Chapter Text
You cross over your legs for the umpteenth time while checking your notifications once again. Sighing, you sit in wait, knowing that tonight was important for the both of you, even if Rick was running late.
Part of you was excited to finally have him take the initiative of planning your fourth anniversary, but deep down you were also anxious. Four years was nothing to scoff at and you were counting the days till you got married. It's what made you nervous, knowing that the question would pop at any moment but so far that moment hadn't come.
Maybe tonight. Maybe tonight when Rick surprises you with a candle lit dinner, dressed up in that one dark grey suit you had bought for him years prior. Of course, you don't know what he has planned but you hoped it would be fitting for your love, rather than going out to the bar on a typical Friday night.
He had told you earlier in the day to get ready for an elegant night at nine, but it was already five minutes past and that annoyance started to creep in. Was he drunk and had forgotten? Did Rick travel with Morty somewhere and forget to invite you? You loved going on adventures with his family, it made you feel fuzzy inside with the dynamics between them all. The loving nature between Rick and his daughter Beth, the less strained conversations of Rick and her husband Jerry. Morty had told you how things appeared almost violent till you came along and 'tamed' Rick, as Morty would put it. Of course you hadn't done that, you just gave Rick an opportunity for his more positive qualities to shine.
Rick really cared for his grandchildren. Honestly, when you first met them all with a quick, hungover diner breakfast, you couldn't help but advert your eyes in shame at your and Rick's hungover state, but they didn't judge you at all for it. You know for a fact that neither of you that night prior caused any trouble and that was enough for Beth to judge your character. Summer immediately thought of you as cool, but only because you would be an outlet to her drinking safely, and Morty, the shy meek boy, didn't say much on your first, well second meeting, but that quickly changed as time moved on.
He had become more mature and confident in himself with the added guidance of you in his life, and you honestly thought the same with his 'no shit' attitude in standing up for himself against Rick. You were almost, almost like an aunt, with knowledge and teenage understanding, but without the weird blood relation that would come out of it if true. Hell, on your days off you dressed pretty zany and casual, sporting a black t-shirt with washed out white jeans, fitting in with the family these of pants and slacks.
Sick of sitting in the same position for a few minutes, you stretch your legs and smooth down your elegant forest green full length gown to avoid any creases when he arrives. You remember purchasing this for a wedding that you never went to, since your college friends had split months before the event, but instead of returning it, you kept it. It had only been worn once, and since it wasn't anything outrageous or over the top, you assimilated it perfectly into your wardrobe for keeps.
Going over to a mirror, you check over your looks once more to make sure none of your make up was slipping. You weren't big on the full face ordeal and thankfully neither was Rick, deciding on curling your eyelashes and applying a neutral shade of lipstick to make your lips pop. Your brown hair was styled up, about a million pins were used in your up-do, keeping rigid and firm in a bun that appeared like a bee hive. Normally you had it down, and sure it would've been fine to both Rick and yourself to wear it down naturally, but with the length of it, you would be sitting on it for almost the whole night. You gawk at yourself some more, enjoying the silver dangling earrings you had picked for the night, to compliment a certain diamond you were yearning for.
You were honestly a beauty; a rose in a vase full of dandelions, a toy in a box of cereal, a true, one of a kind lady for the one of a kind Rick.
"Where is he." You let out some frustration as you check your phone one more and look out your apartment window. Nothing. You throw it down on the leather couch, plopping down once again in wait.
Since you had time to waste, without a single response from Rick about being late, you reminisce of the past four years.
Now, things haven't always been light and dreamy between both you and Rick. Hell, your first time meeting him was at a bar where you drunkenly kissed him after he led you off to the bathroom for a quicky. Drunk fuelled sex wasn't that great, but the idea of Rick pushing you against the bathroom stall as he rammed you from behind was something you couldn't forget. He had called you the next morning, drowsy and hung over and you almost ended the call, thinking it was someone else trying to hit you up, but as soon as he mentioned the bathroom, all your memories and emotions started flooding back.
Your immediate thought throughout the call was to ask if he was begging for sex, but he reassured you with plenty of no's that he wanted to meet, without the aid of alcohol. Meeting him made you blush so much at the local diner, at how cool and collected he appeared, with his spikey blue hair reigniting the flame you had the night before. He was in his signature lab coat which grew on you through the years, but you loved it equally as much when he surprised you with what was inside. He was an enigma, a mystery you wanted to solve. It was that, that kept you hooked on for as long as you had, wanting to learn and love every little thing about him, even if he tried to block you off sometimes.
There were topics amongst you that weren't allowed to be mentioned, mostly about his family, but after meeting them accidentally after another drunk hazed night, the barriers did melt away to allow you into his world. He brought you first to a city on the other side of America to get you accustomed to how portals work, dizziness being a major factor in something you had to overcome, but the more he portaled you both around, the more you wanted a challenge.
Rick's smirking image flashes in your annoyed mind. You recall how he sounded, so proud of himself for inventing this and also how you acted, screaming out of your mind as he portaled under both your feet into a planet with colours you couldn't even imagine. You clung to him as a stranger in a strange land, but he didn't laugh or berate you. You remember how his lips felt as he kissed you, soft, warm, allowing you to melt completely into them and easing your anxiety on this new outlet of your life.
It was then where Rick invited you to more outings with his grandchildren, strengthening your love and understanding for the man, saving and protecting you with new encounters. Rick had also brought you out a few times to breath taking sights, where you both embraced each other and enjoyed just being together. It was blissful, it was right.
Just the man who you always wanted to be with, and so the rest was history.
A key jimmies into the lock and you stand up to greet Rick. You had exchanged keys years earlier so you weren't surprised to see who was at the door.
"Darling," You speak first, taking in his suited up physique. Grey, just the one you had bought him with a deep red pocket square in the jacket, "Rick, Happy anniversary."
He strides up to you and hooks an arm at the small of your back, pulling you into his lips. You greedily take them against yours, moaning in his embrace. He smiles against you and you smile back, allowing the tiny gap for him to slide his tongue in and entwine with yours. You love how sweet he tastes against you and your annoyance is swept away with the deepening with the kiss. Sadly things do come to an end as you pull apart, playfully handling his sleeve.
"Happy anniversary, my love. Sorry, I'm late, I just had to do a quick thing with Morty."
You don't question it since your hopefully it could be the surprise, so you nod and pick up your purse so he can direct you to the evening's plans. The place he had picked was local, one that required reservations on seating months ahead. Rick can clearly put some thought into this and it ticked all the boxes on the checklist for what would be a proposal. A pink rose greets you on the table and as he seats you down, you lean forward to sniff it. You see Rick smile, knowing he chose right for you.
With food ordered, and you both settled in, you start some conversation, noticing how awkward you both appeared.
Scratching behind your ear as a nervous tick you lower your voice, to not be overheard with the nearby tables. "I wanted to see you sooner. I missed you Rick."
"I know, but we have the rest of our lives together, can't you see?" Was he? Was Rick hinting at something special tonight. It piques your interest and you feel your body language soften into him.
"Oh I would never, never doubt the great Rick," You cheekily reply, "I just wish you sent me a message telling me you would be late. I wouldn't have to sit around in this dress for so long, and been lazy."
"Well you know, no reception in space and all. I was maybe out there with Morty for half a day at least, had to get a part for my ship and also buy a few small things." Okay, now he was taunting you.
"What small things?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." He teases back and it sends shivers down your spine with his playful voice.
Things go smoothly as you both eat. Anticipation almost kills you as the night goes on and you can't help but fidget. The prize is so close to you, but until you are presented with a ring you can't stop the feeling in your whole being.
You lay down your utensils after a delicious main course of gnocchi you had picked out for yourself and Rick does the same. He places a hand on yours, while wiping away the main course with a napkin that stained his lips. You've seen plenty of romance movies to know where this leads to and lean in.
Time freezes, appearing as if you both are the only ones in the room.
Your heart skips a beat in excitement. Your life, your romantic entanglements have all cumulated to this moment. You sit still, eyes yearning for Rick to pop the question, lips slightly parted to immediately say yes when he does.
"You're stunning. I hope you know that I love you. I really... Really want us to reach out fifth year together." Beaming, teeth exposed in his smile. You love what he said, but it just falls flat in your heart. Was that it? He was just toying with your emotions and stringing you along? But Rick wouldn't mean that would he? You weren't exactly dead weight, having a stable life and place of your own so you didn't cramp Rick's style. So why hadn't he given you the one thing you wanted since starting this relationship?
It's not like you hadn't discussed it before, but you can't quite recall his answer. Did he say yes or outright no? It draws a blank. Nevertheless, you're dumbfounded at him. You almost want to pull your hand away, but you don't want to cause a scene.
Rick gulps at your silence and cocks one side of his eyebrow up. You take a second longer to memories that he had said five years, not your current four which relieved your heart minimally. "I love you too Rick, I will always love you, ever since our frisky night," You wink, unsure where this mini speech was going, "I'm actually at loss for words honestly. How do I really describe my love here, rather than our usual hangouts."
"Don't force yourself if you can't find the words. I know you want me. Let's just enjoy desert and the rest of the night alright, no need to have this ruined by a measly few words. Rick was right, just in a different way. You had to focus on the goal of being together, not the prized jewel. It was hard, tremendously hard to focus on something else instead of the hype you had built up over the last week, but this was Rick and he wasn't a man to joke around.
"Sure, I hope they have that mousse I enjoy."
"They'll have anything you want and dream of."
Ill conceived words as another low blow to your expectations. It almost makes you put off from dessert but you have a few spoonfuls to avoid questioning.
You were both out of the packed seating and into the darkened street where you could relax. Rick's a few inches taller than you, but with your heels clacking against the pavement, you almost appear as the same height. He interlocks his fingers with yours and slowly starts strolling in no particular direction in the cool, evening breeze. You slightly shiver, and he pulls you closer, his heat radiating out his jacket, onto your shoulder.
"So where to? A bar?"
No thanks. You didn't want to grimace, you tried your best to not show disappointment in something that wasn't guaranteed. Yet, you felt defeated, your heart blaring in your ears with tense pressure against your skull.
"Maybe... Maybe I should just head home." Words ride out of your lips, and Rick's eyes flicker for a split second. You could almost see the hurt in those ocean blues, but you couldn't let him dictate how you felt.
"W-Why?" He holds onto your hand for dear life. You don't move it away from him since he didn't technically do anything wrong; the mood, the setting, it was your hypothetical proposal you were dreaming about for too long that sways your emotions.
He stops, as do you.
"Babe, what's wrong?" He cups your cheek and gazes at your expression to dictate if something was wrong. But you know he won't find nothing with your slight smile still masking your emotions.
Rick's known you for too long to be thrown off my a 'you're fine' so you decide on a different tactic. You can't tell him you're tired, even if midnight is slowly approaching, and any deflecting answer about tonight would only draw in more questions. But would it be so wrong to tell him what you expected? Your mind stalls at your own thoughts, quickly realising that you would ruin an otherwise perfect night. You had to double down, offer him something where his rational mind wouldn't bother to question.
"How about coming back with me?" Lust shines through your eyes as your inner conscious criticises your tact about this. You move into Rick to close the gap, pressing your chilled lips against his. He takes you amongst yours, giving more than just a peck. It's not as as steamy as ones that are done in private but you feel heat creep up in your cheeks, flushing red.
"Now that I can do." Half lidded eyes accompany his soothing voice.
You sigh in relief in your mind at him following along, knowing full well you had to perform in bed when you both arrived at your place. That didn't bother you so much, knowing all too well that when Rick's cock was erect, he could easily get you in the mood; any time, any place.