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Jackson Healy had never been one for big romantic gestures, but he never met Holland March before. They had finally got their first real vacation since Holly moved out of the house.
They went to Italy. Holly was upset that she was missing it, but she quickly backed off when Healy told her what he was planning.
The year is 1985, times were progressive, but nowhere near where they needed it to be yet. But that's okay, Healy has a plan anyways.
Holland had quit drinking unless it was a special occasion years ago, things were good. So good in fact, that they had the money to go to Italy together.
“This is the best vacation ever!” Holland exclaims from his chair by the pool at the hotel.
Healy snorts. “It is. It's nice here. We should go to the beach later. I hear you can see the stars so well at night here.” Healy suggests, but it's not really a suggestion.
“Ooo! That's a good idea!” Holland sits up, the sun bouncing off his sunglasses.
“I always have good ideas, dork.”
“Hey! Who you calling a “dork”!” Holland flings himself out of his chair and belly flops onto Healy's chest.
Healy lets out a loud grunt as the air leaves his lungs. “What the fuck!”
Holland pushes himself up onto his hands and grins down at Healy mischievously.
“I'm an old guy, you can't hurt an old guy March.” Healy sighs.
“Watch me, old man.” Holland snorts, about to do something when they hear the sound of the gate opening. Thank God that this pool has walled gates.
Holland scrambles over to his own chair, pretending to read a book. Healy grits his teeth and flips the page in his newspaper.
Two women walk in, one Asian, the other Hispanic. Healy nods once at them, then goes back to “reading” the newspaper. They're decently attractive, skinny, young girls, but they aren't his type. Too young for him, probably around Holly's age.
The look on their faces say that they expected the pool to be empty at ten o'clock in the morning. The Hispanic girl whispers something to the Asian girl then they both wave at Healy and Holland. Holland obviously waves back. Healy waves once.
They both look at each other, having a silent conversation, their eyes drift back to Healy and Holland, specifically Holland.
Healy grits his teeth, he hopes these girls aren't about to hit on his boyfriend right in front of him when he can't say anything about it.
“...Are you guys… together?” The Hispanic girl asks hesitantly, her accent thick. It sounds almost Mexican, but she's likely from Spain.
Healy and Holland give each other a slightly panicked look. Then the Hispanic girl quickly clarifies.
“We're together too! Like- we're dating and stuff. We were just excited to meet another couple here like us! I'm Lily, this is my girlfriend, Mei.” Lily smiles.
Healy and Holland release the breath they didn't realize they were holding. “Yeah. We-we’re together.” Healy nods.
“Are we that obvious!?” Holland screeches.
Mei laughs. “No, we just heard you guys teasing each other before we walked in.”
“Damn it, Holland. I told you to stop being so god damn loud.” Healy sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I can't help it! I'm a naturally loud person!” Holland groans.
“I know that, but you have to be more careful in public. That could have been anyone, Holland.”
Lily and Mei look at each other, shrug, set down their stuff, then get in the pool while Healy and Holland bicker.
“So, how long have you two been together?” Lily asks, leaning against the edge of the pool.
Healy and Holland stop arguing and say, “Eight years today.” at the same time.
Mei pokes her head up front under the water. “Did they just say, eight years?”
“They did!” Lily grabs Mei by the shoulders and shakes her excitedly.
“Oh my gosh! That's so exciting! That means we have a chance!” Mei starts to cry, like bawling her eyes out while Lily holds her.
Healy and Holland make eye contact, both of their faces softening. Healy loves this man so much, and the fact that their relationship made some other couple think that their relationship could have a chance means a lot to him.
Holland reaches over and squeezes Healy's hand gently. In a world where people like them are always hiding who they are, this feels amazing. They can just be happy with each other for a while, enjoying their relationship.
“God, I love you.” Healy whispers, scooting his beach chair closer to Holland's.
“I love you too, old man.” Holland giggles like he just said the funniest thing.
Healy scoffs and lets go of Holland's hand, fake mad. “You always ruin the moment, jackass.”
Holland snorts and peppers Healy's beard with kisses. Healy smiles, then pulls Holland on for a real kiss. He doesn't even notice that Mei's sobs had stopped, or the “aww"ing that the girls make.
“God, you're such an idiot.” Healy chuckles when they separate.
Holland gasps dramatically and clutches his chest. He “faints” back onto the bench chair, then falls into a laughing fit. “I'm a hoot.” He sighs once he calms down.
Healy watches his idiot boyfriend with a fond smile.
Lily and Mei had gone back to swimming, Lily clinging to Mei's back. Holland stands up, stretching. His bones pop loudly and Healy winces.
“You okay, sweetheart?” The nickname slips out before he can stop it, but it seems the girls are lost in their own world now.
“Yeah, just getting old…” Holland's small smile widens into a grin. Healy walked right into that one. “But not as old as you.” Holland laughs so hard he snorts.
Healy finally lets himself laugh at that one. It was a good joke, what can he say? Holland pulls Healy into the pool, making him watch Holland do weird ass underwater backflips.
“You're so weird.” Healy snorts.
Holland giggles and wraps his arms around Healy's neck. “You bet I am, hot stuff.”
Healy's ears turn red and he looks away. Holland is such a tease. Holland buries his face in the crook of Healy's neck, just sitting there and breathing.
He's soaked, but Healy doesn't mind. He would let Holland hold him even if that meant he ended up covered in vomit.
Lily squeals and Healy looks away from Holland for a moment. Mei had splashed her with water. Ah, water fight.
Healy suddenly gets an idea, but it seems Holland got the same one because they splash each other at the same time.
He may love Holland with all of his heart, but right now, it's on. Healy picks Holland up by his tiny waist and slams him into the water (not hard of course).
Holland swims back to the surface, looking both amused and pissed. “Oh it's on, jerkwad.” Holland lunges for Healy.
Healy easily swims out for Holland's way, then grabs his ankle and yanks him backwards.
Holland screeches before his face goes under the water. Healy laughs, holding him under for a few seconds until Holland taps his leg twice, indicating that he needs air or that he's done with this and wants to stop.
Healy immediately pulls Holland back out of the water, checking him over as he coughs and sputters.
“Are you okay? Did you inhale any water? Did it go up your nose?” Healy asks immediately.
Holland holds up three fingers while he coughs, which means “The third one. I got water up my nose”.
Healy rubs Holland's back. “Sorry, I should have been more gentle. I forget how uncoordinated you are sometimes.”
Holland shoves at Healy's shoulder with no real strength as he catches. his breath.
“I am not uncoordinated!” Holland whines.
Lily snorts from behind Healy and her and Mei swim over. “Holland, we watched you trip three times just walking fifteen steps to get into the pool.”
Healy gives Holland a smug look. “See, told you.”
Holland gasps in mock offense. “No! Betrayed by my new friends and my boyfriend.” He clutches his chest dramatically and places the back of his hand on his forehead.
Healy laughs and pulls Holland to his chest. “Come on Holland, we have things to do today. Get all your energy out.”
“Oo! What are your plans?” Mei asks.
“Well, we're going to eat lunch, then check out a few stores, then go to dinner, then I convinced him to go to the beach to look at the stars.” Healy says, knowing that there's more to this plan that what he's saying.
“Ooo fun!” Lily smiles. “What stores?”
“I need a few new suits.” Holland explains.
“And I promised Holly that I'd buy her a necklace.”
“Who's Holly?” Mei asks, clinging to Lily's back now.
“My daughter, but Healy helped raise her.” Holland smiles, pecking Healy's cheek with a kiss.
“What about you guys? What's your plans for the day?” Healy asks while Holland goes back to doing underwater backflips.
“Me and Lily just wanted to have a lazy day today, but we also wanted to go surfing, so we'll see where today goes.” Mei smiles.
Healy nods, sinking down into the water a bit so that he can block Holland from hitting his head on the wall.
“I was thinking about going down to that old cream shop on the corner.” Lily says, talking with her hands.
“Nice, we might stop by. I know that Holland has a sweet tooth, especially when he's been walking around a lot.”
Mei nods in agreement, like she understands completely.
Holland goes down for another backflip and slams his head into Healy's stomach. Healy groans and pulls Holland up to check his head.
“You okay?” Healy asks, cupping Holland's face.
Holland nods, rubbing the water out of his eyes. “Yeah, sorry. You okay?”
“Yeah.”
Healy nods and Holland goes back to- nope he's doing handstands now. Healy sighs then faces Lily and Mei again, who are giggling quietly.
“This fucker, eh?” Healy points his thumb in Holland's direction.
Lily snorts and Mei covers her mouth while she laughs.
Healy smiles, then looks at Holland with a fond smile. God he loves this man.
☆°•°○————————————————————○°•°☆
The day had been perfect, they'd walked around Otranto all day, spent the day together. They held hands in one store and got some weird looks, but only a few people and the rest just ignored them, so Healy counts that as a win.
They finally sat down for dinner half an hour ago at this cute little hole in the wall called Ristorante Vecchia Otranto. It's beautiful and known for their seafood.
“This has been such an amazing day.” Holland smiles, sipping from his champagne glass. He's not a big champagne guy, but Healy suggested it.
Healy smiles back and nods. “It has.”
“What do you think the shrimp Alfredo will taste like?” Holland asks, leaning forward into the table.
“Shrimp and Alfredo sauce?” Healy chuckles.
“Well no duh, obviously. But like, do you think the pasta will taste better because it's homemade?”
“Maybe.”
“What does swordfish taste like? Can I have a bite of yours when it gets here?”
“Sure. And I have no idea.”
“Yay!” Holland claps his hands excitedly. It's a weird habit of his that Healy has always loved.
They continue talking until their food arrives. It smells delicious and Holland immediately digs in. He moans at the taste.
“This is delicious! They used real garlic!” Holland holds his fork out to Healy, loaded with a fork full of pasta.
Healy leans over and takes the bite that Holland is offering. Flavor bursts in his mouth, garlic, parmesan, salt, pepper, the sauce is rich and creamy. Healy hums in agreement.
“It's good! Try yours now!” Holland claps his hands again.
Healy takes a sip of his water to cleanse his mouth, then cuts a piece of his swordfish off and takes a bite. Butter, garlic, pepper, smoke like it was smoked in a smoker, parsley, chives, it's like a sweet version of salmon.
Healy hums in enjoyment and cuts another piece off to hold out to Holland. Holland leans forward and takes a bite. His eyes widen while he chews. “It's delicious!” He shouts, causing several people to look their way.
Healy face palms. “I told you to be more quiet.” He sighs, exasperated.
Holland giggles. “Sorry. It's just really good!”
Healy rolls his eyes fondly and starts eating. He kinda wants to switch with Holland. His shrimp Alfredo was delicious.
Holland looks at Healy's swordfish longingly and Healy smiles to himself. “Wanna trade?”
Holland nods rapidly, holding out his plate to Healy with a big grin. Healy snorts and trades plates with his boyfriend.
“Thank you!” Holland grins, digging into the swordfish.
Healy chuckles and starts eating the shrimp Alfredo. “You're welcome, sweetheart.”
They eat in relative silence for the rest of the meal, just the sounds around them and the occasional hums of happiness from Holland.
Holland is swinging his legs under the table, something he does when he's in a really great mood.
“You planned this whole vacation… Thank you.” Holland says suddenly.
Healy smiles, his whole face softening. “I only do it because I love you.”
Holland's cheeks turn pink and he smiles bashfully at Healy. “I love you, too.”
They smile, holding hands under the table while they finish eating.
After Healy pays for the meal they walk to the beach. It's not far, it's very beautiful at night. They really can see the stars better here.
“The view is beautiful here.” Holland whispers. There's no one around, so they're both holding hands.
Healy looks at Holland. “It sure is.”
Holland looks at him. His face turns red. “Jackson!”
Healy snorts, leaning down and placing a kiss on his boyfriend's cheek. “You're beautiful.” He whispers in Holland's ear.
Holland buries his face in Healy's chest with a groan. “You're so romantic.” He sighs, but it's definitely happy.
“I sure am.” Healy chuckles, looking behind Holland to try and find something to point out. He spots a crab running around. “Holland. Look.”
Holland turns around to see what Healy is pointing at. While Holland is distracted Healy pulls the box out of his pocket. He looks around one last time to make sure that they are alone, then gets down on one knee.
Holland squeals at the crab, then spins around to show Healy something, only to be met with Healy, down on one knee, holding up a ring box. Holland gasps in surprise.
“Holland Ray March, I know that we can't be legally married yet, but I also know that times are changing, and they're changing fast. Will you make me the happiest man in the world, and marry me?”
Holland starts to cry. “Oh my god. Oh my god. Yes!” He throws himself into Healy's arms, both of them kneeling in the sand while Holland sobs.
Healy pulls Holland into a kiss, smushing their faces together. Holland's tears taste like salt and his lips taste like the swordfish he had for dinner.
After a few seconds Holland pulls away with a sob and Healy places the ring on his finger. It's a perfect fit. Holland sobs harder, pulling Healy in for another kiss.
“I love you so much.” Healy whispers against his fiancé's lips.