Chapter Text
You're vibrating with nerves, anxiety, and excitement. You've been planning this for a while. As far as you can tell, Quest isn't suspecting a thing. If anything, he seemed pleasantly surprised when you mentioned you'd come up with a little outing for the two of you.
“Save the weekend for me,” you told him. Amused, Quest probed you for details, but let you be once you made it clear these lips were sealed. Except for kissing, maybe.
Since you're only staying two nights, you don't have to take much with you. When Quest leaves for work on Friday, you pack up his and your own essentials; toiletries, a clean change of clothes.
The place you've made reservations for is lovely. Quiet, too, situated a little away from the city. It's not that big, but very cosy, nestled among trees and bushes. All around you there's the sound of birdsong and the rush of grass in the wind. If everything goes well tonight, this place is perfect for hiking. You arrive in the afternoon, and after settling in you text Quest where to come find you after work.
In the meantime, you make sure a candlelit dinner for two is ready and waiting for him. You’ve dressed up nicely, and nervously fiddle with your jewellery when you receive a text from Quest saying he'll be there in ten.
When you hear the sound of his car pulling up outside, you rise to come out and greet him.
“Angel?” Quest steps out of the vehicle, squinting at the address on his phone.
“Hi, baby.” You step outside and walk over to embrace him.
Quest kisses you and smiles. “You look beautiful. Is this – where are we?”
“Oh, you know. Just a secret little place for us alone.”
Quest's expression changes from confusion to pleasantly surprised. “We're staying here?”
You nod, a grin tugging at your lips. “Mhm. This is my surprise for you. I hope you enjoy the sta –”
You're cut off by Quest, who picks you up and, holding you, twirls you around. Laughing, he says: “Oh my god, are you serious? You should've told me! I don't even have a toothbrush with me.”
“Everything has been arranged for you, sir,” you reply with a twinkle in your eye.
He wasn't expecting that; his expression softens, and he presses another soft kiss on your lips. “I'm pretty sure our anniversary isn't coming up anytime soon.”
You hum into the kiss. “Mm, well. You're always taking care of other people. So I'm going to take care of you just as much.”
Holding him by the hand, you lead Quest inside. He's delighted when he sees the table, the candles, and your cooking. “When did you even do all this?”
You're already pulling out his chair and gesture to it with a slightly exaggerated bow. “Sir? Your table is ready for you.”
Dinner conversation flows easily. Quest thanks you and thanks you again, and protests when you refuse his help doing the dishes. It's now well and truly dark outside, and after having been banned from kitchen duties Quest settles for lighting more candles around the little home.
When you're finished, you make your way into the living room. “I have a cheesy romcom for you if you'd like. I know those are your fav –” you abruptly stop talking when you're met with Quest half-slouched on the sofa, head resting on the pillows. Fast asleep. Your eyes soften at the sight of him. He must have been so tired after a full day of work.
You wish you could let him sleep, but he's asked you before to always wake him up if this ever happens. “Sleeping is for the bedroom,” he'd said. “...among other things,” he'd then added with a wink.
“Darling?” You gently brush the hair out of his face, and lean down to kiss his brow.
Quest groans and peels open his eyes. When he sees your face, they widen. “Oh, no, I'm so sorry. I can’t believe I fell asleep.” With effort, he pulls himself upright.
“Sounds like it's time for bed.”
“No, no, I'm fine. You did all this for me, I'm not going to waste that sleeping.”
You sit down next to him, resting your head on his shoulder. “Don't worry. We have all weekend, no need to push yourself.” That's right, there's still the whole weekend left. A small change in your plans is totally fine, especially if it means Quest gets some good rest. You reach for his hand and thread your fingers through his. “Okay? Let's see if these pillows are as fluffy as the reviews say.”
Quest huffs out a laugh. “Sounds like I have no choice, huh.”
“That's right,” you tease. “You're just going to sit back and let me do things for you.”
With a soft smile, Quest reaches to caress your cheek. “Thank you. Truly.” He tries to say more, but he's interrupted by a big yawn. You laugh, and pull him up to usher him to the bedroom. Almost as soon as his head hits the pillow he's gone, and you kiss him goodnight softly, smiling to yourself.
The next day the weather is beautiful, bathing the grass hills in golden light. After breakfast, you turn to Quest.
“Want to go for a walk with me?”
“That sounds great,” Quest says, downing the last of his coffee. “I can't believe you found this place. It feels... Everything feels so nice, here. I slept like a log.”
“I'm so glad. I think we should take some time off more often. Think it would do you a lot of good.”
“Hmm, well...” Quest's thumb strokes over the back of your hand. “I certainly won't say no to spending time with you like this.”
After cleaning up and getting ready, you swallow a few times as you slip the little box in your pocket. Today's the day. You know Quest loves you, you know he does. And you're sure about how you feel about him. It's just... Ahh. You shake your head as though that will help with getting rid of the nerves.
“Angel? You ready?”
“Coming!”
It really is wonderful outside. There's a few hiking trails just up ahead, and Quest and you walk hand-in-hand, admiring the nature around you. It feels so peaceful, here.
After a while, the two of you sit down on a fallen log to take a break. Quest hands you a water bottle, but even after taking a few gulps your mouth still feels dry.
“Hey, can I... Can I say something to you?”
“Of course, anything.”
You fiddle with the hem of your jacket nervously. Be brave, you tell yourself. You look back up into Quest's eyes, and you see nothing but patience and love.
“I... I just wanted to say how much I love you. I hardly have the words to describe how incredible you are to me. You're the most beautiful person I've ever met – so strong, inside and out, and so warm and full of love.”
Quest's eyes soften, and he reaches to hold your hand. He can tell you have more you want to say, and patiently waits for you.
“I've never felt so safe or so at ease as when I'm with you.” You flush, but keep your eyes steadfast on Quest. “I love your dedication; I love your gentleness and generosity. You're my sunshine on the cloudiest days. I want to see you smile forever.”
With trembling fingers, you extract your hand from Quest's and slowly lower yourself onto one knee. With a mix of anticipation and fear, you open and present the ring you've chosen for him in its little box.
“Will you marry me?”
Quest is stunned speechless. He lets out a shaky breath of laughter, and pulls you up to hold your face and look into your eyes.
“God, you... So this is why –” He shakes his head, smiling. “You really want this with me, angel?” he asks softly.
You nod, holding your breath.
“Can I hear you say it again? Please?”
You laugh now, too, just as nervous as Quest looks. “Yes. I want to – I want you. To be with you. For the rest of my life, I – god, please say yes? Marry me?”
Quest pulls you in for a soft, lingering kiss. For once, he doesn't seem so worried that you might up and disappear from his arms.
“Yes,” he murmurs between kisses. “I will.” Kiss. “You make me...” Kiss. “So, so happy.”
You're just about ready to melt into a puddle from relief – not to mention the way he's kissing you right now.
“You do the same thing for me,” you mumble against his mouth.
Quest pulls back and when you chase his touch, he laughs softly. His eyes are glimmering with unshed tears. “I can't believe you beat me to it.”
“Wait, what? ...Oh my god, were you planning to –”
“No, no, not like that. Just... That I'd been thinking the same thing myself, lately.” Quest slowly traces his thumb across your cheek. “Thinking I want to be with you forever. That I can't imagine you not being by my side.” He takes your hand and presses a kiss to your knuckles. “Actually – there's no rules this has to be a one-way thing, is there?”
And before you can react, Quest slowly drops a knee to the ground. “May I return the favour? My angel – will you marry me?”
“That's...!” It's too late – the adoration and devotion in his eyes has you crying. “Do you even need to ask... Yes! Of course I will.”
“Just making sure,” Quest says, but you can tell he's teasing by the quirk of his mouth.
“Come here, I want to –” You pull him to you, holding your hand out for his. The ring slides on easily, thank goodness, and when you look back at Quest's face it's a mix of happiness and disbelief.
You kiss him on the forehead. “I love you. Thank you for being with me.”
He slowly lets out a breath, and smiles at you. “I should be the one thanking you. And I will. I will, every day, I...” he trails off, his eyes on the ring again, turned speechless as it drives home that this is, in fact, real.
He embraces you in another all-enveloping hug. “I can't believe I get all this. You, you're so... You're the best thing that's happened in my life.”
You squeeze back. “I feel the same. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, angel.”