Work Text:
Nini groans as she walks into her townhouse. Work had been cruel today since it was the Holiday season. Working at department stores in malls was already hectic enough, and last minute shoppers had gotten on her last nerves. She was far too tired to even consider doing anything else besides sleeping, so she went straight to her bedroom.
Her boyfriend had already been sitting in bed on his phone, waiting for her. He smiled when she entered.
"Hey babe, welcome home."
She gives him a weak smile as she tosses her shoes and coat onto the floor. He knew that was a sign of her being exhausted since she hated when clothes were on the ground. He got up and ushered her to the bathroom. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but she was too tired to care.
He turns on the shower and begins stripping her from her work clothes and underwear, placing them into the hamper. He strips afterwards and guides her to the shower. He takes her loofah and bar soap, lathers it up, and washes her body. She leans her head against his bare chest as he cleansed her body. He pressed kisses onto her shoulder as she rubbed the loofah on her back.
When he was done, she rinsed off on her own, turning off the shower when she was bubble free. He dries her off before drying himself and walks her to the bed. He went in her pajama drawer, took out a gown, and dressed her. He turned off all the lights and crawled under the sheets with her.
She climbed on top of him and gave him a passionate kiss as her way of saying thanks. He happily kissed back, wrapping an arm around her. She pecked his cheeks and neck before relaxing and resting her head on his shoulder.
"I love you."
He kisses her forehead, pulling her closer. "I love you too."
***
They were both fuming.
They were faced away from each other as they lay in bed, both ignoring the other. During dinner, they had gotten into an argument over whether or not Ricky should take his promotion at work. Ricky didn't want to because it meant spending a full six months without her, but Nini insisted he go since they could use the money and it wouldn't be forever.
This led to a full blown screaming match between the lovers that ended up with him storming out to take a walk to cool down. She cried as she cleaned up the kitchen and went to bed. He came back an hour later more tame but still upset. He saw her in bed on the far right side facing the wall and knew she didn't want to be bothered.
He got into his pj's and slipped under the covers, facing the other way. He could tell she wasn't asleep because she always gently snores, but he didn't want to talk right now. They sat there for thirty minutes, trying their best to go to sleep but couldn't. They're so used to cuddling that it felt unnatural not to.
Then, they both started to feel guilty about their little quarrel since it was about essentially nothing. When neither of them could take it anymore, they rolled over abruptly at the same time. Neither realized how close the other was to them, so they ended up bumping heads when they faced each other.
They sat there shocked for a moment before both broke into giggles. Nini intertwined her legs with his and rested her palm on his cheek. "I'm sorry."
"Me too. I know you just wanted what was best for the both of us."
"Don't apologize. I didn't want to be away from you that long either, especially since we've never been apart for more than two weeks."
"I'm not gonna take the job. I know it's a great opportunity, but I'd miss you way too much. I value my time with you more than some job. Please don't be upset with my decision."
She smiles. "I respect it, and I promise not to hound you about it."
"Thank you," he pecks her nose. "Can we put this behind us?"
"Already forgotten."
They kiss briefly and snuggle with one another, letting sleep take over.
***
Nini combed through Ricky's hair as she comforted him. He was crying face down on her chest, hugging her body firmly. She always hated seeing him cry; it was just as awful as when he was angry with her. She supposed it was better than him holding it in like he used to when they first started dating, but she still never wants him to be upset.
He found out today that his dad had gotten a bad case of pneumonia and was currently hospitalized. It didn't help that Mike already had existing lung issues. They wouldn't be able to visit until Saturday since neither of them could get off work, and it didn't help that they lived in Denver now.
Ricky was devastated when he got that call from his mom just thirty minutes ago. Nini was happy she was home because Ricky makes horrible decisions when he's sad and definitely would've broken something. The second he told her what was going on, she wrapped him into a bear hug. He cried his heart out, which made her cry too.
She brought him to the bedroom so they could rest as he cried it out. He finally starts to calm down, and Nini grabbed him a few tissues. He blows his nose and tosses them in the trash, wiping the remaining tears on his face.
"Thank you for being here with me."
"You know I'll always be here for you, especially at times like this."
"I think I got a little snot on your shirt."
"It's fine. It'll wash off."
They lay there in silence for a moment before Ricky begins speaking.
"I'm not ready to lose him, Neens."
"Ricky, we're not losing him yet."
"He hasn't seen me get married to you yet, he hasn't met his future grandchildren, and he won't be able to see us move into a nice house in the suburbs."
Nini's heart was breaking as she overheard him speak of his father as if he were already gone. She cupped his face.
"Ricky, I promise you that he's not leaving us anytime soon, okay? He's gonna walk out of that hospital completely cured by the end of next week. We just have to wait."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
He forms the best smile he can as he holds her hand.
"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Come lay on my shoulder."
He scoots up and puts his head on her shoulder while she wraps both of her arms around him. She kisses all over his face until she notices he's asleep. She presses one last kiss to his cheek before closing her eyes as well.
~
He wakes up to the smell of pancakes the next morning, which were his favorite. He was about to go to the kitchen but stayed put when he saw his phone ring. His heartbeat picked up when he saw it was his mom calling. A part of him didn't want to answer in fear of bad news, but he knew he had to know.
He finally answers after the third ring. "Hello?"
"Hey sweetie. How have you been holding up? Nini texted me that you didn't take it well."
"Yeah, I haven't been too hot. How's dad?"
"He's actually why I called. His doctor said that he'll be here for two more days, but he should be out by Friday."
Ricky made a sigh of relief. "That's great. Can I talk to him?"
"He's asleep right now, but I'll ring you up when he's awake."
"Thank you, mom. We're still gonna come down Saturday to see him though. It's been too long."
"I think he'd like that. Well, I have to go to work. Have a good day, dear. Love you."
"Love you too. Bye mom."
He hung up and tossed his phone on the bed. He springs up from the mattress and goes to the kitchen with a pep in his step. He sees Nini stacking pancakes on a platter with her cute "Kiss the cook" apron on.
He sneaks up on her and hugs her from behind, causing her to yelp. He spins her around and kisses her shoulder when he sets her down.
She smiles at him. "Someone woke up in a good mood."
"It's because I am in one."
"Well, I guess I made these pancakes for nothing."
"Oh, I still plan on devouring those."
She spun around in his arms and looped her arms around his neck. "What's got you all smiley?"
"Turns out, you were right. My mom just told me dad's gonna be okay."
Nini lights up and hugs him. "See? I told you he'd be fine. We gotta make sure to give him the biggest welcome home gift when we get there Saturday. Does he still like coconut cake? I'll bake him one! Oh, but he liked my chocolate cookies a lot last time I brought them. Screw it, I'll make both! I gotta go grocery shopping!"
Ricky smiled lovingly as she blabs and can't help but adore how caring she was. How did he get so lucky? He knew he could never find another Nini, and his dad's illness was a harsh reminder that life was short. He knew exactly what he had to do now.
"Nini?"
"Hm?"
"Will you marry me?"
Her face goes blank. "What did you just say?"
"I asked if you'd want to spend the rest of your life with me, carry my last name, and wear matching wedding rings. Maybe have a few kids and buy a bigger home. I'd let you decorate our house the way you always dreamt of, and I could teach our kids how to play guitar. You know, the whole shebang."
Nini begins tearing up and nods. "Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes, of course I'll marry you! You have no idea how long I've been waiting for that question!"
He beams and brings her into a kiss. She jumps up on him and wraps her legs around his waist. He smiles against her lips and doesn't break it until they're both breathless. They lay their foreheads on one another's as they catch their breath.
"I can't wait to be Mrs. Bowen."
"And I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle. I know you'll look beautiful."
"I think this moment calls for celebratory pancakes."
He chuckles. "It's scary how you know me so well."
***
They smile at each other with dazed expressions as they lay naked under the sheets. The comforter had fallen on the floor a while ago, completely forgotten. They still had a little sweat from their love making session, but both were too tired to care. She was spread out on top of him, their legs tangled as she petted his curls.
He caressed her face. "Do you know what my favorite thing to do with you is?"
She smiles. "What?"
"I adore cuddling you. You make me feel so warm. It's actually insane how much happier I get when you hold me."
"I love snuggling with you too, especially after a long day. It's as if all my troubles don't exist when you hold me."
"I'm glad I'm able to make you feel that way, love." He plays with the engagement ring on her finger. He brings her left hand to his lips and kisses it. “You have no idea how special you are to me.”
She blushes and pecks his lips. “And you have no idea how much I love being yours.”