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Nerves had been eating away at Zenwil all day, he’d almost mixed up his breakfast salad with Clove’s, he’d almost forgotten to let the animals out, and he’d completely forgotten to take his medications. Checking his watch, it was now almost time to go to the Inn and meet up with the Princess, Denali, and Semeru before walking with them to the vineyard for the New Year’s Eve party. Triple checking his pockets for the engagement ring he took a deep breath as his fingers felt the velvet box. His chest felt tight as he thought about his plans for the rest of the night and the very important question, he had to ask Semeru.
At least he hoped that’s why his chest felt so constricted. Zenwil sighed checking his pockets for the ring box one more time before stepping from the porch and heading south towards the other end of the farm towards the Inn. Everything would be fine. He just needed to stay calm and remember to breathe. The farmer was so stuck in his own thoughts he jumped as Princess Miranjani called his name.
“There you are, Zenwil.” She smiled at him brightly.
“H-Hello Mira.” He placed a hand on his chest and took a slow deep breath. He smiled, swallowing his nerves as Semeru gave him a questioning look. “Ready? We’re going to meet Millie and Yuri on the way there as well.”
“I’m very excited to see this Festival.”
“It’s going to be a great time as we ring in the New Year.”
“Hear, Hear!” Yuri and Millie cheered joining the group as they entered town. They all settled into a comfortable pace, Yuri joining Zenwil behind everyone.
The farmer glanced at her as she tugged his sweater’s sleeve, he matched her slowing pace, falling father back away from the rest of the group. “What is it?” He stopped walking as she stepped in front of him looking up at his face.
“You don’t look too hot. Are you feeling alright?” Yuri’s hands were on her hips. “Did you have any asthma attacks today?”
“No… Okay just a small one.” He easily broke under Yuri’s stern gaze. “I was cleaning the hay troughs and forgot to open the windows, the dust got to me. I’m also just… you know, nervous.”
“He’ll say yes.”
“But what if he doesn’t? What if I make an even bigger fool out of myself?” Zenwil started fishing around in his pockets for his rescue inhaler. “Damnit.”
“Are you two alright?”
Yuri turned, flashing Semeru a smile. “Yup. Just making sure that someone has his inhaler. Just in case.”
Zenwil sighed in relief, flashing the forest green inhaler in his hand. “I put it in a different pocket and couldn’t find it for a second. We’re all good here, dear.”
Semeru looked unconvinced, but he nodded before resuming the walk to the vineyard. “See you there.”
As the lead guard left, Yuri gently patted the farmer’s back. “You’ve got this, Zen.”
“I hope so…”
---
Semeru watched as Zenwil meandered through the party, saying hello and giving gifts to his friends and neighbors. Finishing his glass of wine he grabbed another from the table in front of him. His boyfriend was much more sociable than he was. He’d barely made acquaintances with anyone other than Mark and Yuri who were Zenwil’s best friends. He figured at minimum he could at least tolerate everyone in town, except maybe Walter. Semeru was still on the fence regarding him.
“You should take it easy on the drinks, big guy.”
He shrugged at Yuri who’d appeared at his side as he was watching Zenwil. “It’s only my second glass…” He frowned as Scott threw an arm around the farmer fondly.
“Has Zenwil talked to you yet?” Yuri bit her lip as Semeru shook his head. “He had some things on his mind before you got here earlier this week. So I know he wanted to talk with you.”
His frown deepened as he furrowed his brow. From all their interactions it seemed like Zenwil wore his heart on his sleeve and yet he hadn’t noticed anything off with his boyfriend this week while they’d spent time together. Nor had the man mentioned anything to him. “No, he hasn’t said anything to me.” Is that why Zenwil seemed to be avoiding him tonight? Why there was that tenseness he’d notice in the farmer’s shoulders. Maybe he’d done or said something wrong. Or worse he was wrong about Zenwil’s feelings for him. Semeru grabbed a third glass of wine downing it.
Yuri winced, maybe talking to the man wasn’t her best idea. “Ah look, here he comes. I’ll just get out of your hair. Good luck.” She quickly hurried off back to where she had been sitting with Luke and the others.
Semeru wasn’t sure why the doctor had wished him luck. He sighed, maybe he’d just never understand land dwellers.
“Hello, love.” Zenwil smiled as he slid into Semeru’s arms, the merfolk quickly embracing him tightly. “Enjoying your night so far?”
“Better now that I have your attention.” He smiled as the farmer chuckled softly. “Yuri was saying that you wanted to talk to me?”
“I… wanted to wait for things to calm down a bit. Make sure no one needed to talk to me.” Zenwil looked around the party, Yuri shooting him a subtle thumbs up. “What I want to talk about is kind of, very, important and I wanted no interruptions.” He breathed out slowly, his chest was still feeling tight. Goddess, he hoped it was just from nerves.
“You can talk to me about anything, darling.” Semeru paused, gently lifting Zenwil’s chin so he could look into his eyes. “I want to be here for you.” He let Zenwil drag his away from the wine table, it was probably a good idea, they walked to a quieter place near the edge of the vineyard. “What is bothering you, Zenwil? Tell me what’s on your mind. Please.”
Zenwil shuffled, keeping a tight grip on Semeru’s hand. “There’s a lot on my mind…” He took a breath, which was starting to become a bit more difficult. “Love, I have enjoyed every moment, embarrassing or not, that we’ve spent together. I find myself craving more time with you, even though it feels very… selfish.” He wheezed, cursing himself as he started coughing. “Sorry I…”
“Dear, your inhaler.”
“W-wait.” The farmer wheezed out as Semeru reached into his pocket trying to find the device. It wasn’t the first time the man helped him with getting his inhaler from his pocket but that pocket had- He blushed as Semeru raised an eyebrow at the velvet box he pulled from the pocket.
“Dear, what…”
Zenwil wheezed. “Inhaler first.”
After a few minutes and a couple puffs from his inhaler Zenwil’s breathing was better. He sank to the ground with a sigh, Semeru joining him, the ring box still in his hands.
“Dear…”
“I’m sorry.” Zenwil gripped the fabric of his pants in frustration. “I was hoping that this would go better, that I could have one night where my stupid asthma didn’t cause a problem.” He carefully took the box from Semeru turning it over in his hands. “You said once that I was like an anchor to you… and that you feared that anchor slipping.”
Semeru nodded. “I did. You said I was stuck with you.”
“You are. I love you.” Zenwil took a breath, opening the box and offering it to his boyfriend. “And I really want to marry you.”
He looked the band over; it was simple and wouldn’t get in the way if he was training or working with his hands. Semeru was also pretty sure it was a metal that was resistant to salt corrosion. Simple but it was the small details gave it a much greater meaning. “Zen…”
“So, Semeru, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” He pulled Zenwil onto his lap and kissed him. “I will marry you.” The farmer relaxed, loosing the tension in his shoulders that had been there all night.
“I love you, Sea Cucumber.”
Semeru made a face, laughing as Zenwil chuckled softly. “Okay, that’s the worst nickname from you so far.”
“I’ll have to try harder for the next one.”
The party had wound down and a few people were starting to walk home.
“Ah. We missed the fireworks.” Zenwil looked at the sky, the exhaustion finally hitting him as he leaned into Semeru’s shoulder. “It’s going to be a wonderful new year. Happy New Year, love.”
Semeru smiled, kissing his fiancé’s forehead. “Happy New Year, darling.”