Work Text:
"Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!" Ford called throughout the couple's house. Arthur poked his head out into the hallway to see Ford sprinting down it straight at him. He passed Arthur, spun around quickly, and went back up to him.
"Are you doing anything in 3 weeks? On Thursday?" He asked. Arthur shook his head. "Well, you do now! I've set us up on a date at Ketaddon! It's the most beautiful planet, and you'll love it!" Ford said excitedly. Arthur nodded. This wasn't the first date that had been sprung on him a few weeks before.
"Is there a dress code for the date?" He asked. Ford nodded.
"It's semi-formal, the planet isn't semi-formal, but this date is." Ford smiled as Arthur sighed and put his head back. Ford walked into their bedroom and opened the jewelry box with Arthur's rings, which he got from Random. He grabbed the first ring he saw and slipped it into his pocket.
"Arthur, I'm going out! I'll be back in a bit," Ford called to Arthur.
"Alright! Can you get us some more detergent?" Arthur called back.
"Sure!" Ford was out the door before Arthur could ask him to pick up more things. Down the street he went, turning left, right, and going straight to the jewelers. He walked calmly through the doors and went up to the man at the counter.
"What size is this ring?" He asked. The man took the ring and placed it on a ring sizer.
"About a size 10. Anything else for you today, sir?" Ford nodded quickly.
"I want to buy a size ten engagement ring. Where are the rings?" The man pointed to the left wall. Ford bounded over there and started browsing the rings. He saw an emerald ring, but it didn't have a good glimmer to it. He saw a rose diamond, but it didn't have the right feel to it.
He kept looking through the rings, brushing off the garnet stones, the sapphires, even the straight diamonds. He eventually came to find the perfect ring for Arthur. It was an opal with a silver band that split and snaked around each other.
"Excuse me, sir, can I purchase this one?" He asked, pointing to the opal ring. The jeweler nodded.
"Yes, sir, that'll be £104.90." Ford took out his card and paid for the ring. The jeweler put it in a box for Ford, then handed him the box. Ford thanked him and headed back to the house.
~~~ 2 weeks until the proposal ~~~
"Arthur, from the day I first landed on Earth, I was trying to seem normal. You met me a few years into my unplanned stay here, and immediately decided that I was friend-shaped. Friend shaped? Friend material. Immediately decided I was friend material. I-oh fuck" Ford stooped down to grab the ring box he had just dropped.
Trillian had taken Arthur out with Random to catch up on everything Random had been doing to win against Zaphod, who was running again for the third time. Ford was rehearsing his proposal, but kept dropping the ring or stumbling over his words. He started over.
"Arthur, from the day I first landed on Earth, I was trying to seem normal. You met me a few years into my unplanned stay here, and immediately decided that I was friend material. You took me into your life and made me feel special. I didn't have many friends at the time and was glad to have you. When I found out the Vogons were going to blow up Earth to make way for a new hyperspace bypass, my only thought was to get you out. So I went to your house, which was about to be knocked down for a bypass itself. I saw you lying in the mud and immediately knew I had to get you moving, or else you were going to be toast." He took a deep breath and went down on one knee, holding the box the way he would when the night came.
"I saw the awe in your eyes when we got chucked out of the airlock of the Vogon ship. I saw the galaxy reflected in your eyes. I told myself that day that I would find a way to be near you for the rest of my life. Arthur, will you do the honor of marrying this crazy alien?" Ford asked the air.
"Yes," came the deadpan response. Ford whipped around to see Random in the doorway. Ford sprang up, face red, and closed the box.
"Random? What are you doing here?" He asked. She leaned in conspiratorially and whispered in his ear.
"Mum took Dad out for ice-cream while I came back here to scout around and see if you were still practicing. Clearly, she was right to send me along first." Ford's face turned back to normal. He smiled sheepishly.
"Ha, good on Trillian for doing that. Now to hide the ring," he went to put it under his dresser, but Random stopped him.
"Wait, I want to see the ring," he opened it to show her the opal ring. It shimmered like the galaxies of the long past.
"Dad's going to love it," she said, marveling at the way the opal shone. Ford closed the box and put it under his dresser just as Trillian and Arthur came in.
~~~ 1 week before the proposal ~~~
Ford was hands and knees on the floor searching for the box. He reached as far back as he could under his dresser, but couldn't find it. He checked his suitcase for the box, but it wasn't there either. He checked his sock drawer, his shirt drawer, and his drawer with his guide in it. It wasn't anywhere.
Ford was close to tears, searching frantically for the box. He opened all the drawers and searched through them, tossing stuff all over the ground. He flung open the closet and started rifling through it to see if he'd put it in there. Of course, that's when Arthur came into the room.
"Ford, are you okay?" He asked, watching his boyfriend tear through their room.
"No! I lost something!" Ford said, still searching frantically. Arthur snatched a shirt that was thrown into the air. He put it down on their bed before catching Ford's right hand before he could throw anything else into the air.
"Breathe, Ford. Think back to where you last had it. Where was that?" Ford thought back.
"Under my dresser. But it's not there," He said in a state of panic. Arthur moved Ford's arm around his shoulder. He grabbed the other arm and put it around his other shoulder. He then wrapped his arms around Ford's shoulders.
"It's okay, we can search for it after you calm down. I promise," Arthur said into Ford's ear. Ford nodded and pressed his face into Arthur's face.
Ford didn't find the ring.
~~~ 4 days before the proposal ~~~
Ford hurried back from the dry cleaners with his suit. He checked to make sure the coast was clear before quickly putting it in his suitcase. He had almost everything re-packed from when he tore apart the room in search of Arthur's ring.
Arthur stood in the doorway watching him re-pack for the third time.
~~~ 15 hours before the proposal ~~~
"Ford, have you got everything?" Arthur asked. Ford lugged his bag in front of their house.
"Yup, now all we are doing is waiting for Zaphod or Trillian to pick us up to get to the space port," Ford said, checking the time on Arthur's watch.
Zaphod picked them up a few minutes later.
~~~ 6 hours until the proposal ~~~
They landed on the planet Ketaddon with only 6 hours before nightfall. Ford and Arthur went through the checkpoints they needed to and grabbed their suitcases. They stepped out of the spaceport into the hydrogen-rich atmosphere, both breathing through oxygen masks provided to them by the spaceport.
~~~ 3 hours until the proposal ~~~
Ford and Arthur looked around the planet, taking in the blue-green hues of the soil and the redness of the atmosphere. They walked hand in hand, heading to the highest point on the planet to see the sunset. Ford kept dragging Arthur off the trail to see new plant life.
Ford's suit shimmered in the hydrogen atmosphere. Arthur fiddled with something in his pocket. Ford didn't notice.
~~~ 1 hour until the proposal ~~~
They got to the highest point and got out their suitcases. Both men pulled out a towel to put on the ground. Ford pulled out his date towel and a marker and started cleaning a section of the towel to write the date on. Arthur had out his guide to search up facts about the planet they were on.
They both heard the animals chirping in high-pitched voices as they settled back together to watch the sun start to set. It was blue, which intrigued Arthur and made his face shine. Ford stared at his face.
Arthur noticed Ford was staring at his face. Arthur smiled at Ford. Ford's eyes immediately locked on Arthur's lips. Ford leaned into Arthur's shoulder. Arthur locked eyes with Ford. They both went at each other hungrily.
Neither of them noticed the three pairs of eyes staring at them through the bushes.
~~~ 1 minute until the proposal ~~~
Ford and Arthur stared at each other in the fading light of the star.
"You look beautiful," Ford said, staring at Arthur in awe. Arthur stared back.
"You look gorgeous," Arthur said, taking Ford's face in his hand. He stood up, urging Ford to stand up too.
"Ford, ever since you came into my life, everything has been a rollercoaster of emotions. I-" he paused to breathe before continuing. Ford stared in shock. "I love you, and have for years. Even if I never showed it. I want to live by your side forever. I want to deal with your crazy money hacks. I want to deal with your insane cousin. I want to deal with your job that sends you everywhere for information. I won't promise you fair sky above, nor kind road below, but Ford Prefect, will you marry me?" Arthur got down on one knee and opened the box Ford had lost.
Ford stared at the box, trying not to cry through his excitement. He put his hands over his mouth. He looked around for a minute before asking.
"Where did you find it?" Arthur laughed.
"It was under your dresser. I found it when you went to bed that night," Ford laughed. He then got down on Arthur's level.
"Yes. Forever and always, yes!" They hugged.
"I TOLD YOU HE'D FIND IT!" came a shout from the bushes. Arthur and Ford jumped. Out popped Trillian and Zaphod. They looked at each other, then at the newly engaged couple, and immediately started shouting over each other.
"Can I be the best lady? Can I be the best man?" They both shouted. The couple stared at them some more.
"How did you guys find us?" Ford asked.
"Oh, we followed you from the spaceport to here, then watched the whole thing go down. You know, if we hadn't gotten involved, you guys would never have gotten the nerve to ask each other out!" Trillian said. Zaphod nodded.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Arthur asked indignantly.
"Oh, nothing, just that you two never would have asked each other if we hadn't decided your pining was getting unbearable," Trillian grinned a wide grin. Zaphod smiled a road smile.
"Of course, I'm the one who got them to confess. Therefore, I played a bigger part in this than you, Trillian," Zaphod said with an air of smugness around him. Trillian hit his arm.
"You did the one thing I told you not to do. I set them up on proper dates, unlike your idea," Ford and Arthur stared, confused.
"What do you mean by that?" Ford asked. Both Zaphod and Trillian looked at each other.
"Well," started Trillian, "I got Fenchurch to set you boys up on a date. It failed, so I set you boys up at Milliways,"
"YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!" Ford cried, shaking an accusatory finger at Trillian.
"I locked you guys in the ship," Zaphod said, sounding proud of himself.
"I let you guys out when you guys were ready," Trillian said. Both seemed to be trying to get in favor of the couple.
"We'll talk about this later," Arthur said, pointing at the trail back down. "For now, Ford and I would like to celebrate our engagement in peace. Away." Trillian and Zaphod both sighed and headed down the trail, leaving the couple together.
"You meant what you said? About marrying me?" Ford asked Arthur.
"Forever and always, Ford," Came the reply as they settled back down to watch the moons of Ketaddon rise above the ground.
God, he was so nervous. Arthur couldn’t help but check the clock again as he waited, impatiently pacing beside his table (much to the dismay of the waiters). Getting the ring sized was surprisingly easy, Ford had apparently always wanted an “excuse” to look in one of those fancier jewelry stores. Now, the problem was all the questions trying to ruin the moment. Would it fit? Did he get the right stone and cut? Was his suit too dressy or too casual? Would this even work? Oh, god, what if he said no? What if Ford never wanted to see him again–
“Oi, you’re wearing a path in the floor. What, did you think I’d forgotten our date or something?” Actually hearing the alien’s voice nearly made Arthur faint as he turned around, but he was better than that. Been through too much to let this get the better of him. “O-Oh, yes, yes yes, I’m fine. Perfectly,” He rambled, pulling out the nearest chair. “Here, sit.” Ford eyed the chair, then Arthur. It was a wonder the man didn’t combust. “...That’s not our table, Arthur,” he said calmly. When Arthur did nothing to respond except get that panicked look in his eye, he continued with a slight chuckle, “How many drinks have you had? Couldn’t wait for me, could you?” The panic bubbled again, but the disarming smile seemed to help.
“I-I haven’t had anything! Just a bit… Just a bit tired. Yes. Tired,” Arthur clumsily defended. Silently, he pulled the right chair. He hated how his nerves made him ramble. But, thankfully, Ford either didn’t notice or ignored it as he sat down, still smiling easily. Arthur was quick to sit down right after, a hand going to his pocket under the table. He anxiously clutched the unassuming box as Ford ordered, then himself. It was going to be fine, he reassured himself. He’ll eat and then you’ll get the fancy wine and then you’ll pull out the ring and… It will be fine, Arthur. It will be fine. No one will mind.
It, in fact, was not fine. Ford managed not only to comment on his suit before the food even arrived (“Is that new? Didn’t know had something that fancy.”), but the fact his hand kept wandering beneath the table while they were eating (“You seem awfully… Preoccupied. Need me to get down and help you?”), which led to Arthur blushing a brighter shade of red than the planet of Ketaddon. They hadn’t even gotten to wine, and yet he knew if he didn’t start now he might not have the resolve to say it. “No I don’t. But, um, listen. Ford, er,” the man started, mentally abandoning ship and hoping the driftwood might help, “I-I have something to- Well, I have to tell you something.”
Again with that stupid smile. That idiotic kind smile that always seemed to understand. Ford nodded before stuffing that smile with more steak. “Come on then, spit it out.” Arthur took a deep breath. Then another. Then stood up because he felt if he didn’t get some air right now he might die. “Listen, Ford, we’ve been- we’ve been… Er, together, now, for erm, awhile, and since the universe doesn’t seem to mind and- And-” He was pacing again, right in the aisle. He was too aware of everything, the stares he was beginning to attract. Too aware of Ford, watching him, staring with those sable eyes flecked with violet like expensive chocolate, taking a breath to speak- Oh no. “Do not interrupt me, please, or I’ll never get through it!” Arthur barked, sounding more irritated than he realized. Then again, he never raised his voice that way before. The almost-fear in his expression was enough to shut the alien up, even glance away- Wait, no! He didn’t want to make him feel bad! “Wait, I- I’m sorry, j-just give me a moment to finish,” he scrambled, anxiety making his words race, “I just wanted to say that- that- Well, Ireallyreallycareaboutyouand–”
It might’ve almost worked if he hadn’t paced himself right into the waiter and fell to the ground. Ford had to try really hard to suppress the urge to laugh. “I tried to warn you,” he muttered with a tiny grin, but it dropped at Arthur’s apparent distress over a box he’d pulled out of his pants. He hadn’t even apologized to the waiter. The alien dropped out of his chair immediately, sitting on his knees next to the pile Arthur had made of himself. “Are you alright?” The soft concern his voice held was so close to making Arthur cry. So much for a good proposal. He couldn’t even catch his breath.
Ford stayed silent, trying to puzzle what had his partner so out of sorts. The new suit, the nerves, and now this box that had come from nowhere-... “Oh my god, you’re proposing.” It was supposed to be a quiet realization, but Ford had never truly mastered volume control and now most of Milliways was staring. Even the waiter, who had been preparing a rude remark, bit his tongue at the display. He looked up from the box to see Arthur on the verge of a breakdown from it all. Eyes darting from patron to patron, his hold on the box white-knuckled, the utter lack of breathing control he’d heard too many times in danger…
Ford did the first thing he could think of. He grabbed Arthur’s head and made him look at him, only him. Tried to make the rest of the world go away for a moment. “Hey, hey,” he practically cooed, doing a much better job of hiding his own panic. “You’re proposing, right? Can I see the ring?” It was a redundant question, considering he already knew his answer, but he was hoping some semblance of a real proposal might be of help. Arthur, wide-eyed, scared, meek Arthur, managed a small nod and, with some work through trembling digits, pulled the box around. Tucked inside was a simple ring, a silver band shot through at an angle with a depression that held three small yellow gemstones.
The pair heard the few gasps of those close enough to see what was happening in their pile of appendages. Ford stopped Arthur from trying to look away, grabbing the man’s chin carefully. He made sure he looked into his eyes, he needed him to. To see he was his daft alien, to erase that look of fear. “Arthur…” He said lowly, in a tone that couldn’t be described as anything but loving, “It’s lovely. I accept.”
The man blinked a bit, finding his vision blurring. It didn’t help. This was nothing like it was supposed to go, nothing had gone right, and yet… He’d accepted. He’d said yes. It felt like the world had stopped. Arthur felt his bones beginning to go on strike now, looking at his best friend- his fiance- on the floor with him, dust like gold in his fiery hair he could never control, eyes too sharp, too… Too forgiving. God. He didn’t deserve the hug he gave the alien to hide his face, the beaming smile he could feel over his shoulder. Then came the clapping.
It was that waiter that started first, seeing the box drop and the abrupt hug, and finally the too-wide grin of a man engaged. Then others got in on it, and soon the noise was louder than the band, which was about the time Ford felt a squeeze and a dampness on his shoulder and realized Arthur was far too fragile for any sort of celebration. “Wait, wait! Don’t clap!” he practically hissed at the waiter, who helped to stop the rest of the venue. Without a word, he stood up, Arthur's lower half dangling like wet noodles as he held onto his fiance for dear life, making to walk out.
The waiter stopped him before he could get two steps in. “Hold on. What about your bill?” Ford grumbled something about putting it on his tab and was debating barreling through the waiter as he felt Arthur shudder before they spoke up again. “Now, aren’t you forgetting something?” They held up the ring box with a grin, and he snatched it. “Can we go now?” he grunted, both from his lover’s weight and from protectiveness. He needed to get home now. The waiter merely smiled and dodged as Ford briskly made for the door.
The ride home was quiet. He said nothing to Trillian when he carried Arthur onto the Heart of Gold, and she said nothing back. Zaphod almost said something as they crossed paths in the hallway, but a glare shut him up. Arthur, for his part, managed to stop crying after a while and detached, but continued to cling to Ford, holding his hand. He didn’t mind. It was only when they got to Arthur’s house, alone, that the silence was broken.
“I’m sorry.” It was a stupid statement to make, thought Ford, but then again Arthur had a habit of being too self-conscious. “What for?” asked the alien, stepping in to help shaking hands undo the bowtie. “The proposal,” muttered the man, watching his tie slip effortlessly off, “It was rubbish, I-I didn’t mean to make such a scene–” Suddenly there was a hand over his mouth, and he looked up. “Poppycock. It was exactly what it needed to be. It was brave,” reassured Ford softly, voice earnest and understanding. The hand came down to hold Arthur’s. He knew exactly how much it had taken for him to ask. “And, in any case,” he added, a little grin forming, “It’s a proposal. You’re expected to make a scene.”
Arthur’s shy smile in response was nothing short of precious to Ford. He’d do anything for that smile. “I… Thank you. …Love you.” He felt a warmth in his chest bloom at the words, those two little words that Arthur could only ever say in the little moments. His best friend, his fiance, his courageous little monkey man. Ford leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. He couldn’t help but smile as he whispered into his ear, “I love you too.”