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Leaving Abigail and Charles asleep in bed (he kisses them both on the cheek, his lovers smiling in their sleep), John wanders out onto the ranch just after sunrise. Yesterday was incredible, and he’ll never forget the look on Abigail’s face when John proposed. And when they got back to Beecher’s Hope, Charles was so happy for them, kissing the ring on Abigail’s finger as he congratulated them on their engagement. And yet…
All John can think about is whether he hurt Charles’ feelings by proposing to Abigail. Of course, he knows that he can’t propose to Charles as well (he can’t marry two people, and he certainly can’t marry a man), but he doesn’t want Charles to feel left out.
As he mulls over his thoughts, mindlessly stroking the brim of his hat, an idea comes to him. Perhaps he can give Charles a gift too! Something to show that John loves him as much as he loves Abigail. But he didn’t buy Abigail her gift, instead giving her a ring once owned by Arthur, so… something of Arthur’s would make the perfect gift for Charles too!
And then, remembering something he keeps in his satchel, John grins as he opens the bag, pulling out the item: a platinum pocket watch. Hosea bought it for Arthur for his thirtieth birthday, getting Arthur’s name engraved on the back. And Arthur always kept it in his satchel for safety, regularly glancing at the watch to check the time.
This should be perfect! Charles is going to love it.
John seemed even fidgetier than normal over the breakfast table, so when John approaches Charles as he brushes Falmouth, Charles assumes that John is up to something.
“What do you want me to do, John?” he says, sighing wearily but fondly.
“What?” John mumbles, one hand stuffed into his pocket as the other rubs his holster (a habit Charles shares when his hands get twitchy).
“You looked impatient at breakfast, and now you’re wandering over to me with your head down. That’s exactly what you’re like when you wanna drag me into something stupid,” Charles says, remembering how the last time John approached him like this, they ended up extremely drunk.
“H-Hey, it ain’t like that,” John says. “Just… I was thinkin’ about yesterday.”
Charles smiles. “Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thanks. It’s just… I wanted to get you somethin’ too.”
“John, you don’t need to do that. I don’t feel left out by you two getting engaged.”
“That’s a relief,” John chuckles (was he worried about this?), “but… Look, I gave Abi somethin’ of Arthur’s, so… I found somethin’ he owned for you.”
And John grabs his hand, shoving an item into Charles’ palm. Staring down at his hand, Charles studies a beautiful platinum pocket watch, the metal shining like John polished it earlier. Flipping it over, Charles rubs his thumb across the engraving of his old friend’s name.
“D’you like it?”
“Oh, John,” Charles says, giving John a soft kiss. “It’s perfect.”