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They were walking back to their apartment from brunch and Rodrick was absolutely hammered.
Regina walked beside him like this was completely normal. She tucked her phone away after a quick text, stride steady, not even a little bit concerned that it wasn't even noon.
He usually slept in Sundays, but she’d begged using that charming little pout, the one where she tilts her chin down and bites her lower lip, and he’d caved. Now he was struggling to make it to the station entrance. He needed to get home and get horizontal, but Regina stopped in front of a boutique.
God, no.
The window was crowded with vintage dresses, jewelry draped over mannequin necks. Regina tilted her head, already interested.
“We’re just looking,” she said, already pulling him inside.
Yeah, right. She never just looks. He's pretty sure she dragged him to brunch so he could carry all her shopping bags home again.
The bell chimed when they entered. The place smelled like dust and rose perfume and something distinctly antique store. Regina immediately started flipping through racks. Rodrick dropped onto the bench by the entrance, head tipping back against the glass, closing his eyes for a second.
“Hey, babe,” Regina called from the fitting room.
He dragged himself up and slipped inside the dressing room. The space was cramped, curtain barely closed. She was already halfway out of the dress, back to him, looking at herself in the mirror.
He leaned in, mouth brushing her neck as his hands slid around her waist, pulling the hem up. “I thought you said we weren't doing this anymore after we got caught at Liana's.”
"No." She says, shoving his hands away, and smoothing her skirt back down. "Zip me."
"So bossy." He smiled against her skin, reaching for the zipper. The fabric was soft under his fingers as he eased the zipper up her back. He let his hands slide back down her body again, watching her through the mirror. She's so focused on herself, she isn't even reacting to his roaming hands. Head tilted, assessing the fit like this was serious business, twisting in his arms to see how it looks from behind.
She looks up at him. "Well?"
“You look good,” he said easily.
“Yeah?” she asked, fishing.
“Yeah,” he said again, hands drifting up her arms. "You're so hot."
She raises a brow.
"Good enough I wanna take it off." He reached for the hem again, revealing the back of her thighs through the mirror.
"We can be quiet this time." He reasoned. "That old lady at the counter probably has her hearing aid turned off anyway."
She scowled up at him but her lip quirked, holding back a smirk, "Get the fuck out." Pushing him through the curtain.
Moments later she stepped back out, telling the cashier she’d take it, and handing it over. Rodrick hovered near the counter, eyes catching on a tray of loose jewelry and accessories set off to the side.
"Those are 20% off." The clerk said as she took Regina's card.
He picked up a rhinestone tassel headband, slipping it onto his own head.
Regina snorted. “Stop.”
He grinned, lifted it off, and placed it carefully on her instead. She rolled her eyes but checked her reflection.
"Wait." She says, adjusting the headband. "This is actually cute." And bought that too.
***
They were standing on the subway. It wasn't packed, but full enough that people brushed passed at each stop. Rodrick had one hand high around the pole, the other holding the shopping bag against his leg. Regina stood in front of him, arm looped around the same pole, shoulder tucked under his arm, phone in her hand, thumbs moving quickly across the screen.
The buzz was wearing off and he suddenly felt too aware of himself, of her, of how close she was against him. He watched her pause mid-text, the familiar tightness of her mouth when she concentrated.
When had he started noticing all of these little details?
Like the way she stomps her foot when she was pissed. Or how she still cuts the crust off her sandwiches like she's five. Did you know she never caps the toothpaste? Like, ever. Even when it's a flip top. It's like she enjoys leaving that gummy crust.
She looks relaxed. Absorbed in whatever conversation was unfolding on her screen. He slid his hand down the pole and closed his arm around her more fully. She tipped her head back just enough to smile up at him, then went right back to her buzzing phone.
An uncomfortable weight pressed in his chest, swelling, bubbling up his throat. He loved her. Like, a lot. And the thought looped over and over, until it stopped being a thought at all and turned into something intrusive. Maybe he had too many bottomless mimosas because that feeling just lurched out of him.
"Will you marry me?"
Her hands stilled.
She didn’t look up. The screen dimmed between her palms. The train rattled, someone cleared their throat, the entire car was definitely ear hustling by how still everything felt.
“Are you,” she whispered, strained, finally turning to face him, “proposing?"
She's staring so intensely at him. He couldn't tell if she was angry, embarrassed, or planning the logistics of breaking up with someone she lived with. They'd just moved in together. It was too soon. What the fuck.
Rodrick felt heat crawl up his neck. God, why did he say that out loud? He barely had the thought and it just came out like... like word vomit.
Well, there was no taking it back now. So he leaned in close, giving them the illusion of privacy.
"I want to marry you.” He stated, serious.
“Y-you do?”
That's new. Regina George never stutters over her words.
“Yeah.” He nodded, grip tightening on the pole.
“Like right now?” she asked, breathless.
For a second, panic flared inside him. Then excitement bloomed and something reckless came out.
Fuck it.
“Yeah,” he said, strumming the pole, letting out some nervous energy.
“Oh God, you're serious.” she said. There was something in her voice that made his chest ache.
He swallowed. “Yeah.”
She stared at him for another beat, then her face split into a stunned but bright smile. “Okay.”
"Ok—"
“Yes,” she said firmer. “I'll marry you.”
He laughed, short and disbelieving. “Okay.”
"Okay." She echoed.
"Okay." He repeated, because he couldn't process any other words.
"But it's Sunday." She said suddenly.
"Tomorrow then."
"Okay."
"Okay." He said, brushing her hair back, giving her a peck on the lips.
"Okay." She said again, smirking against his lips.
They repeated more 'Okays' between kisses.
It was the most natural thing in the world. His hand firm at her jaw, pulling her in. She made a small sound when his tongue slipped past her teeth. He was faintly aware of the other passengers but they’d done this a thousand times and never really cared if others saw. They've done worse in public.
Her fingers curled into the front of his jacket before pulling away. She dipped her head against him, arms wrapped around his waist.
***
Regina called her photographer friend as soon as they hit the platform. She, cough, cough, called in sick and he ironed his suit.
By the time they came up from the station at Foley Square, her friend was already there, camera slung across her chest, eyes lighting up as soon as she spotted them. She laughed, said something about the perfect timing and unbelievable lighting and how beautifully insane they both were to just do this on a whim, and then raised the camera before either of them could get awkward about it.
They started near the fountain. Rodrick stood stiff at first, aware of his body and unsure where to put his hands.
“Okay,” she said, already backing up a few steps. “Just look at each other. Don’t look at me. Pretend I’m not even here.”
Rodrick tried. He moved mechanically as the camera clicked. The fountain rushed behind them. He leaned toward Regina, voice low.
"I feel like a monkey in a suit." He tugged at his collar.
"You look good, babe" Regina said, loosening his tie, unbuttoning the top button. "Just relax, 'kay?"
"'Kay." He repeated, letting her tug him down by the tail of his tie. She leaned in and kissed him, quick and warm. She was always really good at distracting him. They drifted away from the fountain after that, fingers intertwined, walking toward the courthouse. Camera clicking away.
They crossed the street together and went inside.
She held his clammy hand the entire way. Rodrick followed, letting her lead, aware of the sound of her heels on the marbled floor.
It took less time than he expected. There was some quick paperwork. A fee to pay. A few simple words. And that was that.
When the officiant officialized them, Regina turned to him immediately, eyes bright, like she needed to see his face to confirm it had actually happened.
It was official. They were married.