Gov and Austin celebrate Valentine's Day together
There's a sense of dread that follows the days going by, that comes with the date getting closer.
Austin will come with gifts and hugs and kisses and the phrase "I love you" in as many different ways as he can think of, and Gov can't think of a single thing to get him in return.
He wracks his brain, two weeks before, and makes a list of every favorite thing Austin's ever mentioned. It's a long list, he's got plenty of ideas and plenty of time.
Until he doesn't.
Until it's the day before and he's burned through every idea and come up with nothing.
He knows, Austin will accept just about anything so long as it's from him ("It's the thought that counts!" He'll say, beaming), but he needs it to be perfect, he wants it to be perfect. Anything less isn't enough, not for Austin.
He has an idea then, in the middle of pretending he's doing his paper work, for the perfect gift.
They go to a nice place, despite Austin reassuring him they don't have to. Somewhere with a small menu, big prices, and tables so clean he almost feels bad eating there.
Gov pulls out Austin's chair for him (like the gentleman he is) and then takes his own seat.
"Are you alright?" Austin asks with a nervous smile and eyebrows drawn together in concern.
Gov nods and wipes his palms on his pants, "I'm alright, how are you?"
"I'm great!" Austin taps his feet on the ground, a habit Gov has found shows up when he's excited, "I hung out with Tex yesterday."
"Yeah?" Gov says, "what'd you guys do?"
They talk, about everything, Austin first, then Gov. Austin talks about a day spent with Texas and Gov jokes that he thinks Texas is finally warming up to him. Austin laughs and tells him Tex likes him fine, he's just protective sometimes.
Then they order, Austin gets the one vegan dish on the menu and they split a bottle of champagne. The gift feels as though it'll burn a hole through his pocket until they're finally paying.
Then they go to a small local bakery. Gov buys a cake for whichever states find it first, some cookies for him and his siblings, then tells Austin he can order anything he wants.
Then they're home, laughing over something Gov said that wasn't really funny but is hysterical at the moment, and Gov can't think of a better time to give Austin his gift.
He leads him to the backyard and takes both Austin's hands in his.
"I thought about it a lot," he starts, looking at their hands instead of Austin, "what I was going to get you today, because I wanted it to be perfect."
"Oh," Austin gives him a reassuring smile, "you know you don't have to worry about that, it's perfect when it's from you."
Gov nods,"I know, I know, it's the thought that counts," Austin opens his mouth to say something but Gov continues, "which is why I got this for you. I wanted to get you something perfect, because you deserve it, but nothing seemed good enough. I couldn't-" Gov sighs, "I couldn't think of anything else to give you, I couldn't think of anything I'd consider good enough, so I'm giving you a promise." He lets go off Austin's hands at this, getting down on one knee and taking the gift out, a diamond accented silver ring in a black velvet box with a gold trim, "A promise to be there for as long as you'll have me. I'm giving you my life, my hand in marriage, and my heart. I want to be there for every small step and every big victory, if-if you'll have me."
Austin is silent for a few heart-wrenching moments before he pulls Gov up, cups his face, says a hurried "yes, of course!" and kisses him.
Austin couldn't think of anything he'd want more.
