Just Like Old Times

Chapter 9

first off... I AM SO SORRY! This is soooo late. >_< i got a new job and the writer's block on my novel wore off and...

No excuses. I'm a failure and i am sorry.

But maybe this chapter will make up fir it...? Probably not but...

So... Enjoy...

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Stein and Spirit strolled down the one of Death City's many streets, hand in hand. They didn't care who saw them as they walked to the store. They had to get some food because Stein had, once again, neglected to go to the store.

"You really should pay more attention to these things." Spirit said.

"I'm sorry." Stein tried to sound innocent but Spirit knew he had forgotten on purpose. Stein forgot so they had an excuse to spend more time together.

"Let's get this over with." Spirit sighed as he walked into the store and grabbed a cart. Stein smiled and walked beside Spirit down the isle, grabbing everything his boyfriend told him to and occasionally snuck some treats. Spirit saw him but smiled at the older man.

"Can we have a fancy dinner tonight?" Stein asked.

"What do you have in mind?" Stein smiled.

"A candle light dinner. You know, the romantic kind." Spirit chuckled.

"That sounds nice." Stein grinned and went to find something for their dinner and Spirit followed him.

Spirit enjoyed his meister's company. He had taken on such a dramatic change sense they started going out that Spirit wasn't sure if he was the same man. He was much happier now and didn't smoke quite as much, about one pack every two days now. He also wanted to please Spirit as much as possible in everything that he did and it made the death scythe smile.

But Stein seemed anxious today and Spirit told himself he would ask once they got back to their house.

"Pick your favorite." Stein said and stepped aside. Spirit frowned.

"How can we afford this?" Stein laughed.

"Shinigami-Sama gave me a bit extra money in my paycheck this week. Now pick." Spirit smiled and walked along the racks of expensive wines. He knew better than to settle, Stein would be able to tell if he didn't pick the best.

"Here you are Stein, the best wine the world has to offer. I'm surprised they have it. Actually, i've never seen this here before." He handed his meister a bottle of Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva and frowned.

"Are you sure we can afford this?"

"Yes, because i had it shipped here just for you." Spirit blinked.

"You didn't! Stein my god how did you-!" But his words were cut short when his meister seized him and pressed their mouths together. People stared, but Spirit didn't care. Some people knew, other didn't. But it was all the same because Spirit was in the only place he wanted to be, in his meister's arms.

***

Stein carried the weapon across his shoulders all the way to their house. He was in the form of a cross, his blade gone for the time being, and grocery bags hung from his handle
On either side if the meister 's shoulders.

"Maybe we should get a car." Spirit said and Stein chuckled.

"Neither if us would be able to drive it very well." Spirit laughed.

"Good point." Stein carried the weapon and bags into the Stitched Lab before setting the weapon down and taking the bags off of him.

"My neck is stiff. We really need a better way if doing that." Spirit said once he transformed. Stein frowned.

"Turn around." Spirit looked puzzled but did so and stein rubbed his neck. Spirit melted a bit at the older man'a touch and Stein continued until he heard Spirit's stomach growl.

"Looks like we need to get some food." Stein said and Spirit nodded and they unpacked the groceries and Spirit began to cook their dinner. Meanwhile Stein was setting the table and lighting candles to put on the table around them.

"What is the dress attire for tonight my dear?" Spirit asked from the other room. Stein smirked to himself.

"Formal. Very formal." He heard Spirit chuckle.

"Yes sir." Stein smiled and smoothed sown the table cloth one last time and nodded. It would work.

Stein went into the bathroom and washed his face, something he never did. Then he brushed his hair and his teeth and nodded. He looked okay...

He hurried into their room and quickly found his suit that he had never worn except once but that was a long time ago. He changed and quickly brushed his hair again and stared at his reflection and frowned. He looked okay but not great. He frowned. Maybe it was the stitching even in his suit? No. He sighed and grabbed the comb again but froze.

Didn't most men slick their hair back when they were trying to look nice...? He bit his lip but grabbed some of Spirit's hair gel and looked at it.

"I shouldn't." He put it back and messed with his hair again but the thought kept popping up in his mind. He had gone to a barber's a while ago and asked how he should do his hair and that's what they showed him but... He sighed and grabbed the gel.

It didn't take long but he felt awkward, more so than usual. Stein went back to the room and grabbed one of the red roses he had bought and stuck it through his button hole and smiled at himself in the mirror. He didn't look half bad. Grabbing the other rose, he walked back and set it on the table.

"I just have to put the meal on the plates and then i will-" spirit stopped moving.

"What?" Stein asked casually, chewing his cigarette. He was so nervous.

"You look... Dashing." Spirit said and Stein grabbed him and pulled him close to him.

"Go get dressed." He said before kissing him lightly. "I'll take care of this." Spirit nodded and went to their room. Stein, as fast as possible, put the food on their plates and set the table before cleaning the kitchen spotless and had brought the Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserva over and set it in the middle when Spirit came in. Stein couldn't help but stare at his lover.

"Come here." Spirit smiled and obeyed. His usual suit was replaced with a much nicer one, and a straight black tie. Stein grabbed the rose and put it on his weapon and kissed him lightly before pulling out a chair for him. Spirit sat and stein did the same after pouring their wine.

"To us." Stein said and Spirit smiled.

"To us."

***

After the delightful meal, they sat for a few moments and just stated at each other. Most people would think it was awkward, but Stein couldn't take his eyes off of the other man. He tossed the cigarette in his mouth into an ash tray and extinguished it.

"Spirit," stein leaned in the table as Spirit took a sip from his glass. "I've been thinking lately. About us and our relationship. We knew each other when we were younger and so far, this entire time has been a repeat of that. I..." He bit his lip and adjusted his glasses. "I wanted to be sure that you would always be mine and that you wouldn't leave me. I anted this to last and so..." Stein sighed and stood. He knelt beside Spirit and pulled out a small black box.

"Spirit Albarn, would you do the honor of becoming my husband?" He opened the box and inside was a small silver ring.

"Oh my god Stein..." Spirit fell to his knees beside the man and wept. "Yes." He choked out. "Yes, and a thousand more times yes!" Stein felt a tear drip down his own face as he gently slipped the ring on Spirit's left ring finger and kissed him while he pulled another silver rung out and they parted only long enough for Spirit to put the ring on Stein's finger.

Stein grabbed Spirit and lifted him up as he stood, their lips never parting, and carried him into their bedroom.

"Just like old times? Spirit mumbled around Stein's lips and the meister smiled.

"Almost." He said as he and Spirit landed on the bed together.