Scolex One-shots

Flickering Flame

The first thing Scott saw when he came home was a little heart shaped post-it note on the fridge, clearly put there to get his attention. He put his bag aside to read it, and as he did, his smile grew wider, knowing exactly what the words meant. The four words "meet me at Waves," their nickname for the local seaside restaurant, suggesting a well awaited date night. He immediately slipped into something more dressed up, and returned to his car, pulling one hand through his hair.

When he arrived at the restaurant, the familiar jeep, with the "Wizard of Oz"-themed license plate, was already there. He quickly pulled up right beside it, and parked his own car, his childish excitement showing from far away, as he could barely contain it. It'd been a while since they had been on an actual date, since he had been on tour, but his boyfriend was a hopeless romantic, and even though it was cheesy he couldn't deny that he liked it. The handwritten notes that he found everywhere, weeks after the last time they saw each other, with cute messages or just simple hearts. The goodnight and good morning texts he got everyday, regardless of them seeing each other on that same day or not. The flowers waiting when he came home. He grinned at the thought, his heart warm from gratitude.

Inside the restaurant it was already slightly dark, a dim, soft light spreading from the lamps hanging from the ceiling and from the candles on the tables, the flames slowly and unnoticeably burning the candles down. The wall directed towards the beach was completely made of glass, creating an astounding view of the sea. And at a table for two, just by the window, the tall silhouette he was looking for. The young man at the table turned around and blew him a small kiss, the candle lighting up his face and showing his stunning profile. The knife-sharp cheekbones, and the eyes that made Scott fall deeper in love with him every time.

As he approached the table, without breaking eye contact, he sat down opposite the other man, sighing at how lovestruck he must have looked to other people. Well, there was no point in denying that either, he knew it was true. He leaned slightly forward over the table.

"Alex"

"I've missed you." Alex swallowed, almost interrupting him.

Scott sighed. "I've missed you too, I'm so glad to be back. Thank you for all this, you know me too well."

"It's my favorite place with my favorite person, what else do I need?" Alex winked, making Scott giggle uncontrollably. He hadn't realized just how much he'd actually missed all of it, being able to hold his boyfriends hand, play footsies under the table or other gross couple things. He looked up at Alex again, watching him like he hadn't seen his face in a lifetime, observing it and trying to memorize it, even though he had done that a long time ago. Scott never got tired of looking at him. Right now he looked a little sweaty, but it was probably because of the heat from the candles.

The waiter came up to their table, and before Scott could say anything, Alex just nodded towards her, she smiled a left them again without a word. Scott being somewhat confused, and Alex looking after her, his lips pressed together in a blank facial expression. Scott decided not to ask any questions. Alex turned back to him with a sly smirk, and a look in his eyes that Scott couldn't identify, somewhere between nervousness and bliss. One moment later, it was gone.

"You coming with us to EDC this weekend?" Alex asked. "Jay and I are going, but you know I want you there too."

"I'll consider it." Scott teased. "Just kidding, of course I will. I wouldn't dream of being home when y'all are there looking at hot guys everywhere without me."

Alex laughed genuinely, and took his hand over the table. "I won't be looking at anyone else but you, you know that." The cheesy comment made him giggle and blush slightly.

Not much later their food arrived, and the waiter who apparently had talked to Alex beforehand, served them each a plate of some kind of pasta with seafood sauce, covered in melted cheese. She gave Alex a small nod, and while keeping her eyes at Scott for a little while longer than normal, she left with saying "You both enjoy your meal".

"I can't believe you!" Scott laughed. "What more surprises have you prepared tonight?"

Alex's face turned blank for a second, before smiling, if not slightly nervously. "Wouldn't you like to know?" he teased back.

They enjoyed the rest of the meal in silence, and Scott didn't really mind it, he found it comforting in a strange way. Low music played from the speakers, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

Towards the end of the meal, Scott started noticing that Alex had started to fidget, his eyes darting around the room and his fingers playing with his hair. He gazed his boyfriend worriedly, he could tell something wasn't as usual.

"Allie, what's wrong? I know something's up, you're acting a little weird."

"It's nothing, really." Alex brushed it off and smiled, not convincing Scott entirely. He decided to drop the subject, and go to the restroom before the dessert. When he returned, he noticed a familiar tune of All of Me from the speakers, and he started to hum along, walking to to their table and sitting down again.

"Did you plan this too?" he asked his boyfriend, who just stood up and walked around the table, until he was right in front of Scott, who stared at him in disbelief, and followed his movements with his gaze. The heat from the candles and his own sweaty palms was overwhelming, but he didn't reflect on it. Alex inhaled a deep, calming breath, and turned to Scott.

He went down on one knee, right before Scotts eyes, and pulled out a box from his back pocket. As he opened it, Scott caught a glimpse of what was inside, and it was undeniably a ring.

"Scott Richard Hoying." Alex started with a shaky voice, tears filling his eyes. "You are my universe, and I am so lucky to be a part of it. You mean the world to me, we have been through a lot, and I know you will have so many experiences in your life, and I want nothing more than to share them with you, the good and the bad." He swallowed. "So, will you marry me?"

Scott covered his mouth with his hand and tried to form words, but he was gasping for oxygen just like the flickering flames of the candles. He managed to breathe out a small "yes" before tearing up. The tears streamed down his face, but he didn't care about them, he wiped them away as he burst into giggles, and leaned down to kiss Alex right on the mouth, their tears mixing together. Scott found that his arms naturally wrapped around his boyfriends body, and his face buried into his shoulder. He could stay there for eternites.

When they broke apart, they looked around the room and noticed that everyone in the restaurant was looking at them. Their water started to clap, and soon more people were applauding them, some even whistled. Scott leaned down to the floor and picked up the box with the ring, and put it on his finger, admiring it from all angels. It was plain silver, with a single stone and their initials engraved. He was sure he had not loved any object more in his life.

Alex had stood up again, reaching one hand out to help Scott back up, and he took it. When they both stood up, Alex kissed Scott again, a kiss so passionate that the flames stood still, because the couple took all the air to themselves.

They left the restaurant, to sit on the beach, looking at the deep orange sunset, that reminded so much of the candle flames. Scott took Alex's hand and squeezed it lightly, and that time, there was nothing more to say.