Beach or Mountains

Chapter 8: Forever

Hey all! I'm going to post these last three chapters (including this one) hopefully within the next week. Also, if y'all have fanfic ideas for me, please comment them!

Warnings: None

That night at the lake was several months ago now, and the two were as happy as ever. The other Emperors were now also aware of their relationship, due to the many dates they had gone on.They had gone on numerous ‘trips’ all around the smp, even straying in other empires overnight, and they showed no sign of stopping.

And Scott never wanted it to.

Which was why he had gone to several different shops in Rivendell, searching for a specific item. It took three different jewelers, but eventually he found something perfect. With a pristine diamond and intricate gold leaf, it was from one of the finest jewelers in his empire.

A ring.

———-

Jimmy generally did not like shopping. Now, however, he spent hours trying to find something in one of the shops. Since the Cod Empire wasn’t really a place that had a lot of jewelry, he flew to Katherine’s empire to find what he was looking for, even enlisting her help to find what he needed. He never told her what he wanted it for, but he was sure she could guess.

After a few days of looking, they found one that was perfect. Gold, with little ruby flowers on it.

A ring.

———

Scott wanted to propose somewhere special. He spent at least an hour going over various locations that they had visited together, trying to find a perfect place. In the end, there was really only one.

Jimmy landed in front of the Church of Aeor, nearly losing his balance and falling into one of the pristine flower beds outside. As he righted himself, checking his inventory frantically to make sure he hadn’t dropped the ring, he caught sight of Scott exiting the church with a smirk on his face.

“Look who nearly fell this time.” Scott said, pulling Jimmy in to kiss his cheek. The Codfather had grown in the months they had been dating, he was now about three inches taller, although that meant he was still a good half a foot shorter than Scott. He smiled, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

“So, what did you have in mind for today?” Jimmy asked, holding out his hand. Scott smiled, taking his hand.

“We’re going somewhere special. I think you’ll recognize it in a second,” He pulled Jimmy along the ledge-like paths of Rivendell, on a very familiar route. Jimmy knew, then, where they were going.

They were going back to the cave.

———

Scott was nervous, almost more nervous than he had been the first time they’d come here. As they descended the subterranean passage into the cave, he felt his heart pounding. He was surprised Jimmy couldn’t hear it. The ring was in his inventory, and it felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. He couldn’t forget about it, even for a second, and was sure that Jimmy would call him out on his nerves. He didn’t, though. Either he was too nice to ask, or he was preoccupied.

When they reached the nook by the lake, Scott could see tears running down Jimmy’s face, though he was smiling.

“You okay?” Scott asked, pulling him down into the alcove. Jimmy nodded as he lowered himself onto the blanket they had spread.

“Yeah. Just- think about how nervous we were the first time we came here. Both with a crush on the other, but too nervous to say anything.” He laughed. “Now look at us.” Scott smiled as Jimmy put his head on his lap, tearing up as well.

“Think of how far we’ve come.” He dropped his hand lightly to Jimmy’s hair, mussing it. And we’re about to go further, he thought, the ring in his pocket weighing down slightly.

———

After Scott had fallen asleep, Jimmy took out the ring, running his fingers over the poppies on it. He couldn’t have thought of a better place to propose.

———

After a few hours in which both of them fell asleep, Scott shook Jimmy awake. They packed up the picnic blanket and followed the trail to the overlook. After dinner. He promised himself. After dinner, you just pull out the ring and say the words. He had rehearsed a little speech, but then quickly decided that it wasn’t necessary. They understood each other, better than words could convey. His thoughts were interrupted by the scent of steak and potatoes.

———

They each took the seats they had taken the first night, across from each other. As they ate, it was clear that Scott was also thinking about that first date.

“Do you remember how nervous we were, the first time?” Jimmy asked, sitting back in his chair, full. In the shine of the candlelight, he saw Scott smile. He looked slightly nervous.

“Yes, look how far we’ve come.” He stood up suddenly, then dropped to one knee.

———

“… and I’d like to go farther. So… will you marry me?” Scott looked up at the man who he had first seen as a nuisance, then an ally, then a lover.

And Jimmy began to laugh.