The feeling of pure, unadulterated love fills me in a way that it hasn’t in months while I look at him as the sun is setting behind his back. He looks like a painting or a sculpture. Thekind of beauty and perfection that’s meant to be protected behind the secure walls of a museum, not strolling through the city with his boyfriend.
“You’re so handsome, baby.” I smile while just admiring him.
“So I have to say something.” We both say it at the exact same time. I know that whatever the meeting was about is important, but this is more important. I’m unable to say that though, or he’s going to catch on to what I’m trying to do.
“You first.” We both say at the same time again. Both laughing nervously as a plan forms in my mind.
“Okay, how about this… We’ll close our eyes and on the count of three, we’ll open them and say what we want to say together… okay?”
“Why are we closing our eyes?” Declan questions.
“I don’t know, it just seems like the right thing to do.” I shrug, guessing he has a point. “We don’t have to.”
“No, I kind of like it. Let’s do it. But do we open our eyes on three or after?” I see the playfulness shining in those eyes that I love so much.
“Why do you have to do this every time? Who actually opens on three? We have to open on ‘open’.” I shake my head in mock exasperation.
“Everyone opens on three.” He grumbled in faux sadness. “Fine, we’ll do it your way.” He smiles.
“Good, because you’ll get your way later when you’re taking me over the island in the kitchen.” I shoot him a playful wink and take note of the way the tips of his ears redden slightly at me being so straightforward. We aren’t shy about sex, but typically he’s the one being so direct.
Declan and I face each other and the nerves in my belly take flight. I’mso sure of this man that the nerves are only the good kind. We close our eyes and begin to count.
“One.” I kneel on the cold hard surface.
“Two.” My hand pulls out the ring box.
“Three.” I open the ring box and hold it in one hand in front of me.
“Open.” My eyes fly open.
My jaw hits the ground as I take in the scene before me. Instead of looking up into Declan’s eyes, I’m staring directly into them because… he’s also kneeling… and holding a velvet box in his hand. I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me.
“You’re joking, right?” I ask in disbelief.
A look of panic crosses his face. “No. No! You can’t be mad? You were doing the same thing. I’m not taking it back.” He rushes out indignantly.
“Beast, shut the fuck up.” The smile on my face is so big that it hurts. A flash of defiance flashes over his features for a brief second, but he schools his expression quickly and gestures for me to continue.
“Declan, I had prepared this entire speech, but now that just seems so rehearsed. This is us. Unplanned, but in sync. I love you so much that my chest actually hurts when we aren’t together. I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth without questioning it. As long as I have you by my side, I can face anything. Even your flaws look like perfection when I’m staring into your beautiful eyes. I want to be your confidant, your safe place, your home, and your partner. But most of all, I want to be your husband. Declan James Byrne, will you marry me?” Tears stream down my face as I watch him take in my words. The tears in his eyes shred me.
“If I say yes, do I still get to do my whole spiel?” He askswith a watery laugh.
“Yes, asshole. Just answer me before I take it back.” I bark out a laugh.
“Yes, Chaos. I’ll marry you.” I slip the white gold ring on his finger, and just like I knew it would, it fits like a glove.
I watch as he holds out an identical white gold band to the one I just gave him, because of course we bought each other the exact same rings.
His entire face lights up as he begins‘his whole spiel’.
“Jakob, when we reconnected after our unfortunate time apart, I had to rein in my feelings. They were steadfast and intense, but I knew you weren’t there yet. As you opened up and eventually decided to give me a shot, my feelings consumed me. I want to be your pillar of strength when you need rest, the man who protects you and our relationship at any sign of trouble. I want to meet you at the bar and catcall you every night while you work behind a bar that should really be properly staffed. I will willingly walk through flames barefoot just to get to you and stand by your side. I want to have the answers you seek, and when I don’t, I want to go with you on the adventure to find them. Most importantly though, I want to call a truce right here, right now. I want a truce with you forever, please? Jakob Emmett Fischer, would you do the greatest honor of my life and let me be your husband?”
“Yes, Beast. Truce, Please?” I wipe my eyes quickly before bringing my thumb under his eyes and wiping his tears away as well.
He slides the ring perfectly onto my left ring finger and smiles brightly as he lifts my hand up to kiss the ring before loudly declaring,
“Truce, Forever.”
