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“Can I steal your psych notes?”
Stephen blinked a few seconds, mind screeching to a confused halt at the familiarity of the voice somewhere it shouldn’t be. He looked up to find Tony sliding into the seat across from him.
Four years at this school and Tony had never made a visit. It was hard to keep their relationship on the down low if Tony was showing up on campus.
“Now’s a bad time to be looking for psych notes,” Stephen played along, fondness in his chest at the recall of their first meeting. “Finals just ended.”
“Did they?” Tony asked, elbow coming to rest on the table. “I’m out of the loop. Mind, I don’t go here.” He settled his jaw on his palm. “You look a little too studious for someone who is done with finals.”
“Well,” Stephen said. “My boyfriend was out of town. Nothing to rush home to. Plus, I’m about to graduate and lose access to the library.”
“I bet your boyfriend would buy you a mansion to build your own library,” Tony said.
Stephen’s heart fluttered, but he rolled his eyes. “Is he also going to pay the salary for a librarian? I’m about to start my residency. I don’t have time to build out and maintain a library.”
“I’m sure he could be persuaded,” Tony answered, grin glittering. “It’d be the best residential medical library in the nation. Plus a few things. You look like you enjoy the classics.” He tilted his head. “But residency. You’re going to be a doctor? How attractive.”
“My boyfriend’s the possessive type,” Stephen teased. “Careful.”
“Doesn’t look possessive to me,” Tony noted. “I don’t see a ring on that finger.”
Stephen was about to point out the legality of marriage, then realized what Tony had actually said. “Oh,” he said, almost breathless. “I’m sure he’ll get on that. I’ve finished finals. Already got my residency sewn up. Graduation ceremony hasn’t happened, but…” He shrugged. “I’m done with med school.” They’d agreed to stop being quite so careful about letting people know about their relationship once Stephen was finished.
Stephen hadn’t pictured this.
Tony nodded, thoughtfully. “Well, he better. You seem worth it.” He stood and came around to lean against the table in front of Stephen. A ring box was in his hand. “So what do you say?” he asked quietly. “About loving me all our lives?”