Chapter Text
You can do this...you can do this...you can do this…you can do this... repeated over and over in Nailmaster Mato’s head. He paced around in circles, fiddling around with an object.
He was turning a charm over in his hands. It was a basic charm he made with his own two hands and help from his brother. It had three points that resembled horns just like his. Deep pink-ish plates resembling another beloved’s armor and his precious claws. Metal fluff supported the back of it.
Mato had no idea what it does: and that was the point.
This charm was made to propose .
Mato had thought about marrying Ogrim ever since he called his child one of his own. That filled his heart with love and mind with thoughts of making that official.
Now he’s just standing there looking at a simple charm like it’s the greatest treasure in the world.
Because it was.
His heart felt full, and when it felt full it felt heavy. He was so excited but so nervous.
The plan was set, he just had to see it through. He wanted to take Ogrim out on a picnic date. Rest easy, eat food, listen to the winds.
Pop the question.
As easy as that!
...Mato kept pacing, anxious.
He already packed the basket. Sandwich materials, Ogrim’s favorite jam, he even went to his father to get some sweets! Crunchy cookies, he knew how Ogrim liked that texture. It was lovely! That was ready to go.
What wasn’t ready was him . He was totally ready to marry Ogrim. He loves him so so much but he was worried he wouldn't have the right words!
He rubbed the charm as if it could tell him how to woo his beloved. He didn’t have all the pet names, but Ogrim was beloved to him as well. He wanted to show Ogrim exactly how he made him feel. Like he was on top of the world. Like he was the funniest, strongest, and most beautiful thing he knew.
And for that moment he was going to make him his.
"I can do this!" Mato muttered to himself, trying to brute force his confidence to its height. If he kept affirming himself, he’d figure out what to say! Right?
He took a deep breath. Ogrim would arrive any minute and neither of them were getting any younger. Now that the world was safe from the infection, he could say that and mean it.
He grabbed the case Nailsmith had lovingly made out of shell wood and old metal clamps salvaged from his old forgery.
He said he was happy to paint it with all sorts of little details, but Mato was one for simple pleasures. Plus, he wanted it to look inconspicuous if Ogrim sees it while setting up the picnic. So Nailsmith gladly painted the box in watered-down pink, blue and purple tones. Mato noted the Nailsmith couldn’t resist carving a small heart on the top corner of the box.
Mato couldn’t complain about the sweetness of his in-laws. The charm fit inside the box perfectly and it looked divine.
Without their kindness: this wouldn’t exist! So he had to see it through, despite the anxiety!
He snapped the box shut and tucked it in the picnic basket. He took a deep breath and shut the whole thing.
Mato tapped the basket, happiness, and nervousness bubbling around him. He pulled on his cleanest cloak and double-checked the basket’s contents, pausing to take deep breaths between tasks to calm his nerves.
He got in one last deep breath when he heard Ogrim’s distinct footsteps approaching the hut. It’s time.
“Hello, dear!” He heard Ogrim excitedly call before he was even fully in the hut. Mato chuckled at Ogrim’s exuberance and held out his arms for a hug. His heart warmed instantly when Ogrim came through the curtains and accepted Mato’s hug. Mato tried to squeeze all the way around him, but Ogrim was a bit too round and excited to squeeze him harder.
“Hi, Ogrim!” Mato laughed out through the squeeze. Mato felt a blush under his mask, his plan buzzing in his mind. Seeing Ogrim’s face made it shiver and the details fuzz.
He wanted to do it now, but he needed to hold back that blunt forwardness for once in his life.
He wanted it to be special. A night to remember.
Mato gave Ogrim a headbutt, humming happily. He held Ogrim’s claws, giving them an enthusiastic shake.
“I hope you’re as thrilled as I am for this date!” Mato smiled, pointing at the basket.
“Oh, yes! Oh ho!!” Ogrim grinned while Mato let go to grab it. When Mato approached him, Ogrim jokingly tried to peek in the basket, distracting Mato with an awkward attempt at a side kiss.
Mato pulled the basket away. “It’s just sandwiches.”
“Just sandwiches?” Ogrim said, trying not to sound disappointed. Mato poked him on the nose, moving towards the door. “Sandwiches and surprises!”
Ogrim laughed, trying to hold Mato’s hand. Mato let him and held his claw tight.
---
Mato was vibrating with anticipation as he led Ogrim to the spot he planned out. He wanted to propose to Ogrim in a spot where vengeflies wouldn't pick at their food, and where they could see the lights of the faraway village. The view was splendid.
“Here?” Ogrim asked when Mato let go of his claw. “Right here!” Mato confirmed, setting down the basket and kneeling to grab a blanket from one side of it. He laid it down, smoothing it out. He weighed it down with a couple of rocks as well.
Ogrim gazed at the view, enjoying the lighting of the lumafly lamps. These lamps had been abandoned for ages, but they kept themselves fed and safe by making their cocoons inside.
Thinking about that always made Ogrim a little happy. Looking at Mato also made Ogrim happy. He leaned over to try and help set up the picnic. “Ah-ah!” Mato teasingly smacked Ogrim’s claws away.
“I got this. Allow me.” Mato pulled out two plates, setting them down next to each other. To break the admittedly comfortable silence, Mato asked, “Were you with Stag, today? How is he doing?”
Ogrim hummed, sitting down on the blanket next to Mato. “Yes, I spent my morning with him. He’s going...good. That bad foot was still bothering the old man, however…” Ogrim didn’t mean to bring this up in a sad way, and that faltered when Mato set out his favorite jam. His eyes sparkled towards its amber color.
“Oh my, poor man!” Mato said, sympathetic. Ogrim waved his claw down.
“We went to the crossroads for Hot Spring water now that it’s running cleaner! A few splashes of that and he felt much better!” Ogrim gave a short laugh, happy it worked out.
“That’s fantastic.” Mato smiled. “That old man needs to rest more. We should walk to Dirtmouth more often.”
“You know if we do that, he’ll get all lonely,” Ogrim stated, and Mato knew it was a fact.
“True. Ah.” Mato shook his head. “I wouldn’t put it past him to be like Elderbug about it.” He chuckled.
“Hey now, we’ll be old men acting like that before you know it.”
Mato pulled out the sandwich materials. “Old men together, though?”
“Oh ho ho! Aw, yes, old men together!”
Mato’s heart beat faster at that. He had to hope he’d say yes once more. Keep saying yes.
Ogrim gasped when he saw Mato pull out the cookies. "When'd you get these?!" Mato snickered when Ogrim immediately took one to crunch on before even touching one of the sandwiches.
“The other day I ran down to Dad’s shop to see if he had any and he did!”
“These ones are so good. You’re so sweet, love!”
Mato blushed, happy to see him happy. He rubbed the back of his head and started eating as well.
“Thank you.” Mato practically spoke into his sandwich. He thought hard about how to start and lead up to ask the big question.
“Let it happen naturally. Don’t try to rush things. He’ll say yes. Why wouldn’t he say yes?” Mato’s thoughts bubbled as they talked about their day and worked through the food.
Mato was happy to put Ogrim’s honey jam onto some bread for him. It was perfect. The sandwiches were delicious, despite being made of leftover cooked meat.
Ogrim finished his first slice. He picked up the second and ate as he continued to chat with Mato. He enjoyed the feeling of joy and comfort Mato brought to his life.
Mato was glad to hear Ogrim talk about his day. He loved hearing about his adventures or going on ones with him. He loved seeing Ogrim smile. He loved being able to make him happy.
He was happy to have Ogrim around. How to start the sentence to ask for this to last forever?
Mato finished his sandwich and pulled the picnic basket closer to himself. “Are you thirsty?” Mato asked, opening it up. He grabbed some water he packed in little jars and anxiously eyed the charm box.
“Ah, yes, thank you.”
Mato gave Ogrim some water, not caring if Ogrim spilled some on the blanket. They already covered it in bread and cookie crumbs.
Mato closed the basket and looked at the spread of food to see how far along the date was. There was just bread, jam, and cookies left to snack on.
Was this his time? Or should he wait till they were full?
He’d hate the experience to happen too fast, but he’d also hate for it to feel slow and gross if they ate too much and got excited quickly after!
He cleared his throat. He had to keep talking, at least.
Maybe if he just started speaking, it would fill in for itself.
“Ogrim...there’s been...something rather important I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”
“Oh!” Ogrim hummed, putting down his jam bread. “If it’s your bent fireplace stoker, I fixed that three sleeps ago!”
“Oh you did??” Mato was caught off guard by that. He didn’t even care about that because it still functioned!
“T-Thanks?” He shook his head, positively confused.
Ogrim tilted his head when Mato tried to continue. “That’s not what I mean. I-” Mato picked at the basket, trying to regain his ground.
Start talking. Keep talking.
“Ever since I met you here, Ogrim…” Good start. Keep it going. Keep it romantic.
“You have made my life a little brighter.” Mato started, trying hard to make this train of thought run straight.
“Through grief and pain, you shouldered immense pressure and still found time to make me feel heard.”
Ogrim looked extremely confused. What was he getting at?
“You make me laugh so hard I get dizzy. Your kindness makes me feel so light I don’t even know what to do with myself!” Mato flapped his hand a little bit, trying to think of other words. His hands moved with exuberance while speaking.
“...Watching you heal and thrive has given me the courage to heal as well, and I’ll never be able to repay you for that.” Ogrim’s eyes started to shine a bit, but not in a directly negative way. Mato took that as permission to continue.
“You are love to me. I don’t...know much about romantic love before you; but when I think of love the first image in my head is your face.”
Ogrim laughed a little at that, face visibly warm. He scooted closer to Mato, deeply curious as to why he’s saying all this.
Mato looked Ogrim in the eyes, the nerves making his heart feel like leaping right out of his sleeve.
If he could, he’d take that sleeve heart and place it straight into Ogrim’s claws. There was a way he could symbolically do that. He could do it. He reached behind him, trying not to break the loving eye contact, to pull the basket to himself.
“So...I have...something to give you.”
“I do too!” Ogrim blurted, once again catching Mato off guard.
Ogrim pulled his claws into his armor and seemingly shuffled around as if he was grabbing something thin enough he could just stick inside it.
“I was going to give it to you earlier, but I was so excited I forgot about it!” Mato’s heart rushed as he feared Ogrim was about to read his mind.
Gently, a very pale orange flower popped out of Ogrim’s armor and he gingerly held it out in his claws. He was trying so hard not to crush it and Mato was gobsmacked it wasn’t already.
“When getting the hot spring water, I found this in the healing crossroads. It made me think of you.” Ogrim held it out and Mato took it. “Beloved, your words are so sweet, and I feel the same. I love you so much.”
“I…” Mato fumbled, holding the flower like it was gilded. This man was always full of surprises, Mato swore to all the gods.
“Ogrim...I…” Mato was not one to cry often, but tears of happiness easily found their way to his eyes when it came to positive emotion.
He had to ask this question. He had to ask it now.
“Thank you…” He sniffed, pressing his mask against his face. He gave a wet laugh, snorting. He put the flower on top of the basket.
“This...you are the sweetest person I’ve ever met and- what I wanted to give you is- I. Ah-” Mato’s charming words were failing to come up.
“I wanted to ask- you. Aha-” Mato pulled the box out of the basket and opened it.
With a chuckle, Mato could only ask with a waver in his voice.
“Will you share your kindness, laughter and light with me forever...and marry me?” Mato held the box out a little bit and Ogrim could only stare at it, stunned.
Ogrim looked from the charm to Mato, back and forth quickly. Mato yelped when Ogrim’s eyes filled with tears and he immediately leaped towards him. His claws wrapped around him and he squeezed him close, practically laying on top of him.
“YESSS!! YES YES YES!!! ” Ogrim yelled, sobbing happily. “Aaaahhahaha!!” Ogrim pulled Mato up and towards him, almost rolling backward. Mato hugged him back, beaming.
“Ohhho ho ho!” They both laughed. Ogrim had pulled Mato basically into his lap to kiss him.
Their horns clicked together, laughing too much to properly smooch. Ogrim held his beloved tight, nuzzling him. Mato smiled and kissed Ogrim back, resting his head against Ogrim’s chest. Ogrim wiped some stray tears from his cheeks, still giggling madly.
“Oh, Mato!! How long-? Aha-!” Ogrim struggled to talk through his giggles. His grip on the man loosened so Mato could scoot back. Ogrim looked at the charm still in the box.
Mato held the box in both hands, holding it out for him to see. His eyes were bright and Mato couldn't stop chuckling as well. “I had this made a couple of weeks ago- aheh- I’ve wanted to do this for a while- hehe.”
Ogrim hesitated like the charm wasn’t literally custom-made for him. Mato saw this and removed it from the box to hand to him.
“Sheo helped me. With...all of this. He helped me make the plan for this date, hehe..” Mato loved the look on Ogrim’s face. He gently held the charm, rubbing it with one claw. It gave it little scuffs already but that was to be expected.
“This is...beautiful! Aaaa!!” Ogrim covered part of his face with the claw, laughing a bit more.
“Can you help me put it on?” Ogrim asked, holding it out to give it back to him.
“Oh, of course!” Mato grabbed the charm and put one hand on Ogrim’s torso.
“I know this old thing has at least one charm slot on it,” Ogrim said, patting near Mato’s hand. Mato looked around and saw a small opening on Ogrim’s upper left torso plate. He tapped it, slightly off-put.
“I found it but…” Ogrim tilted his head at Mato’s tone. “It’s filled with uhm...dry...you know.” Mato flicked his hand, realizing he didn't have to be euphemistic but was anyway.
“Ahh-ha! Oh my!” Ogrim snorted, picking at it despite obviously not being able to clean it with just his claws.
“Well. This hasn’t gotten a pick through in too long. I’ll take care of that later. May I?” Ogrim held his claws out to take the charm again.
When holding the charm, Ogrim promised. “I’ll just...hold it close until I can wear it. And when I can wear it, I will never ever take it off.”
Mato shook his head, heart absolutely full. That was all he ever needed to hear from him. Well, outside of “yes!”
After a while of appreciating it, Ogrim scooted the box closer to himself and gently put the charm back inside it. He grabbed it and hugged the box close to his chest.
Ogrim set it down and scooted back into Mato’s arms. “I love you so much, my beloved.”
“I love you too, Ogrim. So so much.”
Cuddled close, they shared mutual little headbutts and kisses. They also finished off the cookies and most of the jam while looking over the lights of the village.
They were comfortable. They were loved and they were warmed despite the gentle roar of the winds.
A proper wedding ceremony was going to be planned, they both knew it. For now, they enjoyed their sweets and each other.
Nothing had to be rushed: only enjoyed to their fullest. It was going to be wonderful when it happened!
The thought of that day; a day full of love brighter than the love both men felt in these current moments made them cuddle each other a little tighter in pure joy.
It was all they could ever ask for: and it was going to be a day for the history pages!