Fic: The Proposal
Title: "The Proposal"
Characters: Andy Schleck, Alberto Contador
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I know this is not happening and you know that this is not happening, but lets pretend, OK?
Warnings: *g* Risk of cavities from too much sweetness and romanticness and stuff.
Summary: See, I am seriously determined to get Andy and Alberto back together at all costs. So much so that things are getting serious They are still on vacation, after the Tour, going back to Saint Malo, a place where they have so many happy memories from the year before.
A/N: It's not entirely necessary but I recommend that you read: Words Don't Bridge the Gap and What's Really Important, and Andy Baby if this fic is to make some sense. Also, these fics, from the Main Verse that started last year: Turn of the Tide 1 and Turn of the Tide2 are worth having another look at.
Location: Saint Malo, France.
Date: Beginning of August 2011.
“We had sex right here, right on this spot,” Andy walked through the tall grass with a smile on his face.
“Mmm, I remember,” Alberto lowered himself into a crouch and ran his hand through the blades of grass. “Right here, I remember that rock. We kept having problems with it,” the Spaniard chuckled. “I love this place. Everything is the same, right where we left it last year. Almost as if the island has been waiting for us to come back.”
“Maybe it's been waiting,” Andy put his arm around Alberto when the Spaniard sat up. “And here we are.”
“Here we are...,” Alberto echoed his lover. “And it's... perfect, you know?”
“I know,” Andy pressed a kiss on Alberto's forehead. “Do you want to have sex?”
“What? Now? Here?”
“It would be fitting... and fun.”
“Mmmhmm, it would be. Especially if we end up spending the night in jail. There are too many people around.”
“Yeah, it was just a wild idea. See, you didn't get to plot this carefully, so the island is too crowded for naughty stuff. But it can still be romantic and sweet...”
“It is, Andy. You're romantic and sweet,” Alberto turned toward his lover and wrapped his arms around Andy's waist.
“You don't know the half of it,” Andy muttered under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing. I mean, you'll see,” Andy smiled at Alberto's upturned face.
“Whaaat? What are you plotting?”
“Something that you will hopefully like and you won't want to kill me for.”
“Okay... that's not much of a clue. Come on, tell me. And don't worry, at this point, I could only smother you with kisses,” Alberto grinned.
“Go ahead and do it,” Andy mirrored the expression and distracted Alberto with the kisses in question. But he knew his boyfriend well enough to realize that Alberto would not give up until he found out what the 'plotting' was all about.
Andy took a deep breath through his nose, made a happy sound as he exhaled and Alberto held him even tighter. But it was time to buck up and do it. They were in the perfect spot, so full of meaning and amazing memories for both of them.
'It's now or never...' Andy told himself, taking another deep breath as he steered Alberto toward one of the stone benches scattered around the Grand Bé.
They found a spot just off the main path, facing the ocean and offering a spectacular view of the beach. People swarmed over there as well, taking advantage of the low tide and even braving the cold water.
“We'd better keep an eye on the beach. I don't want to get stuck on the island until tomorrow,” Alberto said.
“No, we'd better be more careful this time. It would be too much of a coincidence if the tide catches us here again. And maybe there will be another storm. But we're not prepared, so no getting stuck,” Andy was still standing, shading his eyes as he surveyed the shore.
“No, not prepared...,” Alberto smiled, recalling his own preparations from a year before and how well they'd paid off. Making love as the rain poured over their naked bodies and the thunder boomed to match their frantic rhythm... that was also a memory worth smiling about.
But Andy's impatient shifting from one foot to the other drew Alberto out of his pleasant musings.
“Hey, what's the matter? Come, sit with me,” Alberto patted the warm stone he sat on.
Andy shuffled some more, stuck his hands in his pockets, drew them out and shook them awkwardly. His eyes darted this way and that, making his restlessness even more obvious.
“Andy?”
“Yes?”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes,” Andy exhaled, looking at Alberto and smiling brightly. But he faced away the next moment and the most adorable blush dusted his cheeks. Alberto found it very adorable, but also unsettling.
A few moments ticked by, with Andy still scanning the horizon and Alberto pretending to do the same. But he was observing his lover and wondering what on Earth made Andy so nervous. What wonderful-or terrible-thing was he up to?
“Andy?”
“Mmm?”
“At least sit with me. Let me hold your hand. Maybe it'll be easier for you to tell me what's on your mind.”
“I …er, well,” Andy stammered and his cheeks grew even redder.
“Baby?” Alberto reached out for his lover, smiling encouragingly. “Whatever you...”
“Shh, no, sit. I'll join you in a second,” Andy motioned Alberto to stay put. But he did not sit down next to Alberto, pacing before him with his hands in his pockets instead.
“Andy, you're starting to freak me out. What is it?”
“Haha, freak you out alright...,” Andy muttered nervously.
“Seriously, you're... Hey, whatever is bothering you, you can tell me. Even if it's some big or scary or deep, dark secret, it's OK. I'm not going to run away screaming,” Alberto tried to joke and lighten the uneasy mood.
“Oh, you might,” Andy grinned sheepishly.
“Alright, now really I'm starting to worry. But I'm a big boy, I can handle it, so go ahead. Tell me.”
“Yeah, you can handle it. The question is... can I? Shit, this is so... Man, I've thought about it so many times and it should be easier, but...”
As Andy walked back and forth, muttering things that made sense only to him, unease began to creep up Alberto's spine. What on Earth was Andy so nervous about? It had to be something big. Bigger than all the important things they'd braved and discussed before. Painful things, mistakes and flaws but whatever Andy had to confess would probably take the cake. Rock them up good. Why else did the guy look like he was on the verge of bolting out of there?
Alberto gasped and clutched the edge of his stone seat with both hands. What if...? Andy had mentioned other people... having sex with other guys and women too, while they'd been apart. Alberto didn't like it but he couldn't possibly fault Andy for it. What if Andy had caught something? No, he would not have risked the kind of lovemaking they'd enjoyed after getting back together if that were the case. Maybe Andy had gone and knocked some woman up. There, that was a big and terrible secret, ample of reason to make Andy freak out so much. But, damn! If that was it, what would Alberto do? What could he do except suck it up and try to be supportive? Either that or losing Andy, but the second option was out of the question and perhaps it was time to think about having a family.
The Spaniard's eyes widened as he realized what he'd just thought. He smiled, amazed with himself. Thinking about a kid and a family after such a long time when not loving Andy had been the biggest priority... Alberto raised himself from the bench, giving Andy a dazed but happy look. Or at least an encouraging one.
“No, no, sit,” Andy put his hands on Alberto's shoulders and pressed him down gently.
“O-kay...,” Alberto complied. “But...”
“Whoa, this is it. Listen,” Andy stopped pacing and stood before Alberto. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Okay. Um... I've thought about it a million times and I swear I had every word planned out but... yeah, that's not going to work because you're actually here and it's not so simple anymore.”
“Andy, baby, whatever...”
“Shh, hear me out. Please, before I get even more terrified and choke up.”
“Sorry. Sorry, go on,” Alberto tried to take Andy's hands in his but Andy's right hand kept fiddling with something in his pocket, probably the hotel key.
“It's going to sound crazy, Alberto, especially now, after all we've been through. But I love you and my heart tells me that I'm never going to find a better place than this. Or a better moment. Or more courage,” Andy chuckled nervously.
“Baby, you have nothing to be afraid of...”
“So he says... but wait. Alberto, I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid of being without you. We've tried it and it sucked. The point is... damn! I'm not good with words. You're so much better at saying the right things. I'm not even going to try... I should just say it and keep my fingers crossed.”
“Andy... maybe I can make it easier for you, if you give me a clue.”
“No clues. It's just a question, really. But it's important and we're going to remember this for the rest of our lives. Haha, no pressure there, eh?”
Alberto merely smiled encouragingly and squeezed Andy's hand in his.
Andy took another steadying breath, exhaled sharply and gave Alberto a big smile.
“I love you,” he said. “Always and only you. I've known it from the first time we held hands and that first night when I realized that oh my god, this man loves me and he's been waiting for me...”
Alberto's eyes shone as he recalled the night in question. Andy was the guy Alberto had been waiting for, not just a few weeks at the beginning of their relationship but... his whole life.
“It's simple, Alberto. We both know that we belong together, no matter how complicated we make things. So lets stop making things complicated and just be together. Forever.”
Andy stopped talking and took a little box out of his pocket. Alberto's eyes widened and he stared from Andy's shaking hands to his beautiful, blushing face. He couldn't say anything and his heart began to race as he watched Andy sit down beside him.
Andy took Alberto's left hand in his and bit his lip, his own heart beating so fast that he felt light-headed.
“Yeah, I've got a ring in here and I don't know if you're going to like it, but I should have given it to you long ago. I was an idiot and a coward, but not anymore.”
Andy opened the little box and presented it to his gaping lover. There was a ring in there alright, a strange, squarish thing with joints and a band of white gold between two bands of yellow gold. Alberto looked at it, blinked a couple of times and raised huge, brown eyes at Andy's hopeful face.
“Marry me, Alberto.”
All the air rushed out of Alberto in a loud exhale that sounded like Andy's name.
“Be my husband.”
Alberto swayed a little and his shaking fingers touched the ring tentatively.
“I know we haven't talked about this and it's sudden and probably crazy, but I want to spend all my life with you and take responsibility and do it right.”
Alberto seemed stuck in shock and awe mode, his ability to speak words being completely knocked out of order. He looked at Andy and smiled... or tried to. It looked more like the expression of a cornered animal and Andy was glad to be sitting down, because his knees had turned to jello.
“Hey, you don't... you don't have to say anything, Alberto,” Andy brushed his fingers over Alberto's cheek in a barely there caress. The Spaniard's eyes fluttered shut, but he shook his head and faced Andy again. “You don't have to say yes, it's OK to say no, I won't mind. I know you're not a fan of marriage and it's not going to change anything if you say no. We don't have to... It's OK, really,” Andy finished lamely, bracing himself for the explosion. The longer Alberto remained quiet, the more he would say and Andy had the sinking feeling that he would not like any of it. But he felt relieved and happy to have finally asked.
“Andy...,” Alberto said hesitantly.
'Here goes...,' Andy cringed inwardly, but showed only a brave smile.
“Put it on. The ring, give it to me,” Alberto whispered.
Andy fumbled with the ring and almost dropped it. But somehow, he managed to slip it on Alberto's ring finger, breathing a sigh of relief when the thing fit far better than Andy had hoped. He squeezed Alberto's hand in his and then let go, because Alberto wanted to look at the ring. Andy bit his lip again and watched Alberto holding his hand up, studying it like it was a foreign object. Alberto closed his eyes-squeezed them shut-and took a shuddering breath, driving Andy literally to the edge of his seat.
“I do, Andy. I do or yes or... whatever makes a good answer to that kind of question,” Alberto murmured.
“What?” Andy was sure he hadn't heard right. “Did you just say...?”
Andy's surprise was so comical and endearing that it made Alberto laugh. He threw his arms around Andy's neck and squeezed him in a tight hug. The squeaky sound Andy issued only made the Spaniard chuckle louder.
“Yes, you heard me right.”
“Really?” Andy squeaked again, even if Alberto's hold on him had loosened a bit. “Really, really?” he grinned incredulously.
Alberto squeezed his eyes shut and nodded frantically. He cupped Andy's cheeks and pressed kisses all over his face, oblivious of the whispering people that passed by and gave the gay couple long stares.
“Yes, Andy. I want to... god, yes, I'll be your husband,” he murmured on Andy's lips. It prompted Andy to grab him and kiss him avidly, clutching Alberto to him and feeling as though he was dreaming. Oh..., wait, maybe he was dreaming...
“Alberto...,” Andy drew back abruptly, shaking his... his fiancé (?!) a bit. “Pinch me.”
“Huh?”
“Pinch me. Or punch me. I need to know I'm not dreaming.”
Alberto grinned from ear to ear and kissed Andy instead, biting his lip hard.
“OK, your turn now, because hey, I'm probably on the couch, with Tour drooling in my lap and having the most fantastic dream. Me, I'm having the most fantastic dream, not Tour.”
Andy flicked his tongue over his bitten lip. He chuckled and pinched Alberto's arm, making the Spaniard wince.
“Nope. I'm still here,” Alberto shook his head. He rolled the ring on his finger and gazed at it in wonder. “Wow...”
“Yeah, wow,” Andy giggled, relief and joy and love making him look and sound so much younger. “Are you sure? I mean... I was hoping you would not hit me on the head with a blunt object for this
or at least to say that you need to think about it...”
“Haha,” Alberto ducked his head and grinned sheepishly. “You were expecting me to make a scene and maybe lecture you?”
“Honestly... I'm still waiting for it to happen. This is totally too good to be true.”
“Andy...,” Alberto shifted a little closer and put his hand over Andy's. He twined their fingers, raising their joined hands to look at the ring again. Andy pulled him as close as possible, kissing the side of Alberto's head. “Andy..., yeah, OK, I'm shocked and amazed and knocked off my feet and there's a million things we need to think about. But you know what? You've been knocking me off my feet and getting me carried away practically everyday. And I love it. I love you and wow, I'm just so, so lucky, Andy. So there's nothing to think about, except how this is a huge step in the right direction for us. And you're the one with the guts and determination to make it happen.”
“Now you sound more like yourself... But I'm gonna ask you again. A lot, until I'm sure that you actually said yes.”
“Ask me,” Alberto whispered.
Andy turned the Spaniard toward him and gave him the warmest, sunniest smile.
“Will you marry me, Alberto?”
“Yes,” Alberto mirrored that smile and got himself kissed soundly in response.
“I'm never going to get tired of hearing that.”
“Me either. You definitely have to ask again. Oh my god, I'm being asked to marry someone...,” Alberto chuckled.
“Me, not someone and yeah, I beat you to it.”
“Damn right you did. But... how long have you been thinking about this, Andy?”
“Truthfully?”
“Oh, boy...”
“I got you that ring last year,” Andy admitted. He felt Alberto tense with surprise.
“Last year...?”
“Yeah, after Christmas, when things were good between us. I was thinking that it would show you how serious my intentions are and how much I wanted to be at your side. But I chickened out and then you were so distant...You know how things went to the dogs after a while.”
Alberto sighed and turned toward Andy, hiding his face in the crook of Andy's neck.
“After we went our separate ways and it looked to be dead over between us... I wanted to throw the ring away or eat it or do something stupid and vindictive because I'd been such and idiot. But I kept the ring and some hope too, some hope that maybe I would get the chance to ask again. Or at least tell you about it if we'd stayed friends. I don't know...”
Alberto began to say something, but his breath hitched and Andy felt him shuddering. The ocean and the beach became a blur in Andy's eyes, but he needed to keep talking, to let Alberto know what he'd been through while they'd lost so much time away from each other.
“I took the ring with me when I found out that you were coming to France. And you're going to kick me, but the Tour was all about you. I knew that it was my best chance to try and get you back. And it was. Maybe I lost my head a little when you said you wanted to try one more time, but god, I felt alive all over again and then I decided that I would never, ever let you go. Never. So here I am, asking you to be my husband and you just accepted and I'm so happy I don't quite know what to do with myself. But... hey,” Andy stopped when he felt Alberto shaking against him and realized that he was crying. Hot, silent tears trickled down Alberto's cheeks and some of them fell on Andy's neck too. “Alberto...,” Andy let go of his hand and wrapped both arms around Alberto, petting him slowly and pressing him closer.
“Alberto... last year, in this place, remember when you said you'd come to the end of the world after me, to win me back? And that was after just a little fight, a petty little disagreement...”
Alberto made a small sound and his lips moved against Andy's neck, but no words came out because he was too shaken to speak. He clutched Andy to him, fresh tears spilling from his eyes when Andy caressed him soothingly. He wasn't going to stop crying if Andy didn't stop saying all those meaningful things.
“So much pain and stupid things later, we're back here and now I'm promising you that I'm coming to the end of the world for you. No, with you. I mean it.”
Alberto bit back a sob with great effort and moved back to look at Andy. Those blue eyes were far from dry, but Andy smiled and brushed the dampness off Alberto's cheeks.
“No more tears, Alberto.”
“Happy tears,” the Spaniard mumbled.
“Okay, but only happy tears.”
Alberto sniffled and nodded.
“It's just... I'm so overwhelmed, Andy. God, I've been so wrong about so many things and about you. I've hurt you so much when all you wanted was to be with me. I don't deserve this. I don't even...”
“Ssshh,” Andy cut him off. “No more of that. It doesn't matter now. We're... we're engaged, Alberto!” Andy beamed. “We're together and it's going to be only happiness from now on.”
“Yes, please,” Alberto smiled as well and they sealed it with a long, deep kiss that caused an elderly couple to avert their eyes and cluck disapprovingly when they passed by.
“People are staring,” Andy chuckled on Alberto's lips.
“I don't care. I love you. I'm going to marry you and I feel like shouting it so that everyone hears.”
“Heeey, easy now...,” Andy held Alberto down when the Spaniard meant to make good his words.
“Alright. I shouldn't scare these poor people, but I'm just so... You were carrying the ring with you all this time?” Alberto turned his attention back to the jewel on his ring finger.
“Yes. I kept looking at it and trying to buck up, to work up the guts and finally ask you. When you said we should come here, I just knew the perfect moment had arrived and... here we are.”
“Here we are,” Alberto grinned broadly and smooched his fiancé, making Andy laugh.
“Damn, you actually said yes,” Andy shook his head a moment later.
“I did. Better get used to it. You and me both.”
“Yeah... that ring is finally where it's supposed to be. Oh, by the way, it's not too ugly, is it?”
“Andy...,” the Spaniard looked at his hand where the three joined bands seemed very much at home.
“It's not pretty or fancy because I know that's not your style. I mean, you wear almost no jewelery and I had to pick something simple, inconspicuous. I figured this ring wouldn't stand out too much, you wouldn't have to explain it if people ask you or you could just say it's a souvenir, a simple gift. Plus the white and the yellow gold is meaningful. See, I'm the band of white gold and you're the yellow. These are your arms around me,” Andy touched the ring, sounding a little proud of himself, especially when Alberto melted against him and whimpered.
“Andy, Andy..., you know me so well. And you thought of everything... It's perfect. Everything is just perfect and I'm...,” the Spaniard trailed off into a happy sigh.
“You're dazed. I know. Me too. So, we should stay here a little longer, just until the world settles back in place. But... you said yes, Alberto. You said yes and we need to celebrate that.”
Alberto looked at his lover's face and gasped, because Andy's eyes had taken on a new shine.
“You're going to be my husband and as soon as we get back to that hotel, the only things you'll be saying are 'yes!' and 'Andy, please!' I'm going to give you so many reasons to say 'yes', over and over again.”
“Oh,” Alberto smirked. “You've got more romantic things planned for us?”
“You bet I do.”
“So then, you were pretty sure of my answer?”
“No. I mean, I was almost sure you'd say no or not yet or to let you think about it. But that's no reason to not be romantic and skip the amazing sex... I was going to give you reasons to marry me, however else?”
“Andy, Andy... now! Lets go now,” Alberto jumped to his feet, making Andy chuckle.
“Hehe, what's the rush?”
“Are you kidding? I need you. I want these clothes off now and for you to seal the deal. Make me yours, Andy.”
The Spaniard's sultry words had Andy up and practically running. They were holding hands and Andy dragged his laughing fiancé behind him. He felt the ring but also Alberto's fingers, warm and real, holding on tight. It was finally happening.
A/N#2: Have a look here at the actual ring: http://pics.livejournal.com/ann_arien/pic/001k5t5e. Because yes, I looked it up and looked for it quite a lot too.
Characters: Andy Schleck, Alberto Contador
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I know this is not happening and you know that this is not happening, but lets pretend, OK?
Warnings: *g* Risk of cavities from too much sweetness and romanticness and stuff.
Summary: See, I am seriously determined to get Andy and Alberto back together at all costs. So much so that things are getting serious They are still on vacation, after the Tour, going back to Saint Malo, a place where they have so many happy memories from the year before.
A/N: It's not entirely necessary but I recommend that you read: Words Don't Bridge the Gap and What's Really Important, and Andy Baby if this fic is to make some sense. Also, these fics, from the Main Verse that started last year: Turn of the Tide 1 and Turn of the Tide2 are worth having another look at.
Location: Saint Malo, France.
Date: Beginning of August 2011.
“We had sex right here, right on this spot,” Andy walked through the tall grass with a smile on his face.
“Mmm, I remember,” Alberto lowered himself into a crouch and ran his hand through the blades of grass. “Right here, I remember that rock. We kept having problems with it,” the Spaniard chuckled. “I love this place. Everything is the same, right where we left it last year. Almost as if the island has been waiting for us to come back.”
“Maybe it's been waiting,” Andy put his arm around Alberto when the Spaniard sat up. “And here we are.”
“Here we are...,” Alberto echoed his lover. “And it's... perfect, you know?”
“I know,” Andy pressed a kiss on Alberto's forehead. “Do you want to have sex?”
“What? Now? Here?”
“It would be fitting... and fun.”
“Mmmhmm, it would be. Especially if we end up spending the night in jail. There are too many people around.”
“Yeah, it was just a wild idea. See, you didn't get to plot this carefully, so the island is too crowded for naughty stuff. But it can still be romantic and sweet...”
“It is, Andy. You're romantic and sweet,” Alberto turned toward his lover and wrapped his arms around Andy's waist.
“You don't know the half of it,” Andy muttered under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing. I mean, you'll see,” Andy smiled at Alberto's upturned face.
“Whaaat? What are you plotting?”
“Something that you will hopefully like and you won't want to kill me for.”
“Okay... that's not much of a clue. Come on, tell me. And don't worry, at this point, I could only smother you with kisses,” Alberto grinned.
“Go ahead and do it,” Andy mirrored the expression and distracted Alberto with the kisses in question. But he knew his boyfriend well enough to realize that Alberto would not give up until he found out what the 'plotting' was all about.
Andy took a deep breath through his nose, made a happy sound as he exhaled and Alberto held him even tighter. But it was time to buck up and do it. They were in the perfect spot, so full of meaning and amazing memories for both of them.
'It's now or never...' Andy told himself, taking another deep breath as he steered Alberto toward one of the stone benches scattered around the Grand Bé.
They found a spot just off the main path, facing the ocean and offering a spectacular view of the beach. People swarmed over there as well, taking advantage of the low tide and even braving the cold water.
“We'd better keep an eye on the beach. I don't want to get stuck on the island until tomorrow,” Alberto said.
“No, we'd better be more careful this time. It would be too much of a coincidence if the tide catches us here again. And maybe there will be another storm. But we're not prepared, so no getting stuck,” Andy was still standing, shading his eyes as he surveyed the shore.
“No, not prepared...,” Alberto smiled, recalling his own preparations from a year before and how well they'd paid off. Making love as the rain poured over their naked bodies and the thunder boomed to match their frantic rhythm... that was also a memory worth smiling about.
But Andy's impatient shifting from one foot to the other drew Alberto out of his pleasant musings.
“Hey, what's the matter? Come, sit with me,” Alberto patted the warm stone he sat on.
Andy shuffled some more, stuck his hands in his pockets, drew them out and shook them awkwardly. His eyes darted this way and that, making his restlessness even more obvious.
“Andy?”
“Yes?”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes,” Andy exhaled, looking at Alberto and smiling brightly. But he faced away the next moment and the most adorable blush dusted his cheeks. Alberto found it very adorable, but also unsettling.
A few moments ticked by, with Andy still scanning the horizon and Alberto pretending to do the same. But he was observing his lover and wondering what on Earth made Andy so nervous. What wonderful-or terrible-thing was he up to?
“Andy?”
“Mmm?”
“At least sit with me. Let me hold your hand. Maybe it'll be easier for you to tell me what's on your mind.”
“I …er, well,” Andy stammered and his cheeks grew even redder.
“Baby?” Alberto reached out for his lover, smiling encouragingly. “Whatever you...”
“Shh, no, sit. I'll join you in a second,” Andy motioned Alberto to stay put. But he did not sit down next to Alberto, pacing before him with his hands in his pockets instead.
“Andy, you're starting to freak me out. What is it?”
“Haha, freak you out alright...,” Andy muttered nervously.
“Seriously, you're... Hey, whatever is bothering you, you can tell me. Even if it's some big or scary or deep, dark secret, it's OK. I'm not going to run away screaming,” Alberto tried to joke and lighten the uneasy mood.
“Oh, you might,” Andy grinned sheepishly.
“Alright, now really I'm starting to worry. But I'm a big boy, I can handle it, so go ahead. Tell me.”
“Yeah, you can handle it. The question is... can I? Shit, this is so... Man, I've thought about it so many times and it should be easier, but...”
As Andy walked back and forth, muttering things that made sense only to him, unease began to creep up Alberto's spine. What on Earth was Andy so nervous about? It had to be something big. Bigger than all the important things they'd braved and discussed before. Painful things, mistakes and flaws but whatever Andy had to confess would probably take the cake. Rock them up good. Why else did the guy look like he was on the verge of bolting out of there?
Alberto gasped and clutched the edge of his stone seat with both hands. What if...? Andy had mentioned other people... having sex with other guys and women too, while they'd been apart. Alberto didn't like it but he couldn't possibly fault Andy for it. What if Andy had caught something? No, he would not have risked the kind of lovemaking they'd enjoyed after getting back together if that were the case. Maybe Andy had gone and knocked some woman up. There, that was a big and terrible secret, ample of reason to make Andy freak out so much. But, damn! If that was it, what would Alberto do? What could he do except suck it up and try to be supportive? Either that or losing Andy, but the second option was out of the question and perhaps it was time to think about having a family.
The Spaniard's eyes widened as he realized what he'd just thought. He smiled, amazed with himself. Thinking about a kid and a family after such a long time when not loving Andy had been the biggest priority... Alberto raised himself from the bench, giving Andy a dazed but happy look. Or at least an encouraging one.
“No, no, sit,” Andy put his hands on Alberto's shoulders and pressed him down gently.
“O-kay...,” Alberto complied. “But...”
“Whoa, this is it. Listen,” Andy stopped pacing and stood before Alberto. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Okay. Um... I've thought about it a million times and I swear I had every word planned out but... yeah, that's not going to work because you're actually here and it's not so simple anymore.”
“Andy, baby, whatever...”
“Shh, hear me out. Please, before I get even more terrified and choke up.”
“Sorry. Sorry, go on,” Alberto tried to take Andy's hands in his but Andy's right hand kept fiddling with something in his pocket, probably the hotel key.
“It's going to sound crazy, Alberto, especially now, after all we've been through. But I love you and my heart tells me that I'm never going to find a better place than this. Or a better moment. Or more courage,” Andy chuckled nervously.
“Baby, you have nothing to be afraid of...”
“So he says... but wait. Alberto, I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid of being without you. We've tried it and it sucked. The point is... damn! I'm not good with words. You're so much better at saying the right things. I'm not even going to try... I should just say it and keep my fingers crossed.”
“Andy... maybe I can make it easier for you, if you give me a clue.”
“No clues. It's just a question, really. But it's important and we're going to remember this for the rest of our lives. Haha, no pressure there, eh?”
Alberto merely smiled encouragingly and squeezed Andy's hand in his.
Andy took another steadying breath, exhaled sharply and gave Alberto a big smile.
“I love you,” he said. “Always and only you. I've known it from the first time we held hands and that first night when I realized that oh my god, this man loves me and he's been waiting for me...”
Alberto's eyes shone as he recalled the night in question. Andy was the guy Alberto had been waiting for, not just a few weeks at the beginning of their relationship but... his whole life.
“It's simple, Alberto. We both know that we belong together, no matter how complicated we make things. So lets stop making things complicated and just be together. Forever.”
Andy stopped talking and took a little box out of his pocket. Alberto's eyes widened and he stared from Andy's shaking hands to his beautiful, blushing face. He couldn't say anything and his heart began to race as he watched Andy sit down beside him.
Andy took Alberto's left hand in his and bit his lip, his own heart beating so fast that he felt light-headed.
“Yeah, I've got a ring in here and I don't know if you're going to like it, but I should have given it to you long ago. I was an idiot and a coward, but not anymore.”
Andy opened the little box and presented it to his gaping lover. There was a ring in there alright, a strange, squarish thing with joints and a band of white gold between two bands of yellow gold. Alberto looked at it, blinked a couple of times and raised huge, brown eyes at Andy's hopeful face.
“Marry me, Alberto.”
All the air rushed out of Alberto in a loud exhale that sounded like Andy's name.
“Be my husband.”
Alberto swayed a little and his shaking fingers touched the ring tentatively.
“I know we haven't talked about this and it's sudden and probably crazy, but I want to spend all my life with you and take responsibility and do it right.”
Alberto seemed stuck in shock and awe mode, his ability to speak words being completely knocked out of order. He looked at Andy and smiled... or tried to. It looked more like the expression of a cornered animal and Andy was glad to be sitting down, because his knees had turned to jello.
“Hey, you don't... you don't have to say anything, Alberto,” Andy brushed his fingers over Alberto's cheek in a barely there caress. The Spaniard's eyes fluttered shut, but he shook his head and faced Andy again. “You don't have to say yes, it's OK to say no, I won't mind. I know you're not a fan of marriage and it's not going to change anything if you say no. We don't have to... It's OK, really,” Andy finished lamely, bracing himself for the explosion. The longer Alberto remained quiet, the more he would say and Andy had the sinking feeling that he would not like any of it. But he felt relieved and happy to have finally asked.
“Andy...,” Alberto said hesitantly.
'Here goes...,' Andy cringed inwardly, but showed only a brave smile.
“Put it on. The ring, give it to me,” Alberto whispered.
Andy fumbled with the ring and almost dropped it. But somehow, he managed to slip it on Alberto's ring finger, breathing a sigh of relief when the thing fit far better than Andy had hoped. He squeezed Alberto's hand in his and then let go, because Alberto wanted to look at the ring. Andy bit his lip again and watched Alberto holding his hand up, studying it like it was a foreign object. Alberto closed his eyes-squeezed them shut-and took a shuddering breath, driving Andy literally to the edge of his seat.
“I do, Andy. I do or yes or... whatever makes a good answer to that kind of question,” Alberto murmured.
“What?” Andy was sure he hadn't heard right. “Did you just say...?”
Andy's surprise was so comical and endearing that it made Alberto laugh. He threw his arms around Andy's neck and squeezed him in a tight hug. The squeaky sound Andy issued only made the Spaniard chuckle louder.
“Yes, you heard me right.”
“Really?” Andy squeaked again, even if Alberto's hold on him had loosened a bit. “Really, really?” he grinned incredulously.
Alberto squeezed his eyes shut and nodded frantically. He cupped Andy's cheeks and pressed kisses all over his face, oblivious of the whispering people that passed by and gave the gay couple long stares.
“Yes, Andy. I want to... god, yes, I'll be your husband,” he murmured on Andy's lips. It prompted Andy to grab him and kiss him avidly, clutching Alberto to him and feeling as though he was dreaming. Oh..., wait, maybe he was dreaming...
“Alberto...,” Andy drew back abruptly, shaking his... his fiancé (?!) a bit. “Pinch me.”
“Huh?”
“Pinch me. Or punch me. I need to know I'm not dreaming.”
Alberto grinned from ear to ear and kissed Andy instead, biting his lip hard.
“OK, your turn now, because hey, I'm probably on the couch, with Tour drooling in my lap and having the most fantastic dream. Me, I'm having the most fantastic dream, not Tour.”
Andy flicked his tongue over his bitten lip. He chuckled and pinched Alberto's arm, making the Spaniard wince.
“Nope. I'm still here,” Alberto shook his head. He rolled the ring on his finger and gazed at it in wonder. “Wow...”
“Yeah, wow,” Andy giggled, relief and joy and love making him look and sound so much younger. “Are you sure? I mean... I was hoping you would not hit me on the head with a blunt object for this
or at least to say that you need to think about it...”
“Haha,” Alberto ducked his head and grinned sheepishly. “You were expecting me to make a scene and maybe lecture you?”
“Honestly... I'm still waiting for it to happen. This is totally too good to be true.”
“Andy...,” Alberto shifted a little closer and put his hand over Andy's. He twined their fingers, raising their joined hands to look at the ring again. Andy pulled him as close as possible, kissing the side of Alberto's head. “Andy..., yeah, OK, I'm shocked and amazed and knocked off my feet and there's a million things we need to think about. But you know what? You've been knocking me off my feet and getting me carried away practically everyday. And I love it. I love you and wow, I'm just so, so lucky, Andy. So there's nothing to think about, except how this is a huge step in the right direction for us. And you're the one with the guts and determination to make it happen.”
“Now you sound more like yourself... But I'm gonna ask you again. A lot, until I'm sure that you actually said yes.”
“Ask me,” Alberto whispered.
Andy turned the Spaniard toward him and gave him the warmest, sunniest smile.
“Will you marry me, Alberto?”
“Yes,” Alberto mirrored that smile and got himself kissed soundly in response.
“I'm never going to get tired of hearing that.”
“Me either. You definitely have to ask again. Oh my god, I'm being asked to marry someone...,” Alberto chuckled.
“Me, not someone and yeah, I beat you to it.”
“Damn right you did. But... how long have you been thinking about this, Andy?”
“Truthfully?”
“Oh, boy...”
“I got you that ring last year,” Andy admitted. He felt Alberto tense with surprise.
“Last year...?”
“Yeah, after Christmas, when things were good between us. I was thinking that it would show you how serious my intentions are and how much I wanted to be at your side. But I chickened out and then you were so distant...You know how things went to the dogs after a while.”
Alberto sighed and turned toward Andy, hiding his face in the crook of Andy's neck.
“After we went our separate ways and it looked to be dead over between us... I wanted to throw the ring away or eat it or do something stupid and vindictive because I'd been such and idiot. But I kept the ring and some hope too, some hope that maybe I would get the chance to ask again. Or at least tell you about it if we'd stayed friends. I don't know...”
Alberto began to say something, but his breath hitched and Andy felt him shuddering. The ocean and the beach became a blur in Andy's eyes, but he needed to keep talking, to let Alberto know what he'd been through while they'd lost so much time away from each other.
“I took the ring with me when I found out that you were coming to France. And you're going to kick me, but the Tour was all about you. I knew that it was my best chance to try and get you back. And it was. Maybe I lost my head a little when you said you wanted to try one more time, but god, I felt alive all over again and then I decided that I would never, ever let you go. Never. So here I am, asking you to be my husband and you just accepted and I'm so happy I don't quite know what to do with myself. But... hey,” Andy stopped when he felt Alberto shaking against him and realized that he was crying. Hot, silent tears trickled down Alberto's cheeks and some of them fell on Andy's neck too. “Alberto...,” Andy let go of his hand and wrapped both arms around Alberto, petting him slowly and pressing him closer.
“Alberto... last year, in this place, remember when you said you'd come to the end of the world after me, to win me back? And that was after just a little fight, a petty little disagreement...”
Alberto made a small sound and his lips moved against Andy's neck, but no words came out because he was too shaken to speak. He clutched Andy to him, fresh tears spilling from his eyes when Andy caressed him soothingly. He wasn't going to stop crying if Andy didn't stop saying all those meaningful things.
“So much pain and stupid things later, we're back here and now I'm promising you that I'm coming to the end of the world for you. No, with you. I mean it.”
Alberto bit back a sob with great effort and moved back to look at Andy. Those blue eyes were far from dry, but Andy smiled and brushed the dampness off Alberto's cheeks.
“No more tears, Alberto.”
“Happy tears,” the Spaniard mumbled.
“Okay, but only happy tears.”
Alberto sniffled and nodded.
“It's just... I'm so overwhelmed, Andy. God, I've been so wrong about so many things and about you. I've hurt you so much when all you wanted was to be with me. I don't deserve this. I don't even...”
“Ssshh,” Andy cut him off. “No more of that. It doesn't matter now. We're... we're engaged, Alberto!” Andy beamed. “We're together and it's going to be only happiness from now on.”
“Yes, please,” Alberto smiled as well and they sealed it with a long, deep kiss that caused an elderly couple to avert their eyes and cluck disapprovingly when they passed by.
“People are staring,” Andy chuckled on Alberto's lips.
“I don't care. I love you. I'm going to marry you and I feel like shouting it so that everyone hears.”
“Heeey, easy now...,” Andy held Alberto down when the Spaniard meant to make good his words.
“Alright. I shouldn't scare these poor people, but I'm just so... You were carrying the ring with you all this time?” Alberto turned his attention back to the jewel on his ring finger.
“Yes. I kept looking at it and trying to buck up, to work up the guts and finally ask you. When you said we should come here, I just knew the perfect moment had arrived and... here we are.”
“Here we are,” Alberto grinned broadly and smooched his fiancé, making Andy laugh.
“Damn, you actually said yes,” Andy shook his head a moment later.
“I did. Better get used to it. You and me both.”
“Yeah... that ring is finally where it's supposed to be. Oh, by the way, it's not too ugly, is it?”
“Andy...,” the Spaniard looked at his hand where the three joined bands seemed very much at home.
“It's not pretty or fancy because I know that's not your style. I mean, you wear almost no jewelery and I had to pick something simple, inconspicuous. I figured this ring wouldn't stand out too much, you wouldn't have to explain it if people ask you or you could just say it's a souvenir, a simple gift. Plus the white and the yellow gold is meaningful. See, I'm the band of white gold and you're the yellow. These are your arms around me,” Andy touched the ring, sounding a little proud of himself, especially when Alberto melted against him and whimpered.
“Andy, Andy..., you know me so well. And you thought of everything... It's perfect. Everything is just perfect and I'm...,” the Spaniard trailed off into a happy sigh.
“You're dazed. I know. Me too. So, we should stay here a little longer, just until the world settles back in place. But... you said yes, Alberto. You said yes and we need to celebrate that.”
Alberto looked at his lover's face and gasped, because Andy's eyes had taken on a new shine.
“You're going to be my husband and as soon as we get back to that hotel, the only things you'll be saying are 'yes!' and 'Andy, please!' I'm going to give you so many reasons to say 'yes', over and over again.”
“Oh,” Alberto smirked. “You've got more romantic things planned for us?”
“You bet I do.”
“So then, you were pretty sure of my answer?”
“No. I mean, I was almost sure you'd say no or not yet or to let you think about it. But that's no reason to not be romantic and skip the amazing sex... I was going to give you reasons to marry me, however else?”
“Andy, Andy... now! Lets go now,” Alberto jumped to his feet, making Andy chuckle.
“Hehe, what's the rush?”
“Are you kidding? I need you. I want these clothes off now and for you to seal the deal. Make me yours, Andy.”
The Spaniard's sultry words had Andy up and practically running. They were holding hands and Andy dragged his laughing fiancé behind him. He felt the ring but also Alberto's fingers, warm and real, holding on tight. It was finally happening.
A/N#2: Have a look here at the actual ring: http://pics.livejournal.com/ann_arien/pic/001k5t5e. Because yes, I looked it up and looked for it quite a lot too.