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It all starts with something small.
They’ve only been together for a few years but it feels like it’s been so much longer. Honestly, if you had asked some of their friends they might say it had been longer- what with the practically living together, weekly standing sitcom dates that were “purely platonic,” and the constant flirting in the store front (and on heists, when they went, much to Cornelius’s dismay)- but officially they’d only been together… not even three years yet. Sure that was already married to some people, especially with the way that they acted, but it all felt a little too soon, like it was doing something wrong.
So maybe it was jumping into this whole love thing a little too fast.
But there was something about them, an inexplicable draw in the way they spoke, the way they took care with everything they did (and helping to care for its plants when it forgets to on occasion in the same manner it would), the knitting projects just lying around the house, the heated debates about the finer points of the modern sitcom or why sitcom romance is overrated- everything they did just made its heart feel so full . It knows that it loves them, but it doesn’t really know what to do with that other than keep loving them. But this question of “well what now” keeps bugging it in the back of its mind, like there’s something it's not quite getting yet.
Hotbox is thinking this over for the millionth time while sitting in the corner picking at anniversary cake in a flavor it didn’t like. The Gameses really had horrible taste, sure red velvet was popular that didn’t mean it had to like it. Besides, the cream cheese frosting was far too rich and sticky sweet for it to really enjoy any of it anyways. For as much as those two assholes were complaining about their 10th wedding anniversary party these past few weeks they sure seemed to be enjoying themselves. “Reluctant” its ass. They practically couldn’t keep their eyes off of each other with Cornelius obviously surprised that Dickson had chosen to wear a sleek black dress with lace details on the trim instead of unintentionally matching suits like they usually did and Dix charmed by his husband’s usual sharp suits.
It was nice to watch them together again and clearly enjoying themselves. Sure as hell made work a ton easier too. Still doesn’t excuse their awful taste in cake.
It’s picking at the cake in front of them and watching them dance to a song that was popular fifteen years ago that it’s never even heard of when it feels someone settle down next to it.
“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t like it, you know. I brought you something nicer.” Snyder sits next to it and sets a plate down with a small tea cookie with almonds on top- its favorite. It smiles at them and takes the plate, pushing the picked at abandoned cake towards them so they can have a little bit of it. It gives them a little kiss on the cheek as a thanks before biting into the cookie and smiling with the sweetness of the cookie and its partner.
“Did you enjoy being social?”
“Sort of? I mean, it’s all people we know already for the most part so it wasn’t too bad but then Workman and Matteo started arguing about something trivial again and I had to see myself out of that conversation before it got um, heated.”
“I’m glad that you can use me as your easy out for that because oh boy, I can see Morrow sitting with them now and I do not envy them.”
“I’m always grateful to have an escape from any prolonged social situation when I suddenly run out of energy, and especially grateful that it’s you.” They take a sip of water from the glass on the table. “Hotbox, our anniversary won’t be this uh, extravagant right?”
“Snyder, I don’t think we could even if we tried.” It pauses, before adding, “Unless you wanted it to be, of course. Then I’m sure that we could figure something out.”
“Oh GOD no. Oh my god. It’s not that I hate the attention or, ok maybe it is a bit of that, but I was just thinking… something quiet? Between the two of us? No other people???” It can feel them start to squirm with a bit of anxiety in their seat, fiddling their hands at the hem of their shirt. It takes their hand in its and caresses their thumb, gently trying to soothe them.
“You don’t have to worry about that, just. I was thinking maybe going out? I know we do it every year but tradition and all that you know. Maybe to that Vietnamese restaurant that you said reminded you of your dad’s cooking, since it’s pretty far and it is a pretty special occasion after all.”
“Oh! Well, I wouldn’t want to step on any toes, and three years isn’t that big or anything. I mean sure years are years and all but I wouldn’t call three a particularly big or important number.”
“Sure, I mean I guess you’re right, but I, personally, feel that any amount of years spent with you is worth celebrating even if it isn’t an important number. But I wasn’t even talking about the years anyways, aren’t the finals a few days before our anniversary?”
“That’s assuming we even make it to the finals”
“Snyder, with all due respect, you’re literally the top in the division right now. There’s no way that you’re not going to make it to the finals.”
“You say that but you don’t know that much about Derby, and it’s so early in the season! SO much could happen and-”
“Well I do know enough to know that you’re obviously the best… but don’t tell Esme I said that.” They roll their eyes at it and let out a quiet laugh.
There’s a comfortable silence between them that follows, their bodies turned towards the center of the room watching the Gameses again as Dickson spins Cornelius around. Snyder has moved their chair closer to its and lays their head against its shoulder. It plays with their curls as they watch the scene in front of them. Snyder is eating cake and practically melting into its touch, and they let this go on for a short while before they adjust their position and look up at it.
“Do you think we’ll ever be like them?” They ask with genuine curiosity, a simple question with no strings attached. That was always nice about them.
"Like who?"
"Well, who do you think?"
"The bitter old farts?" That got them giggling a bit.
"I mean, if you wanna call them that then sure, why not, but maybe you should give them some slack today it is their anniversary after all"
"Yeah. It is, isn't it."
"10 years is... a long time. Do you think we'll ever make it?"
"Well I don't know about all that... I mean you're pretty prickly and have a tendency to let things just catch fire..." They playfully swat at its thigh in protest while it snickered at its own joke.
"Hey! That was one time! And I'm being serious! Do you think we could ever be like them?"
There's a glance thrown at the men of the hour, they're slow dancing in the middle of the room and whispering in each other's ears, smiling and giggling as if they're the only people in the room. In some ways it guessed that this was more of a vow renewal than an anniversary after everything that had happened between them. 10 years really was a long time, yeah. So much can happen in ten years. You can almost get divorced and get back together again in ten years, the Gameses did it, after all. You can fall in love, fall out of love. But...
"Like those two? I mean I guess we could, if we really wanted." There's a look of insecurity and worry on their face that they're trying to hide, a doubt that it felt the same way about them and a fear of loss, and they're about to say something when it keeps going
"But…” It tries to figure out what to say. The nervousness and possibility of saying the wrong thing lingering in the air, but it pushes through the fear that it knows is irrational because Snyder cared about it.
“But?”
“I think we could do better than that. I think we could get to ten without almost imploding our relationship. Or having bad cake at any of our anniversaries or hiring divorce lawyers and "divorce lawyers." I think we could out class those two clowns any time." It leaves the statement hanging in the air, just letting it sink in for a second. Maybe it felt a little bad disparaging the two of them on their wedding anniversary, but it wasn't going to mince words just because of that- they were grown men who could take it.
Snyder looks a bit stunned, but smiles and laughs "Well, you're probably right. Besides, I don't think I could do the whole wearing the dress I wore to my divorce photoshoot for my 10th wedding anniversary. THEY can keep that one."
"Oh my god is that where they got it?" They both start laughing quietly, trying to hide their little snickers from their hosts and the rest of the guests. As they wind down and sigh into each other watching the Gameses slowly come to the end of their anniversary dance and Snyder gently takes its hand in theirs as a small, wordless "I love you" and it realizes oh.
Oh.
It wants to spend the rest of its life with them.
Hotbox wants to marry them.
It starts looking for rings the next day.
-
Roller derby finals were always stressful for Hotbox. Sure, it wasn’t the one competing at all but there was always the possibility that Snyder might get injured and it really hates seeing them get hurt because ok, was it wrong of it to worry just a little? Concussions were a serious thing and derby was a full contact sport that it knew they got a little too into sometimes so it wasn’t the biggest stretch in the world. Even if they were good at the game it was still dangerous and of course it won’t stop them from doing what they love but when finals came around and people got more anxious to win it always made sure to send a few extra texts reminding them to stay safe out there.
It really doesn’t help that this time it’s thinking about the ring burning a hole in its pocket made specifically for them.
Yeah their anniversary still wasn’t for a few more days but it didn’t want to risk them finding the ring early. That would just ruin the whole thing and everything had to be perfect for them. Their favorite restaurant, their favorite outfit of its, on the tails of their inevitable victory tonight…
Oh god. What if they didn’t win tonight? That would suck . That would ruin the plan. Oh gosh. What if everything else went wrong too? What if the restaurant closed down? What if everything went to shit? What if it was just rushing head first into everything?
What if they said no .
As it gets out of its beat up old PT Cruiser, all the emotions it's been bottling up for the past few months suddenly come crashing down on it. It’s nervous .
Fuck. Now really shouldn’t be the time to get nervous. Their anniversary was days away. The game was in half an hour. It was in the parking lot of the rink and was here to support them and it was going to have a good time watching them kick some serious Hellmouth ass. Because it loves them and it will not worry about every little bruise that they get because they can take care of themself.
It’s walking up to the doors and trying to calm itself down, giving its ticket to the person running the doors and it's trying to find its section even though it knows where its section is because it always sits in the same section and good lord it can’t get nervous because it has to cheer on its partner and help them win by being loud and NOT being nervous.
It isn’t really paying attention as it fiddles with the ring in its pocket and thinking way too hard when it suddenly runs into someone, snapping it out of their nervous spiral when they make a disgruntled sound from the ground.
“Would it hurt to pay attention when you’re- oh, hello Hotbox. Would you mind helping me off the floor? Sorry I was so, let’s call it “assertive” with you I didn’t realize you were there” Cornelius was sitting up in his full gaudy yellow suit, now covered in dirt from being (accidentally!) pushed to the floor and extending his hand, expecting it to take it while clearly being displeased with the whole situation. It helped him up and gave him the hat that had fallen off his head in the fall, which he inspected thoroughly looking for any scuff marks before putting it back on his head.
“Oh! Uh, hey Mr. Games, uh, sir. Sorry about that.”
"Hotbox, you've been my employee for six years and a member of the team for about five. I would hope you’d feel more comfortable with me than just a superior, you came to my tenth wedding anniversary for god's sake. Please, you can just call me Cornelius"
“Yes, uh, sorry Cornelius I really wasn’t looking where I was going and- wait, why are you here of all places? With all due respect, I didn’t really take you for a derby guy”
“Oh I’m not.” He responds matter of factly
“Then why-?”
“ Richardson has decided to take up derby as a hobby, or well Esme told him they needed another player on the team for this season and she knew that he had a basic level of both athleticism and skating technique and she decided to ask the old fool. Of course they said yes and well,” he smiles fondly despite the bitterness in the way he says his husbands name, “they made it to the finals, they’re a good team after all even if Dix can hardly score ten points in a game- though I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that with Snyder being captain. Honestly, I’m a bit surprised that you didn’t notice him on the team sooner, he’s hardly playing on the same level as the rest of them.”
It chuckles nervously, because it knows that it doesn’t pay attention to anyone but Snyder during the games both out of concern and… well ok so sue it for thinking they’re kinda hot when they get in the zone and starts knocking people around. But it just nods in agreement
"But nevermind all that, how have you been as of late? it's been a moment since we just talked to each other outside of work"
"Not much has been happening really, I saw you and your husband dancing at your anniversary party. I'm not gonna lie it was kinda weird, but it was nice to see you like that with them”
''Oh! Well I'm glad you thought so. I know that you've been privy to some... details about our marriage that weren't exactly savory and have seen a lot of our issues play out in the store but... I think we're good now. And we should be for a while now." He says it all with a smile on his face, a look of genuine hope that it had been missing from him these past few years. It was good to see him like that.
“That’s really good to hear Cornelius, it’s nice to know that the oldest couple I know is still going strong and that there really is hope for the rest of us.” It smirks as it exaggerates the emphasis on old, making Cornelius scowl in turn.
"Yes, yes, keep laughing one day you’ll be “old” like us and understand how we feel- not that we’re actually old, after all I’m only 40.” He hesitates before saying 40, like he can hardly believe it or maybe he’s just a bit too prideful to admit that he’s aging, but he recovers quickly and pivots to practiced politeness as always. “Forgive me for being so rude, but how's Snyder doing? We’re at their game now of course, but I know your anniversary is coming up and that's pretty important to you, no?"
"It’s nothing at all, don't worry we’re. Good. Yeah, good is a word for it I guess. We love each other, you know? And that's what matters to the both of us and it's nice. we're... happy"
Cornelius mulls over this for a second, in the same way a concerned father makes it known that they have more to say about whatever just happened. When he speaks, it’s with a carefully calculated tone, almost like he doesn’t want to upset it.
"Hotbox, forgive me if I’m out of line here, but is there something on your mind? You seem... unsure of yourself. Not to mention the whole not paying attention while walking and running into me thing." Well, there was the ever famous Cornelius “passive aggressive” Games, here to get what he wants. Even so, it didn’t really know what to say to that. It knows that he cares about it, but there’s still that lingering feeling of self doubt in its estimation of what its relationship is with people that it shies away from any shred of intimacy.
"Yeah no it's all good I’m just uh, nervous about the game. I guess. The beams always give us a hard time." There’s an awkward pause between the two of them. Really, it should just get to its seat so that it can get settled in before the game but…
"Actually, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, if it’ll ease your mind I’m more than happy to oblige."
"It's a bit personal, if that's ok." It fiddles with the ring in its pocket, maybe he doesn’t want to talk about this because- well, ok he fixed his marriage so maybe that wasn’t a fair assumption but there was still the chance.
"Sure, I consider you part of my family now it's really nothing. Ask away"
"How did you propose to Dickson?"
There’s a brief look of shock on his face, before he contemplates for a short while on the question. It wonders if somehow he forgot the story of their proposal, which it almost voices before thinking better of it and keeping its mouth shut.
“Well, I think we had known each other for a year at that point when-”
“A YEAR? As in, just one??”
“If you’re going to judge me for how long we were dating, then by all means I can stop talking”
“No no no please I’m sorry for commenting. I promise I’ll be quiet and not judge your weird relationship with your husband.” It says it with a teasing tone in its voice that Cornelius clearly picks up on and narrows his eyes at it, but he keeps going with the story.
“As I was saying , we had known each other for a year at that point and had been “dating” or what we called dating for maybe three months, when one day we were, ah, stealing… something… yes. Stealing something and on the getaway we kissed for a while and eventually I just asked if they wanted to marry me and well, the rest is history.” Cornelius looked 10 years younger when he was reminiscing on the early days of his relationship, and it was an odd sight to see. He looked… happy. Which wasn’t exactly rare, or at least not as rare as it used to be, but it was strange to see him so unguarded. “Was there anything else I could help you with?”
“Were you nervous?”
“Well, there wasn’t really any time to be nervous. It sort of just… spilled out of me? I suppose is a word for it. It was all sort of spontaneous.” Much like the rest of our relationship , it can practically hear him say. “What I’m trying to say is, it’ll happen when it happens. So there’s no rush and no worry to get to the “perfect” timing because frankly, any moment is perfect when you’re in love enough to get married.”
“Wait, I never said anything about-”
“Oh would you look at that, the game is about to start and I really should be getting to my seat now and so should you, it was lovely to talk with you as always Hotbox I’ll see you soon I’m sure.”
“You can’t just! I didn’t say that-”
“You didn’t have to, no one who’s not thinking about getting married asks how other people proposed.”
“I guess but-”
“Oh one more thing before I go, Hotbox?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t worry about if they’ll say yes- if you’re thinking about it, they probably are too.” He waves to it as he walks away, leaving them in the slightly stunned aftermath of his bold assumptions. Sure he was right but that didn’t mean it had to like it.
It made its way over to its section where, ah yes, of course it was the only game of the season Tillman actually decided to show up to and he got there before it- it’s sure he won’t lord this over it for the rest of the week, no Tillman the ever mature and well adjusted adult human man with a “real” job would never do this, how silly could it get.
"Gee it fucking took you long enough asshole, can’t believe I got here first when you’re totally whipped for the captain of the team." As expected, Tillman is gonna be the worst about this.
"Listen, YOU try and stop talking to Cornelius when you accidentally knock him down and have to apologize"
"Oh fuck are you good dude? I’m honestly shocked you even made it out alive man" He seems genuinely impressed, which would be honorable if not for the fact that literally everyone but him seems to know that Cornelius goes harder on him than everyone else for some reason unbeknownst to anyone but himself.
"Nah, he was totally chill but I just think it's cuz he totally likes me better than you." It’s an intentional little dig, but it’s part of their whole Thing with each other. Being friends with Tillman meant you had full access to poking fun of him rights.
"WHAT? No he doesn't, you're just imagining shit."
"Keep telling yourself that dude." It turns to look at the game and is ready to just let what happens happen, but it feels a strange prickle at the back of its neck that tells it to be honest with him. Maybe it’ll help ground it more with the whole nervous thing. "And also I asked him, ah, for advice."
"Advice??? From old Corny Games??? What could it POSSIBLY be" Tillman’s eyes went wide, seeming genuinely shocked
"I’m gonna propose to Snyder"
"Yooooo you ready to pop the question? About fucking time"
"Yeah? Well I don't see YOU doing anything any time soon"
"Well this isnt about me this is about you and your partner who youve been making goo goo eyes at over the shift change for almost a fucking decade"
"It’s been like, six years that's not really almost a decade, and if you're gonna be an asshole i can just leave you alone in this section to figure out the game for yourself and find one with better seating"
"Noooo ahaha don't do that you're so sexy"
"Hey Tilly"
"What"
"Shut the fuck up"
"You know you love me"
"Yeah, you’re right. But not nearly as much as I love messing with you. I might just pants you again if you keep being this annoying. Or like, not include you in the wedding party."
"Dude that was SO unpog of you, don't you even fucking THINK about doing that again you’re like, mega tall and you put my belt way too fucking high on the shelf I had to get Mikey to take it down. Also like, if I wasn’t in your wedding party who would you even be el em ay oh."
"Then stop being an ass about me proposing to my partner."
"Ugh FINE but don't expect me to go easy on you later."
"Whatever. We still on for Wednesday?" Their standing gig, Smokehouse Gang Wednesdays, the totally cool name and not super lame one that Tillman first came up with, was still going despite the scheduling conflicts in the recent past. As much as it would have pained an 18 year old version of itself to say it… he was one of its best friends and it did miss him when they couldn’t do their weekly sitcom watch with the rest of their friends.
"Yeah man you know it" He fist bumps it just as the buzzer to start the game goes.
Snyder leads the team out confidently, and they’re mesmerizing to watch the whole game. The Charleston Skate Thieves Roller Team had never looked so good, though, it thought that every time it saw them come out onto the track. Give ‘em Hellmouth were the reigning champs and longtime rivals, but that didn’t mean that Charleston didn’t have a chance- after all, Snyder was captain this year and it had the utmost confidence in them to lead the team to victory.
The first period is close, and Hellmouth pulls away at the end there giving them a narrow lead. It’s exhilarating, and terrifying all at once. Every time they whip around a corner or knock someone out of bounds it cheers louder than anything, and any time they receive so much as a light tap it has to remind itself that they’re a professional who knows exactly what they’re doing. It’s a constant cycle, but it knows that everything will work out alright for the Thieves and they WILL win their first championship.
It’s the second to last jam, Hellmouth is ahead by only a handful of points but there’s still time to catch up. Anything can happen in roller derby, Hotbox has seen that itself. Snyder is the jammer for this one, which is so good since they’re the Thieves best scorer, it knows that much at least. But the only thing is that Hot Nava’s up too, Hellmouth’s fearsome and frankly ruthless leader.
The whistle blows and they’re off. Hotbox is at the edge of its seat watching the two jammers try to push through the pack, practically screaming when Snyder makes it through and gets named lead jammer. Hot Nava isn’t far behind, but on her first scoring pass she gets blocked by Dix and Forrest, shortly followed by Esme coming in to assist. Snyder’s about to make the second scoring pass and it can hear the announcers going wild as they get a GRAND SLAM, Nava is still struggling by the time they get around the track and they get ANOTHER ONE and it can feel itself practically jumping up and down with excitement. Nava finally makes it out of the pack to score some points, and it looks like Snyder’s going to get another one when all of a sudden, and seemingly out of nowhere number 420 bumps them hard with their hips and Snyder goes tumbling out of bounds.
Its heart is beating out of its chest, and it hears the announcer's voices blaring “Weedwacker pushes Maul O’Tov out of bounds and it looks like they’re calling off the jam! Oh this looks like a nasty one-” and it doesn’t even think before getting up to rush down by the track as they’re getting led off by a few of the referees.
It's running as fast as it can, and somehow it doesn’t feel fast enough.
There isn’t any time to be nervous, it just has to get to them as fast as it can.
-
“You know, the injury isn’t as serious as you’re making it out to be.” Snyder is laid up on their couch with their ankle elevated and iced exactly as the nurse said to do it. It wasn’t exactly sprained, just a little tender after that particularly nasty hit, but it never hurt to be too safe.
“Love, you say that but maybe it’s just because you’re used to it. You know, you do have to take care of yourself which I have utmost faith in you to do but as much as I love you for it I think all your rational thought gets thrown out the window when you put those skates on.” It’s sitting on the ground in front of them, its head leaning on the side of their chest while scrolling through the channels figuring out what to put on. Snyder snatches the remote from it and it almost protests, but lets them have it.
“You may be right, I will not confirm nor deny that statement. But regardless, you have to let me pick what we’re watching while dinner cooks because you just love me that much and I’m so pathetic and injured and need to watch the reruns of Saved by the Bell right now.” They change the channel to the one they want as Hotbox laughs at the drama of it all.
The smell of sazon and baked chicken linger in the air as they sit there quietly watching the show. There’s a gentle touch as they play with its pin straight hair, it moves forward so they can have better access to its hair and they start braiding it absentmindedly. There’s something so familiar about it all- the almost nightly sitcoms, the feeling of their hands in its hair as they undergo the laborious process of braiding its hair with care not to pull too much on its scalp, the smell of homemade cooking coming from the kitchen. It’s a strange comfort to know that it has a home in Charleston when once upon a time it thought that moving here would be the end of the world, to not just feel like it has a home but to feel like it belongs somewhere- with them of all people. To know that there are people out there who would love it unconditionally and without any hesitation at all because they want to, not because they have to, and who wants to put the work in for it.
It shifts in its place, moving further out so that Snyder can get to the end of its hair, and it's overcome with a wave of emotion and a feeling of its chest tightening with it. It's full and it's sappy and it is all too aware of the ring in its pocket. It plays with it for a while, and is about to say something when the oven timer goes off and breaks it out of its daze as Snyder ties the braid up with a small hair tie that they had in their pocket.
“Would you look at that, perfect timing. I’ll go check on dinner now.” They give it a kiss on the top of its head as they start to get up. “Stay put, I'll be right back- hopefully with food.”
They turn up the volume of the tv so they can hear it from the kitchen and by the time Hotbox fully comes to they’re already gone.
“Hey wait a sec- Snyder your injury-”
“Is not that bad, I can walk! I can move! I can handle everything. It’s ok love, quit worrying about the small stuff, you can relax.”
It gets up to go help them and when it turns around it's nearly knocked to the floor by the sight of them pulling the dish out of the oven, their light brown skin glowing in the light of the oven and curly hair still in a messy braid from the game. They look tired, and honestly like a hot mess with a few bruises on their shoulder and sweat and makeup still staining their face, but wow. They were gorgeous.
How did it ever get so lucky?
As they set the dish down on the countertop to cool, Hotbox takes their hand and spins them around. Caught by surprise, they nearly fall in the process but it catches them
“Hotbox, what are you doing?”
“I’m dancing with you, can’t you tell?” It grabs onto their waist and pulls them in closer to it and starts swaying from side to side.
“I still have to check on the rice, can’t you wait five seconds?”
“Nope. Have to do this right now, sorry love! Doctors' orders are to dance in our kitchen, it’s a tough thing to adhere to I know, but I’m sure you can find it in you to obey for your own health.” They laugh at its joke and concede to being led around the kitchen in a slow dance.
They dance in silence for a while, just enjoying the proximity of one another as Zack brings Kelly out to the prom picnic he planned and the cold breeze from the cracked window comes blowing in. They play with the braid going all the way down its lower back while it gives them a kiss on the cheek.
“I know I’ve been spending so much time worrying about you, but I’m seriously so proud of you for winning the championship- it takes a lot of guts and a whole fuck ton of skill to be able to pull that off.” It can feel their face turn red hot against its own, their embarrassment at being complimented and appreciated so openly ever present.
“Well thanks love, it was nothing of course, but I wasn’t even part of the final jam in the end. I mean you’re right I was being reckless out there today and maybe even a bit cockier than usual-” they try to deflect onto the rest of the team, but it won’t let that happen- not tonight at least.
“Beloved you got not one, but two grand slams in your final bout. I know you know how RIDICULOUS that is- especially in the finals like that. You are an incredible person and I’m so so proud to call you mine.” They bury their head in the crook of its neck, and pull it closer to them. The sound of prom music from the tv seems to get louder in their quiet apartment, filling the space around them.
“I should really check on the rice.” They both know it’s true, but neither moves to break their embrace, basking in the warmth from the oven and the shitty overhead lights in their shared apartment.
It starts with something small.
“I love you”
“I love you, too.” It really does. It knows that, for certain. Maybe more than its known anything else in its entire life.
“You know, you’re really wonderful, Snyder.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Just, everything about you. The way you look when you’re thinking about something hard and you’re looking for an answer and your face gets all twisted up. How you never really know what to do with all the plants I like to keep around but you make sure to say hi to them all in the morning anyways. The energy you have when you’re jamming on the track in a game and how you become this totally different super hot rockstar personality that I love seeing you in. The active rivalry you have with squirrels when we go for walks in the park even though they have no way of knowing you hate them- just, it’s all so you . And I love that.” It all comes rushing out of it and suddenly it can’t seem to stop . It can hear Zack tell Kelly that being together was enough on the tv, the sound of cheesy 90s prom music underscoring the scene. What did it have to lose?
There wasn’t any time for hesitation.
“Snyder, will you marry me?”
The music stops, and so do they.
The air is unbearably still for what seems like ages. It worries that it’s miscalculated, that it’s done something wrong and fuck , it was EARLY. It wasn’t supposed to do this in their kitchen when Snyder was still sweaty from their game and dancing to their nightly sitcom noise- it got it all wrong and god, what if they said-
“Hotbox, are you serious?” It’s quiet. As if they almost don’t believe it, or don’t want to believe it. There’s no backing out now though, it clears its throat and speaks clearly and loudly.
“Extremely serious- Snyder, you’re the best person I’ve ever met and I just love you so much and I know that-!”
Before it can even finish its sentence, Snyder is dipping it low and kissing it deeply and oh, those are tears streaming down their face that it can feel but before it can even ask if everything is ok, they’re pulling up for air and peppering kisses all over its face.
“Yes! Of course I want to marry you, you idiot. I love you. More than I ever really thought I could love anyone just- YES!” They laugh and god, it thinks that it might be the most beautiful sound in the world.
They’re kissing and crying and being sappy, and it’s perfect. Hotbox pulls out the ring it had made, a delicate gold with a small fire opal stone resting in the center, and as it slides it on their finger they know that this is forever, that it’s never going to leave them and everything they want is right here in front of them.
“Everything about this was perfect, my love. I love you so much, and I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life with you.” They kiss it once more just to let it know how much they really love it, how truly grateful they are to have it in their life.
Perfect. Even if it hadn’t gone exactly according to plan, they had still called it perfect .
It laughs heartily and gives them a kiss on the cheek. They always knew exactly what to say. Of course everything was perfect, they were together, and that was enough.
“Snyder, it’s a miracle to have you here with me. I truly mean it.” It's looking at them with all the love in the world, hoping that they can understand even just a fraction of its love and appreciation of them.
“Is it really a miracle that I love you?” They ask it genuinely, it’s not concerned, but there is something there that feels like they’re pushing for something more. It thinks on it for a second, really trying to think if it was a miracle after all that they had found each other, that they had loved each other in the end.
“No. It’s not a miracle, it must be fate.”
“Fate, huh?” They smile amusedly “I like the sound of that.”
They laugh so hard that they just barely notice the smell of burnt rice coming from the stove. As they rush to clean it up, Hotbox smiles as it sees the ring on its fiance’s hand, and it knows that it is so lucky to have them.
It really is the little things that get to it.
And pretty soon, it’ll have a matching ring of it’s own.