10 Years Later

                                    

                                          
Those next few days were indescribable. There were many moments where Simon just hugged me out of nowhere, holding back tears of relief and just whispering over and over again, "We're okay, we're okay..." For a while I still had nightmares that things went wrong, and the bruises stayed with Simon a long time too. One day he saw David in Bjärstad and when he got to me he was trembling and holding back tears. It might've not been obvious in every moment, but that experience scarred him deeply.
It didn't take long till I was free too, free from the monarchy and responsibility as crown prince. Me and Simon graduated free, together. And through the years we kept wearing the rings I got us, a token of love which I always hoped to replace with something more true. Now, ten years later, here I am. We've been through good and bad, laughing, crying, fighting, making out in places we shouldn't. But I don't regret a single moment. We did everything together and our bond has remained strong all this time. Now I've finally got what we need to make it true.
I unlock the front door of our house and step inside, already listening for the sound of Simon's footsteps as he comes over to welcome me. They don't come today, though. I close the door behind me and he calls from upstairs. "Gimme a sec."
I kick off my shoes and hang my coat on the rack beside Simon's. I nearly forget to take the small box from my coat pocket and slip it into the pocket of my jeans instead. I'll need it. I toss the keys into the basket on the windowsill and make my way upstairs to Simon. He's in the bathroom, fully clothed, drying his hair with a towel. The air is thick with steam. "Hey, babe."
He hits me playfully with the towel and grins, exposing those fangs I've been admiring for so long. His now damp hair drips droplets of water onto his shoulders, which soak into his shirt. "How was your day at work?"
I bite my lip. I wasn't at work today and he has no idea. I nod, not letting him know anything I've been planning. "It was fine, yeah. Yours?"
He tosses the towel aside, probably deciding his hair is dry enough, and pulls me against him. "It wasn't bad necessarily. But you know how it is. I missed you."
I chuckle softly and give him a quick kiss. "I missed you too. But I'm here now." I let my eyes drift to the window behind him for a split second before returning my gaze to him. The sky's already streaked with oranges and pinks. Only an hour or so, and then...
"Go shower and I'll make you dinner." He says with a grin, his arms around my neck. The way he smiles at me will never fail to make my insides flutter warmly.
"Last time you made me dinner you-"
"Oh, you don't need to remind me." He says with a soft chuckle. "I have a proper recipe now. I promise I won't burn anything or mistake salt for sugar."
He kisses me again before dropping his arms to his sides and backing out of the room. "Be ready in 20. Gotta have your dinner while it's still warm."
I smile as he walks away downstairs to the kitchen. I close the bathroom door behind me and start to undress, placing the box carefully on the windowsill. I hardly dare to take my eyes off it the entire time I shower, as if it'll walk away if I let it out of my sight. Of course it won't, but I worry about useless things like that all the time.
Once I'm dressed and dry downstairs again with the little box carefully hidden in my pocket, Simon's serving pasta. It looks surprisingly good for someone who has no understanding of food and cooking. I just wonder if it'll taste as good as it looks. Simon's previous meals haven't been great. "Thanks, honey." I say, grateful regardless of how gross the food might turn out to be. We sit down at the table, Simon with his bottle, me with pasta.
The pasta is surprisingly good. A little bland and slightly undercooked, but a lot better than any cooking he has done before. He takes a huge sip and I smile a little, imagining his reaction to what I'm gonna do. My stomach twists as I start to grow slightly nervous about it, but I'm sure it'll be fine...
I keep glancing out the window as we have dinner, waiting for the sun to set fully. Simon makes small talk, but my previous confidence has left me, leaving me suddenly incredibly nervous as the moment approaches. I'm not sure if I should eat slow or fast, and end up doing a weird rotation of the two. Shove a huge bite in your face, now eat a couple strands and chew them for a minute. Simon must notice how nervous I am, but he doesn't comment.
Once we've both finally finished dinner, the sky is a deep blue shade. I can't wait any longer, it has to be now. Otherwise I'll throw up from how nervous I am. I set my plate in the sink and turn to Simon. "Hey, um... Watch the stars with me? Like we used to do?"
A smile spreads across his face and he nods eagerly. I take his hand in mine and lead him to the garden, trying to ignore the slight cold breeze. He lies down on the grass and I breathe out slowly, feeling insanely nervous. But maybe if we lie here for a bit I can work out how I'm going to do this.
Simon is relaxed, in his happy place. He's always loved the stars and he occasionally points out constellations or particularly bright stars. I just smile and nod, my mind spinning. We lie there for longer than I want us to, and finally, I force myself to get straight to the point. I have to. I can't delay it any longer. I clear my throat. "Simon..." I take his hand and pull him to his feet. "Stand up with me for a second."
He lets me pull him to his feet, looking slightly puzzled but following my lead. "What are you..." He mumbles.
"Simon..." A thousand words spin through my head. Haven't I practised what I wanted to say a thousand times already? So why can't I decide what to say first. "I just... I... I'm so glad that I met you, and I can't imagine living without you. You made me realize things I never would've known if it wasn't for you. You've been with me all these years, through good and bad. You're my best friend, and my boyfriend, and I love you so much. And..." I'm trembling slightly with a mixture of nerves and cold as I slowly lower myself onto one knee, reaching for the box in my pocket and holding it open. "I want to spend forever with you... Will you marry me, Simon?"
The most beautiful, radiant smile I've ever seen lights up his face, tears filling his eyes as he nods. I can feel my own eyes start to burn as he lowers himself to my level and hugs me tightly, talking into my neck. "Yes, Wille. I'll marry you. Of course I will. I love you so much..." He kisses me so passionately I almost drop the box. Our gasps turn into giggles and tears as we sit down on the grass in front of each other, holding the rings. Simon takes my hand and carefully slips the ring onto my finger, drawing more tears and smiles from both of us. He leaves the ring from years ago on too, so I do the same for him. Two rings. Two promises. Proof that, no matter how much time passes, we're still us. We still love each other. We're always together, forever.