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Oliver laid down a blanket on the moonlit grass and put what he brought with him on it. It was just a few snacks and a wine glass, as they had eaten earlier, but he figured it'd help him with the nerves. He sat down and looked up at Zeph. He looked perfect.
His hair was down, a sight Oliver really liked. It was still only up to half his neck, but it framed his face quite well. He was wearing a light green top and a dark green veil which separated at his front, and he wore grey shorts under. He usually sported full-hand gloves, but he decided to let his hands be bare for today. Unlike Oliver, he didn't seem to mind showing off his scar.
Oliver had told Zeph to dress in his Sunday best in the morning, and it fit perfectly with what he was about to tell him. That he's going back to Earth. It was a big deal, and he hoped Oliver would come with him. He would have assumed so, had it not been for the fact Oliver was extremely stubborn. He's learned he doesn't take new ideas easy. He needs time to consider everything, and on top of all, he needs to take time off from work.
Taking time off from work seemed like an impossible task for someone like Oliver. He could have all the time in the world if he just took the paid vacation everyone's entitled to, but he doesn't. He stays in that office and works and works. It's why Zeph was so surprised by today.
"I picked this place because I know you like meteor showers." Oliver organised everything on the blanket. He knew it'll be eaten in a minute and it would all become disorganised anyway, but for now, it looked neatly put together. He put his hand out to help Zeph sit, and the prince gladly took it as he sat.
"I guess you could say they're my favorite phenomenon of sorts." Zeph said with a smirk, giving Oliver half-lidded eyes. It made the researcher's heart jump a little and all he could really do was smile, his admiration so obvious it was laughable. Zeph didn't laugh, though; Oliver was putting on that weird dumb smile again.
Oliver poured the two a glass of Zeph's favorite wine and with a clink began the race of Oliver's nerves. Zeph took a small sip and his eyes widened. He let out a gasp.
"My favorite! Okay, what are you doing to me?" Zeph wasn't fond of alcohol per se, but Oliver made him rethink that. He wasn't an alcoholic by any means, but he wasn't without a drink in hand during a party either. Oliver made the prince taste so many things – most gross – that he started seeing alcohol as a noteworthy appetizer. And he had a soft spot for good wine, especially since the day he stayed over at Oliver's house and discovered his wine basement.
"Eh, I'm not going to make it a business, but better than buying weak crap for a shit ton of money." Oliver joked, although Zeph didn't appreciate the sentiment. He didn't have to spend all his hours in a lab if he just sold this. Zeph didn't particularly savvy why he didn't want Oliver to be so overworked, but something about him not being entirely devoted to the prince seemed off.
Since Zeph said Chardonnay was his favorite, it was the only kind Oliver started making. Ali was still making hers, but it was half their stock by now.
"I don't know what you mean." Oliver playfully rolled his eyes and swigged half his glass.
"You've been taking me out to my favorite places the whole day. Not usual for you." Which might've been some shade, as Zeph thinks that's how everyday should be, but not with Oliver it isn't. He always found a compromise, never really letting Zeph decide everything. It was a shock for Zeph at first, but with time he's realised it's just as fun to do what Oliver liked. Especially seeing him so happy.
"Well, I may have something to say." Oliver's heart was practically in his throat. He didn't think it would make him this stressed. His palms started sweating and the glass slumped from his grip, but he quickly held it with his other hand in place without making it seem awkward.
At the start, he performed all the phases of his plan perfectly, mechanically. He was so good at it. He made Zeph fall in love with him and he always left him wanting for more. It wasn't as easy as he first thought, though; making Zeph feel his feelings versus making him admit them was challenging. He didn't blame him for it however, as he himself didn't know how exactly he managed to catch feelings either.
One day, he just looked at Zeph and it all felt right. There was always this feeling in his gut, and this montage in his head, and once it hit Oliver one day he knew that was the time to leave his current relationship, so he adjusted his plan. But that time, the feeling in his gut, the lives flashing... It was opposite. It was a certainty to stay, not leave. He even found himself dreading the feeling when thinking about the prince.
He guessed he loved Zeph. Like, really loved him. He didn't know how it felt but he knew he felt it. It was so real. This was love, and it was golden. It wasn't burning red like all the others. It wasn't a blaze in the dark that extinguished itself as fast as it began. It was a roaring home fire warming up the living room all night. And out of all the people he could feel that with, he was so happy it was with Zeph. The prince, yes, but also his awkward, honest and handsome boyfriend. He's even better than Oliver imagined he would be, and he hated to admit that his imagination did not give Zeph enough credit. Zeph didn't really understand all of Oliver's thoughts and actions, but he loved him and he showed it through a lot of different acts.
Zeph's pleas for Oliver to sleep in so he's in his warmth a little longer. Zeph's blatant smile whenever he recognised Oliver in a crowd. The moments Zeph confided in Oliver, telling him about his problems and feelings. It all solidified he chose right.
And the fancy wedding band in Oliver's pocket was only a physical fraction of what Zeph meant to him. And the places they went to today, the restaurant, the pool, the quiet walk uptown, was just a snippet of what they've been through together. And the ever present onlookers and photographers can't get to Oliver's skin now, he's well past it. He loves Zeph and he doesn't plan on leaving, no matter what they write articles about or what trends on ZveepBleep.
Oliver took a deep, but shakey breath and he was about to start a speech similiar to what he just thought about, when Zeph's voice cut the brief silence.
"I have something to say too!" He squeeled out, making Oliver recoil his breath and laugh nervously.
"Ah, well, mine is maybe a bit more important?" Zeph was messing up the conversation Oliver planned out. He was supposed to go "What's that?". Get with the program.
"I wanna say mine first!" Zeph put his hand on Oliver's, making eye contact while sipping the wine.
No, no, no. I had it timed. When I'd ask the question, the meteor shower would go off. I only have five minutes. But I can't let him be disappointed before asking something like that. Goddamnit!
"Sure, let's hear it then." He knew Zeph doesn't pick up on tone when he's excited, so he let himself speak straight from the heart. It pierced his ears how small he sounded.
"I'm going back on Earth to fetch Kazuri back aaand get the star child." The huge smile on Zeph's face perfectly paralleled Oliver's swift shock.
"You're... You're what?" He couldn't hide the disappointment any longer and Zeph finally picked up on it.
"Ollie, what's with your face?" Zeph put his palm on Oliver's cheek in an attempt to comfort him, but he was more confused than concerned.
"Don't go back there!" Oliver pleaded, but quickly fixed his wording upon seeing Zeph's reaction. "Kazuri hasn't been there that long, give her some space. You have me here." Oliver missed Kazuri terribly, but he underestood how it was. If he went to Earth and found his Zeph there, he'd stay too. These things need time. He was sure she'd be back eventually, on her own.
"Yeah, but we haven't been apart, ever. You don't know how it feels. I want her back." Zeph explained, shying his hand away from Oliver's face before Oliver could grab it. Oliver blinked a few times, seemingly putting back tears.
"But can't it wait just a little more? What, are you leaving tomorrow? How long have you been planning this?" Oliver put his glass down, having drank all the wine up.
"Not that long, don't be so dramatic. I wanted you to come with me but I can see you don't want to." Zeph sat a bit away from Oliver, sulking. Oliver fixed his glasses and batted another batch of tears away so he could take a deep breath and start again.
"Sorry, I'm sorry, Zeph. My nerves got the best of me. I guess I just don't want you away." He wouldn't mind it any other time. He just doesn't want him away right now.
"That's how I feel about Kazuri. That's why I need to go back there." Zeph always applauded Oliver's seemingly effortless conflict deescelation. He was so good with it. If it was up to Zeph, he'd storm out while saying things he'd later regret.
"Yeah, I understand. Just don't be long... Please." The plea was almost lost in whispers, but the wind managed to tuck it behind Zeph's ear. He nodded his head.
"I assure you, I won't. Kazuri will certainly want to get back from that dirty ball of filth. I still don't understand why she wanted to stay there in the first place. Ugh. Also, what were you going to tell me?" Oliver clenched the wedding band in his pocket.
"Uh, nothing, nothing. It would only clutter your brain right now." If he proposed right then and there, he'd just plant another bug in Zeph's head. Just when Zeph shrugged, the meteor shower began.
Zeph gasped and stared at it, quite literally starstruck. To Oliver, it was as if the shower was reflecting in Zeph's beautiful green eyes. They both sighed dreamily, but while Zeph was busy with the phenomenon, Oliver was just looking at him. He was so lovesick it should've been illegal.
It was only once they said their ever so prolonged goodbyes did it sink in that not only did Oliver fail, he'll have to tell everyone else. Ali, Olivia, – although she didn't really care; 'I'm not one for all that lovey dovey stuff, so shut your trap, Oliver.' – and his father. His stomach sunk for that last one.
He only stumbled out of the castle about five metres or so, before he fell onto a bench and started sobbing. He couldn't hold it in much longer, he was only so brave when Zeph's face was in front of him. He respected Zeph's decision, and he had the time to wait, but he was so sure it was perfect. His gut was practically screaming "Do it!" and he got so giddy just thinking about it. Perhaps it was time to wait.
Perhaps they weren't ready for marriage yet. Perhaps, after Zeph brings Kazuri back, they will be.