“You should be, but I’m looking forward to writing our first paper together.”
They flirted and planned for the day as they fed each other and sipped their coffee, eventually dressing and setting off for work. Milo laughed as he hopped over the elevator’s threshold and pressed the button for the lobby.
“I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a Monday morning since I started at Starlight,” Milo said, sighing happily as he stretched and tried to steal a kiss.
That wasn’t enough for Elio. He grabbed the straps of Milo’s backpack and kissed him slowly and thoroughly, making his toes curl in his Converse.
“Neither have I,” Elio said, pecking at Milo’s lips. There was a soft cough, informing them that they had arrived and the elevator doors had opened. “Good morning, Carl.” Elio smiled over Milo’s shoulder.
“Morning, gentlemen. Wasn’t sure if you’d fallen under a spell or needed medical assistance.”
“No, we’re fine,” Milo said and kept his head down as he pulled Elio out and through the lobby. Once outside, he risked a glance at Elio and erupted into laughter. “It really isn’t funny,” he said after he had caught his breath.
“It really is. You ran out of there like you robbed the place.”
“I know!” Milo rubbed his face with the end of his hoodie’s sleeve. “But I’ve known Carl my whole life!”
“I’m sure he’s happy for you,” Elio said and held out his hand.
Milo stared at it, his face warm and his heart racing with excitement. “It’s my turn,” he whispered to himself as one of his most cherished childhood memories rushed back to him. “Let’s go!” He grabbed Elio’s hand and pulled him in the other direction.
“Where are we going? The train’s that way.”
“Slight detour!” Milo explained over his shoulder before dodging a woman with an armful of pastry boxes. “Pardon us!” he told her and rushed across the street as soon as it was clear.“I know how to get to Starlight from my old middle school,” he said, his heart beating faster and faster. He was getting warmer and warmer and was sure he was glowing, he was so happy and certain that Elio was his future.
“We’re going to your old middle school?”
“Not all the way,” Milo said as he hopped and leaned to see around the bodies ahead of them, smiling when he saw the stretch of sidewalk from his memory. “We’re almost there!”
He pulled them along and stopped when he recognized the hydrant across the street where his father, Giles, had stopped a strange young woman and offered hera lotof money for a wire ring with a bright blue crystal. Giles proposed in this very spot after Milo won the science fair. And later, Milo handed an enhanced version of that ring to Giles before it was placed on Riley’s finger at their wedding.
“Here!” he said, taking both of Elio’s hands in his. “This is where my dad asked Riley to marry him.”
Elio straightened and swung around, getting a better look at their surroundings. “Here? Are you asking me—?” he said, then pulled Milo’s hands to his lips and kissed them. “Because the answer isyes, I will marry you. I don’t care where we decide or where we do it. All I know is?—”
“Wait!” Milo shook his head and grabbed Elio’s face. “Not yet! This is where I’mgoingto ask you. I had to show you so you know that ithasto be here.”
“I see.” There was a soft, rumbling chuckle as Elio pressed his lips to Milo’s. “That is good to know. I would have rented out the Hayden or another collider…”
“No, this is it!” Milo stated with a firm nod. “This is where my dads made two of my dreams come true. I knew that Giles was always going to be okay and Riley became an official part of our family. They got married and then they had Luna and it allstarted right here. This is their ‘lucky spot’ and they always stop here and kiss when they come this way.”
“This is the spot,” Elio agreed and took out his phone, holding it up as he rotated.
“What are you doing?”
“Recording the coordinates. This is my next tattoo and where we’ll meet when it’s time.”
“Should I get one too?” Milo asked with a hesitant grimace.
“That’s up to you,” Elio said as he offered Milo his hand again. “We’ll be late. Not that I really care,” he added, but Milo smiled as he took it and they set out again. “I want the tattoo so I have something for me, until we make it public, and to commemorate the moment. An engagement tattoo. But we can get you a ring. Whatever makes it special for you.”
Milo nodded, his mind made up. “I want one too. Let’s do it as soon as possible or I’ll talk myself out of it.”
“I’ll set up something for tonight or tomorrow. In the meantime, don’t think about it.” Elio turned when Milo pointed and they took the stairs, then found a spot on the wall to wait for the next train. “Is there a specific time or can I ask you around the holidays?” Elio guessed but Milo shook his head.
“I’m going to ask you but I have to establish myself as a scientist and…an adult, first. I don’t want our relationship and our marriage to eclipse all the other things I want to accomplish. I want to earn my successes honestly and because I deserved them, not because I married you.”
“I understand completely,” Elio said, his eyes shining as he traced Milo’s cheek, just under his glasses.
