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Grime had never been fond of the stars.
Sure they had been useful for navigation during his army days, but he never considered them outside of that.
He had thought nothing of them, until he learned of Hopediah’s interest in them. The smaller frog could probably name any celestial body on Amphibia or on Earth, though he hadn’t seen much of Earth’s in person. Sensing his want to see the stars and analyzing his own mushy feelings, he planned a trip to Earth that would mix his beloved’s love of camping and astronomy.
His elation at Grime’s suggestion of camping around the Rocky Mountains was literally physical, and he scurried around quickly to gather his camping kit and was ready to hit the road by an hour’s time.
And that’s how they found themselves lying on a picnic blanket, watching a meteor shower on this chilly night in Colorado.
Grime had struggled to keep up with Hopediah’s enthusiasm and was even annoyed at the effort of this trip at times, but now that they’re here together?
Now that he gets to see those shining cerulean meteors reflected in those gorgeous, ashen eyes, wearing that dopey grin his dearest assumes whenever he’s excited, he thinks that this truly was worth it.
The most beautiful sight he’s been blessed with. What did he ever do to deserve this.
Hopediah glances over to him, probably getting ready to fire off about the sight of the Molkey Weigh Gallon or ramble about how humans thought the Earth was round, what a childish notion , when he noticed Grime’s sour mood and his expression morphed into something worried.
“Copper for your thoughts?” He gently probes.
The toad hesitates for a moment, after a brief pause he decides that he shouldn’t keep this to himself for once. He trusts Hopediah fully, though still struggles with his feelings.
“Just the tower and that day in the throne room…how somebody as bad as I earned the right to be your partner.” The old toad glances away, unable to meet the frog’s gaze.
The old frog just sighs, not in agitatation or annoyance, but in deep worry. He knew Grime struggled with being vulnerable, though was incredibly proud of the progress he had made. He reaches over and hugs his partner tightly, remembering how he is most affirmed by physical touch.
“It’s okay darling” the orange frog starts as he rubs circles on his toad companion’s chiseled back, “I forgave you so long ago. It’ll be okay. I love you so, so much.”
He cracks a small smile with palpable love and reassurance, “I’ll remind you of that as many times as I have to, Gri .”
The toad soldier gives a hearty chuckle at the nickname, but then recalls the real reason he took Hopediah on this trip.
Come on Grime you used to be the Captain of the South Toad Tower! The most feared gladiator of the Colosseum! You can handle any monster or dumb proposal life throws your way!
He takes a deep breath, clears his mind, and cups the frog’s hands in his own claws. He gently traces his thumb over the farmer’s calloused palm, moving gradually upwards to his index finger.
“Hoppy, the years I’ve spent with you have been some of the greatest in my life and I’m beyond euphoric that you continue to stay with me. Through our highs and our lows I know that you’ll always have my back and…” he falters for a moment, but Hopediah patiently waits for him, just as he always has and always will.
Grime moves to pull out a phone from his pocket and gently places it in the orange frog’s recently manicured hands.
“I’m…not very good at showing affection, but I wanted you to have this. It’s an NFT, non-fungible token, of our first anniversary photo and I was thinking…since it was in Amphibia maybe we could sell it for a large sum of money to humans. Claim it as…advancing the fine arts. Then we could use the money and take a long trip together, just the two of us, what do you say?”
Hopediah stares back owlishly and for a moment Grime feels his heart sink.
“That is um… if you want to no pressure-“ he’s suddenly cut off by a passionate kiss that he’s more than happy to reciprocate.
Eventually though, both amphibians have to pull away due to oxygen needs, but the orange frog’s hands remains interlaced with his partner’s (husband’s? it doesn’t matter, as long as they’re together) rough hands.
“Now I don’t know much about this…human token thing but…I’d love to make what we have official- really official-“ he wipes the cascade of tears rolling down his peach face, “What I’m trying to say is…yes Gri, I’d love to travel with you. Maybe even dress up and make a whole thing outta it. Whaddya say?”
The orange frog extends his hand out, grinning like an idiot (a married idiot, Grime reminds himself) and he doesn’t hesitate to take it.
No matter what problems life will throw at him, he knows His Hoppy will always help him get through it and that he’ll do the same. That they’ll weather it, together, for the rest of their lives.
Til death does them part.