Chapter Text
Murdoc can hardly breathe. This should be one of the biggest moments of his life, and he can’t even do it in public. Well, it’s not a great move to go that route, but he’d still like the option. Whatever. He’ll make this something unforgettable whether it’s in a Gordon Ramsey approved restaurant or the loo in a bar. Even if he’d, rightfully, be killed if it was the latter. He’s been planning and preparing for weeks, and it’s all nearly ready. Deep cleaning the Winnebago, going out and buying proper ingredients and candles, digging through his whole collection for the best music to create a bit of ambiance, practicing cooking this meal repeatedly until he got it right. He’s gotten a bit sick of eating it, but it’ll be worth it. This moment needs to, and will be, be perfect.
Then comes the day. It’s really an ordinary day, working on cleaning up the latest tracks, hanging around the band, typical things. But Murdoc feels about ready to pop when he sets things into motion.
“Ere, wanna come around to mine for dinner?” He gets himself to ask in a quiet moment, intentionally playing it cool because the alternative is spoiling the surprise.
“Yours? Yeah, that’d be nice. Been a while, hasn’t it?” 2D replies, a smile crossing his face at the thought. Things aren’t very traditional in any sense between them, but it works either way well enough.
Murdoc smiles too, relieved, “Right. Really has been. Reckon about an hour from now then?”
“I’ll be there,” 2D confirms before leaning in to steal a kiss, sure enough that they’re alone to not need to take the usual glance around to confirm it. Murdoc doesn’t complain. It lasts longer than normal, hands finding shoulders and waists in the moment of affection.
That evening, before 2D arrives, Murdoc is hurrying about to make sure everything is just as he planned. Dinner is half ready. Everything is clean, including him. A record is on the player, ready to go when it’s time. Candles are on the table, the lights are dimmed, he’s dressed up nice. All he can do is hope that 2D is punctual, and took the hint enough to clean up a little, but not so much that he’d work things out ahead of time. All that’s left really is the finishing touches. He works on dinner, a meat-free meal because 2D wouldn’t want to eat it if there was any, makes sure everything is perfectly adjusted, and waits. This whole cooking thing isn’t that hard, but he really should have realized that cooking for two is different than for just himself. When it comes to a few minutes before, he goes around lighting candles and setting out plates, nearly shaking with anticipation. Then comes the long-awaited knock. Murdoc manages to keep some level of composure when he goes over and answers it, heart melting at the sight of 2D on the other side. He did clean up, his face freshly shaved and his shirt sharp and clean.
“Ey love. You look dashing,” Is all Murdoc can say, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair out of 2D’s face before letting him in. Blame the nerves.
“So do you. It’s been too long since we’ve been on a proper date,” 2D replies as he enters, pulling the door closed behind him. Band business has kept them too busy and too tired to make the time and effort worth it, but now that things have calmed down they have all the opportunities in the world.
Murdoc gently takes him by the elbow, like you’d do with a proper gentleman, and leads them both over to the table, “Don’t expect it to happen again. As soon as we’re done with this album, we’re running off for a bit. Have some time to ourselves for once before we get started on anything else.”
“Well that sounds brilliant. But who will look after Noodle while we’re off on sabbatical?”
“It’d be Russel, wouldn’t it? Unless she’s gonna come with us,” Murdoc is able to chuckle, relaxing at 2D’s casual demeanor. They both get seated, Murdoc pulling out the chair for his boyfriend before either sit down.
“Best leave her with Russ. Give us some... alone time,” 2D takes a slightly suggestive tone, sliding his foot against Murdoc’s under the table. The familiarity of his perverted nature is almost relaxing, in a way.
Murdoc plays into it, his foot pressing back, his voice lowering, “Good point, Stu. It’d only be right we take our first vacation abroad in years just the two of us. But I’d better get the food before you decide you’re a different kind of hungry, shouldn’t I?”
2D smirks, quick to accept his ploy being seen through, “You’d better, Muds. We can worry about that after.”
Murdoc takes his chance to get a kiss while walking by, lightly tipping 2D’s face up to peck his lips. This earns a snort of laughter that leaves Murdoc satisfied as he carries the plates over to the table. With a bit of a flourish, he sets one in front of 2D.
“Here you are, love. Enjoy.”
2D’s eyes light up. There’s usually a bit of hassle any time they go out to eat to get him something to eat, that’s not a salad and tastes better than just going outside and plucking leaves off the ground for dinner.
“You made this? It looks great!”
“Don’t get too excited, you haven’t tried it yet,” Murdoc points out, taking his seat. He watches the reaction carefully as 2D takes an eager bite, not taking one of his own until he sees the sheer satisfaction and delight spread across his face. It’s worth every time Murdoc messed up this recipe before, and more.
“Oh, this is just brilliant. But you’d better watch out, getting me used to this. I’ll start expecting it more often,” 2D jokes, foot pressing back against Murdoc’s, in a more simple way.
“I wouldn’t mind. It’s nice having you around, I can handle making enough for you,” Murdoc replies, relishing in the way 2D seeks contact, even when the implications have died. It reassures him that this is a good idea.
Murdoc and 2D just talk over dinner. A lot is about work, the new album, the videos yet to come, the upcoming shows. But a lot is about simple things too. 2D went to a sweet shop a couple days ago, and wants to bring Noodle next time he goes. Murdo not so subtly asks him to get something for him if he goes again, before switching the topic to a shirt he can’t help but notice is missing. 2D doesn’t even try to hide it, he just grins and admits to using it as a sleep shirt on nights he doesn’t spend with Murdoc. He says he likes the smell, and suggests spending more nights together. Even if nothing more than cuddling happens from time to time, 2D likes having Murdoc there. Murdoc holds 2D’s hand from across the little table, their meals since finished.
“If that’s what you want, you’re gonna love the surprise I have for you.”
2D perks up, interest piqued, “Surprise? You wouldn’t keep me waiting after saying that, would you?”
Murdoc chuckles, a mix of anticipation and excitement building already. But he’s definitely sure of himself now. “Guess I shouldn’t. I’ll be back in a minute.”
2D takes his chance when it’s offered to him, as Murdoc walks by, to squeeze his shoulder, “Love you.”
Murdoc gives the dirty dishes a quick rinse before slipping off to his room. Inside the top drawer on his bedside table is a box, as wide as his palm is, made of a soft velvet. It’s finally time. He returns to the kitchen, box tucked behind his back, dragging out the suspense. 2D is still waiting where he left him, and smiles when he comes back.
“So?” he asks, resting his head in his hand and waiting to see what this surprise is.
Murdoc grins back, getting proper excited now. How could he not? “Close your eyes for a second, would you?”
“You’re so dramatic,” 2D playfully snipes, but closes his eyes and sits up straight anyway. They’re both happy, and content to put up with each other’s nonsense.
Murdoc checks that the floor is clear enough before getting down on one knee in front of 2D’s chair. He adjusts, taking one last deep breath before saying, “Okay. Open them.”
2D opens his eyes, and his breath catches when he realizes what’s happening. The ring in the box sitting open in Murdoc’s hands is an older one, one that’s had plenty of wear. 2D recognizes it, he’d asked about it one night while holding his hand. It was one of the first nice things Murdoc got for himself after moving out of his father’s house. Before he gets the chance to speak, Murdoc starts, “I love you too. So, Stuart Harold Pot, will you marry me?”
There’s a moment, a tense silence, before 2D blurts out, “You want to marry me? Really?”
“More than anything.”
“And... you’re proposing to me with your ring?” 2D reaches down, hesitation before touching it.
“You said you liked it. And I want you to have something that matters, not some boring bit of metal that means nothing,” Murdoc answers. The wait is torture. He’d been hoping for an easy answer, but every second that passes feels more and more like a no.
There’s another pause, and Murdoc begins really worrying that 2D is about to turn him down, when he realizes tears are welling up in 2D’s deep eyes. He realizes too, and wipes them away.
“I’m- I’m sorry... I just never thought I’d be proposed to, and after a while I never thought I’d be married. And the ring, it means so much to you, and you’re giving it to me!”
Murdoc pushes up a bit to comfort 2D, setting the ring on the table and wrapping him into an embrace. He doesn’t get the chance to say something reassuring though, before 2D insistently nods and continues.
“I wanna marry you. I will.”
Murdoc visibly and physically relaxes, pulling 2D in even tighter. The tension finally breaking is a great relief, and exactly what he needs. “Fallen victim to my charm, have you?” he teases softly, eliciting a soft laugh from 2D.
“So? You’ve fallen for mine.”
“True. Oh well, we work. We were never meant to live a suburban life anyway. Neither of us,” Murdoc smiles, stroking 2D’s hair as he rests his chin on his shoulder.
“You’re terrible at comforting people,” 2D jokes back, his tears dried up already. “But I wanna wear my ring.”
A gap just big enough comes between them as Murdoc reaches back and grabs the ring out of the box, taking 2D’s hand and sliding it onto the right finger. It’s practically vintage at this point, but the carvings still wind the band, and the stones still glitter.
“It looks good on you,” Murdoc comments, still holding 2D’s hand.
“I still liked it on you. I’ll get you a ring though, promise,” 2D leans up, briefly kissing Murdoc’s cheek.
“Love you.”
“Love you more.”