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The car ride was peaceful, they arrived a few days ago in Thailand for a small getaway trip. Mok was driving with one hand on the steering wheel, the other held in the hands of his boyfriend, soon to be fiance if everything went well with his plan. He has been planning this trip for so long, being alone with Rome in the place they held so many dear memories close. The perfect place for a proposal.
After Thee first rubbed it in his face that he was married while Mok was still stuck in a weird place with Rome, he’s been thinking about the possibility of being married to Rome one day, how nice would it be to wake up everyday with the most special person to him by his side, spending every moment together sounded like heaven on earth, but that’s how Rome felt to him in general.
He was smiling to himself thinking about how their lives might change in a few days from this moment, not noticing that Rome has been trying to catch his attention for the past ten minutes, only snapping out of it when he heard the sulky huff he was too familiar with by now. With the fondest sigh he could ever muster, he turned to look at the figure now facing away from him, even letting go of his hand. He was so dramatic but Mok loved him so much.
He tried to put his hand on Rome’s thigh, get him to look at him for a second, but Rome just shrugged it off, mumbling under his breath about being ignored and Mok not loving him anymore, the latter couldn’t help but roll his eyes, now Rome is just making stuff up and getting upset at them, “Puppy, I’m not ignoring you, I was just lost in thought,” Mok said, trying to wipe the pout off or he’d park the car and bite it off his lips himself.
He startled at the gasp Rome let out, finally turning to look at him, the pout, as Mok hoped, was off his face but instead of the smile he loved so much there was a shocked expression, with his hand on his chest dramatically, Rome said, “So you don’t love me anymore? I knew it! You didn’t even deny it, Mok!” He sat back in his seat, slouching down with his arms crossed over his chest, the nerve of his boyfriend!
If Mok didn’t know what he was getting into from day one he would’ve been baffled at the outburst, but all he had in him was another eyeroll, he really had to spell it out to gain forgiveness, he reached with his hand and pulled Rome’s up to his lips, leaving a small peck on the back of it before putting it on his own thigh and holding it there, “If I didn’t love you then I wouldn’t be here,” he could see from his peripheral how the other tried to hide his smile, but he knew everything was fine when he stopped pulling his hand from under Mok’s.
Rome couldn’t fight the smile for longer, “I love you too, kitty,” completely ignoring the third and very fond eyeroll from Mok, even if he acted annoyed by the nickname he never stopped Rome outright from using it, and the latter knows him too well anyway.
The silence surrounded them again, hand in hand now with nobody sulking at the other for silly reasons, Mok broke it again, only now remembering before Rome’s little tantrum he was actually trying to get his attention, “oh you wanted to say something, baby?” stealing a glance at him before taking a turn, they’re almost at the gate of the beach house.
Rome also seemed to forget that he had anything to share with him, “oh, I was going to ask if you knew what P’Kian is up to?” he was bluffing, he knew exactly what his brother was doing, after all, Rome was the one who asked him for this favor. He was almost gonna blow his cover before he sulked at Mok for a total of two minutes, while the latter was busy spacing out Rome was thinking of what he had planned for them later and might have been talking to himself out loud, it was when he realized it that he noticed Mok wasn’t paying attention at all. It was good for him but also how dare he not pay attention to him?
Mok hummed in thought, he talked with Peach yesterday morning, for all he knew they were just chilling on their weekend off from work. He replied while getting the car in the parking space, “I’m not sure, probably doing nothing with Khun Peach. Why don’t you ask him yourself?” checking his mirrors and making sure the car is well within the spot and not over the lines, before turning to Rome with a questioning look, he was the one who usually knew what Thee was doing, he was his brother after all.
Before he could get himself in a worse situation than this, Rome opens his door and jumps out of the car stretching his limbs before looking back at his boyfriend still in the car, “why would I call P’Kian now when we’re spending time together without him? I don’t really fancy hearing his annoying voice,” he added an eyeroll just to sell it more, but it was half the truth, who would want to call their stupid brother when they have their lover all to themselves for a few days before they’re back to work? Definitely not Rome. At least not after the greeting hugs when they first arrived from Hong Kong.
With a shake of his head Mok got out of the car, going around to the trunk to get their luggage out, they’re only staying for one day in the beach house so they didn’t have much to bring with them. Pulling both their small suitcases, he closed the trunk and walked up to Rome, grabbing his hand when he tried to hold one of the bags and instead wrapping it around his arm, “Come on then let’s put our things in our room before going to the beach,” he took off, only laughing at Rome’s failed attempt at trying to grab the bags from him.
They walked with their arms linked, both thinking about what they had planned for the evening. Each lost in their mind but wondering the same thing; how the other would react to what they had up their sleeves.
***
Rome was trying to be as subtle as he could be, but it was hard to act normal when he had a ring box in his pocket for three days and trying to hide it from the person who shared a bed with him, almost impossible if he’s being honest, he has no idea how he managed to keep it on the low until now.
After ten years of being in love with Mok but not being able to even hold him close, the minute they became boyfriends Rome has been thinking of getting married to Mok, what could be better than having Mok with him all the time, not that he isn’t glued to his side now but being married feels much different. Mainly that he can call Mok his husband without sounding delusional, or better, call himself Mok’s husband, he was already feeling giddy at the thought alone.
When they arrived at the mansion, Rome dragged his brother away for quality time, or so he told Mok and Peach when they asked, what they were really doing was planning this moment, Thee was the only person that proposed to someone that Rome knew so he was his only option. Plub joining in on the chaos wasn’t in his original plan but he knew how his brother was when it came to matters of the heart, over the top, so he was a little thankful that they forgot to lock the door which is how Plub walked in on them trying to think.
It was way better with her since she could see when him or Kian were doing too much, he still thinks Kian’s idea of writing it in the sky was pretty cool, and his own when he suggested buying a new vacation house to have a nice evening in, but he’ll take Plub’s word for those maybe being a tad bit too much for someone like Mok, he wasn’t a big fan of the exaggerated nature of the Lee family. But she did agree that since it’s a proposal he should go all out, just the normal people all out.
He couldn’t hear the water running in the shower anymore so he scrambled to hide the ring box back in his jacket pocket, right at the moment he put it away he saw Mok walking back into the room with wet hair and a towel around his waist, smiling at Rome before turning around to get his clothes from his suitcase. Rome was only a man after all, so if he followed the waterdrops’ path from the back of his boyfriend’s hair down his broad back to where the towel stops with the most focused gaze he could muster, then that’s between him and Mok’s back only.
Getting up from his seat on the bed, he slid behind Mok, wrapping his arms around his waist and nuzzling his face into his neck, not caring if he got a little wet, what’s a little water when he has his lover in his arms anyway. Mok smiled at their intertwined reflection in the mirror, slipping his hand through Rome’s hair ruffling it when he felt the latter leave small butterfly kisses on the base of his neck before taking a deep breath and tucking his face back under Mok’s jaw. To think that there’s people out there afraid of his boyfriend, he’s basically a big puppy when it comes to Mok, no mafia boss to be seen.
“You should also go shower, baby. It was a long trip here,” he chuckled at the whine leaving Rome and how his arms tightened around his waist, he turned to look at him and left a kiss on his hair, smiling wider when Rome looked up at him with the biggest pout. Now Mok wasn’t immune to his boyfriend’s pleading face, but he had a plan to work on and he needed the other man away even for ten minutes, “those puppy eyes will get you nowhere, go now and stop wasting time,” he said that while pulling off his arms from around him.
He watched him drag his feet to the bathroom while complaining to himself, shaking his head fondly he went to grab his clothes that he laid out already, pulling them on quickly before reaching for his phone to go though his notes app once again, yes he wrote down the steps of his plan and what he wanted to say to Rome. Not like he’d forget it, it’s been the only thing on his mind for a while, but he liked to be prepared just in case he actually forgot a step or a word, Rome deserved the best proposal and Mok wanted to give it to him.
Mok was pretty sure he could never ask Thee for help, he is Rome’s brother and probably the person who knows him best other than Mok himself, but his ways of showing love are not something he was willing to do, after all he was witness to how he was trying to get Peach to be his boyfriend, it was, for the lack of a better word, too much. And no matter how much he loved Rome, he doesn’t think he could do anything close to what Thee would advise him to.
So, he went to the next best person, Peach himself. Mok has gotten a lot closer to Peach, he was kind, fun to be around although a big change to the chaos he grew up with from the Lee siblings, but it was very much a welcome change. It only felt natural to ask him.
He didn’t like too much attention ever since he was a kid, so he wanted this moment to be for them only. Living a life under close watch for both of them wasn’t great, at least their first step to a new chapter of their life would be theirs, when they look back there won’t be ten bodyguards surrounding them or three butlers standing by their side listening to him pour his heart out for Rome.
Ultimately, Mok decided with Peach that it’d be pretty simple, a spot near the beach with fairy lights and a small campfire for when it gets dark, maybe a table close with food for them. Nothing fancy but very much them. Peach even volunteered to help set up which was perfect so Mok didn’t have to try running away from Rome to do it, something that seemed impossible considering how clingy he was acting today.
They should be getting started soon anyway, in the meantime though, he will try distracting Rome as much as he could, probably won’t be too hard knowing how Rome would just go along with whatever he wanted.
***
Outside the room, in an empty space near the beach you can see Thee and Plub bickering over where to put the ridiculous amount of flowers that Rome ordered and asked them to set up while he and Mok chill in their room until the evening. ”No, P’Thee! The pinks should go on the right and the blues on the left!” Plub said after Thee kept mixing the colors together, honestly he had zero eye for organizing and he was only making the job harder for her.
Rome wanted to make this proposal one of the most special memories for Mok, he wanted it to be unforgettable, it already couldn’t be anyway but he wanted more. He wanted this day to be as special to them as the day they first said I love you or the first time they called each other boyfriend. Even more special than that, Rome already knew that Mok was it for him, ever since he fell in love with Mok and realized it, nobody ever made him feel the way Mok did, this proposal was merely for the memories because if you asked Rome he’d tell you that the moment Mok said I love you back to him Rome knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Mok.
And that’s why he got Plub and Kian all the supplies and all they had to do was set up everything for them, flowers of various colors and fairy lights, he wanted to do fireworks spelling out ‘Will you marry me?’ but Plub thought it was doing a little too much and since he and his brother have no grip on what could be too much for their loved ones he trusted her vision and cancelled it.
Thee was about to be annoyed at Plub turning down all his suggestions, crossing his arms and facing away from her the pout fell off his face as fast as it settled on it, “Lookpeach!” At his call Plub turns to check if it’s actually her brother or Thee just lost it, only to be met with Peach walking casually to them with a questioning expression followed closely by Mira whom Thee left to stay with his ‘precious Lookpeach’ his words not hers.
The second Peach got close enough to them, he was wondering what brought them here since Thee said he’ll have some business to attend to, not that he’d be at the beach house decorating with flowers and lights with his little sister. But before he could voice any of those questions, he found his husband wrapped around his arm with his head on his shoulder, “My Lookpeach! You missed Phi so much you followed me here? You’re so sweet my baby!”
As much as he wanted to, Peach couldn’t hide the smile that bloomed on his face, deliberately ignoring the way Plub was looking at them with an expression twisted between disgust and fondness. He plants a kiss on Thee’s head, before replying, “Actually, Mok asked for my help,” chuckling at how Thee lets go of him with a betrayed look, the pout taking place yet again.
Peach leans in again now leaving a peck on the other man’s cheek softly, hand searching for Thee’s to hold, before continuing to look for an answer himself, “What about you two? I thought you had work to do?” Thee was about to answer his husband when Plub let out the loudest gasp, hand slapping against her mouth with her eyes gleaming in mischief.
Mira had her hand on her holster, ready for any kind of danger and looking around to see what made Plub gasp like that. To their surprise Plub just laughed after that, clutching her stomach at what seemed to be the funniest thing ever to her. They didn’t notice it but it doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together, Mok needing Peach’s help, Rome needing Thee’s, at a place Rome always told her held a special place to them. These idiots were really meant to be.
When she finally stopped laughing at the absurdity of the moment, she looked up at the confused faces looking at her, she can’t believe they still haven’t connected the dots, especially her brother. She stared at them and when she knew they wouldn't get it she sighed, “Do you really not get it? Mok needing help from P’Peach on the same day Rome needs our help?”
Peach made an understanding noise, a playful smirk on his face now that he got what Plub meant, Thee was still lost though, looking back and forth between the two siblings as if that would help him get it. The youngest one just rolled her eyes at him and gave her brother a look that said ‘he’s your problem’ so Peach turned to his husband, “They’re both planning to propose today, P’Kian,”
Honestly if it had to be anyone that would have this cheesy and corny proposal, Plub had no doubt that it would be Rome and Mok. Even the couple standing next to her right now would never be in this crazy coincidence no matter how cringey and lovey-dovey they get. It doesn't take much to notice the love between them that would get them in this situation.
Maybe she hasn't been around since their childhood like Thee has, or wasn't in their presence as much as Peach was, but she could tell what they had was special even before they were official. Actually, she and Rome got along pretty well when she first met him at their brothers’ wedding, and then too she could see that what he felt for Mok was something way bigger than a little crush. He told her too after the wedding how he had liked his brother's bodyguard ever since he was a teenager. On those nights where he couldn't confide in Thee or Peach about his love, he always called her and they'd talk for hours. Plub knew that what he felt for Mok was more than words could ever say.
Before she could get distracted thinking about how perfect they are for each other, Peach interrupts her train of thought, “Then, let’s not waste time. We have a proposal to prepare for,” as much as he wanted to talk about how the whole thing is just so cute, the two love birds are depending on them and he won’t let them be disappointed.
Together they started working around the space, trying to mix Rome’s extravagant taste with Mok’s subtle style, Plub and Thee already managed to organize most of Rome’s flowers, Mok didn’t want much, Peach suggested maybe a campfire and nice music, with Mira’s help he managed to get a nice speaker to set the atmosphere. The flowers were all around in the corners, leaving the fire in the middle of it, fairy lights strung around and the speaker pushed up to the side, not taking space but surely they could hear it when they sat down on the seats surrounding the fire.
Peach dusted his hands after adjusting some of the flowers next to the seats Thee set up around the fire. Dusting his hands off he took a look around the place, it looked totally different than it was half an hour ago, he hoped the two would find it as romantic as they wished for. They weren’t needed anymore in the scene so he was just about to call for the rest of them to pack and go before either Rome or Mok showed up.
“P’Kian, let’s go now. They’re going to be here any minute now,” Peach said, looking down at his watch checking the time. When he was met with a few whispers instead of an answer, he looked up with his brows furrowed only to see Plub pushing his husband who was looking hesitant and even a little bit scared. He knew that whatever he was going to hear in the next thirty seconds wasn’t something he'd be glad to hear. He crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow in anticipation for what his dear husband was preparing to say.
Thee stood in front of him, looking like a kid ready to be scolded because he knew what he’s asking for will be met with a big no. He took a deep breath, looked up at Peach’s eyes only to look away after one millisecond. Turning around to give Plub a pleading look, trying to tell her telepathically to spare him but the younger only glared at him, mouthing ‘get a grip, Phi,’ making him close his eyes and sigh deeply. Turning back around to face his husband who looks mildly amused now, watching the exchange with a knowing glint in his eyes.
He put on a big smile, trying to win with charm only, “Lookpeach, what if, and this is totally Plub’s idea, we stay to spy on them?” ignoring the offended look shooted at him from the youngest, he batted his eyes, pulling all his cards out just for his Peach to agree. When he saw the way Peach just sighed, about to tell him off for wanting to spy on his little brother and soon-to-be fiance, Thee just gave him the biggest puppy eyes ever, hands wrapping around his arm, “Please, baby,” and if the way he looked defeated was anything to go by, Thee knew he won this time with only puppy eyes and one plea.
***
The only thing heard in the room was the sound of their heavy breaths, for the past hour or so they’ve been tangled up in the bed just kissing each other. After Mok got a text from Peach saying he and Mira were there and setting up for them, he was thinking of how to distract his boyfriend for the time they spent working. He didn’t have to think for much longer when said boyfriend stepped out of the bathroom in only his shorts, hair wet and pushed off his face, Mok wasn’t the strongest when it came to his boyfriend looking like that.
It was just unfortunate enough for him that Rome was well aware of his effect on him, and if Mok knew Rome, which he did, he was sure that he was doing it on purpose, and if it wasn’t obvious enough, the way Rome smirked over his shoulder at him while walking over to lay down on the bed, groaning after he stretched, his muscles and wet skin on full display for Mok to look at, made it all the more clear that Rome wasn’t as innocent as he was trying to appear.
Mok looked away for only a second, trying to get a grip on his very little self control, which he never had when it came to the other man. But also, he needed to keep both him and Rome busy, and it wouldn’t be too out of the ordinary for him to walk over and get on the bed too, pinning Rome down with his hands on each side of his head. He loved the little surprised smile Rome had on his face every time Mok did something that was a little bit out of character for him. As if Rome didn’t plan to have him on top like this.
He tilted his head at the smug smile replacing the small surprise that was on Rome’s face, leaning down to bite the soft skin behind his ear, satisfied at the little sound leaving his boyfriend’s lips, “What are you smiling about, hm?” continuing to kiss the same spot then down his neck, leaving another bite on the base of his throat.
Raising his arms up to wrap them around the other’s neck, Rome closed his eyes, letting himself enjoy the feeling of his boyfriend’s lips on him. Sighing when Mok sucks a small hickey on the column of his neck, in his mind he was grateful his own plan to distract Mok while Plub and Thee set up the place for them is going exactly where he wanted it to go.
“I just love you like this,” he answered the question, hands slipping to the other’s hair, still a little damp from his own shower, pulling him up to meet his lips, pecking him once then twice before taking his lower lip between his, slightly grazing it with his teeth before biting down on it and pulling it back, enjoying the small wince from Mok and watching how his lip slightly reddens with a sheen of his own saliva coating it.
Mok raised his eyebrow, leaning down to kiss Rome deeper, he’d never get tired of feeling the other’s lips on his own, it was one of his top favorite feelings ever. Pulling back slightly, whispering against his lips, “Like what?” not giving Rome a chance to think let alone answer, before slotting their lips together again, this time biting down on his upper lip, making Rome moan quietly, granting him access to explore the wet heat inside his mouth.
When he pulled back, a string of saliva connected their lips. Rome had to take a moment to catch his breath, leaving Mok to go back to kissing his neck, before he answered, “Like you can’t resist me even if you tried,” fingers playing with the short hairs at Mok’s nape, pulling it when he feels the other’s teeth biting into his skin.
Mok leaned away after kissing over the spot he just bit down on, looking at Rome’s eyes, he looked so pretty like this, cheeks flushed from the heat between them, the flush spreading down to his chest, lips red and swollen from the kissing, neck littered with small red marks courtesy of his own teeth, eyes half lidded but still the most gorgeous pair he ever looked at, kissing him again, he replied, “it’s because I can’t, especially when you look like this,” leaning back down to kiss him, deep and passionate.
His hands travelled down to his boyfriend’s waist, gripping it so tight Rome moaned into the kiss, Mok taking the opening to explore Rome’s mouth, before pulling back, smiling at how Rome arches up, chasing the feeling of Mok’s tongue. As the time passed by their lips got swollen and red, if they could they would stay like this forever, it was that easy to get lost in the feeling of each other pressed up together, kissing and kissing until they’re both breathless and gasping against the other’s lips.
And that is how they spent the past hour, hands roaming over their bodies and lips never leaving the other’s skin for even a second. Everything outside their little cocoon disappeared for that moment, only thing in both their minds is how in a few minutes they’d be back in this room, kissing like there’s no tomorrow but with different labels, that will change their lives by a lot but only for the better.
***
After they finally managed to tear apart from each other, it was made harder by Rome who kept pulling Mok back down every time he tried to lean away and get off him. Mok stood up and went to grab his phone from where he left it on the vanity that was opposite the bed, checking it to see that Peach texted him around fifteen minutes ago that they were done and he could get his boyfriend there whenever he wanted.
He turned around, staring for a minute longer at the figure still half naked on the bed, deep down enjoying the look of his neck all marked up. Hoping it doesn’t come off as weird or rushed, he said, “Hey, let’s go sit outside by the beach,” he was trying not to sound suspicious but he felt like he was doing too much.
Lucky for him, his boyfriend was pretty distracted trying to also get him out of the room and to the place Thee and Plub set up for them. When Mok said that, Rome jumped at the opportunity, acting nonchalant he replied with a nod, not wanting to seem too eager and expose himself somehow.
They dressed up in mostly silence, both trying to play it off like they just wanted to take a walk by the beach with their most special person and nothing more, but if Mok reached for his favorite watch, a gift from Rome that gave him a little comfort, and Rome grabbed his perfume that he only put on for special occasions, then they chose to ignore it and not point it out.
Rome reached over for Mok’s hand after he finished adjusting his shirt, interlocking their fingers and pulling him closer to his side, leaving a small kiss on his cheek before dragging him out of the door, both leaving the room with bright smiles on their faces.
Even if he tried to hide it, Mok was very nervous. He was already going over the speech in his head. Walking hand in hand with Rome to the perfect spot for them, he just hoped his palms weren’t as sweaty as his mind would like him to believe so.
It was only a short walk from their room so they arrived pretty fast, the scene they walked into looked straight out of a fairytale that had their names all over it. Rome looked around feeling incredibly proud of his helpers, the place was even better than he imagined it. Mok on the other hand, didn’t remember Peach telling him about all those flowers.
One look at Rome’s very prideful face and he could tell that he was behind it, “Were you planning something, baby?” Mok asked, only to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, Peach married Thee willingly, he must have a flair for the dramatics to a certain extent.
Rome didn’t want to give himself away so fast, but Mok just knew him too well. He was about to start sweating just thinking of accidentally spilling out the word proposal, so he tried to play it cool as much as he could, “well, I wanted us to have some special time alone,” bringing Mok’s hand up to his lips and leaving a little kiss there, “it’s not like we’ll have the chance to be here all the time. I want it to be unforgettable.”
Mok couldn’t help how his heart fluttered at that, pulling their joined hands closer to his own lips, kissing Rome’s knuckles softly, “Any time with you is special, Rome. Anywhere is unforgettable as long as I have you by my side,” looking in his eyes, feeling the happiness radiating off him as his smile grew bigger and his cheeks flushed matching Mok’s. He couldn’t wait for Rome to, more officially, be his alone.
They walked closer to the seats by the fire, finally taking a seat and everything now feels much more than just a lovely date. It settles in Rome’s mind that he’s actually doing this now, he never thought him and Mok would get to this point in their relationship where he gets to get on one knee asking him to spend the rest of their lives together devoted to each other.
He was too focused on his own words that he was about to say, trying to get them as elegant as possible even if he was pretty sure he would forget everything the minute he looked into Mok’s eyes. He didn’t even notice how Mok was also nervous, fidgeting with his fingers, spaced out and everything.
Honestly, Rome didn’t even question the fire or the music, he was solely focused on his proposal and making it feel magical for Mok that he didn’t even suspect that his boyfriend is planning to do the exact same thing. They made small talk, something they never did, but both of them had too much on their mind to think of a topic to discuss. They ended up talking about the weather out of everything, it was a little windy.
They both were unaware of the four pairs of eyes watching them from a little far away, far enough to be unseen but not far enough to not hear what they were saying, the place was quiet anyway so it was easy to understand what they’re talking about.
Which is why Plub sighed a little loudly, brushing off the glare Peach shot her way, for someone who didn’t want to spy he sure seems interested now, “Why are they talking about the weather? They should be confessing their undying love to each other by now!” she whispered to Mira next to her.
The older woman only laughed at first, before replying, “Khun, they’re obviously nervous. It’s a big step, they can’t just jump into it,” shaking her head at the bored and frustrated huff the youngest of them let out, she really wanted to see the proposal but they’re taking forever to get it together.
They got shushed by Thee this time, “Looks like something is about to happen!” The two looked up in anticipation, waiting for anything to happen even if Rome and Mok looked the exact same for the past fifteen minutes.
Peach interlocked his arm with Thee’s, leaning his head on his husband’s shoulder before saying, “this reminds me of the day you proposed,” sighing softly at the memory before turning his head to leave a small kiss on Thee’s shoulder.
Thee closed his eyes, thinking back at how nervous he was to sing for a proposal but seeing the look on his Lookpeach’s face was so worth it, he leaned his head on Peach’s, both lost in their own world and not seeing how the two girls next to them shared a look with a smile at them being this cute even after all this time together, though knowing that their honeymoon lasted almost a whole year, them still being this lovey dovey makes sense.
Unaware of Plub’s judgemental gaze, Rome was now feeling himself sweat just a bit. Mok was talking about their drive over but he was only staring at the way his lips moved and barely took any word he said in. He touched the ring box in his pocket, trying to hype himself up and to just do it now.
Mok was trying to fill the silence, he does that a lot when he’s nervous and it didn’t help that Rome was weirdly quiet. He turned to him, Rome seemed to snap out of the trance he was in when Mok looked him in the eye, “Hey, are you feeling okay, baby? You’re not this quiet normally,” he was just worried at this point, if Rome was sick or something he would have to postpone this proposal.
Rome took one deep breath, instead of answering with words, he took Mok’s hands in his and got down on one knee facing Mok. He saw how the worried expression was quickly wiped off, a surprised one taking its place.
“Mok, I have loved you for most of my life, actually, I don’t remember a time where I didn’t love you,” he started off, completely forgetting all the words he wanted to say. All his preparations out the window, now he was just improvising, “I have never been this infatuated with someone ever, nobody ever understood me the way you do. Nobody loved me the way you do, even if back then you wouldn’t admit it to anyone, maybe not even to yourself.”
Now Mok realized it, why Rome has been extra clingy, why he prepared the place to look otherworldly, why he was acting off for the past few minutes. The only thing he could think of at the moment was how this coincidence will of course happen to them out of everyone.
Rome continued, feeling his heart skip a beat, “when you left with P’Kian it was like someone took a piece of my being and hid it from me, I missed you so much, more than words can say. Those few days I got to spend with you during my birthdays were the highlight of the year. I always wished that the time would stop so I could spend as long as my heart desires being in your presence. That alone was enough to get me through the rest of the year until I got to meet you again.”
What Rome wasn’t very aware of, was how the wind was a little too strong. While he was busy with his speech, somehow the fire caught onto the small bundle of flowers opposite of them. In his defense, it was actually behind him so he wouldn’t be able to notice it anyway. But that made it right in the middle of Mok’s field of sight.
If he was being honest, Mok was too busy staring at the man kneeling in front of him that everything else blurred, it took a minute longer than it should for him to notice that the fire is becoming unusually bigger than it was when they first sat down. But the problem was, Rome was still talking, and Mok didn’t know how to interrupt him. “Rome-” he tried to get his attention, but the younger was too engrossed in his speech to even blink at that.
Rome might have not noticed the fire but what he did notice was the tensing in Mok’s shoulders and the shifting of his eyes, at that moment the only thing that his anxious brain provided as a reason to Mok being this distracted is one thing only. He is going to reject Rome. Suddenly all the words he was about to say just faded away. Did he read all this wrong? Was Mok not ready for this step? Was he ready for it? He couldn’t let that happen, he was already on one knee, the ring in his possession for months now, this was the perfect moment for him but what if it wasn’t the same for Mok.
He faltered for a second, his voice going quieter, getting a little hesitant, “Oh god, Mok, why are you not looking at me?” He couldn’t even hide the disappointment in his voice, it wasn’t directed at Mok, never. It was all towards himself, for listening to Plub’s idea, that must be why Mok is upset, Rome didn’t go as all out as he could. He was cursing Plub in his head over Mok’s very obviously disappointed expression, “I knew I shouldn’t have listened to Plub! I mean, what’s so bad about having your face across the sky with fireworks? It would have been so romantic! But someone said no and I was stupid enough to actually listen and now you hate this whole proposal don’t you?”
On the other side, while everyone was worried about the fire Plub was sitting there sulking, “why is he throwing me under the bus? It’s not my fault that he’s blind and can’t see a whole fire behind him!”
Now Rome was officially rambling, and as much as Mok adores it and thinks it’s cute it really wasn’t the time for it. He had to move fast before the fire got really out of hand, with great effort he let go of Rome’s hands getting up to get the fire extinguisher to stop the disaster, ignoring the small protest from his boyfriend.
“Hey! Mok, where are you going?” he finally looked up, watching the other man walk away from him, “I wasn’t done talking- wait is that a fire?” following Mok with his eyes he found that a small bunch of flowers was burning to the ground, “Why didn’t you say anything, Mok?!”
The only thing Mok could do was roll his eyes fondly at that while putting out the fire, “as if you give me the chance to do that?” taking a glance at Rome and laughing under his breath at how he flushes, probably thinking of how he embarrassed himself by jumping into conclusions.
After a few minutes Mok successfully put out the fire, he puts down the fire extinguisher and turns around to face Rome, his face falls at the sight of his boyfriend looking like a small kicked puppy. He strode back to where the other man was sitting, his hand reached out to grasp his chin in a gentle but firm hold, tilting Rome’s face up to look at him, he asked in a soft tone, “baby, what’s wrong?”
Rome sighed loudly, burying his face into Mok’s warm palms, “I ruined the proposal, Mok,” even something simple like this he couldn’t do for his lover, he wasn’t paying attention when he should’ve and ended up being taken care of by Mok once again. He couldn’t help but feel like he failed Mok in some way, even with him he couldn’t relax fully when he has to take care of Rome, and Rome wanted to be reliable for Mok but he obviously can’t, “I get it if you think I’m not responsible enough to take this step with you, it’s fine if you don’t want to say yes.”
Mok couldn’t believe this man, but he has been once in his position, maybe not with the same exact feeling, Mok’s own insecurities weren’t really about Rome rather about Rome’s reaction. If he was being honest he also couldn’t believe himself back then, to think he really thought Rome would ever like him less for trivial things, the version of him from a few years back thought it was a really big deal but now? Years into their relationship, Mok knows his place in Rome’s heart very well, and Rome too, with all his recklessness, holds not only a place but his whole heart in his hands.
He decided that Rome has said enough, maybe now it was Mok’s turn, nudging his face to get him to look back at him, melting at the sight of Rome looking so devastated, “Puppy, you haven’t ruined anything,” Mok was never good at words, trying to say what was on his mind is still hard no matter how much he worked on it, but one thing that was never had for him was loving Rome.
Taking a deep breath, he tried just saying the first things that came to mind, Rome tried so hard for this night to be special and Mok wasn’t about to let his efforts go to waste, “Rome, maybe you know it already but I want you to hear me say it. Feeling your love changed me so much, I always knew you loved me even when my brain wanted to make me believe the opposite, your actions and words proved , every single time, just how much you cared about me. It was loud enough for all those thoughts of you possibly outgrowing me after years separated to be muted and only the sound of my heartbeats getting faster just looking at you existed.”
Rome had a big smile on his face, he obviously knew how much Mok loved him but hearing it always made him feel giddy, he was even slightly blushing as if it was his first time hearing Mok declare his love to him. It was the first time hearing it like this though, when his boyfriend looks nervous yet his eyes, always giving him away with the amount of love he holds in them.
His eyes widened slightly, his smile froze when he saw Mok taking a step back to kneel in front of him, just like Rome was a few minutes ago. He was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he was now getting proposed to instead of proposing when Mok reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box, opening it to reveal a simple silver band, engraved with little leaves going all the way around it. Mok knows that Rome can’t wear a ring too flashy so he opted for that, it was pretty and Mok knew that seeing it on Rome’s finger would make it even prettier.
He looked up at his boyfriend, the man he loved with all his might, his only exception to every rule, the one he could never live a second without, “I know you planned for a very different evening, but I also was planning too. I don’t have much more to say so, Rome Kritdanai Lee, will you marry me?”
At that moment everything around them disappeared, Rome could only see Mok and the ring in his hands, to think that he thought even for a minute that Mok would say no is making him feel embarrassed now, his boyfriend was just planning a proposal of his own. That thought and Mok’s nervous face was what brought Rome back to earth, he can’t spend another moment without being able to call Mok his fiance.
One second Mok was still on one knee with his hands getting sweaty holding the ringbox, the second he was laying down on the grass with his arms wrapped around one big puppy. Rome had his arms around Mok’s shoulders, nodding his face excitedly against Mok’s neck, “Yes! Of course I will marry you, my Mok! Rome will marry Mok!”
Mok immediately felt relieved hearing Rome accept, he didn’t doubt that but he was too nervous to think clearly. Wrapping his arms around Rome, kissing his hair and laying on the grass with him, maybe it wasn’t the most conventional proposal but it was theirs and it was beautiful. To think that he now will spend a lifetime calling Rome his husband and being called Rome’s husband, him from a few years ago would’ve only been able to dream of a day like this but look at him now.
He sat up, Rome settling comfortably on his lap, his hands caressing Mok’s neck, leaning closer until his lips slotted perfectly against his fiance’s, their first kiss as an engaged couple might be the same as any other kiss but to them it was like the first step of all the kisses they’ll get to share promised only to each other.
When they parted their lips, it was only to put the rings on, Mok grabbed Rome’s hand carefully slipping the ring onto his finger, pulling it up to leave a kiss on his ring finger. Rome giggled, pulling his hand up to admire the ring Mok got him, it was so pretty and simple and Rome’s style. He quickly scrambled for his own ring, opening the box to show a beautiful silver band with a blue gem in the middle, as elegant as Mok himself. Mirroring what Mok did, he slid the ring on before kissing his palm, then his cheek, and finally his lips again.
They were lost in the feeling of each other, holding each other and kissing for what to them felt like forever, when they got interrupted by a loud gagging noise. Pulling back from the kiss, they both turned around to see their company, and immediately the first thing Rome does when he sees them is show off his ring, “P’Kian! Look at the ring Mok gave me! Isn’t it so pretty?” Unaffected by the disgusted look Thee had on his face at seeing his brother and best friend practically make out.
Plub was the first to step closer, taking his hand and examining the ring like her life depended on it, before squealing so loud even Mok flinched at it, pulling Rome up for a hug. She was so happy for them, they deserved the happiness and they found it with each other. The others were watching the youngest two giggle and gush over the ring, well Rome was just bragging and Plub was gushing.
Peach took that opportunity to walk over to Mok, dragging Thee behind him by their interlocked hands, Mira following closely. He smiled at the newly engaged man, “Congratulations, Mok! I’m really happy for you both!” Strangely enough Peach also felt a little proud of Rome and Mok, but he thought if you knew the two of them enough you must feel like this seeing them finally take this new step together.
Mok smiled back at Peach then looked over at Thee, he didn’t know if he should feel nervous or not, Thee has been his only friend for years, he is a brother to him. He didn’t know if the proposal would change that, even if Thee always rooted for them to be a couple, being married was way different. The big proud smile on Thee’s face washed all his doubts away, his shoulders fell in relief he didn’t know he was missing, Thee patted him on the shoulder once before pulling Mok into a hug.
Out of everyone, Thee was the one who supported them the most, he has been witness to them dancing around each other since their teens. He was so proud of them, to see the two of them so joyful was something he always wished for and to be present for it, he was really glad Plub managed to talk his Lookpeach into staying.
“Not even an hour went by and my fiance is already being stolen by my brother? Just like the old days,” Rome said, finally done showing off to Plub, but never done bragging. Thee stepped back, rolling his eyes at how Rome immediately took the chance to wrap himself around Mok, sharing a look with his husband when he saw how fond Mok looked while wrapping his arm around Rome’s waist.
Rome took that moment to, yet again, flash his ring, this time at his brother and brother-in-law, “see how much my Mok knows my style? He is so perfect,” Rome said, laying his head on Mok’s shoulder and sighing dreamily. Mok smiled happily, kissing his fiance’s temple softly.
Peach smiled at the two of them, Thee replied, “yeah he is perfect and you embarrass yourself by almost letting the whole place burn down to the ground,” finding immense joy in the offended gasp Rome lets out, it seemed only now that he realized all of them being here meant they were also here for the whole thing.
Before Rome could start being dramatic and complaining, Plub interrupted him, “Hey! If anyone gets to be offended it’s me for the way you blamed me for your failed proposal,” obviously she was still salty about that. She could be happy for them and offended too.
Mok might have wanted this moment to be just for them, but watching this scene, Plub and Rome bickering, Thee and Peach attached at the hip and enjoying the semi fight and Mira as always quietly watching with a smile, mostly watching Plub though. He realized that maybe this was better after all, this was his family after all and who better to share this amazing moment with than them? And if he was being honest, he doesn’t care who gets to watch as long as he gets Rome by his side forever, that was all that matters anyway.