Nick

Nick Nelson had been dating his childhood sweetheart Charlie Spring since he was 16 years old. They’d had their ups and downs, probably more than most couples, but they’d come out the other side stronger than ever. They’d been to hell and back when Charlie had spent time as an in-patient for his issues with eating; they’d endured being long-distance when Nick moved to Leeds for university and subsequently when Charlie went to Durham to study classics, making as much of the time they could spend together as they possibly could.

After Charlie graduated 4 years ago, they’d moved in together in Rochester to be near their families, Nick getting lucky and landing a job teaching at a local primary school. While Charlie was commuting into London for his job as a copy editor for a publishing house. This year would be Charlie’s 25^th birthday in April and Nick had decided that this valentine’s day he was finally going to propose. He’d known for years that there was no one else for him, he’d not looked at another person since the day he first met Charlie back at Truham. He’d only waited this long because he needed everything to be perfect, he’d been saving for a ring that screamed ‘Charlie Spring’, something simple but elegant, just like his boyfriend.

He’d originally planned to propose at Christmas, but they’d spent the festive season at the Springs’ family home and Jane Spring’s overbearing attitudes had put Charlie into one of his ‘down days’ as they called them. Nick didn’t want Charlie’s memory of him proposing to be overshadowed by those negative emotions. So now that Valentine’s Day was here, it was the most romantic time to pop the question. Nick was pretty sure Charlie would say yes, but he was still nervous, nonetheless.

David

David Nelson never thought of himself as the sappy sort, not like his younger brother Nick, but whenever he thought about his boyfriend Olly he just felt calm and happy. They’d met four years ago when Nick and Charlie hosted the first ‘Nelson-Spring’ family Christmases that had become an annual tradition after they got their own place together. He and Olly found themselves drawn together whenever their two families were in the same place.

Oliver Spring was chaotic and wild, the complete opposite of his older brother, but whenever David was near Olly, he struggled to resist him. He had tried at first, Oliver was 10 years younger than him after all, but once Oliver had set his sights on him, he knew it was all over. Olly brought colour into his otherwise dull life. Olly had been in his first year of uni when they first met and by the time he’d reached his second year, him and David were as close to boyfriends as they could be, although neither of them had told their families yet.

Things weren’t always plain sailing between them, when they fought it was on an epic scale, but they always made up and the make up sex was always amazing. Sometimes David thought Olly picked something to fight over just so they could have ‘the good sex’ as he once put it. David just laughed at his mad antics and played along. It was Olly’s graduation day a year ago when they’d finally ‘told’ their families about the two of them being a couple.

Told, probably isn’t the right word. After Oliver had collected his certificate, he came bounding off the stage and ran straight into David’s arms and gave him the most passionate, and certainly most public kiss they’d ever shared. The whole Nelson-Spring clan had a mix of reactions to this revelation. Jane Spring, Olly’s mother, seemed to be appalled at the sight in front of her, while Nick and Charlie were simply shocked and at a loss for words. David’s mum Sarah was happy for the two of them, while Tori scarily said, “Called it.”

Once they’d all got home that day there was a lot of raised voices in the Springs’ home. Jane had tried to imply that David had ‘groomed’ her son and that he was some kind of pervert for being with someone ‘so much younger’ than him. While Nick and Charlie were hurt for another reason altogether, David had said some pretty nasty things to them when Nick had first come out, which of course he now deeply regretted.

Once the initial shock of him and Olly being together had faded, David and had worked to make amends with his brother and his boyfriend. The relationship between him and Nick was now the best it had ever been. Jane took longer to win over, and David wasn’t entirely sure she was still happy with him dating her son, but Olly had made it very clear to her that if she made him choose between them, that he would choose David every time, filling David with even more love for his Olly.

Oliver

Valentine’s Day was finally here, and Oliver Spring was feeling nervous but excited for the night they had planned. Before Christmas, Nick had confided in Olly that he was planning to propose to Charlie. He’d even asked Olly to go with him to collect the ring that Nick had chosen for his boyfriend. Nick was so disappointed when his plans to propose to Charlie on Christmas Day fell through, but Oliver reassured him that he’d made the right call.

Oliver suggested to Nick that he should wait until Valentine’s Day, as he knew Charlie would love the romance of that. Oliver helped Nick to find a romantic restaurant, deciding on a fancy roof-top restaurant that had amazing views of the London skyline. Nick had insisted on him and David joining them too, as a thank you to Oliver for helping him and wanting to help Oliver to make the evening special for him and David too.

What Nick didn’t know, was that Oliver had his own plans for making the evening special, Oliver was also planning to propose tonight. Last week he had gone back to the same jewellers that Nick had used and picked out a ring for David that he thought summed up the two of them together perfectly. It was beautiful but with a hint of chaos in its design, it was how David had once described him. He knew they hadn’t been together as long as Nick and Charlie, and that he was still quite young, but he knew this was it for him.

He’d seen doubt in David’s eyes sometimes, little things like when he saw Oliver out with his friends or the way he was just more outgoing than David. There were even times when David had ‘joked’ that Oliver would leave him someday for someone younger. But he could see the truth behind the words, the pain, and he wanted to stop David from ever thinking that again, by showing him just how much he truly meant to him.

Charlie

Charlie was putting his suit on for the evening and trying to tame his wild curls into something a little more normal. Nick had booked them a fancy looking restaurant for Valentine’s Day, which had made him a little anxious, but Nick was great at making sure the menu was suitable for Charlie’s needs. It wasn’t even something they discussed; it was just second-nature to Nick to make sure anywhere they went had a few safe dishes on the menu to make sure Charlie could feel comfortable. He hadn’t had a relapse like when he’d been an in-patient during secondary school, but there were always going to be good days and bad. But he was much better at coping now, especially with Nick by his side.

Having Nick by his side was something Charlie knew was going to be forever, there was no doubt in his mind about that. He never knew what Nick saw in him when they first got together back in school, and when they were apart during their time at university they’d had some rocky patches, but now the doubts had long since gone.

Charlie hadn’t told anyone, but tonight he planned on asking Nick to marry him. He’d gotten a ring that reminded him of Nick, it was strong and masculine but with a soft edge to it. He was pretty sure Nick would say yes, but he was wishing now he’d discussed it with someone first, to put some of his natural anxiety at ease a little. But there was no time for that now, Nick and David were arriving any minute to collect him and Olly.

Nick

That evening David picked Nick up from the apartment he shared with Charlie. To make the evening extra special, Olly had convinced Charlie that they should get ready at their parents’ house so that their boyfriends could pick them up, just like old times. Nick liked the idea when Olly had suggested it but now it was just more time for Nick to be second-guessing his plans.

David must have sensed how anxious he was because he asked, “Everything alright over there Nicky?”

Nick needed to talk about it, he needed reassurance that he wasn’t making a mistake. “Erm, not exactly,” Nick paused to take a deep breath before continuing, “I’m planning on proposing to Charlie,” then adding at the end, “tonight.”

“That’s amazing Nicky, but why are you anxious? It’s obvious how crazy you two are about each other,” David tried to reassure him.

“But what if he doesn’t want to get married or thinks we’re too young or that it’s too soon,” Nick started to have a small panic attack. David pulled the car over to the side of the road so he could comfort his brother.

“Nick, breathe, just breathe, deep breathes. You and Charlie have been together for almost 10 years, no one could think it’s too soon. You already live together, and he loves you so much Nicky. You must know that.”

A few deep breaths and Nick was starting to calm again. David just waited patiently for Nick to be ready.

“Thanks David, you turned out to not be that bad a brother after all,” Nick tried to tease as he regained his composure.

“Ha, right back at you Nicky boy. We ready to get going?” David asked with true care in his voice for his little brother. Nick nodded and David started the car up again to continue to get their boys.

David

David truly was pleased for his brother; he didn’t have a single doubt that Charlie wouldn’t accept Nick’s marriage proposal. Everyone could see those two were soulmates. There were still days when David regretted how he first reacted to seeing Nick and Charlie together, realising years later that it was just his own repressed feelings of being bisexual that caused him to lash out. They were in a much better place now, there was still bridges to repair between them, but the resentment David had once felt towards Nick was long since gone.

As they drove in a comfortable silence towards the Springs’ house, David’s thoughts drifted to his own boyfriend, his Olly. He didn’t understand what Olly could possibly see in him, he knew it wouldn’t last forever – someone younger, more fun, more like Olly would come along and be able to offer him things that David couldn’t. David dreaded that day, but he knew he wouldn’t stand in the way of Oliver being happy. For now, Olly was his, he was so happy whenever he was with Oliver, it’s like he wasn’t whole unless Oliver was by his side.

David had sometimes thought what it might be like to have a future with Oliver Spring, he’d picture them getting married somewhere crazy like while scuba diving or maybe on a beach at sunset just the two of them. Something so different from a traditional wedding, but full of the love they felt for each other. Maybe if they had met at school, like Nick and Charlie, or perhaps at university, then things might have been different. Even if that future seemed almost impossible to him, David knew he would cling on to everything Olly would give him, for as long as he would have him.

Oliver

Oliver heard the car pull up outside. He double-checked how he looked in the mirror of his bedroom before tucking the ring he’d bought into the pocket inside his jacket. He walked down the hall to his big brother’s childhood bedroom, knocked on the door and called out, “Charlie, our dates are here.”

Charlie pulled open the door and Olly looked at him standing there in his own suit.

“What? Do I look ok?” Charlie asked nervously, returning to look at himself in the mirror to check if something was wrong with his outfit.

Olly followed his brother inside the room, “You look great Charlie, I was just thinking, the Nelson brothers didn’t really stand a chance with how good we look.”

Charlie blushed, “Hardly. Are you sure I look ok?” Charlie said adjusting his suit for the hundredth time that evening.

Olly reached out his hands to hold Charlie’s, “Yes Charlie, Nick is going to love it.”

“Thanks Olly, you look amazing too,” Charlie said, finally taking in how his brother looked.

“Why thank you,” Olly grinned, “Now come on, they’re here and the last thing we want is them getting grilled by Mum.”

Olly and Charlie headed downstairs and were both left speechless when they saw how handsome their boyfriends looked standing there in their suits. Olly was the first to move and ran over to give David a massive hug, whispering into his ear, “I’m going to have so much fun taking this suit off you later on,” causing David’s cheeks to go bright red.

Charlie

When Charlie saw Nick standing there he thought, not for the first time, that he couldn’t believe Nick was his boyfriend. Charlie walked down to stand in front of Nick.

“Hi,” Charlie smiled.

“Hi,” Nick smiled back before pulling Charlie into a hug.

“I missed you,” Nick said without breaking the hug.

“It’s only been a few hours,” Charlie giggled.

“That’s a few hours too long,” Nick groaned, and Charlie was sure he felt Nick smelling him while his face was nuzzled into his neck.

“Nick, don’t we have somewhere to be,” Charlie reminded his boyfriend.

“Oh,” Nick suddenly remembered their plans for the evening and reluctantly released his boyfriend.

Nick and David escorted their partners to David’s car, Nick and Charlie sat in the back, while Olly sat up front with David. When everyone was ready, David gave Olly’s leg one last squeeze and started driving them to the restaurant. Normally Nick and Charlie wouldn’t be able to keep from kissing each other throughout the journey, but Charlie was still distracted by thoughts of the ring that was inside his jacket pocket.

Nick

All the nerves Nick had felt earlier in the drive over were immediately forgotten as soon as he saw his Charlie. He looked so hot in his suit, Nick just wanted to skip the restaurant and carry him back upstairs to Charlie’s childhood bedroom and strip him out of it so that he could explore the sexy body he knew was hiding underneath. Nick felt that he and Charlie were just two halves of one whole, needing to be close to one another to feel complete.

Now he was in the back of the car with Charlie by his side, any doubts he had about proposing were long gone. Tonight, had to be the night, if he left it any longer he thought he might explode. In Nick’s heart he knew that if he could marry Charlie tomorrow, it wouldn’t be soon enough. He felt like a teenager that had a crush on someone, mentally going through married names in his head as he thought of all the different possibilities.

Mr Nicholas Spring

Mr Charles Nelson

Mr & Mr Nicholas & Charles Nelson-Spring

Mr & Mr Charles & Nicholas Spring-Nelson

It wasn’t something he and Charlie had ever really discussed, but Nick knew he didn’t care if they changed their names or not, or what name they picked if they did choose a change, as long as he could shout out to the world that he was Charlie’s. Just like he had screamed it to the sea back on the beach all those years ago when he shouted out that, ‘He liked Charlie Spring in a romantic way, not just a friend way’. Nick was sure if he was on that beach again now, he’d be shouting to anyone that would listen that, ‘He loved Charlie Spring in every way possible and would go on loving him until the day they died!’

David

The car ride to the restaurant was unusually quiet, he suspected Nick was still nervous about his plans to propose that evening, and Charlie wasn’t the most talkative, at least not around him. But even Olly was quiet tonight which really wasn’t like him at all.

David reached his hand across to squeeze Olly’s knee and asked, “Everything ok Oll?”

“Hmm,” Olly responded not hearing what David had asked.

“I asked if everything was ok, you seem quiet.”

“Yeah, I think I’m just worried I won’t fit in at this fancy restaurant. It must be fancy if we all have to dress up like this.,” he said gesturing to his suit.

“How do you know the restaurant is fancy? Maybe this was just an excuse for me to see your sexy ass in those tight trousers?” David teased.

“Davey, you can’t say that in front of our brothers,” Oliver gasped in mock shock.

David glanced in the rear-view mirror at his brother and future brother-in-law, “Haha, I don’t think they’re paying us any attention Oll.”

Oliver

Oliver hoped David had believed his reason for being distracted. He’d actually been thinking of how he was going to propose. Should he get down on one knee, or sneak the ring into his desert, or maybe just reach across the table, take hold of his hands and ask him. So many possibilities, but none of them felt quite right, none of them felt quite them.

He probably should have considered what he was going to do before this point, but every time he’d tried he got distracted. His thoughts had drifted to what-ifs instead, like What if David said no or that he thought it was to soon, or that Olly was too young to know what he wanted.

And then what if David actually said yes, what would their wedding be like, would David want a big ceremony surrounded by all their friends & family, or would he want something more intimate. Olly would even be happy with just running away and eloping, as long as he could show David just how committed he was to their relationship.

The thought also occurred to him that he didn’t want to steal Nick’s moment, he knew Nick had been waiting such a long time to propose to his brother. He didn’t want either of them thinking that he was just trying to get everyone’s attention on him. It was then that it occurred to him, he knew exactly how he was going to propose to David.

Charlie

Nick seemed distracted in the car, normally he’d be all over Charlie whenever they were this close, but Charlie didn’t mind. It gave him time to try and calm his nerves, he kept tapping his pocket to make sure the box with the ring was still there. He’d had so many bad dreams the last few weeks, dreams where Nick said no and left him, dreams that he’d lost the ring, or it had slipped inside the lining of his jacket.

Once he woke from each of these dreams and saw his beautiful Nicky lying next to him, he knew it was just his brain doing what it always did, showing him the worst possible scenarios to make him feel worthless. His years in therapy had helped him to at least recognise when this was happening now, rather than allowing him to spiral further and further into the bad thoughts. Normally he’d talk to Nick when he was starting to feel like this, but then he’d have to ruin the surprise. Charlie knew that it was just the stress of the unknown that had Charlie in a spin.

Charlie knew, deep down, that Nick wouldn’t leave him; he also knew deep down that it was only a matter of time until the two of them got married. They’d never discussed it but they were already married in all but name. They spent every moment when they weren’t working together, they were always invited to events as Nick & Charlie, as if they were one person rather than two, and everything in their apartment was theirs rather than Nick’s or Charlie’s. He just wished that that knowledge would be enough to quiet the little voice of doubt that sat at the back of his mind.

Nick

As they pulled up outside the Treetop Lounge in the heart of the City of London, Nick entwined his fingers with Charlie’s instinctively as they climbed out of the back of David’s Lexus. Drawing comfort for himself to steady his nerves and, unknown to him, helping to steady his boyfriend’s nerves too. The building in front of them was one of the tallest in the city, with the restaurant at the top advertising the best 360-degree views of the capital.

After David handed over his keys to the parking valet and came round to take hold of Oliver’s hand, the four of them boarded the lift at the bottom of the tower that would whisk them up to the restaurant level where they had made their reservations for the evening. Nick gasped when the lift doors open and they stepped out. He’d seen pictures online when he and Olly were discussing where to pick but the pictures didn’t do it justice.

The restaurant was both elegant and magical, a canopy of leaves and branches adorned the ceiling making it feel as if you were up amongst the treetops. The bar situated in the centre of the space was made to look like the tree’s trunk, with little indents for bottles at different points. Branches fanning out from this central point to make it all feel connected. Each table had silk napkins in golden earth tones and delicate tea lights placed in the centre to give a subdued atmosphere. The lighting from above being intertwined with the tree canopy to add to the effect of feeling like you were up at the top of the trees instead of just at the top of another of  London’s ever-growing number of skyscrapers.

Someone must have given the maître d their names, but Nick wasn’t sure who as he had been too distracted by the restaurant’s magical atmosphere. As they were shown to their table, that was when Nick noticed for the first time the view outside the windows. London’s skyline was  lit beautifully against the dark night’s sky.

David

The maître d asked Nick for the name of our party twice and he hadn’t noticed, so David had to step up and tell him instead. They were led to a table next to one of the many windows that surrounded the space, views of the historic Tower Bridge and the Tower of London down below. David pulled out a chair by the window for Olly and then went round and sat opposite him, thinking that Nick would probably want to be on the outside if he was going to do the traditional proposal down on one knee.

Once he sat down, David watched as his brother copied his actions for his own boyfriend by pulling out the chair next to him for Charlie to sit and then Nick sat opposite, next to Oliver. David gave Nick a small smile across the table, sensing how nervous his younger brother was for tonight. The maître d handed each of them a menu and they all started to look through the options inside.

David felt Charlie’s leg start to twitch next to him and Nick must have felt it too because he looked up and asked his partner, “Everything ok Char?”

“Erm, yeah it’s just, this place, its,” Charlie paused, “a bit pricey.”

“Oh, erm” Nick breathed out and before he had a chance to continue, Oliver turned to his brother and said matter of factly, “Don’t worry Charlie, tonight’s on David,” before turning to David and saying, “Isn’t that right Davey,” with the most outrageously flirty look that he knew David would do absolutely anything for.

David’s mouth suddenly felt dry, “Absolutely,” he coughed, “Of course, don’t worry about the cost,” he tried to reassure Charlie before taking a sip of the water on the table.

Oliver

Oliver knew he probably should have checked with David first, before offering for him to pay for their evening, but he’d make it up to him when they were alone in David’s apartment later that night, and if it gave David an excuse to spank him as part of that, then even better, he thought to himself.

He knew how nervous Nick was when planning tonight, what with trying to balance the romance of his proposal with making sure there were safe foods available for Charlie to choose from, particularly in this space he wasn’t familiar with. Oliver was really impressed with how it wasn’t something that Nick struggled with, or even really had to think about, to him, it was just part of Charlie and he made sure to do whatever he could to help.

Oliver was looking forward to officially being Nick’s brother-in-law, because he already felt like family to him. Not just because Nick had always been around since he was a teen, or because he was always looking out for Charlie, but because he was also there for him. When Charlie was taken to hospital as an in-patient, Nick would still visit and spend time with Olly, spending time after school playing Mario Kart with him and teaching him how to bake. Sure it was probably as much for himself as it was for Olly, but he was so grateful to him for that time. His parents never wanted to talk about why Charlie wasn’t around.

A few years later, when Olly was first trying to understand his sexuality, Nick was there for him. He didn’t judge him or question him, he just listened and tried to give advice. He’d been through the same gay-crisis when he met Charlie and with Nick’s help Olly realised he was pansexual. He also stood by him when Olly was ready to come out to his family, he knew his brother and sister would be fine with it, but his parents still saw him as the baby of the family who needed to be protected at all costs.

Charlie

Everything on the menu looked so good to Charlie but also so expensive. He didn’t want to look like he was taking advantage of David, he couldn’t believe Oliver had announced that David was paying. He was pretty sure from the expression on David’s face, that he and Olly hadn’t talked about that before hand, but if Charlie knew his brother, he was sure he would find some way to make it up to him once they were home later. Not that he wanted to know what that way would be, as he mentally tried to shake away any thoughts of David and Oliver in that way.

He saw several of his safe dishes on the menu and while Charlie would have liked to try some of the more interesting items on there, he knew with how anxious he currently was, that if he stood a chance of eating anything tonight he should stick to one of those choices instead. From beside him, David asked if anyone was getting a starter and he was grateful that both Nick and Olly, knowing that Charlie might struggle more with a starter first, said they were going to go straight to main and save room for dessert if they wanted anything more.

David didn’t know about Charlie’s eating disorder, he’d been away at uni when Charlie was admitted to hospital, and as it was only in the last few years that things had improved between the 3 of them, it just wasn’t something he’d ever shared with David.

The waiter came over and took their orders before returning with everyone’s drinks. While they were waiting for their food to arrive, Charlie had made his decision. He was going to ask Nick before their food arrived, he knew he wouldn’t be able to eat at all if he waited any longer.

Nick

After their drinks arrived, Charlie got up to go to the bathroom saying he just wanted to wash his hands. Nick was grateful to get a few moments alone with his brother and Olly. Once he was sure Charlie was out of sight Nick turned to the other men and confessed, “Guys, I don’t think I’ve been this nervous since I was trying to come out to our friends at school.”

“You know he’s going to say yes, what have you got to be nervous about,” Olly stated as if it was already a certainty that Charlie was going to accept.

“Exactly Nick, it’ll be fine,” David agreed then turned to Olly, “Wait, you knew?”

“D’uh,” Olly replied not giving any more of an answer to David than that.

Olly put his hand on Nick’s shaking knee and reassured him with a soft smile, “You’ve got this Nick.”

Nick rubbed the back of his neck they way he often did when he was stressed, hoping it would somehow ease the anxiety that had been building more and more since he first decided to propose last year. When he saw Charlie walking back towards the table, his mood changed instantly. Giving  Charlie the biggest sappiest smile, the one he always got whenever he saw Charlie walk into a room.

David

Olly knew that Nick was going to propose to Charlie, this was news to David. David realised Nick must have confided in him before today, as they certainly hadn’t had time alone together since David and Nick had picked up the Spring brothers. He was a little sad to know that Nick didn’t feel he could come to him, but David knew that was his own fault really. They had been gradually working on repairing their relationship, and David was grateful that the damage he caused hadn’t been irreparable, but there was still a way to go.

He was glad though that Nick felt he could go to Olly. Olly was an such an amazing man. David loved how caring, kind and passionate he was. Every time he woke up next to him he felt so lucky that Olly wanted to spend his time with him. David looked at his boyfriend and he could see just why Nick always got a sappy look whenever he saw Charlie, he was sure he got the exact same look whenever he looked at Olly.

Could he see himself marrying Olly? Sure, he’d like to, but David wasn’t sure if Olly would even be the marrying type. It wasn’t something they had ever discussed; they’d only been together for a few years and honestly David didn’t need to be married to Olly to know how they felt about each other. But someday, if Olly hadn’t got tired of him, yeah, he really could see it.

Oliver

David was looking at Oliver with such a goofy smile that it was making him want to ditch his original proposal plan and just ask him now. He was so in love with David Nelson and he wanted the rest of their lives together to start as soon as they could. But no, tonight was supposed to be Nick’s night, Olly was going to stick to his original plan.

Before Charlie came back to the table, Olly pulled out his phone and sent a quick and simple text to David that he knew he wouldn’t be able to resist. It simply said:

Meet me in the bathroom before dessert 😈

He saw David pull his phone out of his pocket and his eyes immediately shot up towards Oliver when he read the message. Oliver gave him a look that David would know meant that Olly had mischief planned for them, and then grinned when he saw David was so flustered that his hands were shaking when he reached for his drink.

Oliver couldn’t deny that making David flustered was one of his favourite things, especially when he was being a brat. He loved that it brought out David’s dominant side when they were having sex, sure sometimes he loved it to be sweet and sensual, but honestly sometimes he just needed it rough and hard, and he knew David loved it too. Everything was just so intense when they were together and Olly hoped it always would be.

Charlie

Charlie went to the bathroom to splash some water on his face and give himself a moment to take a few deep breaths before he made his move. He looked at himself in the mirror and tweaked a stray curl that wasn’t quite sitting right. He reached inside his jacket pocket, pulled out the ring box and checked its contents one last time. He held the box in his hand, took one final breath and returned to the restaurant.

As soon as Nick saw him returning, his face lit up, Charlie loved the way Nick still lit up whenever he entered the room. His smile was always so infectious and had him smiling straight back. It was now or never, he got back to the table and instead of sitting back down in his chair, Charlie got down on one knee in front of his Nicholas.

Nick’s smile turned to shock, as did David and Olly’s but Charlie didn’t notice them, his  eyes were firmly fixed on his boyfriend. Charlie opened the ring box and held it out in front of him before he started to speak.

“Nick, we’ve been together since we were teens, we’ve gone through so much and come out the other side stronger, I love you so much. Will you marry me?”

He’d done it, Charlie had popped the question, he can’t believe he actually did it. But, wait, Nick was just staring at him. He wasn’t saying anything. “Oh god”, Nick didn’t want to marry him, what had he done. Charlie jumped to his feet and ran back to the bathroom, Nick was calling after him but Charlie couldn’t stop, he needed to get out of there.

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.

David

Seeing Nick so happy filled David with joy. It didn’t surprise him that both him and Charlie had the idea to propose at the same time, they were always so in tune to each other’s needs that they must have somehow sensed that they were both ready to take the next step.

Their mum, Sarah, was going to be so happy for them too, but David wasn’t sure how his father was going to take the news. He didn’t really know how to take Nick coming out and he still didn’t know about David and his relationship with Olly. He was always too wrapped up in his own life to really care about getting to know him and Nick. It took him a while, but David no longer cared what his father thought of him or expected of him. He was happy with his life, and that’s what mattered.

After the boys had finished their main courses, the waiter came round to clear the table and ask if they wanted to order desserts. Olly was quick to speak up before anyone else had a chance, “Can we have a few minutes first please,” after which the waiter retreated from the table. David gave Olly a look of confusion but suddenly there was no doubt as to why he’d sent the waiter away. Oliver gave David a wink and said to table, “I’m just going to the bathroom,” not that either Nick or Charlie noticed, they were still too busy looking into each other’s eyes and holding hands across the table.

David gave it a few moments after Olly disappeared into the bathroom before he followed him, not bothering to say anything to the newly engaged lovers. David made quick work of crossing the restaurant to the bathroom door. He pushed the door open and before it had fully swung shut Olly had pounced on him. David instinctively grabbed hold of Olly’s legs as he wrapped them round his body, their lips immediately connecting as if they hadn’t kissed in a month.

David walked them back into one of the cubicles and between them they managed to knock the door closed without breaking from their embrace. Olly shifted down David’s body and quickly slid the cubicle’s lock into place before giving David a look that sent the blood rushing straight to his cock.

Oliver

After locking the cubicle door, Oliver made quick work of undoing David’s trousers and pulling them and his boxers down to the floor as he moved down onto his knees. David’s cock was standing proud from his body before Olly had even touched him. Olly loved how easily he could get a reaction from David’s body.

Olly leaned forward and started by teasing the tip of David’s cock with his tongue, causing a moan to escape David’s lips. Olly looked up at David with a cheeky grin and reminded him, “You have to keep quiet baby, you don’t want us getting caught before you cum.” Olly quickly followed this by repeating his licks to David’s tip, this time David put his knuckles in his mouth to muffle his moans.

After years of learning how to elicit the most delightful reactions from every inch of David’s body, Olly knew exactly how to bring David to the brink of ecstasy without taking him over the edge before he was ready to. After teasing the tip, Olly starting swallowing each inch of David’s cock until his nose was buried against David’s pubes. Starting slow, he eased off until just the tip was left in his mouth before again taking David’s entire length into his throat.

Oliver gradually built up his speed until he knew David wouldn’t be able to take any more. When he could sense that David was on the edge of his release, Oliver grabbed hold of his balls and squeezed while taking his cock deep into his throat and holding it there the way David loved. David couldn’t take any more, his eyes squeezed shut and he shot his load deep inside Oliver’s throat. Olly gladly swallowed every drop.

It took David a few minutes to come down from his orgasm and when he finally managed to catch his breath again, he opened his eyes and looked down to see Oliver who was still on his knees. But Oliver wasn’t just looking up at David, he’d pulled the ring box out of his jacket and was holding it out in front of him.

“Marry me?” Oliver asked David with a loving smile.

“What?” David asked, still dazed from the intensity of his orgasm.

“Will you marry me David?” Oliver asked again with nothing but confidence.

David was clearly shocked. Oliver stood up so his face was closer to David’s again, “well David?” he asked while gently caressing his arm.

“Yes,” David barely managed to get out before Oliver was locking his lips to David’s again. When they broke apart, David redressed and Olly nervously babbled, “I wasn’t sure if you’d want a ring, but I saw this and thought it represented us, and, erm, will you wear it?”

David smiled, pulled Olly to him in a hug and once again simply replied, “Yes.”

Nick

Nick thought he was the luckiest man alive. He was going to marry Charlie Spring, he didn’t think he was ever going to stop smiling at that thought. He looked down at their hands, joined together on top of the table and took in the sight of the new rings they were now wearing. They were one step closer to being together forever.

He released Charlie’s hands, causing him to let out a little whimper at the loss. Nick reached for his phone from his pocket and opened the camera. He took hold of Charlie’s left hand with his, so that both their rings were on display. He snapped a picture and posted it to his Instagram with the caption ‘We both proposed…we both said yes 😍’, of course tagging Charlie in it too.

Within minutes of hitting post, both of their phones were alight with responses and DMs of congratulations from their friends and families. Nick knew he probably should have waited, so they could tell everyone properly, but he was just so happy. He wanted to scream to the world that he was going to marry the love of his life.

They would still tell their parents in person, as neither Sarah nor Charlie’s parents were on Instagram, but everyone else who mattered to them would soon know their good news. Both Nick and Charlie spent a few minutes looking at messages on their phones, and responding to those they were closest to. Nick then looked up at Charlie and asked, “Are you ok my fiancé?” causing Charlie to blush.

“Yeah,” Charlie smiled, “If you’d have told me 10 years ago that ‘Rugby King Nick Nelson’ would be my fiancé, I’d have thought it was some sick joke,” this caused Nick to feel a pang of sadness at the memory that his Charlie was ever anything but the happy man that he loved. “But Nick, I am so, so happy that you are my fiancé,” Charlie reassured him.

Charlie

Charlie hadn’t really allowed himself to think beyond the proposal before, that little demon of self-doubt preventing him from truly believing that Nick might actually say yes. Now that he had, Charlie could finally think of what’s next. He could finally allow himself to think of wedding plans, and what their future might look like together.

Maybe they’d have a wedding in a fancy hotel, all their friends from school and uni there, Nick’s rugby teammates, Charlie’s friends from the publishing house. Or perhaps something more lowkey, just the Paris Squad and their close family at sunset on the beach where Nick first declared they were boyfriends.

Then after, maybe they’d honeymoon in Paris and finally kiss on the Eiffel Tower, he didn’t really care what they did, as long as he was with his Nick, his future husband. They’d get a dog, maybe have kids someday, Charlie had seen how good Nick was with his students and knew he’d be an incredible dad someday. Charlie didn’t have any doubt in his mind that his and Nick’s future was bright.

Nick gestured to behind where Charlie was seated, towards the restaurant’s bathroom. As Charlie turned to see what he was looking at, Nick said, “those two have been a long time,” when he saw Oliver and David were returning to the table.

“They look happy though,” Charlie mused.

David and Oliver were holding hands when they got back to the table. David spoke first, “So, guys, erm, something happened while we were in the bathroom.”

Nick interrupted David before he could say any more, “David we don’t want to hear about you and Olly having sex,” he shuddered.

“I mean it was really good sex,” Olly cheekily said earning him a spank from David.

“Ewww, Olly, that’s gross,” Charlie joined in.

“But, after that,” Olly continued and smiled up at David, “I asked David to marry me.”

“And I said yes,” David finished for him. Charlie and Nick just stared in shock at their brothers, both stunned into silence.

“Guys,” Olly said while waving his hand in front of Charlie’s face.

Charlie said the first thing that popped into his head, “Mum’s going to hate this,” causing the four of them to burst out laughing.

The End