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There was a box, hidden in Jesper’s drawer.
It was a small box, black and wooden, with a deep blue velvet lining. Jesper had put a lot of work into designing the box.
The ring was absent, still barely anything more than a circular ring of blue stone. It was from a chunk of blue marble that Wylan had bought on one of his trips to the Wandering Isles, he’d been fascinated by the azure swirls of colour that made up the stone, thin white veins threading its way through the sea of zemini sky.
Wylan’s favourite colour was blue.
Wylan loved that marble, he looked at it every day, turning it over in his hand and tracing each individual strain of colour. He’d tried to paint it, a few times even, but Wylan struggled with capturing the pure, radiance of its beauty.
Jesper had stolen a piece of that same marble.
The marble sat now on his table, amongst the mess of papers and plans and terribly sketched out diagrams. Jesper was not the artist in the relationship.
There was a little tin to his left, full of tiny sapphire gems and plates of pure silver that Jesper had yet to figure out how to incorporate into the ring, he only knew he wanted to use them.
Wylan’s favourite gem was a sapphire.
At first, Jesper had assumed it was because of the colour, but Wylan had said no, from looks alone he loved an amethyst. It had taken a lot of pestering and a half-finished bottle of wine to pry the answer from him.
Wylan loved sapphires, because they reminded him of Jesper.
Jesper had told Wylan once, in the early days of their relationship, as they deliberated over what colour to paint the entrance hall, that Wylan’s eyes reminded him of home. He’d later elaborated on the sapphires his Ma used to wear, how they were nothing more than a piece of glass fabrikated to look a fabulous blue.
Because yeah, it was nice to pretend sometimes.
Since that day, Wylan’s favourite gem was a sapphire.
Jesper loved him.
There was a sheet of paper to Jesper’s right, that he had nicked from Wylan’s folder in the music room. It was a song, that Wylan had composed for their first year anniversary, a song that described to the whole world just how in love with him Wylan was. A song with a melody that was wild and chaotic at times, but was also slow and gentle, like the water lapping against the shore on a soft, summer day. Jesper loved that song. Jesper loved Wylan.
So, he’d nicked the song, because he wanted to incorporate the notes into his design, wanted his favourite part of the song to be inscribed on the inner band. So that no one except Wylan knew it was there, because this was for Wylan and no one else.
The decision to do this, to make the box, steal the marble, collect the sapphires and nick the song, came from just one, beautiful night.
They had been working hard, in the months leading to this night, barely even having four hours of sleep each night. Wylan was finally being promoted to his father's position on the Merchant Council, and with that came parties and preparations and honest to Ghezen stress. They had been on their feet like crazy but that night, they had taken a break.
They hadn’t gone far, Jesper had found a trapdoor in the attic, and they’d simply lay down on the roof of their mansion, looking up at the stars.
Well, Wylan looked at the stars. Jesper looked at Wylan.
Jesper traced each inch of his boyfriend’s face, bathed in the milky glow of the moon, with his very own constellation scattered across his marble skin. He traced the line of his slightly crooked nose, the thin scar on his chin, the long, curved lines of his eyelashes, framing the widest, most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen. He eyed the slope of his forehead, the soft lines of his cheekbones, the sharp angle of his jawline meeting the soft, flaming red curls that Jesper just loved.
Jesper loved every inch of his boyfriend, even the parts Wylan hated. He loved every part of Wylan on the outside and he treasured every part of Wylan on the inside.
Then Wylan had turned to him, face flushing that ever-gorgeous shade of red when he caught him staring. “See something you like?” he’d questioned, blue eyes sparkling as they always did when he teased. Jesper just smiled, a small thing, a soft thing, a smile that was reserved for Wylan and Wylan alone.
He wanted to marry him.
Once upon a time, Jesper had dreamed of marriage. Lying in the jurda fields as a kid, thinking about the girl who’d smiled at him during class, and wondering what it would be like to find that one person, that person whose soul just clicked with yours like a missing puzzle piece. He’d thought about it in the kitchen of his home, watching his parents laugh and dance and sing to a music only they could hear. He’d craved that kind of love, that soft, joyful contentment that Colm and Aditi expressed every moment of every day.
Until the day came where the joy was gone.
One day, no one danced in the kitchen anymore, one day the music was gone.
Jesper hated music, from that day.
From that day, Jesper didn’t want marriage. He was scared of it. Scared of becoming like his father, a shadow of the man he’d used to be, plagued by the drowning force of grief.
If Jesper never loved anyone, he’d never have to suffer from the consequences of that love being torn away from him.
But even so, sometimes, he still dreamed. Dreamed of a warm laugh, of dancing in the kitchen to a melody that didn’t exist anywhere outside of their head.
Wylan's laugh was like a breath of fresh air, like a sudden rush of clarity. With Wylan, there was always music. Wylan was always humming a song under his breath, tapping a melody on each surface as he worked, playing some form of instrument in the evenings after dinner. With Wylan, Jesper could dance with someone in the kitchen, as the water heated on the stove. Swinging around and laughing and waltzing to a song they both created. A song made up of not notes and melodies and intricate harmonies, but the sound of their laughs, clear and free, the muffled noises against each other's skin, the rustle of clothes on clothes and the inevitable thunk as Jesper tripped over himself into the table.
Jesper had never wanted love, marriage, after his mother's death. He’d come to ketterdam and found that even though he thrived on the thrill of being wanted, the pure, glorious feeling that came from being desired, anything more than a night of fun was too scary.
Too big, too complicated, too much of a risk for things to crash and burn and leave him broken.
Wylan was different.
With Wylan, Jesper was willing to risk it. Wylan was a gamble, a shot into the dark, a risk that could have left him bleeding and scarred.
But it would have been worth it, for Wylan.
As it turned out, Wylan didn't do any of that. Wylan re awoke his silly, romantic dreams from too long ago. Wylan was the moon to his sun, the tether to his kite, half of the puzzle that connected perfectly with his broken and bruised soul.
Wylan had originally been a gamble, but now he was the whole fucking jackpot.
And that night, as he stared into the clearwater blue eyes that reminded him of his home and the boy he used to be, as the soft light from the moon bathed his angelic face, Jesper thought yeah, he wanted to marry him.
He didn’t want just a marriage, but he wanted a marriage with Wylan.
Jesper had a plan.
For once, Jesper was trying to pace himself, trying not to jump in too soon and be impulsive. He kept his plans carefully hidden in his workshop, the empty box in his drawer. He wanted to draw it out, wait until their six year anniversary. They’d marked the day Jesper impulsively announced himself to Marya as “Wylan’s objectively handsome boyfriend” as their official getting together day, saints knows the two of them were awful at communicating.
Jesper had a plan.
He was going to take Wylan out for a romantic dinner at his favourite restaurant, take him for a walk afterwards through his favourite part of the garden, propose to him with his finished ring under the still tiny cherry tree they’d planted for Aditi. Marya, Kaz, Inej, Nina and Colm would all be waiting for them back in the mansion, with a bottle of wine if Wylan said yes and a bottle of vodka in case he said no.
He had a plan.
Unfortunately for Jesper, his boyfriend was a clever, nosy little shit.
The letters were sent, Kaz had been appropriately bribed to attend and Marya had been quietly told about his plans over a pile of waffles. She had cried over the news and Jesper felt a particularly cruel twinge over the knowledge that his Ma would never get too see her son married.
Well, hopefully.
Wylan could always say no.
Wylan wasn’t due to finish his work for another few bells so Jesper figured he’d have some time to do some more on his ring. It was only half finished, but Jesper still had time.
At least, he did.
The first thing he noticed when he entered his workshop that evening, was Wylan standing in front of his desk, cradling something in his hands.
Jesper closed the door unnecessarily loud, causing Wylan to jump back, hands clasped. One look at Wylan’s guilty face and Jesper groaned, clapping a hand over his eyes, “for fucks sake Wy,” he complained, “I had a plan!”
“I promise I wasn’t actually snooping,” he said sheepishly, “I wanted to surprise you with something and.. well—”
Jesper moved his hand so he could see his boyfriend. Wylan still looked guilty, but a light blush was dusting his cheeks and his eyes sparkled with so much joy, Jesper didn’t have it in him to be annoyed. Wylan held up the unfinished ring, the blue stone glinting in the golden evening light that shone through the window, “is this... what I think it is?” he asked slowly.
Jesper nodded, riffling through the drawer, “I had a plan you know,” he grumbled, finally pulling out the dark wooden box, “it was going to all romantic and everything.” Wylan’s smile widened when he approached him, “I was even planning on writing a speech but now I’m just going to have to improvise, give me that.” He snatched the ring from Wylan’s grasp with a sigh. His hands shook slightly as he fumbled with the ring, attempting to discreetly put it in the box before Wylan saw the velvet blue lining. Jesper wasn’t sure why he was nervous, the look on Wylan’s face was not that of someone planning on saying no.
“Jes—”
Jesper looked up, snapping the lid of the box shut.
“You don’t have to do this now,” Wylan said softy, “I’ll just pretend to be surprised when you do your big plan.”
Jesper shook his head, grinning, “no fuck you, I’m committed now.” Wylan snorted and yeah, Jesper loved him. He didn’t need a big plan. He didn’t need a romantic dinner and a speech and flowers and all that jazz. A finished ring would have been nice, but in the end, Jesper just needed Wylan.
Jesper sunk down onto one knee, grasping Wylan’s hand in his own. He popped open the box. Wylan had already seen the ring, --blast him—but even in its unfinished state, Jesper knew it looked good nestled in the blue velvet. Wylan’s eyes widened at the sight of it, lips parting ever so slightly.
He paused, then laughed under his breath, feeling his cheeks heat up slightly, “I have no idea what to say,” he admitted, feeling more then a little embarrassed.
Stupid Wylan and his stupid face still managing to make him speechless.
But Wylan, wonderful, gorgeous Wylan, just smiled, the left side tugging up that little bit more, just like it always did. Jesper loved that smile. Jesper loved him.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Wylan murmured, those zemini sky eyes of his pinning him into place just as they’d done for years. “I don’t need speeches or big plans.”
“But they’re nice,” Jesper said with a grin.
“They’re nice,” Wylan admitted, “besides...” his smile turned slightly bashful, his cheeks deepening into that deep shade of red that normally preceded Wylan doing something impulsive. Jesper raised an eyebrow, feeling an unnecessary amount of nerves building within him, “besides..?” he prompted.
Wylan sucked in a deep breath, his smile stretching even more as he joined Jesper on the floor, reaching into his pocket. Jesper’s eyes widened.
“I think this answers your question anyway.”
In Wylan’s hand, was a ring.
The ring was a dark, forest green with veins of light green and gold swirling through it.
“It’s marble.” Jesper said stupidly, head still trying to accept what he was seeing.
Wylan snorted, “It’s marble,” he agreed, turning the ring over in his hand, “and Fabrikator made, I’d normally ask you but... well—” he shrugged, voice trailing off.
For a while they just stared at each other in silence, kneeling on the floor, matching marble rings clutched in their hands.
Wylan wanted to marry him!
To think, he’d been so worried about Wylan saying no, when all along the little minx had been planning on proposing all along!
It was Wylan who broke the silence, teeth gnawing his lip nervously, “so... is that a yes or...?”
Jesper snorted, brandishing his unfinished ring, “I think that’s answer enough.”
“Yeah but it’s nice to hear it.” Wylan’s voice was soft, barely more then a whisper, his eyes scanning Jesper’s face, that cute little divot between his brows and yeah, Jesper loved him.
Jesper wanted to marry him, oh Saints he wanted to marry him!
He reached out with his free hand and cupped Wylan’s cheek, pulling him closer. He pressed his lips against Wylan’s forehead, “yes,” he murmured against his skin, “yeah I’ll marry you,” he grinned, poking Wylan’s side, “as long as you say you’ll marry me.”
Wylan laughed, covering Jesper’s hand with his own, “yes, you podge. I’ll marry you.”
They sat there for a moment, grinning stupidly at each other, then Jesper raised an eyebrow, “so, do I not get a speech?” he joked, pulling away slightly. Wylan huffed, “you didn’t have one either.”
“I was going to have one,” Jesper corrected, tapping his fiancé on the nose, “you, my little devil, ruined my plans.”
Wylan’s eyes sparkled, his mouth tugging up slightly, “you know,” he said slowly, --Jesper snorted--, “you can still do all your plans.”
“What, was this proposal not good enough for you?”
Wylan grinned at him, “no,” he said, “I demand that you propose to me with a finished ring.”
Jesper rolled his eyes and Wylan laughed, and then grabbed Jesper’s face and kissed him until he stopped complaining.
And yeah, Jesper loved Wylan.
And Wylan loved him, he’d said yes, unfinished ring and all.
Because in the end, they didn’t need fancy rings or romantic dinners, no moonlight walks through the gardens and long winded speeches. They just needed each other, kneeling on the floor of Jesper’s workshop, two marble rings clutched in each hand.
Even if one of them was only half completed.