Indiscriminate Illusions (Misc. Oneshots)

If You Don't Let It Out You're Gonna Let It Eat You Away (Raughy)

Pairings: John Waugh/Ross MacDonald, Matty Healy/George Daniel

Rating: Teen And Up

Triggers: None

Ross paces back and forth through the small hallway separating the bunks which is a nervous habit of his that rarely shows itself unless he's got something heavy weighing on his mind. His hand digs into his pocket, fingering the ring he's hidden there since he can't think of anywhere else to stash it where it won't either get discovered or lost.

It's for John of course - who else would it be for? Ross had bought it last night on a bit of a whim when he'd passed by an open jeweler's on the way back to the bus, and although he wasn't actually planning on proposing to John anytime soon, once he'd seen the sign for the shop, Ross realized it's something he's been wanting to do for quite some time.

He ended up choosing a simple silver band, which is John's preference over gold, and much to his delight, the place offered engraving services as well, so he'd had them carve "I will never stop loving you" on the inside.

Those words will never fail to have Ross's stomach fluttering and his heart swelling with adoration, even so long after John had first texted them to him during one of their rare spats. Ross can't imagine not loving John, not being with him, not falling asleep with him each night and waking up with his long hair splayed all over the place in the morning, and his recent purchase proves that.

But now Ross is left with the task of deciding how to do this, which he's hitting a bit of a wall on. He has no idea when he should pose the question, or where, but he knows he wants it to be as special as John is to him.

Ross is currently debating over if he should hold off until they return home which they aren't scheduled to do for quite some time, but that doesn't sound very appealing to him although it would give him more options to work with. Now that he's got the ring in his possession, he's been filled with a sense of impatience that he so rarely feels, but he can't wait for John to be his on paper, maybe even to take his name - fuck, there are so many things that this gesture involves which he hasn't properly thought about.

Ross never truly envisioned himself getting married, not that he doesn't want to be, but before John, it was hard to keep a steady girlfriend with the band always on the road, and although he'd been quite fond of a few of the women he'd dated, he'd never found anyone that he could see himself spending his entire life with.

Then John had started touring with them, and everything had been turned on its head, including Ross's sexuality. He'd assumed he was mostly straight before he met the other man. He'd always been with girls minus a few drunken hookups, but it was hard to claim that label when he found himself instantly drawn to John barely the second after he had learned his name.

Ross had tried ignoring his feelings, because yes - he was attracted to the saxophonist, but he didn't want to stir things up with the band, or to risk John wanting out if they shared a fling and things ended badly, but his good intentions had evaporated when John took a liking to him as well, transforming from a close friend to his constant companion to his boyfriend all in the span of a year.

Ross swears that they were made for each other, he'd even go so far as to call them soul mates if those exist. They'd just fit from day one, everything had fallen into place for them like the path had already been paved and they only needed to start down it.

They've officially been together for two years now and Ross is still smitten with John, which is something he can't see changing. He's even gone so far as to be a bit more public with their relationship, although they haven't come out properly yet, but neither of them really feel the need to. Their friends and families know, which is more than enough for the both of them.