Nick

What had just happened. Charlie had asked Nick to marry him, he’d beaten him to it and Nick was so shocked that he was just staring at Charlie. Stunned into silence.

Before he realised he needed to respond, Charlie was up on his feet and running back towards the bathroom. Nick tried calling his name but there was no stopping Charlie. Nick chased after Charlie and entered the bathroom just in time to see Charlie slip inside one of the cubicles and lock the door.

Nick stood in front of the closed door, knocked gently and began to speak through it, “Char, please come out,” Charlie didn’t respond but Nick could hear him sniffing on the other side, trying to muffle his crying. “Charlie, Char, please.”

Still nothing, Nick knew what he had to do to. He reached his arms up in the air and, not caring who might hear him, he shouted, “I LOVE CHARLIE SPRING AND WANT TO MARRY HIM”

Nick kept his arms in the air and smiled when he heard the cubicle door unlock and start to creak open. Charlie’s eyes were red, and his cheeks were still wet, “Really?” he asked sounding so small and delicate.

“Wasn’t it obvious? Come here,” Nick held his arms out and Charlie ran into them. Nick held Charlie tight to him.

Charlie

Charlie felt like he’d been on an emotional rollercoaster over the space of just a few minutes. Nick wanted to marry him; he was so happy. Nick had said yes.

Nick loosened his grip on Charlie, looked him in he eyes and started to speak, “I’m sorry I made you think I didn’t want to marry you Char, I just wasn’t expecting it.”

“Oh, is it too soon, do you think we’re too young?” Charlie started to panic.

“No, no, Char, that’s not it, wait,” Nick released Charlie and took a step back. “You see, the reason I wasn’t expecting it, is because I was going to ask you,” Nick reached inside his jacket and pulled out his own ring box.

“Oh my,” it was Charlie’s turn to be stunned, “Why are we like this?” Charlie giggled before pulling Nick in for a passionate kiss.

When they came up for air Charlie asked, “Can I see it?”

Nick opened the ring box and showed Charlie the ring he’d bought, “Oh Nick, it’s beautiful.” Nick reached inside the box, pulled the ring out and held Charlie’s hand. He looked at his face to see if it was ok to slide it onto Charlie’s finger. Charlie nodded and Nick slid the ring on, it was a perfect fit.

Charlie reached back into his own jacket to get his ring for Nick out of its box, “Can I?” Charlie asked, and Nick simply smiled back. Charlie repeated the same motion as Nick just had, and the two of them both looked at their new engagement rings before they kissed again.

David

“Did you know he was going to do that?” David asked Olly as they waited at the table after both their brothers ran off.

“No, he didn’t tell me. He kept that really quiet,” Olly replied.

“Do you think we should check on them?”

“No, they just need some time, I’m sure they’ll be alright,” Olly reassured him.

The food started to arrive at the table, and just when David thought he was going to have to go and get them before the food went cold, Nick and Charlie emerged from the bathroom walking hand in hand with matching smiles on their faces. Olly and David were both waiting for one of the couple to say something but they were both just grinning like Cheshire cats.

“Well?” David finally asked.

“He said yes,” they both said in unison as they each held up their hands to show off their rings. The whole restaurant then burst into applause causing Charlie to blush and burry his head in Nick’s shoulder.

“Congratulations, we’re so happy for you both,” David replied on his and Olly’s behalf while taking Olly’s hand across the table. David really was so happy for his brother, he’d grown into such a warm & loving man, and him and Charlie really were perfect for each other.

Olly

Olly loved the way David had spoken for both of them, it felt really grown-up, it felt like a really couple-y thing to do. Sure, it wouldn’t have been to some people’s taste, but Olly loved it so much. He loved David so much.

Nick and Charlie retook their seats and they all started eating their meals. Olly noticed that between each mouthful Nick and Charlie just kept smiling at each other, he suspected they didn’t really remember that he or David were there, or the rest of the restaurant for that matter. They were just so happy.

Olly turned to look at David and as if he sensed his boyfriends gaze on him, David turned and gave Olly his amazing smile that made Olly feel butterflies inside his tummy. Olly was even more certain now. He was going to propose to David tonight. He had it all worked out, he just had to get David alone.