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It was late, well past midnight, and they'd been working together in the labs for more than a few days straight at that point, when Wesker had abruptly turned to his partner.
“Ferris, let's go to bed.”
Ferris had blinked, pleasantly surprised at the request and needing no further persuasion, taking the arm Wesker had offered him as he gestured with his other hand for their lab assistants to tidy up their work stations as he steered the two of them out the door. It was par for the course for them both to spend days at a time in the labs, working around the circadian clock that their virus enhanced bodies allowed them to ignore.
While Ferris had his recovery periods that required strict sleep and blood ingestion, Wesker had no such restrictions, and kept himself busy during these stretches of time, save for checking in on his drowsy partner to ensure he fed and spending perhaps a handful of hours with him while he slept. It was why, perhaps, Ferris had looked so taken aback at his suggestion, which was exactly to Wesker's plans.
Although things were moving smoothly, tensions had been ramping and resolve wearing thin over the past few months as the final steps for their master plan came to fruition. Wesker could pick up on the toll it was taking on his companion who, despite his best efforts to mask his dissatisfaction, was clearly yearning for more one on one attention from his other half. Wesker had an inkling that Ferris would refuse to bring up the problem himself, not wanting to put a dampener on the great success they'd made on the Uroboros project at the expense of the more intimate and decidedly less professional side of their relationship.
It wouldn't be the first time the two had gotten into an argument lately, over a multitude of reasons. Wesker wasn’t surprised Ferris was hesitant to potentially cause another one. The high levels of distress Ferris would display after each dispute left Wesker feeling just as agitated; though, surprisingly for him, he found it was directed at himself. Guilt wasn't an emotion he was used to feeling, and apologising didn't come easy either, so the desire was there to just shrug it off. But he loathed every time he saw Ferris looking hurt and frustrated after each encounter, and so had even eventually managed to swallow his pride enough to seek forgiveness from him, something he knew would be unequivocally granted each time. Even so, it didn’t feel like it was enough, but he’d had an idea brewing of just how to make it up to him.
Wesker could detect the delight emanating off the man beside him as they reached their living quarters. An area relegated for just the two of them, somewhere Wesker had ensured met the standards they both required. Wesker’s bedtime request had evidently perked Ferris up, if his unending chatter during their stroll was anything to go by, and Wesker had given him the floor, occasionally humming in agreement with a slight smile on his face. He reached out and opened the door for them, guiding Ferris through with a hand at the small of his back as he followed closely behind while closing the door. He flicked the lock as well - just in case.
“It's been awhile since you've asked me to bed, Albert,” Wesker turned to see Ferris facing him, a hand to one hip and a playfully inquisitive look on his face. “What's the occasion?” Wesker had hoped it would have taken him a little longer to catch on, but he oughtn't be surprised. Ferris was too perceptive for his own good sometimes.
“Must there be one?” Wesker had begun to shrug off his coat, and moved to hang it up on the rack in the corner of their room. “A man can't just take his lover to bed on a whim?”
Ferris laughed. It was a pure one, light and genuine, something Wesker hadn't heard authentically from him in a while.
“You're not one to do something on a whim, Albert.” Ferris started to undress himself. Sitting on the side of the bed, he slipped out of his boots and jacket so he was left wearing only the slightly iridescent bodysuit that clung so perfectly close to his body. He stood up again and gestured to Wesker with a finger. “C'mere and unzip me.”
Such a casually demanding remark wouldn't usually be something Wesker would respond to well, but Ferris had certain permissions not bestowed to others that he was both more than aware of and happy to make use of whenever he could. Wesker knew the special treatment made him giddy as well, the idea of which entertained and delighted Wesker just as much in return. He relished in getting swooning reactions out of his sweetheart, and had gotten particularly good at it over their time spent together.
Wesker crossed the room to where Ferris stood. He was doing his best to look nonchalant, but his eyes were shining as he turned around for Wesker to unzip his jumpsuit. They both knew Ferris was more than capable of doing the deed himself, but there wasn't nearly as much fun in that. Setting his hands on Ferris' hips, Wesker ran them slowly up the sides of his body while he rested his chin on the shoulder Ferris had displayed with a sly head tilt - surely an invitation.
“I thought we deserved a little time to ourselves. To relax, of course. We've been working hard.” He murmured it into Ferris’ ear, his hands still traveling up the edges of his torso, and Ferris raised a hand to the side of Wesker's face in return, earning a pleased hum.
“I won't say no to that at all,” Ferris purred, and Wesker planted a small kiss to his cheek before he drew back as his hands made their way to the back of Ferris’ neck, swiftly pulling the zip down to expose the skin beneath. Slender shoulders unfurled from the fabric as Ferris freed his arms from the short sleeves of the body suit and bent down to slowly peel the rest of it from his long, narrow legs. Wesker was unable to avert his gaze; he knew him well enough to know that Ferris was putting on a bit of a show for him.
Ferris turned back around to face his companion, now in nothing but a pair of briefs that were to soon be discarded as well.
“Shower time?” He inquired. He seemed to be happy to play along, and see where the night would take them, which suited Wesker fine. He'd see just how much he could get away with before the surprise could be revealed.
Wesker pretended to ponder for a moment before he answered.
“I think the occasion calls for something more affable. Let me run the bath.”
Ferris let out a pleased moan. “This is why I love you.”
“Among many other reasons, I'm sure,” Wesker smirked as he turned and made his way to the en suite bathroom adjoining their bedroom.
The large bathtub in the centre of the back wall had sat vacantly for a while now, not getting nearly as much use as they both would have liked. Wesker knew how much Ferris adored their spa days together, and he wasn’t one to act like he didn’t either, and so he was more than happy to revive this old favourite pastime of theirs.
Ferris had followed him in, watching as Wesker ran the bath, and then demanded that he be able to undress him while they waited for the water to fill. Wesker allowed him to without a word, softly watching as Ferris went about freeing him from his garments. He left the sunglasses for last, using both hands to lift them from Wesker's face, and placing them folded on the bench where they would stay until the morning.
Stepping into the tub, Wesker held a hand out to chivalrously lead his partner along with him, one which Ferris took gladly, and they settled into their usual arrangement; Wesker leaning back at one end with Ferris laid against his chest. Content radiated from his face.
“Ohhh, I’ve missed this.” He’d closed his eyes already, his hand splayed out across Wesker’s chest and his head tucked under his chin. Wesker had one arm wrapped around him.
“Don’t fall asleep now, dear,” Wesker teased. “I’m not done with you yet tonight.”
Ferris’ eyes sprung open, an impish smile pulling at his lips. “My God. What did I do lately to earn all this?”
Wesker tilted his head. “Now why wouldn’t you deserve the attention?”
“It’s just been awhile, is all,” Ferris looked mildly guilty for the topic having been brought up. “That we’ve gotten to spend time like this together.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” They were rare words to hear from him, but Wesker said them genuinely. “Finding the time lately has been difficult. I’m hoping this can make up for it somewhat.” It felt like a poor excuse, even if it was the truth.
His head still leant against Wesker’s shoulder, Ferris was looking up at him.
“It’s alright, I understand. It’s a crucial time right now, it’s best we keep focus on the project. Besides, it makes it all the more special when we do get to spend time together, right?” Wesker knew he was appeasing him slightly with the statement - Ferris was a glutton for his attention and affection, no matter how much he might insist he didn’t mind, Wesker knew he was going through withdrawals.
“It’s always special, dearest,” He took hold of the hand at his chest and brought it to his lips. “Let’s not discuss the project right now. I want to focus on us.”
It looked briefly like Ferris wanted to say more, perhaps argue more in Wesker’s own favour, but instead he settled further into Wesker's grasp with a happy little sigh. They lay together for a few more minutes, chatting fondly and absently, content in each other's company.
After a while, Wesker sat forward, manoeuvring Ferris so that he was sitting between his legs with his back to him, and got to work scrubbing him clean with the bar of soap that had been waiting patiently on the side of the bathtub. Ferris was obviously relishing in the touch, his eyes closed and head at a tilt, as he obediently raised his arms at Wesker’s direction for him to get at all the spots he needed to. Once he was done, Ferris held his hand out expectantly for the bar of soap to return the favour.
They were rinsed off and beginning to dry themselves as the last of the water in the bath slipped down the drain with a final quiet gurgle. With a towel wrapped around his waist, Ferris was preoccupied with himself in the mirror, fussing with his hair and poking and prodding at almost nonexistent imperfections on his face.
Wesker took the opportunity to slip back into the bedroom. He was already dressed; his usual set of expensive sleepwear had been substituted for a t-shirt and the old, worn pair of pink plaid pajama pants Ferris had bought him so many years ago - a sentimental keepsake from a different lifetime. The exchange hadn’t gone unnoticed by Ferris, Wesker discerned, having caught a glance of him looking at them inquisitively as Wesker put them on, but yet he’d said nothing. It was beyond evident to him at this point that something was going on, but Wesker was sure the exact reasoning hadn’t been figured out just yet.
With Ferris preoccupied in the bathroom, Wesker was free to start putting together the culmination of the night’s plan into place. His drawer of the nightstand by his side of the bed held the key item, and he fished around inside it with a long, slender hand until he found what he was looking for.
He pulled the small box out and slipped it into his pocket, making his way over to the set of double doors at the back of the room that lead out to the balcony overlooking the African expanse. The location at the top of the back of the building gave their room a sense of privacy as well as providing them with a spectacular view that Wesker was certain would provide the perfect backdrop to such a proposal.
The proposal. An exceptionally important one, and one that was the cause of the sudden attack of nerves he was beginning to feel. He clenched and unclenched his fist a few times, attempting to release the nervous energy, and let out a slightly frustrated growl. He wasn’t expecting such a reaction from himself - he was confident in his assessment of how the event would go, and yet he still felt unsettled as the time rapidly approached. How ridiculous. They’d been together for two decades at this point, and yet here he was, nervous at the idea of a rejection that was virtually impossible to occur.
Taking the box out of his pocket to hold in his hand, he heard the sound of movement in the bedroom, and a light humming accompanying it. Ferris had evidently finished up in the bathroom and had come seeking him. It was time.
“Ferris, come out here for a moment,” Wesker called for him over his shoulder. He’d left the doors open behind him, and Ferris appeared almost silently at his side, slipping an arm under Wesker’s and leaning up against him. Wesker turned to look at him, his gaze calm but serious. Ferris picked up on it instantly.
“Everything alright?” He asked him, a hint of concern in his voice.
“Everything is perfect. How are you feeling after tonight?” Ferris’ concerned look broke, to be replaced with a smile.
“Fantastic,” he purred. “It's been a real treat.”
“And what of your thoughts on the circumstances? I know you had your doubts in the past. I trust I’ve put those concerns to rest.” He was fiddling with the box cupped in his hand. “I can’t do this without you. Tell me you trust me?”
The soft expression on Ferris’ face didn’t falter, despite the mention of one of their previous altercations. Instead, he hummed, and rested his head against the arm he was clung to.
“I’ve always trusted you. You’re the one I trust the most, you know that. If you have belief in Uroboros, then I do too.” He looked apologetic for a moment, “I never should have let you think I didn’t. I’m sorry.”
He’d begun to rub Wesker’s arm with a thumb, and his smile shifted to a rather wicked one. “But after all our hard work, your vision is coming together, and I can’t wait to be there beside you to see its realisation.”
It was much of what he was expecting to hear, but the reiteration of the faith held in him gave Wesker a contented twist of pleasure in his gut. A pleased sound vibrated from his chest.
“Our vision, my love,” he said. “Alright, one last question.”
“Hmm?” Ferris prompted after the statement hung in the air for a moment.
Wesker adjusted his stance, revealing the box sitting on the balcony rail that had been hidden under his hand the entire time. He opened it, and displayed its contents in front of them both. Inside it sat a ring. Silver, split in the middle by a black band, with a glittering white gem embedded in it in the shape of a diamond.
He leant forwards. “Marry me?”
For a heartbeat, Ferris just stood and stared at the ring in shock. Then, his eyebrows arched upwards to meet, and his lip began to quiver. His head whipped up to look into Wesker’s face, almost as though he couldn't believe what he was looking at.
“What? Are you serious?” He asked in a high, strained tone.
“I've never been more sure or serious about anything in my life,” was the response.
That's when the sobs began to start, and they left him as small, uncontrollable hiccups, as the tears that had been forming in his eyes broke containment and ran down his face.
“Albert, oh… Albert.” Was all he could muster to stammer out. Wesker couldn't help himself from smiling endearedly at the whole display.
“Is that a yes, then?” He prompted him gently. Ferris nodded wildly.
“Yes. Yes, yes, of course, yes,” He was reaching out a shaking hand towards the box held in Wesker's own, hesitating right before it, like he wasn’t sure it would actually be there if his fingers were to touch it. Wesker plucked it from its place for him, taking his trembling extremity in one hand, and using the other to slip the ring onto Ferris' finger.
Ferris held it up in front of his face and only succeeded in making himself cry harder. Wesker laughed softly, and bundled him in closely to him, allowing him to sob directly into his chest. After a while, Ferris re-emerged from his embrace, his eyes red and sniffing slightly but with a shaky smile, in order to look back at the ring sitting prettily on his finger.
“Is this what you were expecting?” Wesker asked him.
“No!,” Ferris whimpered. “I was expecting… I dunno, passionate sex?” That earned a chuckle.
“Well those cards are certainly still on the table.” Wesker offered.
“You’d bet your ass they are,” Ferris blurted out. “Sorry, sorry, that was crude, I’m just…”He welled up again, letting out a whimpering whine. “Albert, we’re going to get married.”
“Yes, dear, we are,” Wesker concurred. “Together, in our new world, entirely on our own terms. Can you imagine it? We'll be the first to complete such a union, a perfect culmination of our love. Nothing will be able to stop us, not when we're in control.”
Ferris was gazing at him dreamily, downright swooning at his words. Wesker realised Ferris’ face had become illuminated with the glow from his own eyes - his speech had managed to fire himself up, and Wesker had to fight the urge to take his fiance there and then on the balcony. While he had a feeling that Ferris would be eagerly inclined to go along with that, he had some decorum to maintain. He held out his right hand in order to take Ferris' left, and ran his thumb over where the ring now sat on his finger, after Ferris placed his hand there delicately.
“I love you,” Wesker held direct eye contact as he said it, and then pulled Ferris in to kiss him on the mouth. Wesker could taste his tears, and the mint from the toothpaste he'd just used to brush his teeth, and he thought there mustn't be anything else in the world that tasted better. They broke apart after several seconds. “Thank you for being mine.”
His fiance was too overwhelmed to speak, and just nodded his head, as though hoping the action was sufficient enough to get his feelings across. Wesker found that it was.
“Come on,” He enveloped Ferris’ hand in his own again, his fingers finding their familiar spot entwined in amongst the smaller ones, and started leading him back inside.
Ferris seemed to find his voice on their trip to the bed.
“I knew something was up after you put those stupid pants on,” he sniffed. “You asshole, you knew what you were doing the whole time.”
“Stupid? Such harsh words. I'll have you know someone I care for very much gifted these to me.”
The weepy thing next to him giggled, wiping his face.
“Albert?”
“Hmm?”
“Is there such a thing as consummating an engagement?”
“Since when have we ever cared for convention?” Wesker purred as he pulled him in under the covers.