Badboy and the emo reunite (BXB)

30

-5 months later-

Zane shows up at my door, in a suit with a white bouquet in hand. I pull him into a hug and kiss his lips. He steps into the door and picks me up. I laugh into the kiss as he twirls me around the room.

"At least you're on time for once," I hear my father scoff behind us.

"Dad, be nice," I look over. "You know it wasn't possible last time."

"Alright," my father sighs and tries to put up his best smile as he walks forward and shakes the hand of Zane. "How are you," he swallows and continues "son?" His voice shuttered when calling Zane his son. I raise an eyebrow.

"I've never been better, sir," Zane grins and turns back to me. He hands me the bouquet, "I haven't ever been happier."

My father's smile wavers. "Don't mess up tonight," he demands then he takes in a deep breath and turns the other way.

"Don't worry, he'll warm up to you."

"I know," he leans down and kisses my cheek. "I also know I came early on purpose so I can help you prepare."

"I love you," I laugh and take his hand into mine.

He shuts the door, "I also know that you love me," he jokes and follows where I drag him. "I know that I love you too."

"I know you do," I laugh more and take him to the kitchen with me. I grab a mason jar from the cabinet and fill it with room-temperature water. "Thank you, my love," I put the flowers in the jar and take them with me as we head to the stairs. "Looks like I'm giving a little speech tonight, I'll definitely need your help."

"Always babe."

—

We're 30 minutes into the party, I'm sipping on champagne with Zane as we greet guests together.

"No surprise marriage announcement this year?" A man linked with a lady's arm asks.

"Not that I know of," I joke with a wink.

"You're so young, but still so mature. Don't you have anyone in your heart?" The girl leans forward with a grin.

"I do," my eyes flicker to my boyfriend beside me, he's making small talk with another male our age.

"Oh how wonderful, tell us about her?" She claps her hands.

I look back over at her and give a shy smile, "it's a he," I mumbled.

"What darling?"

"The person I love," I speak up so she can properly hear. "Is a he."

Her eyes widen then her grin grows, she pulls me into a hug and I grow shocked. Zane looks over and laughs, I give him a thumbs up making him laugh more.

"Okay tell us about him," she says when she separates.

I motion for Zane to come over, he does and I grab his hand. Our fingers lock together and I bring his hand to my lips and kiss his knuckle.

"This, is the love of my life," I say and look at Zane.

"You are so cute together. How did your parents react?" She gives a sad smile.

"Not well at first," I start with an awkward laugh.

"But he's warmed up to us being together," Zane finishes for me, with a wide smile playing on his lips. I can't help but grab his shoulder and tilt him down to kiss the smile.

"Oh, how exciting!" She claps her hands again, then grabs onto her husband's arm. "Remember when we were that young and in love?"

"You're crazy," he says with an eye roll, but his smile shows his obvious lie. "Come on, dear, let's not bother them all night long. Have a lovely night Shane Smith," he bows his head slightly then pulls his wife away.

"You're okay with being out here?"

I look back to Zane and pull him into a soft kiss.

"You are all that I need in the future, all of this isn't me. This is me," I pull our locked hands to my chest where my heart would be. "I do not care about being closeted anymore, there's no need to pretend to be someone else. I want the world to know that I love you and only you."

His expression turns warm and happy. He pulls me toward the center, sets our glasses on the table then pulls us into the center of the dancers.

"You know how to ballroom dance?" I ask in surprise as he takes my waist and cups our hands together, bending our arms in a v form.

"I might have gotten some lessons for this, I remembered the last dance and I just... I wanted to participate with you."

He looks embarrassed. I put my free hand on his shoulder and take a step closer to him. I lean forward and press my lips to his.

"I love you."

His embarrassment finally dissipates and he starts slowly leading us to the beat, we sway with the rest in the circle, us in the center. The center was always for the host and whomever they danced with. This time, it's for me and my lover, Zane. We sway, talk, laugh, and kiss, we enjoy the time. The song comes to an end, and we separate and bow to each other as the room erupts into cheers.

"Well, that was something," I laugh and pull Zane into a small kiss.

"I'd ask you for another dance, except it looks like you're speech is coming up."

I look to the stage and see my father walking forward. I pull Zane with me, we grab our glasses along the way and head to the stairs of the stage. We watch as my father gathers the attention of the crowd.

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming tonight. 2 years ago we had a breakthrough for the company, everyone worked so hard and deserves every second of praise. This year marks the first year of the new annual ball!" The room erupts in cheers and claps yet again, I raise an eyebrow but clap as well. "We have a special event for tonight to begin. I'd like to invite a very important person in my family's life to the stage," he looks over at me.

I brace myself by swallowing and fixing my tie, ready to go up there and give my bullshit speech. But he never says my name, instead he says Zane Williams. My eyes widen as I look at my boyfriend with surprise. Zane takes my hand and we walk up the stairs together.

I watch my father pull Zane into a hug, my hand slips from Zane's. My dad motions for Zane to take the microphone, and the clapping slowly dies.

"Almost 2 years ago I thought I lost you for good, and I was petrified. The dread I felt when that happened was so strong, that I felt like my life had slipped from my body. I worried that maybe the love of my life would get ripped away from me, and I panicked. Shane Smith," he takes my hand. "I promised myself that I wouldn't ever allow that to happen. I've sworn to protect you with every moment I breathe, I've sworn to love you unconditionally, and I've sworn to keep you happy until the rest of our days. You said you would marry me when we had a clear future, and honestly, the future has never looked clearer. When I see the future, I see you and me. I see us with beautiful and talented children. I see us in the modest home you so desire. I see us being a family. I've dreamed of the future, and I'm determined to make it our reality. I've already asked for your father's blessing, and trust me when I say it took many many times being rejected," he chuckled and people in the crown laughed as well. Tears form in my eyes, my hands shake in anticipation. "So please," he gets down on one knee and drops my hand, he pulls out a black velvet box, he opens it with one hand, inside is a silver ring with a black infinity loop in the center. A custom ring I instantly fell in love with. "Shane Smith, the love of my life, please marry me?"

I violently wipe my tears, I grin and yell "Yes!"

He places down the microphone and the room booms in claps and whistles. Zane takes the ring and slips it on my ring finger. He stands and pulls my waist into a hug. I cry into his suit jacket, then I pull my head away and smash our lips together. When we break, he picks me up and spins me in a circle like he's done at the beginning of the party.

"I love you, Shane," he breaths out, tears in his eyes as well.

"I love you, Zane."