The air crackled with unspoken tension in the Wayne Manor kitchen. Damian, usually a picture of calm and collected stoicism, was fidgeting with the velvet box in his pocket, the weight of the platinum ring pressing against his thigh. He'd spent weeks meticulously planning the perfect proposal, a romantic picnic under the cherry blossoms in the garden he'd painstakingly restored. He'd even managed to convince Alfred to bake his favorite, impossibly light, lemon meringue pie.
John, oblivious to the turmoil brewing within his boyfriend, was busy humming a tuneless melody as he set the table, a basket of ripe strawberries and a bottle of vintage champagne already placed on the checkered tablecloth. He had a ring of his own tucked discreetly in his pocket, a rustic silver band with a deep kryptonite stone, symbolizing the trust John has for Damian that and green matched Damian's eyes.
As they sat down, the tension in the air was almost tangible. Damian, his face a mask of controlled anxiety, cleared his throat and reached for John's hand. "John," he began, his voice a low rumble.
John, oblivious to the impending proposal, leaned forward, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "Yes, Damian?"
Damian's heart hammered against his ribs. He could feel the ring burning a hole in his pocket. He was about to speak, to profess his love, when John, his face radiant with happiness, pulled out a small, worn velvet box.
"Damian, my love," John began, his voice thick with emotion. "We've been through so much together, and I..."
Damian, his jaw clenched, watched in stunned silence as John opened the box, revealing the kryptonite ring. He was about to speak, to tell John about his own plan, when John's eyes met his, filled with an intensity that mirrored his own.
"Damian Wayne," John said with a soft smile, "will you marry me?"
Damian's mind raced. He'd planned for this moment for weeks, yet here he was, speechless, staring at the ring in John's hand.
"John," Damian whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "You..."
He reached into his pocket, his fingers trembling as they met the cool metal of his ring. "I was going to ask you the same thing."
John's smile grew even wider, and he took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Damian's. "You were?"
Damian nodded, his thumb tracing the outline of the ring in his pocket. He felt a strange mix of relief and excitement wash over him. He had rehearsed his proposal countless times in his head, but now that the moment was here, the words felt clumsy on his tongue. He took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"Yes," he said, his voice stronger now. "John Kent, I love you more than words can express. And if you'll have me, I'd like to spend the rest of my life with you."
John's eyes grew wide with shock before a grin split his face. He took the ring box from Damian and placed it next to the one on the table. "Damian, I've never wanted anything more," he said, his voice cracking slightly.
They both sat for a moment, staring at the rings, the tension of the moment giving way to a gentle warmth that seemed to fill the kitchen. The sun peeked through the window, casting a warm glow on their clasped hands.
John spoke first, his voice still thick with emotion. "We've always had a knack for ruining each other's surprises, haven't we?"
Damian couldn't help but chuckle, his tension easing. "It seems so."
They both reached for their own rings, a silent understanding passing between them. Hands trembling, they slid the rings onto each other's fingers, the metals clicking together in a perfect union. John's ring fit Damian perfectly, the green kryptonite winking in the sunlight as it encircled his finger.
