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Avery's childhood home... A sight he'd never get bored of.
It was a party, specifically for Avery's thirtieth birthday. And by gods if Derek said they knew how to party it'd be an understatement.
He looked around, seeing day turn to night as they hosted games, digital and board games alike, it was alive, so lively he couldn't help but be overwhelmed.
"Come on! You can't just—"
"Too bad! I'm not going easy on you just because it's your birthday."
His ears picked up the sound of Avery groaning in response to one of his cousins, almost dropping the controller before placing his focus back. They were playing some sort of fighting game, a '1v1' with multiple of Avery's family members cheering in the background. He would've counted who was on which side, just to keep tally or even for fun, if it weren't for the fact he had a small box in his pocket.
Nervous would be an understatement, he's glad for all these games serving as a distraction but the thought still lingers and worms its way through his head. That yes, he's gonna propose to the man he's been dating for two—almost three years. He's well aware it's natural, being nervous before you propose wasn't something he invented. But god, he can't stop thinking about the possibilities, if it goes wrong, if he'd even like the earring he'd bought him, if he'd accept.
And now? Time has passed and they've all eaten dinner. Avery's sister, Harper, pulls him aside to help with surprising the latter with a cake. Of course it's expected to have a cake, but this one was comedic, some sort of deliberately messy, and somewhat creepy, hedgehog cake. Based on what she had told him, it was a recreation of a popular meme, but smaller as this wasn't the real cake.
And now, with the candle being lit, Avery's parents holding the cake while his sister and Derek behind them with the real cake, they open the door to the living room and start singing while the person this was all meant for jolted in surprise. His lips curled into a smile, chuckling as he saw the wide eyed expression of his partner, the love of his life. And when the surprise subsided the whole hearted laugh that came after stunned him, feeling like he was struck by cupid again, but a harsh reminder came through his thoughts. That box...
"Is that— What even is this!" Avery was practically shaking from laughter, that cake along with others also holding in their own laughs, was definitely a scene Derek wanted to remember over and over again.
Harper signalled him over, bringing the real cake with a big smile as Avery was almost jaw dropped at some of the details on it.
Eventually, candles were blown out, people getting slices while they talked, the mood was raised, and it calmed him down, slightly.
He knew this was the moment as he saw his lover happily smiling to himself while putting multiple wrapped gifts in paper bags to open up on their own home later. Their home. That thought lingered on his mind as he walked up to him, arms wrapping around from behind the other.
"Hey," he felt a kiss place on his cheek, which did not help with the thought of proposing to this wonderful man. "Thanks for... Everything, really. I can't believe I'm turning thirty." The days before his birthday came, Avery had a crisis, a little, turning thirty was apparently jarring to him. So it was Derek who decided to do everything in his power to help his love realize that he'd gotten this far, that the old him would've looked up to him, that he was turning thirty, when he hadn't even expected to turn twenty-five years prior.
Derek held him tighter in response, rubbing circles to one side of the other's body.
"You don't need to thank me."
Avery chuckled, gently pushing his hands away to properly face him, giving a bear, tight hug.
"And still I want to. You've helped me so much." Derek feels lips pressing against his, catching him off guard before leaning in and returning the kiss back. They almost got carried away, before he remembered that box, that speech he planned, everything he wanted to do. So when he pulls away, much to the displeasure of the other, he gently takes his hand and leads him outside.
"I wanted to show you the stars tonight, they're beautiful." A partial truth, he was going to get down on one knee and— and—
"Woah..."
He can't even focus on the twinkle of the stars as moonlight illuminates the other's face. The amazement, the smile that comes afterwards, those eyes he swore shone brighter than any star can compare, and that beautiful voice that echoes in his mind.
His body feels like jelly, almost making him sputter right then and there.
"...Do you like it?"
He hears the giggle of his lover, filling his mind and almost forgetting his speech.
"Yeah, not as much as I love you though." A hand on his cheek, a thumb rubbing slowly in what seems like seeping adoration, and he can't help but lean into that touch with a soft hum. Those words were cheesy, and he would've laughed at his partners some-what cringy lines like always, but he can't help but want, want those cheesy, corny, cringy lines for the rest of his life, to hear the other's voice whisper those words no matter how hard he'd laugh after it. He feels... He feels ready, finally, fully ready.
“Avery… Ever since we've met I've… I've fallen in love with the thought of you. Not a single moment of you has left my mind, how the beauty of the universe can't compare to how your eyes, and I…” His hands feel sweaty, he hesitates before carefully grabbing both of his hands in his as he stares into that wide eyed face, that his lover must've realized, and is now waiting for his next words before he starts tearing up.
“And I love you so much. So to my love, my sun, my dearest, Avery.” He lets go of those calloused, yet soft hands. Getting on one knee while he shakily gets that box, opening it as his voice wavers.
“...Will you marry me..?”
There's a pause, of the love of his love hitching his breath, a tear running down his cheek as he starts laughing. It's shaky, it's breathless, and most of all, beautiful.
But Derek held his breath, wondering why he was laughing. And it must've shown on his face because Avery dug into his pocket and pulled out a… A box. And opened it.
He couldn't help but laugh too.
It's beautiful. The ring on his finger shines red, while the green round earring he helped his partner put on matched flawlessly. He knew it wasn't the most traditional sense of engagement jewelry, but he knew Avery didn't like wearing rings for long. His fingers fiddle with the ring for a few more moments, they're still outside, looking at the night sky while holding each other's hands.
It's quiet, only the sounds of night and the muffled noises of people inside. It's the best outcome Derek could ever want. Especially when the other starts leaning towards him, head on shoulder.