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It was Nigel and Adam’s third anniversary.
And Nigel insisted they come to Rome for that.
Adam was not fond of that idea - it would mean he would have to do a lot of research, pack, travel, interact with strangers, and go to a place he didn’t know - a place he knew will be crowded, loud, and hot. What clothes would he wear? He liked Bucharest, he could wear his shirts and sweaters almost always. But in Rome? Rome in summer called for short sleeves. And shorts.
And he didn’t want that.
So, both he and Nigel took a day off once and went shopping when the shops weren’t very crowded. Adam could touch the clothes, feel the textures, and Nigel held his hand most of the time, caressing his fingers gently with his thumb to calm him in some of the more anxious moments.
They managed to choose some light clothes for Adam. Now, they were in the aeroplane, and the brunette was clutching his boyfriend’s hand.
“How long did it take us to become a couple since our first kiss?”, Nigel broke the anxious silence.
“Hm?”, Adam was suddenly taken out of his contemplation and he looked at the older man.
“How long did it take us to become a couple since our first kiss?”, the Romanian repeated.
“Seven months. We kissed first on the second of December and became a couple on the second of June the next year”, he answered nearly mechanically.
“So, that makes an equal seven months.”
“That is correct”, they fastened their seat belts as the light signalling for it switched on.
“And, since we became a couple, three years have passed.”
“Three years and thirteen days.”
And on such talks, the flight passed, until they got off the plane, and retrieved their luggage. They managed to get from the airport to the city itself fairly calmly and quickly, Nigel kept Adam distracted with chaste kisses and conversations about anything and everything he could’ve thought of - from work, through space, to their relationship.
Soon, they found themselves in the nice apartment they rented, and Adam went to do a bit of reconnaissance, check out the layout of the place, and felt the bedsheets. He approved of all the textures he could’ve found triggering and smiled softly at Nigel as he sat down on the bed. They didn’t plan to eat dinner outside that evening. Instead, they bought themselves protein bars Adam liked back in Bucharest, and opted for that.
***
The next day was fairly calm. They spent it walking around the city so that Adam could get used to it. They ate some local food - pizza - and ice cream.
Adam found he liked his new clothes. He and Nigel decided not to buy him shorts, but the younger man complied to short-sleeves. So, now, he was wearing an ecru silk short-sleeved shirt which he tucked into beige high-waisted wide-leg slacks and new soft leather shoes.
He even used his new big sunglasses as a headband. He found the look - a rather feminine one - nice. He felt good like that.
But, there was something clearly bothering him. As they were walking down the streets and alleys, with Adam leading the way, clutching Nigel’s hand harder and harder each moment.
“Fuck, love, gorgeous, as much as I love holding your hands, your nails are pretty sharp”, the older man blurted out after a bit.
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry”, he withdrew his hand with a worried expression.
“What’s wrong, darling?”, Nigel seemed concerned as well.
“Nothing”, but he was averting his eyes and fidgeting with something in his right pocket. So, Nigel grabbed his left hand, the worry deepening in his heart and expression.
“Adam, I can see something is not right.”
“It’s nothing, Nigel!”, he raised his voice slightly and cowered, but he was held in place firmly by his boyfriend’s hand on his.
“Adam…”
“Don’t worry. It’ll be alright”, and he started walking again, pulling the older man with him.
“If you say so, my angel…”, he sighed.
And they walked, Adam kept looking up at the sky and fumbling his hand around in his pocket, clearly more and more nervous by the second.
“Adam, fucking hell, I can see something’s not right!”, Nigel stopped abruptly, almost making Adam fall over in the process.
“Not now, Nigel!”
“Why not?!”
“I can’t tell you!”
“Why?!”
“Because it’s a surprise!”, his cheeks flushed red with frustration.
“Fuck, gorgeous, you hate surprises-”
“But you love them! And I have one for you, just please, listen-”, tears of frustration made his eyes burn as Nigel interrupted him:
“But it causes you so much stress-”
“I don’t care!”, he snapped. Nigel clenched his teeth, but Adam continued: “I have a plan. It includes a surprise for you, Nigel. So, please, just walk with me. Okay?”
Nigel sighed again and nodded as his angel led the way through the ancient streets. After some time, they found their way to an observation deck that overlooked the city - the city beautiful and glimmering in the golden and orange light of the setting sun. They looked out onto the city, the beautiful scenery.
“It’s beautiful”, Nigel said. “Is this the surprise you were so fucking stressed about, gorgeous?”
“N-No. Not only”, Adam took a deep breath, glad there were no people around.
“It’s beautiful, and romantic… And you are here”, Nigel put his arm around Adam. “I need nothing more. You are fucking everything to me, love.”
“Nigel…”, Adam slipped out of his boyfriend’s embrace and turned to face him. His hand was still in his pocket and his face was red. He was even more nervous than before and his expression was serious.
“Yes…?”, the older man’s brows furrowed in something between concern and confusion.
“I… I love you. So, so much. My feelings for you are stronger than I thought I’d be capable of feeling. A-and you’re good for me. You calm me. You cook for me. You look out and care for me, even if you don’t have to. And you don’t have to. But you do. A-and I trust you. And…”, he sighed. “Nigel…”, he retrieved the small objects from his pocket - a little black box.
The older man’s eyes widened.
“Adam…?”, he whispered in disbelief.
“Nigel, I believe- No, I know… You are the love of my life. And, uh… Nigel Banyai…”, he got down on one knee, opening the box to present the ring - a modest silver band with a turquoise - Nigel’s favourite stone. “Will you marry me?”, he was looking up at his boyfriend with love and hope.
Nigel’s eyes teared up as he looked down at his boyfriend. At his best friend. At the love of his life. His lips parted in disbelief and confusion, jaw going lax, and he nodded, frantically, and felt a tear roll down his cheek.
“Y-Yes”, he finally managed to mutter, only to raise his voice to a near shout: “Yes! Of course I will marry you!”, he grabbed Adam’s hands, ignoring the ring and, instead, taking his fiancee in his arms and joining their lips in a passionate kiss.
Before he knew it, the ring was on his finger, and he and Adam were smiling, crying, and loving each other and what the future will hold for them.