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Tiny candles were sprinkled around the deck in no particular pattern, lighting up the space. Fairy lights hung from the railing above the sliding door to the roof deck, webbing out overhead, giving the appearance of stars that were unable to be seen, even from this height, thanks to the light of the New York City below. The large blanket, warm and soft, lay across the ground. In the middle of the blanket lay various food, a bottle of wine and Tony's favourite thing in the world: Steve. Laying back, looking content and happy as he waits for Tony.
Tony takes a moment to appreciate the scene, all the work Steve had put into setting up their date night. He would have helped set all this up, like he usually did, but he had something else, a special surprise, in mind for tonight.
His soulmark tingles on his wrist; Steve knows he is there, watching him, waiting. Tony's heart picks up speed, beating furiously in his chest.
He'd been looking forward to tonight for so long. And he knows that wait will be worth it. That tonight was going to be perfect.
With a bright grin, Tony steps out onto the deck. In his hands, a bowl of chocolate-coated fruit, hiding his special surprise. He walks over to the blanket, his steps light with giddy excitement.
"Hello, gorgeous," He says, setting himself down beside Steve on the blanket. "Fancy seeing you out here on this fine evening."
Steve lets out a small laugh, reaching up to wrap a hand around the back of Tony's neck, drawing him into a slow kiss. The man's lips warm and inviting against Tony's own, welcoming Tony home.
As the kiss comes to an end, Steve pulls back, but only slightly, bringing their foreheads together.
Tony keeps his eyes shut, soaking in the moment. The quiet and peace. The warmth between them. The feeling of love and home. The way his soulmark sings at their closeness.
"I missed you," Steve whispers.
He could hear the smile in the man's words. "You saw me this morning when you got up for your run, you sap," he says, a smile of own pulling at his lips.
"Your sap," Steve amends. "I love you,"
Warmth fills him from his head to his toes, tingling pleasantly, making him feel like he could fly without his armour. He'll never get tired of hearing Steve say that.
"I love you too," he says, opens his eyes to look at Steve's handsome face. "C'mon, let's eat." As much as he would be happy to spend all night gazing into ear other's eyes, he was hungry.
"Alright," Steve laughs, rolling over onto his side to reach for the food.
They curl up together against the cool night air and eat. Tony pressed tight against Steve back, his head tucked over Steve's broad shoulder, their legs entwined. They whisper to each other, despite being alone. It's cozy, intimate. Tony slips his hand into Steve's shirt, up against his ribs, pressing his soulmark to Steve's. Their bond thrums warmly between them, warmer than any blanket.
He keeps his excitement tucked away, lest he spoils the surprise down the bond. It takes every fibre of his being to wait patiently as they slowly work their way through dinner, wanting nothing more than to pull out the surprise now.
When dinner is finished, Tony extracts himself from Steve. He rearranges himself so that they were facing, setting the bowl of fruit down between them. Understanding quickly fills Steve's eyes.
Without prompting, Steve reaches into the bowl, pulls out a chocolate-coated strawberry, holding up to Tony's lips.
Tony smiles, leaning forward to accept the treat. As he eats it, he reaches into the bowl to pick out one for Steve.
They take turns feeding one another.
Tony watches his face, waiting eagerly for the moment he's been waiting for.
It takes so long, feeling infinitely longer than the months he had spent planning this. He wonders if he has forgotten-...
Steve frowns, his features scrunched up in confusion, and Tony knows he's found it. He bites his lip, waiting. Steve looks over at Tony, his face going lax as he realises what he is feeling, his eyes wide and watery.
"Tony..." Steve says in a choked whisper, lifting the ring from the bowl, holding it up between them.
"Steve, sweetheart," he says, reaching up to take Steve's hand in his own. "I love you more than you could ever know. More than I could ever show or say. But I'd love nothing more than to spend the rest of my life finding all the ways, just as you show me you love me. Will you marry me?"
"Yes," Steve says, leaning in, pulling him into a passionate kiss.