#marriage proposals

[steddieas-shegoes]

it's not ever what it looks like

for @steddielovemonth prompt 'love is saying you're sorry'

rated m | 3,299 words | cw: language, implied sexual content | tags: angst with a happy ending, arguing, established relationship, hurt/comfort, rock star eddie munson, teacher steve harrington, modern au, steve thinks eddie is cheating on him but HE ISN'T I PROMISE, marriage proposal

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It wasn't the first time Steve woke up to pictures and articles about Eddie being seen with some model or actor, but it was the first time he'd actually been worried.

Eddie had been distant lately. Usually, when he was on tour, he'd call Steve on his lunch break and text him when he got off of work, and he'd try to Facetime him after his show if it wasn't in a different time zone.

But for the past week or so, he had excuses. They sounded legitimate until one of the afternoons he said the band was caught up in an interview so he couldn't call and Jeff called him ten minutes later to ask where Eddie was. Even with that, Steve hadn't assumed he was cheating.

Steve figured maybe Eddie was just tired or his social battery had run out. Those kinds of things happened before occasionally.

But not daily for over a week.

He was barely even responding to texts, and the ones he did respond to were hours later and hardly adding to any conversation.

And now this article.

There was a picture of Eddie standing with his arm around some guy who was taller than him, both of them laughing, looking at each other like...well. Steve knew that look because it'd only ever been pointed at him, but now he was seeing it pointed at just some guy.

The headline read EDDIE MUNSON GIVING UP HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART FOR SUPERMODEL SUPERSTAR?

Steve decided the only way through this was to read the entire article. At least then he could probably convince himself they were wrong.

Except the article went on to explain how Eddie hadn't brough Steve to any shows yet this tour, and how he'd been flirting more with the crowd after the show instead of just during it, how he was seen at two bars over the last week when he usually doesn't go out after shows.

It went on to say that these pictures were taken shortly after they'd been seen sneaking away from a group of people they'd been hanging out with and that they seemed very close for the entire night. The article said the guy was a male lingerie model who made it big posing for Gucci last year. He'd just landed his first film role as a supporting actor and was looking to land a lead role soon.

Steve hated him. And he was getting a terrible feeling in his gut about what was going on.

He had 26 unread texts, most of them from Robin, Dustin, and Gareth.

All of them had said mostly the same things:

I can't get ahold of Eddie.

He wouldn't do this.

Something else is going on.

Call me when you can.

The last one was Gareth, and it's not that he and Gareth weren't close, but they never talked on the phone.

He tried not to think about he didn't have a single message or missed call from Eddie.

Steve called Gareth.

"Steve. Shit, I'm glad you called."

"What's going on?"

Gareth sighed. "Ed's kinda losing it. But before you call him-"

"Why would I call him? Shouldn't he be the one to call me? If he wants to be with some supermodel, he should probably be the one to break up with me, right?" Steve could feel tears gathering in his eyes, stinging the back of his throat. "I'm not sure why I have to be the one to hurt and do the breaking up."

"Steve-"

"Is there something you needed Gareth? Or were you just trying to defend your friend?"

"There's nothing to defend! I swear-"

"Yeah. Well. Tell him to call me if he wants to explain anything, I guess."

Steve hung up just before a sob ripped from his throat.

He never had to worry about Eddie being a famous rock star, spending 6-7 months of the year gone, meeting all kinds of flashy celebrities. Eddie loved him so much, he never had any doubt that he'd always be his first choice.

Until now.

It was a shitty feeling and he had to be at work in less than an hour.

No time to wallow.

He sent a quick text to Robin to let her know he was okay, but needed to focus on getting through work, then shut off his phone.

"Is everything okay?" the art teacher, Mrs. Phineas, asked him on their lunch break. "You seem out of it today."

"Just a migraine," Steve gave a half-smile, hoped it was enough to convince her to leave him alone. He still hadn't turned on his phone, and at this point, he didn't really want to.

She tilted her head to the side. "When are you off to see your man?"

"Don't know," he shrugged, ignoring the tug in his stomach, the sudden weight in his chest.

"Ah," she said, turning back to her soup. "Something happened."

"Nothing happened!"

"You look two seconds away from crying," she gave him a deadpan look. "Did he hurt you?"

Mrs. Phineas was a little older than Wayne, close to retirement, and had been his closest friend from the moment he started teaching at this school nearly six years ago. He'd told her everything about Eddie, their relationship, his hopes of Eddie taking a longer break after this tour so they could have some time just the two of them, maybe make a real plan for their future.

Steve nodded once.

Her hand covered his and she squeezed his fingers in her own. "I may not know him half as well as I know you, but I know that boy loves you. You two will get through this, whatever it is."

"I dunno if we will," Steve whispered, scared to speak louder and risk the tears falling. He'd been doing so well today.

She patted his hand and went back to eating, saying nothing else about it.

His students had caught on early that he wasn't quite his usual self, and the group of second graders had been on their best behavior because of it. As the dismissal bell rang and he started calling for bus riders to line up, someone walked through his door.

Eddie walked through his door.

He bit back the anger, knowing his students loved Eddie and wouldn't know he was here for any reason other than to say hello.

"Mr. Munson!" A few of them yelled as most of them ran up to him instead of getting in the line Steve asked them to.

"Hi kiddos!" Eddie was faking it, but luckily the students couldn't tell. "Sorry, but you guys have to listen to Mr. H right now. I promise I will come say hi again tomorrow."

The students grumbled about it and Steve took in his appearance.

He had dark circles under his eyes like he hadn't slept the night before, his hair was in a messy bun instead of perfectly arranged to fall on his shoulders, and he was wearing Steve's hoodie that had suspiciously gone missing the last time he'd been home.

The fact that Steve's first thought was how badly he wanted to pull him into a hug was not a good sign.

He checked names off the list as they filtered out the door and then called the car riders to line up. He went through the list and made sure everyone made it into the hall where they'd be called when their parent pulled up before turning back to Eddie.

He closed his door and made his way to his desk, ignoring the way Eddie awkwardly stood by one of the student desks in the front.

"What are you doing here?" Steve asked, signing off of his work email and organizing tomorrow's lesson plan.

"I needed to explain-"

"Right."

"That article wasn't supposed to come out yet."

Steve's jaw dropped. So he wasn't going to deny it, he was just gonna act like it was the media's fault for releasing it before he could talk to Steve.

"Yeah. So you decided to come break up with me in person because you got caught cheating instead of doing it over the phone right before the article hit online. Got it."

Steve was not going to cry about this. Not in front of Eddie.

He was going to go home, shower, try to eat something, and then he was going to cry for the next 10 hours.

"No, Steve, you don't understand."

"You're right, I don't. I don't understand how you could throw away a 10 year relationship for a model who doesn't even know your middle name. I don't understand how you can fly all the way here and interrupt my day at my job to try to explain to me why you were so cozy with a guy who doesn't even know that you like your hot chocolate with Bailey's instead of regular milk. I really don't understand how you couldn't even bother to text or call me one single time since the article to even try to explain anything." Steve wiped his eyes furiously, angry that his tears were betraying him. "I don't understand why you would expect me to care for reasons."

Eddie wordlessly picked Steve's phone up off the desk and powered it on. He set it down in front of Steve and waited.

Texts and calls and emails came through all at once, hundreds of notifications lighting up his screen.

Many of them from Eddie himself.

"Go ahead. Open them," Eddie didn't sound mad, he just sounded resigned.

So Steve read through the texts, many of them different renditions of 'please Steve, call me' and 'I love you sweetheart I'm sorry.' Not promising.

But then he started playing the voicemails.

"Stevie, it's really not what it looks like. It's never what it looks like. You know that. Please call me as soon as you can. I love you."

"I can explain everything if you call me back. I promise you it isn't anything more than a business thing. Everyone in the band can tell you. I swear. Just. Please."

"I'm getting on a flight to you now. I'm gonna keep trying to call you even when I land. I need you to know what's going on."

"Just landed. I'm on my way to you. The guys are a little pissed, but you're more important than the show tonight. I'm not doing my own thing until I know you understand."

Steve looked up at him, tears still falling down his face.

"Well?" He asked, broken.

"His name is Wyatt. He's trying to make it in the acting world and he was pretty much told he was the top choice for playing lead in a movie that's in early stages of development," Eddie spoke quickly.

"Great for him."

"It's actually great for all of us. The movie is a biopic of Corroded Coffin. He's expected to play me."

At any other time, Steve would be proud, he'd be jumping up and down at this chance for them, and he'd be kissing Eddie without a care in the world.

But he still saw that picture and that article, and no matter how much "business" was going on, it was pretty clear that wasn't all that was going on.

"So you thought sleeping with him would help him get into the role? Or did you just wanna get into him?" Steve bit back.

"The article was wrong! The picture was just really conveniently timed! You know the media are vultures, Stevie. How many times have they written about us breaking up? How many times have they said Gareth and I have secretly been married for the last two years? How many times have they tried to post shitty things about your relationship before me to prove that you can't possibly be queer?" Eddie pulled Steve to his feet and cupped his face in his hands. "I've been spending the last two weeks talking with him and the producer and the guys to see what might work best for production. They want us involved in as much of the writing and filming part as possible. And he had time in his schedule to come to a show last night, so we all took him out after so he could get a taste of what it's like for us. He's really excited for the role and all of us are really excited for the movie."

Steve felt stupid. Well, maybe not stupid. His feelings were valid and he wasn't dramatic about what he'd seen.

But he did feel a little shitty about doubting Eddie.

Eddie, who had literally flown across the country to explain in person so that there was no way Steve could misunderstand him. Eddie, who once Doordashed him soup from his favorite restaurant when he was sick even though he was in Europe. Eddie, who sent letters to the kids in his class once a month to talk about how important music is and following your dreams. Eddie, who loved him for ten years and wouldn't have let anyone get in the way of what they'd built.

Steve fell against Eddie, buried his face in his neck and his hands in his shirt. Eddie's arms wrapped around him, his voice saying something against his shoulder. Steve couldn’t hear him, but he didn’t think he needed to.

He just needed to feel him.

“I’m sorry,” Steve said against his neck. Tears soaked the hoodie under him, and Steve could feel tears against his own button down. “I shouldn’t have- I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Eddie shook his head. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone until the article hit, but I was still gonna call you and warn you but I didn’t and I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. This is part of the whole lifestyle. I should be used to it,” Steve shuddered as Eddie’s hand scratched at his scalp. “I should’ve reacted better.”

“We both didn’t treat this the way we should’ve.”

Steve snorted, nodded as he found the spot Eddie had tattooed on his neck a couple years earlier. He pressed his lips over the tattoo of his lip print.

“You flew across the country over this,” Steve pulled away and looked at Eddie, vision blurred from crying. “Just to make things okay.”

“I needed you to know. I needed to hold you. I needed to have you in front of me. And I wanted to celebrate the fact that we’re getting a movie about our lives,” Eddie smirked. “I wonder who will play you. Someone with a nice ass is a must. Their hair will have to defy gravity. Don’t know if they’ll find anyone with that smile, though.”

“Me? Why would they need anyone to play me?” Steve played with the string of the hoodie. “That might be kinda boring.”

“How would they make a movie about me and not include you? You’re the reason I ever made it past Hawkins, sweet thing,” Eddie leaned in to kiss his bottom lip. “Maybe they’ll just cast you. No one else could pull it off.”

“Eds-“ Steve blushed. “Wait. Okay, I trust you, but what were you doing in the picture?”

Eddie laughed. “He had just finished telling me about his boyfriend who lives in Italy. He’s apparently just a regular guy in finance who has no interest in the whole fame thing. Sound familiar?”

“Sounds like you two have a lot in common.”

“The picture was me asking if we could crash at their home in Italy next summer on our honeymoon,” Eddie said casually.

Steve froze. “Honeymoon?”

“I’m open to other places, but you still haven’t been to Italy and I know how much you wanted to see Rome and Florence,” Eddie was smirking.

That bastard.

“You are ridiculous, you know that? I’m over here planning how I’ll survive a breakup with you and you fly across the country to propose with a honeymoon planned before I’ve even said yes! You know how crazy that sounds, right?” Steve shook his head. “You’re lucky I love you. You’re lucky I’m not interested in big romantic gestures.”

“Damn. Hold on, let me make a call,” Eddie reached into his pocket for his phone.

“What?”

“I gotta cancel the big romantic gesture,” Eddie explained as he typed furiously on his phone.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“It was a whole thing. Robin was involved. There may have been 500 flowers ordered. I think it’s too late to cancel the singing telegram though.”

“I genuinely can’t tell if you’re being serious,” Steve wouldn’t be surprised if at least some of that was true.

“Oh, I’m serious. The ring was being set on the bed in the middle of a heart made of rose petals. I didn’t half-ass a fucking thing, angel.”

Steve pulled his phone out of his hands and set it on his desk. “Don’t cancel anything. I changed my mind. I am very much into big romantic gestures when it’s you doing them.”

“It was a team effort. I mean, I had to move it all up unexpectedly, but this was all gonna happen next month when I came home." Eddie pulled Steve into a long kiss, tongue tracing his lips. He pulled away to rest their foreheads together. "I'm not doing this just because of what happened, but I need you to know you're it for me. You've stuck by me through failing senior year, through being broke trying to book gigs all over the midwest, through the stress of our first album being released and the unexpected overnight fame, every album and tour since then, every time I've had to miss things that matter to you because of the band, all of it. You love me anyway. I don't always deserve it, but I'm grateful."

Steve's lips pressed against Eddie's again. "I love the life we have. I love you."

"I'm not asking you without the ring. I made so many plans. Robin will murder me in my sleep if I don't go through with them," Eddie laughed. "So can we get out of your classroom before I do something inappropriate and get you fired?"

"I mean," Steve glanced at the clock. "Technically all the students should be gone. We could lock the door..."

"Steven Harrington! How dare you suggest I fuck you over your desk in a school! I can't believe you would tell me to unbutton your jeans," he said as he unbuttoned his jeans. "And get on my knees." He got on his knees. "And suck you until you can't stand anymore."

"Eddie!" Steve chuckled, shoving his hand in Eddie's hair. "We should at least lock the door."

"So you're not saying no?"

"Why would I say no?"

"That's what I'm saying!" Eddie got back up and ran to the door, flipping the lock and turning back to Steve with flushed cheeks. "This is like, maybe three of my biggest fantasies in one, so I may actually come in my pants."

"You're ridiculous."

"Baby boy, my hand is my only friend on tour, you know that. How can I possibly hold myself back when I've got your dick in my mouth?" Eddie dropped to his knees again, looking up at Steve with something close to reverence.

"It's not in your mouth yet," Steve smirked as he tugged his waistband down enough to free his cock.

"Oh, I missed you," Eddie said directly to Steve's hard cock. "Steve, I want you to fuck my mouth until I pass out."

"I'm not doing that."

"Okay, well I'll settle for until I have to tap out."

"Fine. But it's not gonna be long for me," Steve shook his head. "Missed you, too."

"The sooner the better, sweetheart."

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #steddielovemonth #love is saying you're sorry #angst with a happy ending #established relationship #hurt/comfort #rock star eddie munson #teacher steve harrington #arguing #modern au #marriage proposals

[bloody-bee-tea]

IntiMarch 2024 Day 6 - Keep no secrets

The prompt for this was "Stay with me"

Satoru is idling his time away in his stupidly comfortable chair, hiding from Yaga and the no doubt judging look on his face and being terribly bored with Suguru out on a mission when his students file into the room. He instantly knows that they are up to something, because Megumi is shuffling behind Kugisaki and Itadori, who keep shoving each other.

“What’s up, dear students of mine?” Satoru asks when they don’t do something except furiously whispering between each other.

“We need your help,” Itadori says and that instantly has Satoru on edge. His students don’t ask for his help unless one of them is actively dying.

“With what?” Satoru asks, sitting up properly, his attention fixed on them now.

“We need you to settle a bet for us,” Kugisaki tells him and it takes Satoru a moment to comprehend her words. Once he does, he lounges back in his chair, though.

“Oh, this is gonna be fun. What’s the bet?” he wants to know and catches Megumi rolling his eyes in the background. 

It makes Satoru smile, because even though he pretends that he wants nothing to do with this, he came here with Kugisaki and Itadori, so clearly he must be invested in the outcome as well.

“You need to tell us who Geto-sensei is married to,” Itadori says, almost bouncing on his feet that’s how excited he is and the image of Itadori as an eager puppy is enough to distract Satoru from the words he just uttered.

But when they finally make their way into his head, they hit, and they hit hard.

“Huh?” he gets out, his insides turning to ice over the situation he’s being presented with.

“You have to know who he’s married to, you two are inseparable,” Kugisaki chimes in now. “Fushiguro says he’s not married at all but we saw the ring and Geto-sensei knows we saw the ring and he only smiled that stupid sweet smile of his when we asked, so there has to be someone. And you need to tell us who it is.”

Suguru is married. Suguru is married. Suguru is married.

It doesn’t compute.

“You saw the ring?” Satoru asks, to buy himself some time, to maybe regain any semblance of control over this situation but he knows all hope on that is lost when Itadori nods.

“He wears it around a chain on his neck,” he explains, helpfully points at his own neck as well and Satoru’s world spins.

He has never seen the ring—or any kind of jewellery on Suguru, except his gauges—and Suguru certainly hasn’t mentioned being married.

And Suguru would have told him, right?

“I see,” Satoru weakly gives back and he can probably count himself lucky that Kugisaki and Itadori are too caught up in their own bickering to notice his strange reaction but Satoru knows that Megumi keeps a very close eye on him.

“So, who is it?” Kugisaki finally asks after shoving Itadori one more time and Satoru swallows heavily.

He’s not about to tell his students that he doesn’t know who his best friend is married to, so he needs to get out of this some other way.

“Who are you betting on?” he asks, hoping that this might give him something to work with and if the way Megumi rolls his eyes is anything to go by, he looked right through him.

“Itadori thinks it’s Ieiri-san,” Kugisaki tells him. “I think it’s Haibara-san.”

“Oh, dear,” Satoru huffs out and he doesn’t even have to fake his laugh for that. “Do not let Nanamin hear you say that, he’s going to chop your head clean off for that.”

Satoru watches how Itadori’s and Kugisaki’s eyes go huge and it’s entertaining enough to distract him from the cold feeling in his chest.

“Don’t tell me you never noticed,” he laughs out because it’s not as if these two are hiding their relationship. It would be stupid to, anyway, because they’ve been married for almost ten years now.

“But Haibara-san is all over Geto-sensei,” Kugisaki argues and Satoru chuckles.

“Because he honestly admires Suguru,” he explains and in his opinion, rightfully so.

Suguru should definitely be admired.

“And Ieiri-san?” Itadori asks, rubbing his hands together as if he already knows he’s winning this bet and Satoru doesn’t feel bad about telling him otherwise.

“Has been tragically pining after a teacher of our dear sister school, so chances are slim it’s her.”

“Wait,” Megumi finally speaks up and Satoru is already dreading what’s going to come out of his mouth. “So you want to tell us you don’t actually know who Geto-sensei is married to?”

Itadori’s mouth falls open at that while Kugisaki points an accusing finger at Satoru.

“Have you been lying to us?” she demands to know and Satoru raises his hands in defense.

“I have not,” he tells her. “You simply bet on the wrong people, that’s all.”

“Then tell us who he’s married to or otherwise we have to believe Fushiguro got it right after all,” Itadori whines out and Satoru doesn’t think it would be wise to cry out that he wishes Fushiguro’s bet is correct after all.

“If Suguru didn’t tell you then I won’t, either,” Satoru says, expertly avoiding a real answer and when Megumi smirks Satoru knows that he knows.

Well, at least he’s bound to stay quiet about it.

“You’re being so mean, sensei,” Itadori cries out but now that this is somewhat settled Satoru really needs to get away from his students.

And it’s definitely not to wallow in his misery alone, thank you very much.

“If that’s all, I have other places to be,” Satoru tells them flippantly, waving them off as he marches past them and he hopes Megumi knows he’s glaring at him when he whispers a quiet “I bet”.

But what Megumi knows and doesn’t know can be a problem for another day, because right now Satoru needs to drive himself insane over the fact that apparently Suguru is married to someone, or at least invested in them enough to wear a ring around his neck.

A ring!

Fuck, just the thought makes Satoru’s eyes burn and he’s glad he’s wearing his blindfold today in case he runs into someone before he makes it to the safety of Suguru’s room.

It should be very telling that Satoru didn’t even think of going to his own room, but that is something Satoru tries not to think too much about. It might not matter anymore anyway, if Suguru really is married to someone.

Once he’s inside Suguru’s room, Satoru falters.

He feels out of place, suddenly feels as if he’s intruding on something personal and Satoru never felt like that when he was inside Suguru’s room. Their rooms were never really Suguru’s or Satoru’s but always theirs; small things of both of them have made it into the other, enough so that Satoru feels just at home in Suguru’s room as he does his own and he is certain that the same is true for Suguru.

Well, Satoru used to be certain of that.

Now he doesn’t really know anymore.

Satoru looks around the room, tries to spot any hints of another person in Suguru’s room, but he only stumbles over things that belong to him. It makes something bittersweet twist in Satoru’s chest and suddenly he can’t stand to be in Suguru’s room a second longer.

He can’t believe that their lives are so intertwined, that they are so comfortable with each other and yet Suguru never told him about his spouse.

Fuck, Satoru doesn’t even want to think about this, but of course he can’t simply turn off his thoughts; ‘Suguru is married and didn’t tell me’ is running around Satoru’s head on loop and even after an hour it doesn’t get any easier to stomach that thought.

Suguru is married and he never told Satoru.

Satoru isn’t even sure what hurts more; the fact that Suguru married someone who isn’t Satoru or that Suguru clearly thinks that Satoru doesn’t need to know. Or deserves to know? Shouldn’t know?

He always expected to be rejected by Suguru, that’s why he never said anything about his stupid, useless feelings to begin with, so he expected that kind of pain, but to learn now that Suguru doesn’t even trust him enough to tell him something so personal hurts more than anything else.

Satoru loses himself in his thoughts, speculations on who it might be who snatched Suguru up running wild, but Satoru comes up empty.

The only one he can think of is Yuki Tsukumo and fuck, that would make sense, right? Suguru left with her for two painful years—claiming that he needed a break, that he needed to figure out what he wants to do with his life, and he had come back stronger and more self-assured than ever before—and that is the only stretch of time where Satoru wasn’t plastered to his side.

Did Suguru get married to Yuki? Satoru supposes he can kind of see it; she is a very beautiful woman and she’s strong, too. Is that something Suguru would go for?

It annoys him to no end that he doesn’t know what Suguru’s type is and he startles when he realises that they never talked about things like that. Satoru easily says when he finds people hot or admires them because it doesn’t mean anything anyway, but Suguru never mentioned anything in that direction.

Was he keeping secrets from Satoru all along?

Satoru flops down on his bed at that thought and he doesn’t like how much this all hurts him, how much this upsets his entire world view.

And all because of a stupid ring, which Satoru didn’t even see with his own eyes.

“There you are,” Suguru suddenly says from the door and Satoru jerkily sits up.

How much time has passed, he wonders but a look outside tells him that it’s already dark out. Suguru has been back for a while then, most likely.

“Welcome back,” Satoru greets him and quickly checks Suguru over for injuries. “Everything went well?” Satoru asks even though he can’t spot any injuries on him.

“Of course,” Suguru replies and steps into the room, closing the door behind him. “What’s going on, Satoru?” he asks, levelling Satoru with an expectant look.

“Huh? What is supposed to be going on?” he gives right back because they’ve barely seen each other for five minutes, why would Suguru think that something is going on?

“You weren’t waiting for me when I came back, you weren’t hogging space in my room and even now you’re being all—distant,” Suguru explains, waving a hand at the entirety of Satoru.

“How am I distant, I’m just sitting here!”

“Exactly,” Suguru says as if that makes any sense. “Usually you would be all over me by now. So I’m asking again, what is going on?”

Something in Satoru’s chest twists at that, hearing just how well Suguru knows him and it makes anger rise up in Satoru, too. How dare he know him that well and still keep secrets from him?

“I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?” Satoru bites back and it only serves to make Suguru frown.

“I just came back from a mission, why the hell would anything be going on with me?”

“Have you even been on a mission?” Satoru scathingly asks because who knows, maybe he just uses them as excuses to meet his spouse.

“Huh? Where else would I have been?”

“Yeah, I wonder,” Satoru mutters and Suguru sighs.

“Okay, something really is going on. Satoru,” he softly says and steps close so he can sit next to Satoru on the bed. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” Satoru huffs out but it’s more than obvious that Suguru doesn’t believe a single word he says.

They sit in silence for a long moment, and never before has a silence he shared with Suguru been uncomfortable but this is edging close to it. Satoru hates it with a passion.

“Stay with me,” he finally whispers out, because for all that he’s hurt by Suguru’s secrets at the moment, his biggest fear is that Suguru is going to leave him to be with his spouse.

“Where would I go?” Suguru wants to know and Satoru lets out a long breath.

“I don’t know—away. From me. To spend more time with your—” he cuts himself off there, unable to say it out loud and it apparently only serves to confuse Suguru even more.

“With my—? Satoru, honestly, what the hell is going on with you today?”

“I don’t know,” Satoru hotly says, “why don’t you tell me? You’re the one keeping secrets from me!”

“Secrets? Satoru, I’m not keeping any secrets from you,” Suguru gives back and Satoru hates that he is tuned in enough to Suguru’s feelings to know that he’s hurt by the accusation.

“Aren’t you though?” Satoru whispers out and taps his chest, where he guesses Suguru’s ring is resting. “I know you’re married.”

“Married? What the hell, Satoru, I’m not married!” Suguru exclaims and he seems honestly shocked by the accusation.

It only serves to hurt Satoru more, though, because this clearly is a huge, fat, boldfaced lie.

“Great, so you’d rather continue to lie to me than actually be honest with me. Real nice of you, Suguru,” Satoru spits out and gets up because he cannot bear to sit next to Suguru for a moment longer, not when he still keeps secrets from him.

“I am not lying!” Suguru hotly says before he takes a deep breath. “Why do you think I’m married?” he then asks, much more calmly and it only serves to upset Satoru further, so he starts pacing the length of his room.

“The kids saw your ring, Suguru,” Satoru reminds him and he watches Suguru’s face like a hawk, so he sees the confusion melt away into embarrassment.

“Ah,” Suguru breathes out and his hand reaches up to his chest, as if he’s about to pull the ring right out and Satoru tears his eyes away.

He never wants to see that offending piece of jewellery.

“It’s not like that, Satoru,” Suguru softly says and Satoru huffs in disbelief.

“Right. Sure, keep your secrets I guess,” he bitterly mutters as he makes his way to the door. “Later, Suguru.”

Satoru doesn’t even manage to open the door before Suguru is right there, keeping the door closed with a hand while the other is tangled in Satoru’s uniform, keeping him rooted to the spot.

“Let me explain,” Suguru says, his voice barely above a whisper and when Satoru dares to look at Suguru he sees a light blush dusting his cheeks.

It does nothing to settle his nerves and the pit in his stomach that has been there ever since the students came to him only grows.

“Explain then,” Satoru harshly says, crossing his arms in front of his chest and putting a little bit of distance between them.

He wonders why Suguru always allowed him so much physical contact if he’s married to someone but he’s going to find out now, apparently.

Satoru just hopes it’s not someone he has to see every goddamn day, because he’s not sure he could do that.

“It’s not a wedding ring,” Suguru starts with and then takes a necklace out from under his shirt.

There’s a ring dangling on it, but completely contrary to Satoru’s expectations, it’s not a metal ring, something beautiful and expensive like Suguru deserves, but a cheap plastic ring, and one that has definitely seen better days on top of that.

“What the hell is that?” Satoru blurts out before he can think better of it, his eyes still glued to the ring and he’s unable to tear his eyes away.

He recognises that ring, he faintly thinks and then blanches when it hits him.

Suguru is not looking at him, so he doesn’t seem to notice Satoru’s turmoil, because his gaze is fixed on the ring and he seems so fond of it that Satoru’s stomach flips with it.

“I knew you wouldn’t remember,” Suguru mutters, and now Satoru can’t hold back anymore, he lets out a disbelieving laugh.

“I gave you that ring,” he gets out and Suguru’s head snaps up.

“You remember?” he breathlessly asks. “It was just some cheap gift in a candy bag.”

It’s true; it was one of these advertisement thingies that makes you want to buy the candy even more—not that Satoru ever needed any kind of incentive for that—and he still remembers giving this bag to Suguru clearly.

Mostly because he had given it to him because of the ring, just to pretend for even a moment. It’s also the reason why Satoru has the exact same ring in his wallet.

“It wasn’t,” Satoru whispers out and digs around for his wallet, much to Suguru’s apparent confusion. “It meant much more to me,” he admits when he finally found his wallet, taking the very same ring out of it with shaky fingers.

If Suguru kept it for all these years, wears it around his neck and close to his heart, then surely it must mean something, right?

“You—have one, too?” Suguru shakily asks and he reaches out for Satoru’s ring with trembling fingers as if it’s all just a trick of the eyes.

“Of course I have one, too,” Satoru says. “I knew you weren’t ever going to wear it, that you would never feel the same but like this, I could at least—I don’t know, pretend for a little while,” he admits and saying it out loud now, that Suguru doesn’t feel the same, doesn’t hurt anymore because the ring gives him hope.

It has to mean something.

“Satoru,” Suguru breathes out and Satoru drags his eyes back to Suguru’s face only to find that Suguru is already looking at him. “I’ve been in love with you since our first year.”

It takes Satoru’s breath away, to hear it like that and to have Suguru’s gaze on him but Satoru doesn’t let that distract him.

There are more important things to do.

He steps forward, right into Suguru’s space who doesn’t back away and so it’s easy to press their lips together.

“Same,” Satoru mutters, with barely enough space between them to even get the words out but the thought of being further away from Suguru right now seems unbearable.

His admission makes Suguru laugh.

“So you want to say we wasted over ten years?” he asks, his lips brushing Satoru’s again.

“Did we waste them, though?” Satoru wants to know because they share so much already; Satoru’s life without Suguru in it is unfathomable and they are so comfortable with each other that they piss of their friends regularly. “We still spent them together, didn’t we?”

“We did,” Suguru gives back, a smile making his eyes crinkle in that way Satoru loves so very dearly and he kisses the corner of his eye.

“Do you want a real ring now?” Satoru then asks and revels in the way he can feel Suguru’s chuckle almost more than he hears it.

“And now we’re skipping steps?”

“The kids are betting on who you are married to. No one bet on me. I’m upset,” Satoru pouts out and Suguru pulls him into a soft kiss again.

“Clearly,” he agrees. “I didn’t know you to be so jealous.”

There’s a question in there, Satoru can tell, and he sighs.

“Mostly I was upset that you were keeping secrets from me. That was almost worse than knowing you belong to someone else.”

“I would never keep secrets from you and who else would I even belong to? You’re all I’ve seen for the past decade,” Suguru admits and it almost makes Satoru swoon on his feet.

“Please say you’re going to marry me,” he begs Suguru, nuzzling his cheek and he can feel how Suguru smiles.

“If you have a ring for me, I can be convinced,” he gives back and it feels as if Satoru’s heart is going to beat out of his chest with how happy he is.

“Are you free right now?” Satoru eagerly asks and then pouts at Suguru when he shakes his head.

“I just came home from a mission, I’m beat and I have a fiancé to cuddle. We’ll have to take a rain check on that.”

Satoru’s entire being tingles when Suguru calls him his fiancé and he guesses he’ll forgive Suguru this once for telling him no.

“Oh, what a hardship,” Satoru gives back. “It’s a date for tomorrow, though.”

“I’m free right after breakfast,” Suguru agrees and tugs Satoru over to the bed. “Now come here.”

Suguru stretches himself out on Satoru’s bed as if he belongs there—and he is so right with that—and then makes grabby hands at Satoru who happily climbs on top of him. They fit easily together, having spent countless nights plastered to each other like this, and Satoru instantly relaxes when Suguru’s arms come up around him.

“I’m glad you’re not married,” Satoru mutters after a few moments and Suguru kisses his forehead.

“I’m about to be, though,” Suguru reminds him and Satoru wriggles around with his happiness.

“And I am overjoyed about it,” Satoru happily says and lightly trails the tips of his fingers over the place where a ring would soon sit. “You’ll make a good husband.”

“I should hope so,” Suguru mumbles. “I have to match my perfect husband, after all.”

It makes Satoru laugh, because he might be cocky and so very self-assured but he’s definitely not perfect at all, but he’s not about to argue with Suguru right now.

Right now, he will enjoy one day of cuddling his fiancé before he makes an honest man out of him and then he’ll gloat to the kids. That’s definitely an important part of his future, too.

#bt writes #jjk #satosugu #geto suguru #gojo satoru #humor #fluff #misunderstandings #pining #getting together #love confessions #marriage proposals

[cupidford]

The Marrying Type by Laurtew

John and Sherlock have been a couple for a while, but when John says that he can’t see marrying Sherlock and that what they have is great for now, Sherlock goes into panic-mode. He does his best to prove to John that Sherlock could be the perfect husband if given a chance.

Johnlock Love Letters #2323

#johnlock #jl3 #johnlockloveletters #love letter #love letters #established relationship #marriage #marriage proposals #misunderstandings #panicked sherlock #pining Sherlock #<25k #The Marrying Type #Laurtew

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

The Way I Loved You [Part One]

Fandom: American Actor, American RPF, RPF,

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Reader, Austin Butler x Reader

Characters: Elvis Presley, Austin Butler, Reader, You, Original Characters

Word Count: 2079 // Rating: Mature

Summary: I never knew I could feel this much and thats the way I loved you

Tags/ Warnings: Flashbacks, Kissing, Flirting, Proposals, Past Relationships, Established Relationships, Songfic, Taylor Swift Song, The Way I Loved You, Proposals, Marriage Proposals, Set in Memphis, My Writing, Elvis Presley Fic, Elvis Fic, Elvis x Reader, Elvis Presley x Reader, Austin Butler Fic, Austin Butler x Reader, Set in the 50s, Mixed Timeline, Austin goes back in time, Romance, Arguing, Angst, Fluff,

Notes: i did Austin DIRTY im so sorry this song just got me thinking about how dissimilar the pair of them are [x] this got extended by request

PART ONE // PART TWO // PART THREE

I had just put the last swipe of my lipstick on. It was the last thing I had to do to complete my look. It suited me, a soft coral pink that looked good against my summer tan. But as I looked at myself in the mirror I couldn’t help but feel lacklustre about tonight. I should’ve been feeling good, estatic even. Tonight was going to be a special night, I was sure of it, but I couldn’t make myself feel excited. Before I could dwell on it any longer I heard the doorbell ring and the shuffling of feet below before voices started floating up the stairs. 

‘Y/N,’ I heard my mother call upstairs, ‘Austin’s here.’ ‘Coming,’ I called standing up from the stool I was sitting on. I slipped on my shoes and smoothed out my dress, quickly grabbing my lipstick off of the vanity and slipping it in my purse before I made my way downstairs. As I reached the landing I could hear the TV gently murmuring now forgotten by conversation. Austin and Daddy. 

‘How’s the job treating you?’ I heard my father say.  ‘Very well sir,’ Austin replied, ‘I can’t thank you enough.’ ‘Well we look out for family around these parts,’ my Mama said, I could hear her coming from the kitchen along with the familiar clink of ice against the pitcher of sweet tea. 

As I got to the bottom step I could see him. He was sitting on my couch, a glass of sweet tea in hand. I made myself known catching all of their attention. Austin leapt up from his seat beaming at me making that familiar feeling of guilty creep back in. He was dressed well, his shirt and pants were freshly pressed and though he was without a tie I could tell he had put in a little more effort than usual. 

‘Y/N,’ he said his voice cracking a little as he swallowed nervously, ‘you look beautiful.’ ‘She always does,’ Daddy said.  ‘Thank you,’ I said smiling at the pair of them. ‘Well, y’all better git. These fancy places don’t hold tables forever,’ my Mama said standing up from where she was perched on the arm of my Daddy’s armchair.  ‘Fancy?’ I said looking from Austin to my mother. They shared a quick glance, a knowing one.  ‘Well, any place is fancy to me. Your Daddy is more of a Lou’s drive-in kind of man,’ Mama said.  ‘Ain’t nothing wrong with that,’ Daddy said with a huff. ‘Now go on,’ Mama said, ‘off you go.’ Austin grabbed my hand and led me outside. The warm southern summer air hit me as we walked to the car. ‘Beautiful night,’ he said in that southern drawl I loved.  ‘I was thinking just that,’ I said. As we reached the car he leaned forward, opening the door for me and holding my hand as I got settled inside before walking around to his side. As the car roared to life, so did the radio and the sounds of rhythm and blues echoed out into the quiet night sky. Austin busied himself finding a station whilst he started driving and I took a moment to look at him. Really look at him.

He was beautiful. There was no denying that. His blue eyes sparkled in the twilight even under his brow which was furrowed trying to get reception on his car radio. His lips were pinker than mine, his Cupid’s bow pronounced and his bottom lip full as if begging to be kissed. And his jaw, soft yet pronounced. As I watched him I wanted to run my fingers through his golden locks though he always looked as if his hair was perfectly mussed. 

But as I looked at him my mind drifted back to a memory not too dissimilar to this right now.

We were driving up a long street full of nice houses. Each grander than the other until finally we reached a colonial mansion and that’s when the car turned into the long driveway. It had grand pillars and old shutters that had surely seen better days. 

‘What are you doing?’ I tore my gaze away from the house to find Elvis, my boyfriend, looking at me with a smug grin. His blue eyes were lit with mirth.

‘I’m showing you my new house,’ Elvis said as we came to a halt.  ‘What?’ I said looking at him in disbelief, ‘this is yours?’ ‘Signed the papers this morning,’ he said. ‘Elvis this is….’ I started. He watched me with a smirk before saying, ‘amazing?’ ‘I’m so happy for you,’ I said, leaning forward and kissing him. It didn’t take long for him to deepen it and without thinking my fingers ran through his soft hair. As I pulled back he chuckled, ‘I think you should be happy for me more often.’ 

He ran a hand across his hair smoothing it back into its perfectly orchestrated do. ‘I’m so proud of you,’ I sighed, looking between him and the house. ‘I’m proud of me too,’ he said, ‘Mama and Daddy never have to worry again.’ ‘I knew you could do it, baby,’ I said, kissing him once more on the cheek.

‘Earth to Y/N?’ I heard Austin say snapping me back to reality. ‘Sorry,’ I said, ‘I was in a world of my own.’ ‘I gathered that,’ he chuckled, ‘everything okay up there? I thought you seemed a little quiet.’ ‘It’s fine,’ I lied, ‘just thinking about you.’ ‘Yeah?’ He said with a smile.  ‘You know my friends are jealous of me?’ I said. That wasn’t a lie. All my single friends never failed to tell me that I had locked down the most eligible bachelor in town.  ‘Stop it,’ he said practically glowing with embarrassment. He never took compliments well. Entirely bashful and seemingly unaware of his allure. It was endearing so why didn’t I like it? Why did I want him to know just how hot under the collar he could make me? Why did I want any compliments to be repaid with a smug smile? ‘I’m the one they should be jealous of,’ he said. I smiled but dropped my gaze worried that my eyes would betray the emotions I was trying to convey. 

We were slowing down now pulling into a lookout point. There were a few other cars around but no one was close as Austin pulled into a space. As I looked up out over the view I recognised this place. I had been here before. It wasn’t too far from Beale street and it looked out over the water which was illuminated by the sunset. Elvis had brought me here many times though we’d never been parked as long as this without being all over one another. 

As I took in the view Austin was watching me as if I was the view we were supposed to be taking in. ‘I thought we were going to a restaurant?’ I asked. ‘We are, well, at least we can do after…I just figured a restaurant…all those people,’ he said nervously, ‘I didn’t think I’d be able to do it.’ ‘Do what?’ I asked. He turned toward me with a nervous smile on his face. ‘Y/N, I’ve never met anyone quite like you. I never thought I’d manage to land a girl as good as you but here we are. Since I met you my life changed for the better. And I don’t ever want to lose you… so, Y/N, will you marry me?’

My heart stopped. He watched me wide-eyed as my gaze flitted from him to the ring box he had just produced from his pocket and opened in front of me. The ring was perfect. A simple gold band with an emerald cut diamond flanked by two smaller diamonds. 

‘Aust,’ I said, looking at him. His eyes were wide and hopeful awaiting my answer. I wanted to say yes. What was wrong with me? Here in front of me was the smartest, most gentle, handsome and caring man offering me the world and I couldn’t string out a yes. Why? 

The world seemed to switch in slow motion and all my thoughts disappeared except for one

The last time I was here. 

It was late in November and the air was chilly. Not that Elvis or I had noticed. We were kissing in the front seat of his Cadillac unable to keep our hands off one another when Elvis pulled back looking guilty. 

‘What’s the matter baby?’ I asked as worry flashed across his face. ‘We can’t do this,’ he said, ‘I need to talk to you.’ ‘What about?’ I said nervousness filling my stomach like lead. ‘I gotta tell you something,’ he said rubbing the back of his neck, ‘about this tour.’ ‘What?’ I said with a lump in my throat. ‘Well, Colonel says I gotta seem…available…for the fans you know,’ he said sheepishly.  ‘What do you mean?’ I said hoping whatever I was thinking wasn’t true. ‘I have to seem like I don’t have a girl,’ he said. ‘You’re breaking up with me?’ I said tears stinging my eyes. ‘It’s not like that doll-’ ‘Then what is it like!? Elvis please enlighten me,’ I snapped.  ‘Baby-’ ‘Don’t baby me,’ I said.  ‘It’s not like I have a choice the colonel says-’ ‘Oh the colonel says. The colonel says you have to so you gotta? You’re your own man Elvis. You can make your own decisions and stop hiding behind the colonel,’ I snapped. ‘I’m not hiding behind anyone. This is my career we’re talking about,’ he said. ‘There it is,’ I said tears had dropped down my cheeks now but I wasn’t fussed. I was angry.  ‘Don’t be like that,’ he sighed.  ‘Don’t be like what? Put out that the man I love wants his career more than he wants me?’ I said.  ‘It’s not like that,’ he said, reaching his hand out and placing it on mine, ‘baby you know I love you.’ ‘Just not enough right?’ I said and with that I yanked it out of his grasp, grabbed my purse and climbed out of the car. 

‘Y/N!’ he said, following me out of the car. The rain had started now, drizzly but enough that it practically soaked me to my bones straight away. He lingered in his door frame, watching as I walked through the muddy parking lot towards the entrance. Seeing I wasn’t going to come back he hopped back in the car and drove it towards me. ‘Get in the car,’ he said as the car idled alongside the pavement I was now walking on.  ‘No,’ I said. Tears were flowing freely now and I daren’t look at him. Seeing him upset would break me but what would be worse was if he wasn’t crying too.  ‘Y/N will you stop being stupid? It’s damn near 3 miles to your house from here you can’t walk all that way,’ he said gruffly.  ‘What do you care?’ ‘I do care,’ he said, ‘you don’t think I’ve been agonising over this for the past week.’ ‘Oh he’s known he was going to drop me like a hot potato for a whole week, how charming,’ I sneered. That seemed to have done it. The car stopped and he jumped out and was in front of me blocking my path in a matter of moments. I stopped watching him as he loomed over me with anger splashed across his face.   ‘You think I want this? You think I want to lose you? Y/N I love you for god sake! I don’t want to have to do this-’ ‘So don’t!’ I said the pleading in my voice evident.  ‘Baby I can’t,’ he whispered, ‘I gotta do what’s best for everyone. I need my career. I need this…please just…get in the car?’

‘Baby?’ Austin said pulling me back in, ‘what do you say?’

I looked at him. His brow had furrowed a bit waiting for my answer. What was my answer? I didn’t know. He was amazing. Truly one of the best men on this earth. I was so lucky and yet I was yearning for something else. Passion, romance, excitement. Yes, it wasn’t always easy but with the struggles came the good too. I wanted it all. Love wasn’t supposed to be this easy, right?

‘Aust,’ I said and then I gave my answer.

#Flashbacks #Kissing #Flirting #Proposals #Past Relationships #Established Relationships #Songfic #Taylor Swift Song #The Way I Loved You #Marriage Proposals #Set in Memphis #My Writing #Elvis Presley Fic #Elvis Fic #Elvis x Reader #Elvis Presley x Reader #Austin Butler Fic #Austin Butler x Reader #Set in the 50s #Mixed Timeline #Austin goes back in time #Romance #Arguing #Angst #Fluff

[gerec]

Do you have any fic recs where Erik proposes to Charles / or stories about how they get married? And on the angsty flip side, are there any fics you'd recommend where they get divorced?

Anon sorry for the long wait! It's been a busy week and there are LOT of great fics for Cherik proposal/wedding and divorce stories to go through! So many in fact that I'm splitting them into two posts...you'll find some of my favorite proposal/wedding stories below!!!

(There are SO many great proposal stories in this fandom I can't possibly list them all! It's definitely worth your while to plug in 'proposal' or 'wedding proposal' in the search field on Ao3 and go check them all out :D) Until then, enjoy:

A Summer Day So Late In Coming by helens78

Resources, Status, and Enjoyable Interactions by pocky_slash

If You Say the Word, I Could Stay with You by Black_Betty

Theraflu and You by ikeracity

all it takes is a little faith and a lot of heart by pocky_slash

Before You Attempt Me (Fair Warning) by kianspo

Five Times Erik Asked Charles to Marry Him by blkkskknhed

Golazo by ikeracity

On a Beach, With You (The Tel Aviv Remix) by niniblack

The Precipice by TurtleTotem

Ask and you shall receive. by letosatie

The Recklessness of Water by pocky_slash

Handfast by pearl_o 

fossils (the something old, something new remix) by pearl_o

Something Blue by smilebackwards (there's a prequel to read first; the sequel focuses on the wedding)

Conjugal Visits by ikeracity, Pangea

surely shifted my way by Traincat

My Big Fat Gay Robot Wedding by professor (part of a series!)

To Life by professor 

You Ought To Give Me Wedding Rings by fengirl88

How To Tie A Knot by pearl_o

L'chaim (The Forty Year Remix) by listerinezero

The Wedding Toast by Anon

#gerec rambles #cherik #marriage proposals #weddings #there are an abundance of 'old cherik finally getting married' fics in this list #because they are the literal best not gonna lie :D #fic rec #gerec's fic recs

[aroaceconfessions]

how to ask your qpp to platonically marry you asking for me???

#queer platonic partner #queer platonic relationship #qpp #qpr #squish #friends #friendship #marriage #proposal #proposals #marriage proposals #marriage proposal

[drelizabethgreene]

I loved Kit’s marriage proposal to Bell. Her getting down on one knee to propose to HIM and then the whole restaurant clapping? I feel like S5 didn’t give me nearly enough of these two. More please.

#the resident #kitbell #kit voss #randolph bell #jane leeves #bruce greenwood #21st century woman #marriage proposals #more of this please

[itsnothappening]

twinkling lights | jasonette

word count: +1.5k

summary: "will you relax?" dick asked, nudging jason lightly with his shoulder. "we already know she's going to say yes."

a/n: i'm on a roll of fluff, i'm not even kidding.

@maribat-calendar-events

ao3 | wattpad | series masterlist | masterlist | prompts

Jason had been freaking out all day. Currently, Marinette was at the fashion store, buying some fabric while he and the rest of the Waynes set up blankets in the most private corner of the Manor's garden. 

"Will you relax?" Dick asked, nudging Jason lightly with his shoulder. "We already know she's going to say yes."

"Obviously," Damian scoffed loudly, "Otherwise, I wouldn't be wasting my time here."

That, much to Jason's surprise and eternal chagrin, did more to calm him than anything else anyone had said today. The knot of tension in Jason's chest loosened. You could always count on Damian's brutal honesty, so if he thought that Marinette would say yes, then he was most likely—as much as Jason hated to admit it—right. 

They had just finished hanging the twinkling fairy lights before they heard the tell-tale sound of the Manor gates opening. 

Immediately, the rest of his family took off, running through the bushes and into the Manor, no doubt waiting for him and Marinette to return, the latter of which hopefully with a ring on her finger.

Marinette appeared a few moments later—they timed it perfectly—giving Jason what he called her 'sunshine grin.' 

"Hey, handsome," she said, catching sight of him just ahead of the place he planned to propose. Pulling him in for a kiss, Marinette gave Jason a suspicious look, probably sensing the nervous energy he was practically radiating. "What's wrong?"

Jason huffed out a shaky laugh. She knew him too well. "Nothing," he said, sounding as normal as possible—or so he hoped. "Can I show you something?"

Marinette gave him a worried look but nodded nonetheless. "Sure, ma cherie."

Jason took her smaller palm in his larger one, guiding her slowly to where he had everything set up.

"What are we doing?" Marinette asked, a slightly impatient look on her face.

Jason laughed, feeling some of the nerves melting out of him. "Impatient as ever, aren't we, Mari?"

She shot him her usual faux glare—that looked adorable on her, he might add—just as they reached Jason's little setup of pillows and blankets and twinkling lights. 

Marinette gasped and turned to Jason, a mixture of confusion and pleasure on her face. "What's this?" she asked in her perfectly accented English.

Jason shrugged sheepishly, feeling colour leaking onto his cheeks. "Just something I wanted to do for you," he mumbled. Smiling slightly as his gaze caught onto the various tangles of fairy lights, Jason pointed at them. "Look, I even put up those tiny little lights you love."

Marinette laughed delightedly, her eyes lighting up at his comment. "They're called fairy lights, mon amour." 

Jason's hand slid into his pocket when Marinette turned to the little scene he had created, a dreamy smile on her face. "Wow," she said, her voice a little breathy. "It's so pretty."

Heart pounding, Jason knew that this was the moment as soon as his hand came in contact with the tiny velvet box in his pocket. Calmness washed onto him as he dropped onto one knee behind his hopefully soon-to-be fiancee.

"Hey, Pixie," he said softly as his knees touched the grass. 

Marinette turned to look at him, eyes bright—that immediately widened when she saw him—and a disbelieving smile curled on her lips. "What are you doing?" she asked, looking like she wanted to drop onto her knees beside him. Her eyes looked suspiciously glassy.

Jason took a deep breath and jumped off the metaphorical cliff.

"Marinette, since the day I met you, you made changed my life. I knew you were going to have an impact on my life but I underestimated just how much," Jason's voice cracked on the last few words and he had to clear his throat before he continued. "You stuck by me despite the shitty parts of me—even when I threatened to kill you. I never thought that I could love you the way I do and always will, and I never knew someone would love me the way you do. All of the sacrifices you've made for me, for us even when you had to deal with 'shitty American pastries' and bitchy cab drivers, I still can't believe you made them for me."

Marinette choked out a sob-laugh at the last sentence, eyes glassier than ever. 

Jason swallowed thickly before he continued, "I know you miss home, but I love you for staying here and making one with me."

Finally, finally, Jason got to the awaited question. "Will you marry me?"

Marinette didn't even wait for him to finish his sentence before she was gasping out yes, dropping down beside him to pull him into a frantic kiss. 

Jason tugged Marinette closer, nearly dropping the ring box in his hasty actions. They kissed for a few moments before Marinette pulled away, resting her forehead against his. Small droplets of water were dripping from her cheeks as she beamed at him, practically a ray of sunshine.

"Are you okay?" Jason murmured, slowly wiping them away.

"Are you kidding?" Marinette asked vehemently, her voice watery. "I'm more than okay. I'm—"

Her voice faltered and panic festered in Jason before she continued hastily. "I'm ecstatic."

She shot Jason a watery grin as she clutched his forearms. "Sorry, I forgot the word for it."

Jason let out a wet laugh of his own, nearly dropping the ring box still in his hands. "Oh," he said, suddenly aware that he had forgotten to do something, "I probably should—"

This time it was Marinette's turn to laugh, holding her hand out. "Right. That's probably the most important step."

Sliding the ring on Marinette's finger felt like sealing the deal, and Jason could honestly say he had never ever felt so happy in his entire life. Marinette let out a shaky sigh once the shiny but simple ring was settled on her finger, immediately burying her head into the crook of his neck.

"Did you like my speech?" Jason asked quietly, tracing patterns on her waist. 

Letting out an embarrassed laugh, Marinette said, "About that. I kinda might have not listened to the entire speech because I was waiting for when I got to say yes?"

Jason snickered. "You're ridiculous."

"But you love me," Marinette said, a teasing grin making its way across her face. "And you're stuck with me for the rest of your life."

Jason groaned exaggeratedly, a fond grin making its way across his face. "I love you too."

Pulling her into a kiss, Jason dipped Marinette as they did in those cheesy romance movies, so far that they fell directly onto the mattresses and cushions below them. 

While the two of them giggled like teenagers, Jason pulled out a vintage wine and offered it to Marinette, pressing his lips to her palm. 

Taking a sip from the bottle, Marinette asked, "How did you even have time to set this up? I was with you for the whole day."

Jason shrugged modestly. "I had help. Demon-spawn and Dick strung up the fairy lights, Cass and Alfred brought in the food and Bruce and Tim helped set up the pillows and blankets."

"Does this mean—" Marinette paused questioningly.

Nodding sheepishly, Jason said, "They all knew."

Grinning slowly, Marinette slipped Jason's phone out of his pocket. "They must be so nervous," she said with her evil little smile.

Jason let out a laugh—more like a cackle—already knowing where Marinette's thoughts were going. "If you want to do that, you're going to have to take the ring off."

Marinette snatched her hands away from him as if he was going to slip the ring off her fingers. "Never mind," she said, covering her arms protectively. "Not worth it."

Jason laughed loudly, a ball of warmth growing in his chest. He pulled Marinette to his chest, snuggling into her. 

They lay down in comfortable silence before Marinette broke it. "Shouldn't we be going back in now? Before they come looking for us?"

Jason groaned a little, rolling off his fiancee.

As they rounded the corner to the Manor, Marinette snickered when the first thing she saw was Dick's face pressed against the window. 

Letting out a very unmanly squeal, Dick launched himself out of the door before anyone else knew what was happening and pulled Jason into a bear hug.

"I knew it," he said excitedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Holding Marinette's hand up, Dick beamed at it as if he hadn't seen it hours before.

Tim was next, also pulling Jason into a hug and giving him a grin filled with relief, pride and love. The two of them grin at each other like morons until Cass comes bowling in, with Damian and Bruce jogging behind. 

The next few hours are a blur of congratulations, handshakes and bottles of champagnes and fine wine, but as Jason lies in bed that night, he lets the dopiest grin in the history of dopey take over his face. 

"I love you," Marinette mumbled, tired out by the ahem previous activities. 

Jason pressed a feather-light kiss to her forehead as he wrapped himself around her. "I love you too."

And nothing was going to change that. 

#jasonette july 2022 #jason x marinette #marinette x jason #marinette dupain cheng #jason todd #bruce wayne #damian wayne #tim drake #dick grayson #cassandra cain #maribat #mlb x dc #dc x mlb #fluff #tooth rotting fluff #marriage proposals

[salvador-daley]

Salv! I am a day late, but I wanted to wish you a happy (belated) Valentine's day! You are amazing and talented and so fucking funny and I am so grateful for you. I hope you're doing well! 💖💖💖💖💖

A Valentine? Pour moi? Thank you so much, Mel, you beautiful person! You are so sweet and kind and deserve only good things. I hope you see a dog today. ❤️❤️

#ask salv #send salv belated Valentine’s Day messages #declarations of love #marriage proposals #indecent proposals #I’m not fussy #just love me

[somebodytoundress]

oh look it's more short but sweet (1.6k) buddie being soft and loving each other anyway here's another new fic

#yes it's named after another taylor swift song #buddie #buddie fic #911 show #911 fic #evan buck buckley #eddie diaz #love confessions #fluff #marriage proposals #smile

[steddieas-shegoes]

Request: actor Steve??? Singer Eddie at the grammy's??? Eddie's band winning a Grammy & Eddie proposing to Steve accidentally in his speech???? & Steve crying and nodding yes but he is in tears & can't stand up??? Ok but then at the Oscars Steve actually proposes on stage because he had broken his leg & Eddie helped him on stage. But his proposal is the same as Eddie's because he also asks during his speech & Eddie cries and they get engaged again ❤️❤️❤️❤️

BABYYYYYY!!! NOT ONE, BUT TWO MARRIAGE PROPOSALS?! YES! PLEASE! I love the idea of Steve being prepared to propose to Eddie, has a whole plan, and then Eddie gets so emotional when he wins a Grammy that he does it before Steve gets a chance. Steve CANNOT be outdone, so obviously he does it too. We love love! - Mickala ❤️

--------------------------------------------------

Somehow, against every odd, Eddie Munson made it.

Corroded Coffin, through hard work and a pinch of luck, were nominated for a Grammy.

They’d spent years climbing their way to the top (hard work) and finally got signed to a huge record deal when an agent saw them opening for a metal band at a festival (pinch of luck).

Their first album broke records in ways that hadn’t been seen since Metallica stepped onto the scene.

Their first tour sold out in minutes.

Their second album had a lot of hype to live up to, and according to the Grammy nomination, it far surpassed the expectations.

He hated that Steve couldn’t walk the carpet with him, but he was happy he was waiting inside with all the significant others of the band.

Probably already drinking wine and champagne. Maybe even shots.

Dammit, Eddie hated walking the carpet.

Steve was a fun drunk, but he was even more fun when he’d only had a couple. His filter shut off, but he wasn’t quite at the point of bitchy. He was silly.

Steve was rarely silly.

Fun, funny, happy.

But never really silly.

Not like Eddie was.

But after a couple drinks? Downright clownish.

Eddie tried to rush through the remaining interviews, and the guys could tell, throwing him shocked looks. Eddie loved the spotlight, so it probably was a little shocking.

When they got inside, they were stopped by just about everyone who lived on planet Earth.

Eddie was ready to grab Steve and run.

Fuck the Grammy.

But he couldn’t do that. This was a possibly once in a lifetime thing. Wayne was watching at home even though he “doesn’t have time to watch those stupid awards.”

If they did win, Eddie had to give a speech, they had to go to afterparties, he had to fuck Steve against the window in their hotel room.

He shook his head, trying to clear it of any of those thoughts. Now wasn’t the time.

He walked into the main room, suddenly overwhelmed by the crowd and the vast expanse of tables and seating and stage area in front of him.

He caught a glimpse of Steve at a table not too far away, laughing at something Jeff’s wife, Amy, was saying. She’d almost skipped tonight, her pregnancy far enough along that getting all dressed up didn’t sound remotely appealing. But then she’d heard Steve was going, and she’d called her sister to alter her dress immediately.

Gareth’s fiancé, Sam, was sitting away from everyone, still not sure of her place in the group. They’d had a bit of a whirlwind romance, and Eddie would be more worried if Sam wasn’t completely head over heels in love with Gareth in high school first. But she’d only just met everyone a month ago, and this was the first public event she attended with everyone. She was visibly nervous.

Grant’s wife, Savannah, was clearly trying to make conversation with everyone.

And Eddie knew that Steve and Amy weren’t purposefully making it harder, but they certainly weren’t making things easy for her.

They were laughing so much, he couldn’t even be sure they were laughing at something.

He sidled up to Steve’s side, plopping down in the empty chair to his right.

“Eddie! Amy’s here!” Steve smacked his arm excitedly.

He was at least three wines in.

“I see that, sweetheart. Hi, Amy.”

“Hey, Eddie. He’s drinking for two,” Amy smiled fondly as Steve took another sip of wine.

“And she’s eating for two!” Steve said as he reached out to touch her belly. “I can’t believe I don’t get to have your babies, Eds.”

Eddie snorted. Amy let out a loud laugh.

“I’m sure we can give it our best shot later tonight,” Eddie whispered in his ear, smirking to himself when he saw Steve shiver.

They all continued chatting, occasionally getting interrupted by guests: producers, musicians, agents, even some kids who were big fans.

When the show started, Steve was drifting. He’d had maybe one too many, and he’d reached the sleepy part of wine drunk a lot sooner than he should’ve. Maybe because he barely slept last night. Maybe because Eddie fucked him in the shower and the couch and the bed, and then woke him up early to fuck him on the counter before he had to leave for an interview with Good Morning America. He was tired.

Eddie was tired too, but he was used to a lot of late nights and early mornings over the last couple of years.

Plus, he was running on so much adrenaline at the thought of winning a Grammy, he was pretty sure he could stay awake for another 12 hours.

Steve’s head rested against Eddie’s shoulder, his hand entangled in Eddie’s.

For seven years, Steve’s been his biggest fan, his person, his everything.

And for three years before that, he was his best friend.

He was there at grungy bars, outdoor festivals in rain or shine, that one fundraising event at the mall that was a total disaster. He was front row at their first opening gig for a Midwest metal band, and front row at their opening gig for Ghost. He was backstage for their first headlining tour, in the studio when they recorded their first and second albums, and on the tour bus when he could miss work.

It only made sense that he was here for this.

He wanted him here for everything.

This wasn’t the first time he’d thought that, probably not even the hundredth. He’d wanted to marry Steve for years.

But Steve was focused on building his own career, and Eddie insisted that he do what he wanted to do no matter what Eddie did with his career.

It meant a lot of time apart, a lot of FaceTiming at weird hours of the day or night because it’s the only time their schedules would sync up, a lot of missing each other.

But they believed in their relationship the same way they believed in each other, and they kept making it work.

He had a ring. He bought it years ago. Wayne had it so Steve wouldn’t find it, but they’d already planned on him taking it with him on his next stop in Hawkins.

He let himself relax a bit. Had a glass of wine, then champagne, and a beer. Their category was almost the last of the night, so they were able to relax for a while.

Steve knew a lot of people in the industry because of his acting career, but he’d made it very clear tonight was about Eddie to anyone who tried to talk to him.

The night was long, longer than Eddie could really handle.

His nerves were through the roof and Steve had fallen asleep on his shoulder.

When their category was announced, Eddie nudged him awake gently.

“Hey, sweetheart. I’m either about to be a Grammy winner or get a lot of great sympathy sex from you,” Eddie whispered in his ear as a camera guy settled in front of their table to get their reactions.

Steve was suddenly wide awake, the realization that this could be one of the biggest moments of their lives making him grip Eddie’s hand like a lifeline.

“And the winner for Best Metal Album is…” the announcer paused for dramatic effect. “Corroded Coffin with Reanimate!”

The whole room was cheering, but their table was going wild.

Steve jumped up the moment they said Corroded Coffin, jumping up and down and pulling Eddie up on his feet.

The next minute was a blur as they made their way to the stage, his boys surrounding him and clapping each other on the back excitedly.

They’d all worked hard for this, dealt with endless bullying in high school because their music was different, fought through the struggle of trying to appease bar owners and small town festival organizers with “softer” music so they could get in front of the right people. They spent thousands of dollars they realistically didn’t have to travel to places where metal was more welcome.

They had to take out personal loans to get studio time to record a demo and send it in to every record company they could think of.

Steve gave them 25% of his inheritance to buy their first tour bus because “it’s a good investment, and it’ll save money on hotels and eating out.”

When they got to the stage, Eddie realized that he’d have to speak.

Shit.

He’d kind of prepared a speech, but he also didn’t want to get his hopes up too much so he’d just let it go.

“Uh, wow. Okay. Thank you guys so much!” He started. He could just barely see the faces of everyone at their table, but Steve’s beaming smile was enough. “I didn’t prepare much other than that because I just didn’t think we would win. I know we’re talented and we work hard, but this is the biggest award you can win in the music industry and we still have a long way to go to really feel like we can even be in the same room as most of these talented musicians.”

He was killing it!

“I need to thank these guys up here with me, all the guys who work with us in the studio, everyone who makes tour possible, my Uncle Wayne, who probably is crying but won’t admit it when I talk to him later.” Everyone laughed. “But I have to thank Steve more than anything. I think the guys would agree he’s been the guy there for us through everything. He’s not just my boyfriend, he’s our first and biggest fan. Sorry to all the wives and future wife at our table.” More laughter. “I don’t know where we’d be without him, but I really don’t think I’d be who I am if not for the way he loves me, the way he’s always loved me. Even when it’s hard, even when we go months without being able to see each other, we find ways to make us work. We keep doing the damn thing even when the damn thing is hard. I didn’t plan to do this tonight, and Wayne is gonna kill me, but Stevie, sweetheart, I can’t go another day without knowing. Will you marry me?”

The room erupted into cheers, the guys on stage jumping up and down. He saw the camera guy zooming in on Steve’s reaction as they broadcast it on a screen by the stage.

But Eddie didn’t need the screen. He could see the tears streaming down Steve’s face as he cried, his smile bigger than life as he nodded.

“He said yes!” Jeff yelled.

The crowd cheered louder as Eddie handed the Grammy award to Gareth and ran down the stairs back to his table.

Steve jumped into his arms, wrapping his legs around his waist.

Eddie’s hands immediately went to his thighs to support him, and Steve’s hands cupped his face.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” Steve sobbed out.

“I can’t believe I haven’t done it earlier,” Eddie responded.

They kissed in front of the hundreds of people here and the possibly millions watching at home.

It was one of the best kisses they’d ever shared. The room around them went quiet, at least to them, as their lips moved against each other passionately, but with a gentleness they rarely had with each other anymore.

They pulled apart after a few more seconds, foreheads resting against each other as they caught their breath.

Eddie gently let Steve down, using his thumbs to wipe away some of his tears and giving him a beaming smile.

“Wayne’s got the ring. I have a feeling he’ll be making us come for a visit very soon so I’ll put it on you then,” Eddie whispered.

The rest of the band had trickled back to the table to collect him for post-win interviews backstage, but he couldn’t go without one more kiss.

Steve gave it willingly, always giving love in whatever way he could.

“Okay, I gotta go answer some questions. We’ll be quick,” he said with one more kiss to Steve’s forehead.

“Love you. So proud of you,” Steve said as he pulled away.

“Love you so much!”

—---------------------------------------

Steve’s engagement ring glistened in the spotlight hitting their table at the Oscars.

The Oscars.

Steve Harrington, almost Munson, was sitting at the Oscars because he was nominated for two awards: Best Actor in a Drama and Best Actor in a Comedy.

Eddie was sitting next to him, somehow more nervous here than he was at the Grammys.

His leg hadn’t stopped bouncing up and down since they sat down 20 minutes ago. The other people at the table were luckily good friends and didn’t think anything of his anxiety.

Eddie never got nervous before shows, or interviews, or photoshoots, or even his award shows. But when it came to Steve, he was a nervous wreck.

Before auditions, before appearances, before red carpets. He was on edge whether he was with him or not.

Tonight was no different.

They’d had incredibly busy schedules after the Grammys, only seeing each once over the last three months. But Eddie had told his manager nearly six months ago that he would not miss this for any reason, that Steve supported him at all of his big events, and he wasn’t going to ask permission to support his fiance, he just was.

Except it turned into more of Steve supporting him as the night wore on, the realization that Steve could very well win both categories keeping Eddie strung out.

It was actually a little cute.

The comedy category was first, and he had tough competition. Anytime you’re going against people like Jonah Hill and the people at Disney you have to be ready to lose.

And he did lose. Well, Eddie kept saying “it’s not a loss, it’s just not a win”, which was really the same thing.

But Steve wasn’t as upset as he expected to be. Comedy wasn’t really his forte, he’d only done a handful of comedy movies and shows over the last few years, and none of them were major roles.

It was the drama he cared about.

He’d put his heart and soul into this film. It was regarded as the breakthrough queer film of the year, up for enough awards tonight to be considered an Oscar Sweep.

He never would have gotten here if not for the man next to him, so he could handle his nerves easily.

“Drama is next,” Eddie breathed out, his hand squeezing Steve’s knee.

“I know, baby.”

“What if you win? Oh my god, what if you don’t? No, no. You’ll win. This is your best work. Seriously, don’t know why I would ever think you wouldn’t.”

Steve smirked as the announcer started saying all the nominees’ names.

The camera focused on him was probably capturing a lot of Eddie’s mumbling under his breath, but luckily they weren’t mic’d up so it would be easy to explain away.

“The winner for Best Actor in a Drama…Steve Harrington!”

“Oh my god! Oh my god! Steve I can’t feel my legs, I can’t feel them. Or my arms. I think I might black out, oh my god,” Eddie immediately turned to him with tears in his eyes.

“Baby, I need you to help me on stage. My leg’s broken, remember?”

And that was a pain in the ass. His last role required some stunts and Steve was an idiot and insisted on trying one for himself. It didn’t go well and he’s lucky it was just a broken leg.

Steve kissed Eddie’s lips softly, quickly, to get him to focus.

“Right! Okay,” Eddie stood up and held his arm out for Steve, who was using a single crutch to get around this evening instead of two. “Off we go!”

Steve giggled, and nodded at people clapping as they passed them on their way to the stage. Eddie was so busy looking ahead, trying to get him to the final destination safely, he missed the announcer making a joke about Steve earning the drama award by breaking his leg.

When they got on stage, Steve stood at the mic while Eddie stood at the side of the stage. He was crying, much like Steve had when he got his Grammy award.

“Sorry for taking my sweet time. As you can see, I thought I was able to do what stunt actors do and forgot that they’re actually very in shape and talented.” The room laughed. “Hey, no laughing, I didn’t win in comedy.” More laughter, louder this time. “I have to thank everyone who worked on this film; It’s truly one of those films that will continue to change lives. It was the most difficult job I have ever had, and I am so grateful for everyone who gave me the chance to prove that I could do it. I’d like to thank all my kiddos, who aren’t kiddos anymore, for all yelling at me in the group chat when I almost turned this down because I didn’t think I could do it. My agent, who goes through a lot of amazing opportunities but always manages to find the perfect one.” Steve looked over at Eddie and let himself finally tear up a little. “And Eddie. Can’t forget that guy. My support, literally.” He saw Eddie snort out a laugh between his tears. “Would not be standing here without him and not just because he had to walk me up here. Every time I thought about giving up, he made me go to one more audition or read one more script. Every time I’ve not gotten an offer I really wanted, he’s been there to remind me that there’s something better coming along. Like this one. I’d been turned down for a show I really wanted the same day I sent in the audition tapes for this role. I cried for hours on the phone with Eddie and he told me, I’ll never forget his exact words, ‘You’re meant for better and better will find you.’ And it did. But the best is you, baby. You’re the better that is at the beginning and end of all my days. I could never work again and I’d still be the happiest guy in the world because you’re mine and you want me just as much as I want you. Eight years ago, I was closeted, telling myself that the way I felt when my best friend hugged me was just because he was my best friend. Now, I’m winning an Oscar for playing a queer man in a deeply moving film about finding love for yourself even when love from others isn’t an option. I’m marrying you, that best friend who probably knew exactly what he was doing when he hugged me. And I know I’m wearing your engagement ring, and we’ve already set a date and picked the cake, but I feel like I should ask. Eddie, you’re the only one who gets me at my best, and you also get me at my worst and still love me anyway. Will you marry me?”

He watched as Eddie’s brain ran through a million options at once, finally settling on joining him at the microphone.

He pulled him against his chest, hand against the back of his head.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yes, it’s a yes. Fuck, yes,” Eddie sobbed out.

The crowd was cheering, and the cameras were circling around the stage getting every angle of the moment that they could.

“Next time you’re on this stage accepting an award, you’ll be Steve Munson,” Eddie teased.

“It’s got a nice ring to it,” Steve said against his shoulder.

They pulled apart enough to kiss, much like they did at the Grammys: soft, passionate, but slow.

“Do you have a secret ring hiding at Wayne’s too?”

“No, no ring. Just wanted to show the world I love you as much as you love me.”

“Oh, so it’s to show off. Got it,” Eddie poked him in the side, smirking when he laughed. “Get your trophy before they kick us off the stage.”

Steve grabbed his award, waved to the crowd with one final thank you, and let Eddie help him off the stage.

They were getting married in three months, honeymooning in four. They’d just bought their first house together, spent the last seven years renting apartments wherever life took them. They started talking about taking a break after Corroded Coffin’s next tour and Steve’s next movie so they could start a family.

They had so much to look forward to.

But most importantly, they had the backseat of a limo entirely to themselves on the way back to the hotel.

If they left a $500 tip for cleaning after, it was their business.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #ficlet #request #modern au #rock star eddie munson #actor steve harrington #fluff #marriage proposals

[bloody-bee-tea]

BeeTober 2023 Day 30 - Castle

“You understand, right?“ Suguru’s mother asks over the phone and Suguru barely hears her over the ringing in his ears.

“Right,” he tonelessly gives back.

“Tell him with that lifestyle of his, it’s just—” his father’s voice trails off in the background.

Right, his lifestyle. The one where he lives together with Satoru and is gay. Not that these two are connected in any way, no matter how much he wants them to be.

“Yes, the thing with your boyfriend,” his mother unsurely relays his father’s words and Suguru sucks in a sharp breath.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” he tells his mother, not for the first time, but of course she barely even listens to him.

“We simply cannot, in good conscience, support this anymore.”

“That includes my studies?” Suguru asks because he needs to know just how fucked he truly is.

If his parents no longer send him money for anything he needs to know that.

“You should have just taken up work in that car shop in town,” Suguru’s father tells him and Suguru’s mouth twists in a sneer.

He’s been studying philosophy on a teacher’s degree for two years now and still his father never fails to bring that up.

“I understand,” Suguru says after a long pause where no one says anything and then simply hangs up on his parents.

His hand is shaking, he belatedly realises, and as if it was just waiting for him to notice the tremor spreads through his entire body. Suguru could have managed rent somehow; there is always need for someone to work more hours at the coffee shop he works at after all. But adding his tuition fees to that? There’s no way he will be able to pay for that as well.

Suguru thought he had something good going for him, built a life of his own with Satoru—no matter how platonic it might be—but now he realises that it was like a castle build on sand.

And it’s all coming down around him.

Suguru doesn’t know how he’s going to cover all of his expenses, doesn’t know how he’ll work enough hours and study at the same time but there is one thing he definitely knows.

Satoru can never know about this.

~*~*~

Suguru applied for several scholarships, most of which accepted him. That means he has most of his tuition fees covered, but he has to maintain his grades. And working three shifts at two different jobs is not helping with that.

Suguru barely sleeps these days, spending his days working or studying—and sometimes both—and he only eats what he can scarf down on his way to classes or work.

It’s all something he can cope with, somehow, by telling himself that it’s temporary, that it will get better once he finished his studies and takes up a full-time job but the one thing he cannot cope with is not being able to see Satoru.

Their schedules were erratic at best even before this entire mess happened but now Suguru is barely home. He leaves before Satoru is up and comes back home long after he has gone to sleep—if Suguru comes home at all and doesn’t pull an all-nighter in the library—and he misses Satoru something fierce.

He misses his stupid hair and his stupid glasses and the ease with which they always fit together, be it working around each other in the kitchen or snuggling up on the couch for a movie.

Suguru just misses him and some days he thinks all of this is not worth it.

He knows he can just tell Satoru the truth; Satoru is loaded enough that none of this would even make a dent and he would be willing to cover Suguru’s expenses, Suguru knows that.

But it doesn’t feel right.

He wants them to be equals, wants them to be able to stand next to each other and while Suguru is sure that Satoru still could do that, he knows himself well enough to know that he could never forget about the huge debt he owes Satoru.

And he doesn’t want this to poison his relationship with Satoru.

It’s not as if you’re going to have much of a relationship with him anymore, if things continue like that, a tiny voice says in the back of Suguru’s head and he hates how right it is.

He hasn’t talked to Satoru in almost a week. He barely has time to answer his texts and Suguru hates every second of it.

And it seems Satoru feels the same because when Suguru drags his exhausted self home, Satoru is waiting for him at the kitchen table.

It’s way past Satoru’s bedtime and immediately, Suguru feels guilty.

“Why are you still up?” he asks, even though he damn well knows why. It’s his fault.

He ignores the pang in his chest at finally seeing Satoru again and lets himself fall into one of the empty chairs. It feels as if his entire being aches; most of it is lack of sleep and over-working himself but a good part is also due to the distance to Satoru.

“Great question,” Satoru gives back and he sounds pissed. “Why are you never home anymore?” he then asks and he’s glaring at Suguru.

“I’m busy,” Suguru tells him and it’s not even a lie.

He’s so busy these days.

“Are you mad at me?” Satoru asks next and Suguru jerks at the question.

“No,” he rushes to reassure Satoru. “It has nothing to do with you. I’m just busy.”

“Why? It wasn’t like that before. What happened?”

Suguru knows that Satoru just wants to help, just wants to understand and it would be so easy to tell him, to take what he will no doubt offer and then finally be able to sleep for more than four hours at once again.

But Suguru’s pride won’t allow it.

“Nothing happened. Work just picked up and studies, too. That’s all. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“I do, though. Suguru, you look like shit. I haven’t seen you in a week and you’re barely yourself anymore. You don’t text back, you’re never home and you don’t talk to me. Of course I worry.”

“It’s nothing,” Suguru whispers out, his eyes burning. He can’t keep looking at Satoru or he’s going to have a minor break down, he just knows it.

“It’s not nothing,” Satoru says with conviction and sometimes Suguru hates how incredibly persistent he can be. “I give you a week. If things don’t change by then, I will make you tell me what’s going on.”

It’s a promise but to Suguru it feels like a threat. There is no way he can manage to even his workload out enough to spend more time with Satoru and he damn well knows that if Satoru really puts his mind to it, he can force Suguru to tell him everything.

“Please don’t,” Suguru mutters but Satoru only gives him a hard glare.

“I miss you, Suguru,” Satoru says and Suguru’s heart aches.

“I miss you, too,” he admits, and at least that comes easy to him.

“Then talk to me,” Satoru implores him but Suguru shakes his head, causing Satoru to sigh. “Fine. A week then. Better have a convincing lie ready, if you don’t want me to know the truth.”

He leaves Suguru with that, lets the words fall around Suguru like heavy stones and the added weight barely even registers for Suguru. He’s spread too thin already; he can’t worry about this as well now.

He’ll just have to make up something on the spot in a week because he doesn’t doubt for a second that Satoru is going to keep his promise.

~*~*~

Suguru has been home exactly two times since his talk with Satoru and he has half a mind to simply not go home once the week he was given is up. But he knows Satoru well enough to know that he will track him down and Satoru will make sure they are having this talk, no matter where.

And Suguru would prefer it if it wasn’t in public.

So when the seven days are up, he does make his way back home. He knows Satoru will be there and waiting for him because he received a threatening message not even an hour ago.

Be home at 5pm sharp or else is all it says and since this is Satoru the or else could literally be anything.

And Suguru is not going to take that chance.

He still doesn’t know what he’s going to tell Satoru, doesn’t know how to lie to him convincingly—and never has, if he’s being honest—and he also doesn’t know how to explain in a way that won’t make Satoru incredibly angry.

This evening, Suguru can only lose.

This time Satoru is waiting for him on the couch and he doesn’t even say anything. He just waits for Suguru to sit down and then pierces him with the most searching gaze Suguru ever had the misfortune to be under and just like that, he breaks.

He has always been incredibly easy for Satoru.

“My parents think we are together,” is the first thing out of his mouth and Satoru isn’t quick enough to hide just how hurt he is by that, by the thought that Suguru is avoiding him to prevent rumors.

“They are not even here,” he hisses, though even his anger feels lacking. “Why are you trying so hard to disprove that?”

“It’s not like that,” Suguru says and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees and hanging his head. “They cut me off. It’s a convenient excuse for them; that and the fact that I’m studying instead of working like they think I should.”

“They cut you—is this about money?” Satoru almost yells out and now his anger seems so much more real.

“Yes,” Suguru simply says and he still doesn’t know how to explain this to Satoru.

Satoru never had to want for money in his life.

There is a long moment of silence.

“How many jobs are you working?” Satoru finally wants to know and Suguru closes his eyes.

He’s so tired.

“Two. Three shifts.”

“And your studies?”

“I have to maintain my grades for the scholarships I applied to.”

“You’re working yourself to the ground.”

Suguru can’t even refute that. He has lost even more weight this week and he fears at this point the eyebags will be permanent.

“Why not—“ Satoru starts before he scoots closer to Suguru’s side, gently pressing their knees together as if he’s checking if he’s still allowed.

Suguru presses back.

“I know this has occurred to you, but why not ask me?” Satoru quietly asks and Suguru shudders.

It would be so easy.

“I can’t,” he whispers out and feels like shit when Satoru takes the liberty to melt against his side.

His weight is familiar and something inside of Suguru that has ached for all this time finally relaxes.

“Why not?” Satoru’s voice matches his and Suguru’s eyes burn.

He’s not sure if it’s a lack of sleep or tears.

“I would always remember the debt I owe you. We both know I could never pay you back. I know you wouldn’t care,” Suguru says before Satoru can say it, “but I do. It would always hang over me. I don’t want that.”

“So you’d rather not see me at all anymore,” Satoru mutters, resting his head on Suguru’s shoulder. “Is that what you want? To not be in debt but—you’d lose me.”

“I hated every second of the last two weeks,” Suguru fervently whispers and grasps for Satoru’s hand. “I hated it. But I don’t know what to do. I don’t know anymore.”

The lack of sleep has not been helping with his ability to think clearly and the lack of Satoru in his life hasn’t made it easier, either. It’s almost as if he has been on withdrawal lately and he leans more heavily against Satoru.

He has to catch up on a lot of missed time.

“I know what to do,” Satoru says and there is confidence in his words but he moves away from Suguru.

Before Suguru can mourn the loss of warmth at his side, Satoru cups his cheek in his hand and turns his face so he’s looking straight at Satoru.

“I want an honest answer, Suguru,” Satoru demands and he only goes on when Suguru nods.

He can’t tear his eyes away from Satoru’s eyes. He almost forgot how blue they are.

“Do you love me?” Satoru asks him and Suguru’s breath catches in his chest.

Suguru knows what Satoru is asking; this is not about their friendship. This is about everything else, all the things they have never talked about and always just took for granted between them.

Still, the answer comes easy to Suguru, because nothing has been quite as true for him as this.

“Yes,” he simply says and Satoru nods as if he didn’t expect anything else.

“Marry me,” he says next and now that catches Suguru completely off guard.

“What?” he breathes out, because surely he must have misheard.

“Marry me,” Satoru repeats. “Be my husband. Let us share everything.”

It is everything Suguru never dared to imagine for himself but he can’t bring himself to agree like he so desperately wants.

Not if Satoru is only doing this for him.

“If you think you can trick me into saying yes so there won’t be debt between us, then you’re wrong,” he says, and his voice almost doesn’t shake. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll figure something out.”

“Suguru,” Satoru says and still, his gaze is just as piercing as before. “It’s not like that, and you know it.”

“Do I? It’s not as if you’ve said something about how you feel,” Suguru almost childishly gives back, but the lack of a confession from Satoru stings.

“I regularly tell you that you’re my one and only. Of course I love you. I’ve loved you since the day I met you.”

“Not true,” Suguru chokes out and now those are definitely tears. “You hated me then.”

“Because I knew how important you’d be to me and I was thrown off,” Satoru immediately replies and there is no doubt in his voice. “It’s always been you.”

“It’s always been you for me, too,” Suguru admits because even the thought of someone else being this important to him is laughable.

It has been Satoru and it always will be Satoru.

“Then marry me. Be my husband and let me share your burden for once. God knows you share enough of mine already.”

“I don’t mind. I never have,” Suguru promises him and his heart feels close to bursting when Satoru smiles at him. And he has missed this so fiercely that he just has to lean forward and taste the smile for himself.

“I know that you don’t mind,” Satoru says when they part. “And I won’t mind having to share this. Or anything else that might come up. As long as it’s you, I won’t mind anything.”

Suguru searches his face for a long moment, fearing to see any traces of doubt but there’s only conviction and love in Satoru’s eyes.

And so there is only one answer Suguru can give.

“Okay.”

#bt writes #beetober23 #jjk #satosugu #stsg #hurt/comfort #overworking #homophobia #love confessions #getting together #marriage proposals #no curses au

[kookiecrumb]

ok we’re getting married

are you queer? ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

It's serious inquiries only.

#asks #ask #pauli #marriage proposals

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

The Way I Loved You [Part Two]

Fandom: American Actor, American RPF, RPF,

Pairing: Elvis Presley x Reader, Austin Butler x Reader

Characters: Elvis Presley, Austin Butler, Reader, You, Original Characters

Word Count: 4348 // Rating: Mature

Summary:  Yeah, I wonder when you're drinkin', If you find yourself thinkin' About that boy from East Tennessee

Tags/ Warnings: Flashbacks, Kissing, Flirting, Proposals, Past Relationships, Established Relationships, Songfic, Taylor Swift Song, The Way I Loved You, Proposals, Marriage Proposals, Set in Memphis, My Writing, Elvis Presley Fic, Elvis Fic, Elvis x Reader, Elvis Presley x Reader, Austin Butler Fic, Austin Butler x Reader, Set in the 50s, Mixed Timeline, Austin goes back in time, Romance, Arguing, Angst, Fluff, Part One is Based on The Way I Loved You - Taylor Swift[x], Part Two is based on 7 Summers - Morgan Wallen [x] time lines a lil off, would’ve ideally been like 10 years but hey Ho

Notes: okay so this was a suggestion by @luckyevansstan and as soon as i was asked it stuck in my head and i just had to write it

PART ONE // PART TWO // PART THREE

‘Baby you’re shaking,’ I said as I adjusted Austin’s bowtie. He looked very handsome, he always looked sharp but there was something about him in a tux that made me hot under the collar. 

‘I know,’ he said with a shaky smile, ‘these things never get any easier.’

‘You’re going to nail it. You always do,’ I said resting my hands on his lapels. 

‘You think so?’ he said looking at me with those gorgeous blue eyes of his. 

‘I know so,’ I said stepping up onto my tip toes so I could kiss him. He leaned down and captured my lips with his for a soft chaste kiss. 

It didn’t last long though as there was a noise as the door to the room we were in opened. A short stocky man stuck his head through the gap his eyes trained on us. He stepped through smartening his own suit as he did so. 

‘Mr Senator sir,’ the man said clearing his voice a little, ‘everyone’s seated and we’re ready for you.’

‘Thanks, Martin,’ Austin said with a smile. The man nodded and slipped back through the door.

‘I guess I better take my seat,’ I said.

‘I wish you could stand up there with me,’ he chuckled. 

‘I would but they no one would be paying attention to you now would they,’ I smiled patting him on the arm.

‘That’s my point,’ he said. Before I could say anything else there was another beckoning knock on the door. I threw him a small smile before I exited through the door and out into the corridor. It was empty now whereas before it had been milling with hundreds of people. Members of government, film stars, local tv celebrities and of course anyone in Memphis with a little money. Banquets always did draw in those who liked to reinforce their feeling of importance. I didn’t mind them. Sometimes it was nice to have a night away from the kids, just the two of us, like the old days. But as Austin progressed up the government ladder the more we had to attend and it broke my heart to see how nervous he got right before each one. He was a good man, with a good heart and his role in government was really helping people but he wasn’t a performer. 

I slipped in a side door of the grand hall, hoping that I drew no attention as I tried to find my seat. It was down by the front of the stage, a large round table with faces I recognised from past functions. I slipped into my seat, popping my bag on Austin’s empty chair beside me.  As I smoothed out my dress I heard the music start to fade out as our compere, Lenny Johnson the Channel 2 newsreader, took to the stage.

‘Good evening ladies and gentlemen,’ Lenny said, ‘and thank you for coming to the City of Memphis’ 3rd Annual Charity Ball which as we all know is an effort to raise money for various registered charities in our beloved city. For those of you who haven’t been before the organisers have just asked me to run over a couple of things and for those of you who have, now is the time to have a drink or two to make sure those chequebooks are nice and loose for when the time comes.’

There was a smattering of laughter and a couple of claps as Lenny continued, ‘our meal will start within the next half hour and there will be drinks and dancing later on this evening. All the way through there will be a silent auction, laid out in the adjoining room where we encourage our guests to bid on whatever they choose. Remember it’s all for a good cause so dig deep in those pockets ya hear? Simply write your name and your bid on the sheet of paper and in a couple of hours we will be announcing who gets to take home each prize, all of which have been donated by local businesses and even some kind patrons here tonight. But first of all, I would like to introduce one of our esteemed guests, who without his help tonight wouldn’t have been possible, Senator Butler.’

There was a round of applause Austin came out from the side of the stage appearing at Lenny’s side in a couple of steps thanks to his long strides. They thanked one another before Lenny took a seat at the side of the stage and Austin took to the lectern. Though he was always a bag of nerves he had gotten a lot better with age. I smiled as he looked out into the crowd, his eyes locking with mine for a split second before his focus was back on the crowd and his view obscured by the hot stage lights. 

‘Thank you, Lenny,’ he said clearing his throat a little, ‘and thank you everybody for coming. As some of you may know I’m not much of a speechmaker but before the evening gets into full swing I have been asked to tell you all just how much your attendance here tonight is appreciated. 

As we all know this city, our country even has been going through a lot recently. Things haven’t seemed so hopeful but as I look out at all your faces tonight I am reminded that there is good in the world. When we first thought of putting together a night like this we, my team and I, were worried that it would never work. I had countless sleepless nights worrying that no one would bid on anything or no one would even show up. But tonight, as we head into our third year of hosting this event I am reminded that the people of this city are nothing if not kind. And why some may see it as a bunch of rich folks getting dressed up and having a good time I have been fortunate to see how this one night benefits so many people. Last year we helped over a dozen different charities. We raised $500 thousand dollars and with your help tonight I feel we can do the same if not better,’ he said smiling as there was a cheer from several voices around the room, ‘from that response I guess you’re all ready to go and I should be wrapping this up huh?’ 

There was a chuckle throughout the room as Austin continued, ‘As Lenny said tonight wouldn’t be possible without me but that’s not quite true. As with many things in my office I am just the persona out front. The true work is done by those in the back and I am truly lucky to have such an incredible team. I would also like to thank my home team too, my incredible wife Y/N, who not only looks stunning tonight but has also not complained once about hearing the words ‘City of Memphis’ 3rd Annual Charity Ball’ over a billion times this month.’

Another chuckle rang through the room and I could feel myself blushing as dozens of eyes fell on our table, scoping me out.

‘So that being said how about we wrap up this boring bit and get stuck into some dinner and dancing?’ Austin said earning a hearty round of applause and cheers as he exited the stage, leaving Lenny to take over. He came to our table slotting in perfectly as he acquired whispered congratulations from our fellow table members.

‘How did I do?’ he whispered looking at me as his arm swooped down on the back of my chair. 

‘You were amazing,’ I said with a smile, ‘I’m so proud of you honey.’ 

‘Guess you didn’t notice me white-knuckling the lectern,’ he chuckled. 

‘I was too fixed on thinking about how handsome you looked,’ I smirked running a hand down his thigh. 

‘Yeah?’ he said, a crack in his voice a little making me giggle. 

‘It’s usually all I’m thinking about,’ I said in a sultry voice making him shift a little in his seat. Before he could say anything else the hall bustled to life as waiters started serving our meal.

After that, the party was in full swing. I put a bid or two down for a couple of things that caught my eye. Soon enough the party transitioned from drinks to dancing and even though he wasn’t a performer Austin didn’t seem to have a care in the world as he asked me to dance as soon as our song, unchained melody, came on. 

We had just finished dancing and were coming off the dance floor, out of the way of other couples who favoured to dance to the upbeat tune that had replaced the last, when a large man approached us. He was tall too with thinning white hair and a pencil moustache that didn’t do him any favours. 

‘Ah, senator Butler,’ he said with a smile as he clapped Austin on the shoulder, ‘I was hoping we could get a moment together tonight.’ 

‘Mr Johnson, good evening, Y/N this is Arnie Johnson CEO of First Horizon Bank,’ Austin said his hand gripping my waist a little tighter.

‘Pleasure to meet you,’ I said offering my hand out to the man who took it reluctantly. 

‘So Butler, have you thought any more on my proposal?’ he said. 

‘Well, Sir, I don’t know if now is the time to be talking about-’

‘Nonsense!’ he said gruffly as he slotted his arm in between the two of us prising us apart, ‘there’s a few of us in the smoking room come on we can talk shop in there.’

He pulled him away and I watched as Austin turned his head to look at me with an apologetic expression. I smiled and shrugged wishing I could save him but the wives at these functions were very much background characters. I sighed and headed to the bar ordering a vodka tonic to quell my boredom a little. As I walked back to the dancefloor my eyes roved over people I could adhere to until Austin came back but I found no one I wanted to speak to. So, instead I wove through the tables to the back of the hall and out into the garden patio that overlooked the stunning gardens of this mansion. The air was crisp but not too cool and the only noise was the sound of crickets chirping in the night air. 

I took a sip of my drink and then placed it on the stone balcony along with my bag as I looked out at the view. I was only there for a minute or so when I heard the noise of the party get louder as someone stepped through the door, I turned hoping to see Austin but instead found someone all too familiar.

Elvis.

His face was older now but still familiar. The boyish charm was gone replaced by a ruggedness that still had the same take-your-breath away quality. He was dressed well though instead of a tux he had opted for a black shirt underneath his suit with an open collar that showed a hint of his chest. He never did like to go with the crowd.

‘Hi Y/N,’ he said. His voice was deeper than I remembered, gruffer, though it still hit my ear just right. I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. All my words were swirling around in my throat unable to get any further. He smirked a little and moved towards me coming to stand beside me looking out into the garden as I just had.

‘Beautiful night,’ he said looking at me with a smile. I could feel my heartbeat quicken beating hard against my chest so much so I thought it was loud enough that it could drown out the crickets. 

‘What are you doing here?’ I blurted out. He looked at me, smirking at my abruptness. 

‘I was invited,’ he said simply.

‘I wouldn’t have thought this was your kind of thing,’ I said turning to take a sip of my drink just so I had something to busy myself with. 

‘I like to give back to the community,’ he said, ‘besides…I could ask you the same thing.’

‘What do you mean?’ I said looking at him with confusion. 

‘Didn’t you always say you wanted to get out of Memphis? Get somewhere further south where it was always summer?’ he said. 

‘I used to want a lot of things,’ I said simply. 

‘But not now?’ he asked, he turned to rest against the stone wall, folding his arms across his chest as he watched me. He was putting me on edge and he knew it. Better yet, he was enjoying it. 

‘I’ve got everything I need,’ I said.

‘Yeah?’ he said, his eyes flitting to the ring on my left hand, idly stirring my straw around my glass, ‘I saw. A senator's wife huh?’ 

‘His name’s Austin,’ I said through gritted teeth. I don’t know why but all of a sudden I felt a call to action. As if I had to explain myself to him. As if I had to explain Austin.

‘I bet your daddy’s real proud,’ he chuckled, ‘his little girl a senator’s wife. Big house, 2.5 kids the whole shebang?’

‘Says the man who lives in a literal mansion,’ I scoffed, ‘and it’s two kids by the way.’

He nodded as if he was mulling over that statement but his silence gripped hold of me as if it was forcing the words out of my body, ‘why do you care anyway? It’s not as if your life ended up terrible.’

‘I’m just curious,’ he said leaning up towards me. He was mere inches from my face now and his same old aftershave washed over me making me watch to close the gap. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t seen him in years and one conversation had got me all out of whack. 

‘Do you ever think about it?’ he said in almost a whisper. 

‘About what?’ 

‘Us. Do you ever think about those times?’

‘What good would that do? That’s in the past,’ I said. My bravado had gone now.

‘You never think about it?’ he said.

‘Do you?’ 

‘Sometimes,’ he said, ‘mostly when I’m home. Lotsa places in Memphis remind me of you…that little diner we used to go to…sitting out on the river in my car…’

‘Elvis…’ I said in a voice that didn’t seem to know what it was trying to convey. Then again, I didn’t know what I wanted. If he didn’t stop I didn’t know what I would do but each word he spoke ignited memories in my brain which cascaded like fireworks and they felt good.

‘I can’t even drive that Cadillac anymore without thinking about that time-’

‘Stop it,’ I said with force.

‘Why?’ he said reaching up to stroke my cheek. His touch felt so hot against me that I was sure as he removed his hand there would be a red imprint from his fingertips. 

‘Because it doesn’t do anyone any favours,’ I said, ‘it was years ago.’

‘Six, no, seven summers back if I remember,’ he said. 

‘Yeah and just as many winters since you dumped me,’ I snapped. 

‘Y/N,’ he sighed.

‘Or does that bit conveniently escape your memory?’ I said.

‘You know I never wanted that,’ he said. 

‘Yeah I know,’ I said, ‘but you had no choice. The Colonel said…no girls so your fans don’t get upset. Well, not until you decide there’s one worth saying no to the Colonel for. How is Priscilla by the way? I hear y’all are getting hitched.’

‘That’s different,’ he said. 

‘Yeah, you loved her more,’ I said, ‘right?’ 

‘It’s not like that,’ he said. 

‘Then what is it like?’ I said, ‘because that’s sure as hell how it looked to me.’

He stood up off of the wall and placed his hands on his hips.

‘It’s not about who I loved more. The love we had was…different. I was different. Naïve even. Then my mama died and I realised that it was better to hold onto those you do love,’ he said, his words making my heart break for him a little. 

‘I heard about your mama,’ I said, ‘I’m sorry. I knew how much you meant to one another.’

‘Thanks,’ he said. Silence lingered between us for a moment, the crickets and the buzz from the party indoors the only thing to be heard. He leaned back against the wall and I followed suit both of us looking at the patio beneath our feet. That was until my mouth took over again, my words tumbling out before I could stop them, ‘so when do you get married?’

‘Six weeks,’ he said, turning to look at me. His gaze was fixed on my face and I caught his eyes for a moment before I looked away nervously.

I only looked back when I heard him say in a low voice, ‘why do you think I’ve been wondering about things?’

‘Elvis,’ I said with a sigh leaning up off the wall but he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him.

‘I’m getting married in six weeks,’ he said, ‘my futures set out and all of a sudden you come back into my life. We haven’t seen each other in years and before I make one of the biggest changes of my life you’re back? I mean doesn’t that seem like a sign?’

‘Elvis, you’ve lived 5 miles away from me since we split. If you wanted me I wasn’t that hard to find,’ I said.

‘Maybe…’ he said, ‘but if it doesn’t mean anything how come I haven’t been able to shake you out of my mind since I first saw you tonight? You could have left when I first came out here but you didn’t. Doesn’t that tell you something?’

I didn’t say anything. I was scared of what might come out of my mouth if I did. Elvis took my silence as encouragement and he gently pulled me towards him, his arm going around my waist whilst his other hand cupped my face. My heart hammered against my rib cage whilst everything below my waist felt as if it had been set alight. 

‘Elvis,’ I mumbled. He shook his head as if to shush me as he leaned down and gently placed a kiss on my lips. His lips were warm and without thinking my own started to respond, encouraging him. It was simple, sweet but incredible. But as he kissed me my mind flashed back to earlier and I saw Austin’s handsome face behind my eyes. I pulled back and found confusion in his blue eyes.

‘I can’t,’ I said, ‘Austin…I’m married, Elvis.’

‘And I’m about to be,’ he said, ‘that doesn’t mean that that didn’t feel right.’

‘I can’t,’ I said, pulling out of his grasp.

‘But you want to?’ he said.

‘I can’t,’ I said.

‘That’s not what I asked. You say you can’t but I felt it in that kiss. This… us…you want it just as much as I do,’ he said, grabbing my hand as I tried to walk away.

‘Elvis don’t,’ I warned.

‘Are you honestly telling me that that kiss didn’t make you feel something? Tell me, has he made you feel like that?’ He said. I didn’t reply, ‘are you really going to pretend that you’re okay with living without that…that..fire?’

‘Austin is a good man,’ I said.

‘I’m sure he is,’ Elvis said, ‘but is that what you want?’ 

‘What do you want Elvis? What do you want? Is it Priscilla? Is it me? Is it me because you saw me with him?’ I wanted to shout but I couldn’t as it would surely draw attention and I didn’t need that kind of hassle. What did he want from me? For one kiss to erase the past seven years of my life? For me to throw my life away just because he had cold feet?

‘I saw it on your face tonight. This isn’t you. This life, the parties, the speeches, it’s not you. I  know you,’ he started coming toward me but I held a hand up to silence him. 

‘You haven’t known me for years,’ I said shaking my head, ‘you lost the right to know me when you decided that I wasn’t worth sticking around for. And you know what, I’m glad. Because if you hadn’t broken up with me I would have never met Austin. He’s a good man Elvis. He works hard. He keeps a roof over our heads and food on our table-’

‘And that’s enough for you?’ he said, ‘you can honestly say hand on heart that you don’t miss what we had?’ 

‘Look, I know it’s not all glam and rock and roll. I know to ‘The King’ my life might seem empty and boring but I don’t care. Because all that passion, that romance, that…fire. I remember that…but I also remember all the nights I waited up for you to call and you didn’t. I remember arguing with you until I was in tears. And I don’t need that. Loving you comes at a price and I don’t want to pay it,’ I said.

We stood there looking at one another. His jaw was rigid now at first I thought out of anger but from the look in his eyes, I could tell it was to stop himself from crying. Saying nothing more I grabbed my drink and purse off the balcony and walked across the patio to the glass door I had come through as I got to it though I took one last look at him. He wasn’t looking at me, his gaze cast out in the distance though he turned when he heard the door. He looked at me as I hesitated and said, ‘you should be grateful that Priscilla is willing to.’

And with that, I slipped back inside the door and through the curtain that partitioned it from the room. Standing on the opposite side of the door were a couple of guys, I recognised them from Elvis’ posse which explained why we had been undisturbed out there. I wove through the tables with ease heading out onto the corridor with the intent of finding the bathroom. 

I was lost in my own thoughts. Had I really just done that? Had I rejected the Elvis Presley? I didn’t know what to think. Years ago I would have given anything for him to say what he had tonight. But seeing Austin’s face in my mind was enough to make me realise I was wrong. Austin was amazing. I loved him with my whole heart. And I had meant what I said. Elvis was passion and fire but he was also heartbreak and pain. 

I didn’t need that. 

Sure, the way Elvis used to pick on his guitar used to make me weak at the knees but I liked the fluttery feeling I got when Austin told me he’d run me a bath ‘just because’ or when he’d willingly get up with the kids on a Sunday at the crack of dawn just so I could have a little more time in bed. Elvis used to buy me pretty things and take me out to all the nicest places but not once had I ever worried that Austin wouldn’t provide for me and the boys. I liked that I didn't have to spend my evenings waiting for the phone to ring or calling every man and his dog to see where my husband was because he’d be the first on the phone asking me to save him some dinner amidst a thousand apologies for coming home late. I liked that every morning before he left for work he would kiss me and call me beautiful even when I was sure I looked hideous.

My thoughts continued to rattle around in my head whilst I used the bathroom, wiping any trace of a kiss from my lips and dabbing an errant tear away as I looked in the mirror. After a few minutes, I managed to compose myself and headed out back into the corridor where I walked straight into someone, not paying attention to where I was going. 

‘Woah there,’ a familiar voice said. I looked up to find Austin smirking at me, ‘where’s the fire doll?’ 

I looked at his sparkling blue eyes which were watching me with glee. Before I could stop myself I threw my body forward grabbing his shirt and pulling him into me. I kissed him deeply and though he seemed taken aback for a moment he soon started kissing me back.

‘What was that for?’ he said pulling back his voice a little breathier than usual. 

‘Just because,’ I said.

‘Not the vodka soda then?’ he chuckled giving me a quick peck as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He grabbed my drink and necked the rest of it putting it down on a nearby table.

‘Nope,’ I said leaning my head against his chest. He allowed me to and I was happy to be in that familiar embrace even in a corridor with no doubt peering eyes. 

‘What’s gotten into you?’ he chuckled, the rumble of his chest echoing in my ear. 

‘I just realised how lucky I am to have you that’s all,’ I said leaning back and looking at him.

‘You got stuck in some god awful conversation like me huh?’ 

‘I mean it Aust,’ I said seriously. His merriment faded a little his brow furrowing as my tone changed to serious, ‘I know I don’t say it much but I really do feel lucky to have you.’

‘I feel the same,’ he said as a hand went up to my face, stroking it with the pad of his thumb gently. 

‘I love you, Austin Butler.’

‘I love you too Y/N Butler,’ he smiled. 

#Flashbacks #Kissing #Flirting #Proposals #Past Relationships #Established Relationships #Songfic #Taylor Swift Song #The Way I Loved You #Marriage Proposals #Set in Memphis #My Writing #Elvis Presley Fic #Elvis Fic #Elvis x Reader #Elvis Presley x Reader #Austin Butler Fic #Austin Butler x Reader #Set in the 50s #Mixed Timeline #Austin goes back in time #Romance #Arguing #Angst #Fluff

[camilleflyingrotten]

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LATER

#good omens #aziraphale #crowley #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #communication #marriage #proposal #april fool's day #they’re stupid your Honor #comic #digital art #procreate #my art

[and-this-of-all-my-hopes]

So, I feel like I’m losing my mind. I keep seeing metas about how Aziraphale wants Crowley to return to Heaven and be an angel again because he wants them to be on the same side/be good/change/etc., etc., etc. but I don’t see that at all. I actually see it as the very opposite.

Aziraphale loves Crowley just as he is. But there’s something more. Something huge.

Aziraphale loves Crowley and because he is an angel who is stuck in seeing things as black and white, he constantly praises Crowley for being nice. For being good. For being kind.

Aziraphale has watched Crowley on and off for 6,000 years. He watched him thwart the plans of Heaven and Hell because it was unjust. He spared the lives of innocents. He did small things that made Aziraphale happy just because (like making Hamlet successful and saving valuable books). And because Aziraphale sees things in black and white, he sees all the things Crowley has done as nice, as good, as kind.

Crowley vehemently attests he’s not nice or good or kind.

He’s not exactly wrong nor is he lying when he says this. When Crowley spares goats during a cruel bet over a righteous man and swallowing laudanum to prevent a suicide, when he prevents Armageddon by working with Aziraphale and stopping the Anti-Christ from being the Anti-Christ, he’s not doing the nice/good/kind thing.

He’s doing the right thing.

Crowley chooses to do the right thing without hesitation. He is better than all of Heaven and Hell who have callous and dispassionate view of all existence because he questions, because he makes choices. Crowley sees the world for all its messiness and he sees himself. He sees a place where he fits in. He sees the blurred edges.

And Aziraphale sees that, even if seeing the blurred edges is hard for him.

But here’s the thing that Aziraphale can’t voice.

It’s the reason why he told Crowley about being allowed to return to Heaven and become an angel again. He doesn’t want Crowley to change. He doesn’t think Crowley is flawed. Or not enough.

It’s something that is so monumental that it cannot be put into words. Because to put it into words would be more than blasphemy. It’s down right unthinkable for anyone in Heaven, Hell, or Earth to say what Aziraphale knows deep in his soul.

God was wrong to cast out Crowley.

Aziraphale believes Crowley can/should return to Heaven because he knows that Crowley should never have fallen in the first place. He wants him to be forgiven because when Crowley fell it was unjust. Aziraphale is trying to correct a mistake. He’s trying to do the right thing.

Yes, Crowley would never accept returning to Heaven. And Aziraphale was wrong to even suggest it (although that conversation is another can of worms to unpack).

Aziraphale loves Crowley. He loves him exactly as he is. He doesn’t want him to change. Aziraphale knows that Crowley the best of all of them. He wants to change Heaven because of it. Because God was wrong and Aziraphale knows it.

Aziraphale may have difficulty seeing beyond black and white, but when it comes to Crowley he sees everything crystal clear and in vivid color.

#good omens #good omens 2 #good omens meta #hold on to your butts #because here be outright blasphemy #aziraphale #crowley #neil gaiman #warning this post has been known to cause psychic damage #and in one instance a proposal of marriage #neil liked this post #whaaaaaaaaaaat #good omens spoilers #michael sheen #david tennant #ineffable husbands #tell me I’m wrong