him. A familiar tune could faintly be heard playing, but I couldn't locate from where or what song it was. The sound grew louder as the crowd began to murmur in confusion. A new float was growing closer. The song, it was Louis and I's song.

I was laughing in the passenger seat of Louis' car. He was taking me home after our first date. The music was playing over the radio, he'd let me hook my phone up through Bluetooth. A love song began to play as we stopped at a red light. Louis began to sing to me, smiling at me with admiration in his eyes. I began to sing with him, leaning over to kiss him before the light turned green.

As the float grew closer I realized it was red and gold, covered in hearts and flowers. The float began to slow down once it started getting closer, allowing me to see that in Cursive like writing in enormous gold letters the float said, "Je t'aime, Sha" on one line, and right below it in the same style writing but even bigger letters it read "Will You Marry Me?" The float stopped right in front of us, causing me to look over at Louis in shock. He was down on one knee, holding a gorgeous ring in his hand. He smiled at me nervously, waiting for my response. Tears fell from my eyes, and I began to nod furiously. "Yes, of course I'll marry you!" I cried out, wiping my eyes. Louis slipped the ring on to my finger, standing up to kiss me. I kissed back, placing my hands on his cheeks. He lifted me up into the air, our lips still connected. Everyone around us began to cheer, congratulating us. Louis placed me back on the ground, pulling away from the kiss. "Would you like to be in the parade, Sha?" He asks me, and I nod. "I want everyone to know I'm yours," I tell Louis, and I picks me up again, placing me down on the other side of the barrier before climbing over himself. Louis and I climb up on the float, and a few seconds later it starts moving again. Louis holds me close, his arm around my waist as mine was around his middle. We began to wave at everyone, allowing me to show off the beautiful ring Louis had gotten me. "I love you, Louis," I tell him, receiving a huge smile from him. "Je t'aime, Sha" he responds and I melt into his side. Hearing him say it in French just made it even more special.