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7:57pm
Sticky, humid air floats in through slightly open windows as quiet whispers are shared between a couple that has been together forever. They’re laying together, cuddled together on Sapnap’s bed, cringing at the way the humidity makes their skin stick to one another.
This pair had spent their whole day together. They were down at the local skate park before sunrise, sitting on the concrete ramps watching the burning ball of fire rise with a myriad of colors that blend together seamlessly. From then on they walked around the suburban area of their town, fingers intertwined and laughing at each other’s jokes.
So now here they are, tired from the day’s adventures, beginning to drift off to sleep as Sapnap runs his hand up the side of Karl’s arm soothingly.
“Truth or dare?”
Karl laughs gently. “But we weren’t playing truth or dare.”
“Well we are now. Truth or dare?”
“Dare I guess.”
“I dare you to marry me.”
Sapnap feels Karl’s body tense as he sits up. “You want me to what?”
“I want you to marry me, Karl Jacobs. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, wake up next to you every morning, kiss you goodnight as you drift off to sleep. Because I love you and I want to be able to call you mine forever and until the end of time.”
“This is a little unexpected isn’t it? Do you really think it’s a good idea? Are we ready for this?”
A grin begins to form on Sapnap’s face. “What is the point of life if you aren’t a little bit reckless?”
As Karl lays his head back on Sapnap’s chest he whispers. “Reckless.”
8:22am
Morning sunshine shines in through the parts of the window that the curtains don't cover as the couple get ready, eager to do what they had talked so little about the night before. They contemplate calling people, their family, their friends, to tell them of their plans, but decide it's better not to tell anyone in the end.
Sapnap knows his family would just get flustered over the fact that they couldn't be there, and Karl’s family the same.
And their friends would be the worst of it all. Dream has been trying to plan their wedding since middle school, when they first started “dating,” and has only gotten worse since meeting George.
They will tell everyone after, maybe have a little celebration/mock wedding for everyone to be able to celebrate their love, even though the concept of having a sort of party for everyone else to be able to celebrate their relationship seemed a little weird to them.
But step one was to get married first.
9:05am
They make their way to the car, Karl driving and Sapnap sitting comfortably in the passenger seat. They didn't bother getting totally dressed up even though they knew they had suits buried at the back of their closet from when they went to George’s sister’s wedding the year before, but they had on nice enough clothes. Sapnap wasn’t wearing the same pair of shorts and hoodie that he always wears and Karl, well he always likes dressing nice.
The courthouse wasn’t too far from where they lived, just about a 15 minute drive once you factor in the traffic that was peppering the streets.
Sapnap draws in a shaky breath. “You ready?”
He watches as Karl extends his hand, letting it hover in the air just above the center console before he reaches his hand out and places it on top gently.
“As I’ll ever be,” he says with a gentle squeeze.
9:24am
The sound of their feet on the tiled flooring is muffled by the amount of things that were hung up on the walls. They confidently follow the signs hanging from the ceiling telling them where to go. Soon they reach the marriage offices, sitting down in the chair
9:32am
“Mr Karl Jacobs and Mr-”
Sapnap cuts her off in his thoughts, mentally preparing himself for what’s to come. Yeah, it was his idea, but that doesn’t mean he is totally ready.
Tentatively, he stands, looking over to Karl before walking into the room.
9:57am
“That was,” Karl lets his voice trail off.
“Painful?” Sapnap offers as a completion to Karl’s sentence.
“Yeah,” Karl says as he chokes back a laugh.
“Listen, I’d rather fill out a bunch of paperwork than plan a wedding.
“You have a fair point.”
They get back in the car, the seats warm to the touch due to it sitting in the parking lot where the sun was shining down brilliantly.
“What’s next?”
Sapnap looks over at Karl. “I don’t know, Married couple things I guess.”
“And what exactly do married couples do?”
“Um, file our marriage taxes.”
“My god you are so lame,” Karl says with a fond look. “But that’s why I love you.”
12:54pm
The salty breeze off the Atlantic flows in through the open windows, sound wind baffling around the interior completely drowned out by the music emanating from the speakers. They drive for what feels like forever, just enjoying each other's presence.
3:17pm
Pulling into the area slightly secluded by trees, Sapnap reaches behind them to grab the bag they packed with food. Karl turns the car off, opening his door and walking around the front of the car. Sapnap goes to reach for the handle on his door before he sees Karl’s hand shoot up.
“Allow me,” he says after opening the door and Sapnap can’t help but smile at the gesture.
He steps out of the car, planting his feet on the solid ground and begins looking around.
Birds chirp happily from the branches of treetops, filling the empty air with the sound of their beautiful song as footsteps are taken towards the hidden area.
Hidden behind a large dogwood with its pink edged leaves, was a small picnic table. The Douglas fir planks were old and beaten, weathered with age. This same picnic table has been in the same spot for ages, at least since Karl and Sapnap started dating, being that it was where they went on their first date. So Sapnap thought it was only fitting for them to revisit after the events of the day.
They sit on opposite sides of the table, interlocking their feet under the table. Eating silently, they take a moment to just be happy for themselves, what they've accomplished.
They’ve only just finished their second year of college and have already managed to do so much for themselves, for their friends, for their relationship. Knowing that this is only the beginning makes Sapnap’s heart flutter in the most positive way possible.
After they finish eating, Karl reaches over the table and takes Sapnap’s hand.
“Okay, my turn. Truth or dare?” he asks as he rubs small circles with his thumb.
Sapnap smiles wider than he had all day. “Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss me.”
“That’s not even a dare.” Sapnap leans across the table, pressing a chaste kiss to Karl’s cheek.
“Oh come on, like you mean it,” Karl says, not forgetting to add, “I am your husband after all.”
As he stands, Sapnap watches as Karl smiles that dumb, fond smile that Sapnap truly adores. He adores everything about Karl, but this smile was something else.
He straddles Karl’s lap, putting his arms on his shoulders. Leaning in slowly, he connects his lips to his boyfri- husband.
God it's going to take him a while to get used to this.
But he kisses Karl like he never has before, like if they stop the world is going to explode. Like time has slowed and they are the only two who are still moving.
Sapnap moves his hands from Karl’s shoulders, letting them fall loosely down his arm. He feels the older’s breath hitch, not in a “that was very hot” way, but more in a “I am now unable to control the way my lungs exhale air,” way.
“Karl stop laughing,” he says, trying to hide the fact that he was also laughing. Karl doesn’t stop as Sapnap wraps his arms around his neck and lets his facade crumble and starts laughing as well.
Karl tightens his arms around Sapnap’s waist. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Sapnap buries his face into the crook of Karl’s neck, his breathing synching up to the rise and fall of the chest he has now pressed himself against.
“I guess you could say truth or dare only leads us to good things,” Sapnap whispers, feeling Karl shiver slightly as the air hits his neck.
Karl laughs, sending comforting reverberations through Sapnap’s torso.
“Yeah, I guess you could.”
5:42pm
A warm, gentle breeze begins to rustle the branches of tall trees as the couple begin to gather their things to leave. As Sapnap is moving to open the car door, he spots something that sparks an idea in his mind.
“Wait, Karl. Stay there for a second,” he says as he runs off to the treeline, reaching his hand down, picking flowers off their plant, leaving a short stem.
“What did you need?” Karl asks, genuinely confused as to why Sapnap had halted him.
“Pretty flowers,” Sapnap mumbles as he tucks three light purple petunias behind Karl’s ear.
“Pretty flowers,” Karl smiles.
6:17pm
After an entire day filled with happiness and joy, bright laughter and celebrating themselves, Karl finally pulls the car into the driveway. “So how do you want to tell them?” he asks as the sound of the engine fades out.
“I’m thinking we don't actually.”
“Sapnap.”
“What? I don't want to tell them. They will either be mad we didn’t throw a proper wedding or they will just start talking about how happy they are and how good we are for each other. I know that already, I don’t need them to tell me.”
“Darling, they are going to find out sooner or later. Just call them and ask if they want to go out and do something tonight. We can get food or something, distract them from the news.”
“Okay, fine,” Sapnap sighs as pulls his phone out of his pocket. Hands sweaty and slightly shaking, he opens up Georges contact and presses call.
“Hello?”
“Hi. Are you and Dream busy?”
“No, I don't think so. Why?”
“Do you guys want to go get ice cream or something? It's been a while since we did something together.”
“Yeah sure. Meet you there?”
“Yep. Alright. Bye.” Sapnap turns to Karl after hearing the line disconnect. “I am not excited by the way.”
6:49pm
“It’s not too late to go home.”
“Sap, they have already seen us and are currently watching, waiting for us to leave the car.”
Sapanp sighs. “Okay, here we go.”
The small group walk into the small store and up to the counter, ordering what they want. After receiving their ice cream, they make their way outside, sitting on the wooden picnic bench that was outside.
The entire time Sapnap can feel Karl nudging him with his elbow, prompting him to say something, but he doesn’t. They finish eating their ice cream and prepare to leave.
They're standing in the parking lot, Dream and George still throwing away their garbage, when Karl leans in towards Sapnap’s ear.
“We have to tell them,” he whispers.
“I know. Trust me, I know. I’m just, I’m waiting for the right time.”
The sound of footsteps comes to a halt. “The right time for what?” George questions.
Shit.
“Nothing. It’s not important.”
“Oh, okay. Should we get going then?”
“Yeah, sure,” Sapnap says, feeling Karl’s eyes bore into his soul.
“Alright, see ya,” Dream calls as he and George begin to walk away.
“Well, wait. We actually have something to tell you guys,” Sapnap says quietly, kicking at the ground.
And Sapnap has never seen Dream turn around as fast as he did right then.
“Oh my god you broke up, didn’t you?” Dream shouts frantically. “You broke up and love is fake and the world is going to expl-”
Karl reaches out and grabs the blond’s shoulders. “Dream, calm down. We didn't break up.”
“You didn’t?”
“No we didn’t,” Karl reassures.
“Oh, okay, good.” He turns to George. “They didn’t break up.”
“I heard,” he laughs.
“So is it that you have to tell us?”
“We played truth or dare.”
Dream half laughs. “That is your important news?”
“You didn’t let him finish,” Karl says.
“Oh, go on then.”
“We played truth or dare,” Sapnap pauses, preparing to say what he really doesn’t want to. “Then we got married.”
“That’s not as bad as I- Wait. You what?” Dream practically shouts.
“We went down to the courthouse and signed the papers this morning.”
“And you didn’t tell us. We could have been there, celebrated right after.”
“We spent the whole day together anyways, just the two of us,” Karl chimes in.
“I can’t argue with that I guess.”
“Can we do one thing for you at least?” George asks quietly, clinging onto Dream’s arm.
“What is it?”
“Can we throw you a little mock wedding, just in your backyard.
“Will it make you two less upset about us not telling you?”
They nod simultaneously.
Sapnap looks over to Karl. “I don't see any problem with it? Do you,” he asks, Karl shaking his head no. “Alright, it’s settled. Meet you at ours.”
8:12pm
The sun was starting to get lower in the sky, darkness creeping upon the edges, threatening to surround them. Sapnap looks out the window, where Dream and George were hanging a white blanket from a tree while wearing their nicest suits
They insisted that all four of them get dressed up, wearing their nicest clothes so they could “take pictures to remember the day,” as if they were just going to forget the significance. But it’s whatever. Sapnap and Karl aren’t going to argue it because they want their friends to be happy. They had their happiness today and they are going to continue to have it for the rest of their lives.
They also didn’t have rings and they weren’t exactly sure where they were supposed to get any at this hour of the night, not that they really wanted rings anyway.
Sapnap looks away from the window, instead making his way up the stairs and down the hall to the bathroom, using all his strength to not open the door that leads to the bedroom, knowing Karl was in there waiting.
He looks in the mirror, fixing his hair, straightening his tie and trying to flatten out the wrinkles that were in the material from it being neglected and hidden away behind all his other clothes.
Once he had decided he was presentable enough, he makes his way back downstairs, hearing chatter in this kitchen before he spots the other couple talking while leaning against the patio door.
“Are you ready?” Dream asks, following Sapnap with his eyes as he crosses the kitchen.
“As I’ll ever be.” Sapnap’s heart beats a little louder, a little faster.
Dream steps out of the doorway, motioning for Sapnap to go outside and when he does, boy does he get shocked.
The entirety of their small backyard was decorated, small ribbons tied to the fences, little colored lanterns hanging from branches of trees and what tied it all together, the sheet they entangled in the branches of the tree that was where the couple would stand.
“When did you guys even have time to do all this?”
“While you were distracted, duh and it’s not much, best we could do last minute. But you haven’t even seen the best part yet,” George says as he walks over to the side of the house, reaching down and plugging something in.
As he does, Sapnap watches as small white lights come to life, twinkling on and off like fireflies dancing around the yard.
“Guys, you really didn’t have to do all of this.”
“We know.” Dream wraps his arm around George’s shoulder. “But we wanted to.”
“You guys mean everything to me. I love you both,” he smiles, going over to hug them.
“Alright, save the sweet stuff for Karl. Let’s get this thing started shall we?”
“I’ll go get Karl,” George says with a smile.
Sapnap makes his way over to the tree, standing in front of it and turning to face the door. It’s around a minute and a half later he sees the glass door start to slide open and out comes George. He walks over so he’s next to Dream, making sure to interlock their fingers as they too watch the door.
Movement stirs and Sapnap’s heart feels like it is going to absolutely explode. He didn’t think seeing Karl like this would be any different than seeing him every day, but there was something special about the way happiness and joy shimmers in his eyes.
With his strides it doesn't take long for him to fully cross the small backyard and stand directly across Sapnap.
“I hope you don't mind that I don’t have a tie. My boyfriend usually ties them for me because I don't know how but I’m not quite sure where he is right now,” he says as he takes both of Sapnap’s hands in his.
“It sounds like your boyfriend should just teach you for situations like this.”
“Yeah, well. He’s kind of an idiot,” Karl jokes. The kind of guy to propose during truth or dare.”
“My boyfriend is the type to accept a proposal like that. Sounds like they would be perfect for each other.”
“Yeah, they would.”
They both turn to face the other couple after Dream clears his throat.
“Now I’m not going to do all this blah blah, holy matrimony, in sickness and in health bullshit, because I don’t think we need that” he starts, smile on his face beginning to widen, “but I will say, Karl and Sapnap, you two are one of, if not the strongest couples I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You two have only fallen more and more in love the longer you’ve known each other and it has been amazing to watch. George, do you have anything you want to say?”
“Yeah,” the brunet smiles. “You two are quite literally the definition of love. No one can envy you for it, because your happiness when you are together radiates to those around you. Being in your presence makes people feel happier, it makes them feel safe. And I’m incredibly glad to be able to be here to witness as that continues to happen.” He stops and everything gets awkwardly quiet. “Oh I’m not talking anymore, that’s all you are going to get from me,” he says, causing the rest of them to start laughing.
“Do we let them kiss then?” Dream asks.
George laughs gently. “I don’t see why not.”
With the colors of the sky swirled together in one of the most gorgeous sunsets any of them have ever seen, Sapnap puts a hand around Karl’s waist, pulling him in and attaching their lips. And he won’t lie, he is really fucking happy that Dream and George did this for them because there, in that moment, he felt like he was flying.
9:03pm
Much like the night before, sticky summer air flows in through the windows. Except this night was different. Instead of one dating couple, drifting off to sleep and playing truth or dare. There were two couples, one married, one not, laughing, joking, reminiscing on past moments of their relationships, the happiest memories, the most joy filled memories.
Memories of the moments that led them to where they are now.