Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’d be happy to call you my brother-in-law someday.”

The words from Chance’s brother had been echoing in his head since they’d been said. And they’d been said a WHILE ago.

A lot had happened since Lance had said that. Elliot wouldn’t exactly call it a “conflict” but…well, his friends weren’t very forgiving of what Chance had done. Even Chance was remorseful, trying to make it up to him in any way he can. Oh, how he loved them. The constant sparkle in their eyes, sadly covered by stylish sunglasses. A smile that could immediately scare his troubles away. And how they were so sweet to him, despite their usual laid-back, cocky demeanour. As if he was special to them.

Elliot really did want to marry them someday. Ever since it was brought up with Lance, even if only slightly, he knew he NEEDED to. However, of course, he’d forced himself to wait. ‘It’s too soon,’ his brain said. ‘Especially after everything that’s happened recently’.

…complications be damned, he will marry that gambler.

“Elliot, you appear to not be responding to my question. What flavour do you want?” Two Time’s soft voice broke through his thoughts.

Ah, right. He was out in town with his friends, Two Time and Noob. And they still had yet to even do anything other than talk.

The group were standing in some…milkshake shop. Shake-To-Go. Because you can’t eat or drink inside. It was a stupid mouthful of a name, but they made damn good milkshakes.

“Oh- my bad! Uh…banana?” Elliot grinned sheepishly, and Two Time nodded, giving their orders to the cashier.

“I tho-thought you were a-all-al-“ Noob sighed, taking a moment. “A-allergic to bana-banana?”

“No, that was apples.”

“Oh!”

The three stood in silence off to the side, waiting for their milkshakes to be finished.

“What were you so lost in thought about, Elliot?” Two Time spoke up, a whistle interrupting their sentence.

“Oh, not much just uh…Chance.” Elliot looked at the floor, shuffling his feet. “Still wondering if it’s too soon to propose.”

Noob rolled their eyes. “You re-really wanna propo-po-…propose to them after that stunt they pull-pulled?”

Elliot looked over, confusion filling his gaze. “Stunt? What do you mean stunt?? You’re acting like he did something unforgivable.”

“I’d be pret-pretty pissed if my-my partner just left l-like that!”

“Oh goodness…” Two Time sighed, their hands twitching nervously.

“They didn’t mean it Noob, you know that!”

“Did-didn’t mean it?? So they- they just ac-accid- ACCIDENTALLY left you alo-alone for a week-eek to gamb-gamble and didn’t tal-talk to you?” Noob stumbled over their words more as they got riled up.

“Not sure if you know, but that’s kind of a side effect of addiction!” Elliot raised his voice. He didn’t notice how upset he was getting over this until it went too far.

“Well- well maybe it isn-is-isn’t worth staying with some-someone like that!”

“Just because you and Sixer didn’t work out, doesn’t give you the right to judge my relationship, Noob!”

Silence hung in the air after that was said. Elliot immediately covered his mouth, regret clouding his mind.

“No- no, Noob, I didn’t-“

Noob just left the shop without a word, leaving Elliot and Two Time stood there. Two Time, realising Noob was their ride home, quickly followed them.

Elliot looked over at the cashier, who just stared at him with wide, confused eyes.

“…I take it I should cancel the strawberry and Bloxy milkshakes…?”

Elliot just responded with an unamused glare, waiting for his milkshake to be finished before taking it and leaving.

It had been a few days since the argument with Noob. Elliot had decided to give Noob some time after his apology was left on Delivered. He had something better to focus on anyways, being Mia’s school play. Still, even after that, he felt guilty for what he’d done.

Elliot jumped as the bedroom door slammed open. Of course, Chance made his dramatic entrance as usual.

“Elliot. I know you LIKE being difficult to figure out, but I have been with you long enough to know that you are bothered by something right now.” They announced. Elliot sighed, knowing he couldn’t just dwell on it by himself.

“Fine, okay, sit…” he responded, prompting Chance to plop down beside him. “Y’know how I was hanging out with Noob and Two Time the other day…?”

“Yeah. You came home acting weird. Did something happen then?”

“…yeah. I’d been…talking about you, and Noob said something about that- that thing that happened with us.” Chance frowned, but allowed Elliot to continue. “They were saying bad things about you, and it kinda pissed me off, but…I think I went too far, Chance.”

“What did you say?”

At first, Elliot looked away. Surely he couldn’t tell them. He’d been awful to Noob. But the encouraging look they gave him…it convinced him.

“…I said ‘Just because you and Sixer didn’t work out, doesn’t give you the right to judge my relationship’.”

Chance grimaced, hissing through his teeth. “Ooh, yeah, I can see why that upset them now.”

“I feel awful, Chance!” Elliot tried not to let his voice crack, and failed. “They were talking badly about you, but then I just made it worse! God, I’m awful.”

“Hey now, none of that.” Chance took Elliot’s hands, turning to face him. “We all do stupid things when angry. You know that.”

Elliot sighed, taking a breath. “So what do I do…?”

The two looked over at a notification sound coming from Elliot’s phone. He picked it up, and tensed at what he saw on the screen.

1 new message.

Two Time: ‘Noob Would Like To Meet With You. Where Is Most Convenient?’

Elliot looked at Chance, and then the phone, before typing a response in.

Elliot: ‘theres a park near my house we can meet there’

…

Two Time: ‘Alright, Please Message Me The Address.’

Elliot had walked all the way to the park. It wasn’t far, around a ten minute walk, but it felt so much longer with all of the thoughts rushing through his head. Chance had offered to go with him, but they both decided it wouldn’t be a good idea. This was between Elliot and Noob.

He approached the park, the grassy area being almost completely empty due to how dark it was. If Elliot didn’t know better, he’d assume he’s about to be jumped. Although, he was fairly certain he could beat Noob and Two Time in hand to hand combat.

Then again, maybe not both at once. Alas, this train of thought is going too far.

He looked around, spotting two figures leaning against the ramps in the skate park. Walking over, he confirmed it was Noob and Two Time by their outfits: blue and grey hoodies respectfully.

Noob glanced up at Elliot as they noticed his approach, and Two Time’s gaze followed, as they ticked nervously. Elliot stopped in front of the pair, and the air was filled with tense silence. Eventually, Elliot spoke up.

“I’m really sorry, Noob.”

“No, Elliot. I’m sorry.”

…what?

“Wait, why are YOU sorry?” Elliot looked at them puzzled, but they didn’t return the gaze. “What I said was completely uncalled for. You were just voicing your concerns and I used your past against you.”

“No, you w-were right. I had no- no right to talk bad-badly about your rela-rel-relationship.” Their voice wavered, but they continued.

“And- and I’m sorry for run-running off. I was just- I was angry. I’d t-told you ab-about Sixer in con-confidence-dence, and I felt h-hurt that you’d sa-said that about her.”

“I shouldn’t have brought them up,” Elliot said, remorse still present in his voice. “I’m so sorry, Noob. I was angry.”

The two went silent again, before Noob started slowly approaching Elliot. Before he could ask what they were doing, they pulled him into an embrace.

“I for-forgive you, Elliot.”

He let a smile creep onto his face, as he returned the gesture, wrapping an arm around them.

“Thanks, Noob.”

Two Time stood off to the side, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. Thank Spa- Telamon, there wouldn’t be anymore tension. Probably.

Chapter Text

Elliot had decided to visit a different friend for help with his marriage troubles. That friend being Guest 1337. Of course, he couldn’t JUST see him to talk about his relationship, so he’d also arranged a playdate with Mia and Charlotte.

The two Builder siblings were sat on a bus, as Elliot couldn’t legally drive since his narcolepsy diagnosis. Which was a shame, no one could ever relate to the horrors Elliot has seen on the bus.

[Elliot was mostly trying to relax after his busy day out. To do so, he had his totally relaxing metal music playing through his ear buds. Peak zen. He typically sat near the front of the bus in case he fell asleep, so that the bus driver could easily tell him when he’d reached his stop.

A clatter and a thud reaching his ears caused him to open his eyes and look up. A young boy was getting up onto his feet and climbing up the stairs to the second deck of the bus. After the first boy had disappeared, another one suddenly tumbled down the stairs too. Both of the creatures were screeching with laughter the entire time.

Elliot didn’t remember much of his teenage days, but he sure as hell never threw himself down the stairs for fun.]

“Why ARE we going to Mr Guest’s house?” Mia spoke up, snapping Elliot out of his thoughts. “Surely you aren’t nice enough to just let me see Charlotte.”

“What?! I’m SO nice!” Elliot laughed, ruffling Mia’s hair.

“Yeah right. You said just last night that I couldn’t have ANY of the chocolate you bought.”

“Uh, yeah, because I paid for it, and I bought it for me and Chance.”

The two bickered back and forth over Elliot’s betrayal for a bit, before Mia steered the conversation back to her original point.

“Okay, okay, you being cruel aside. Why are we REALLY going to Charlotte’s house?”

Elliot sighed, fidgeting with his hands. “Haaaah, nothing gets past you, does it?”

“Nope! I’ve known you for twelve years, I know you like the back of my hand!” Mia spoke proudly, prompting Elliot to laugh.

“Okay, well…if you must know, I’m going to ask Guest for advice on how to propose to Chance.” Elliot admitted, causing Mia’s mouth to drop open.

“…ohmigosh. YOU’RE GONNA PROPOSE?!” She squealed, causing Elliot to shush her.

“Yes, yes! Just not so loud…”

“Wait, then why aren’t you asking dad instead of Mr Guest?” Mia tilted her head.

“Mom proposed to him.”

“Ohhhh. Wait, I thought the man proposes.”

“Nope. That’s just a more traditional belief. Mom never liked being the traditional housewife.” Elliot remembered how his father would make jokes about her, saying she was the actual ‘man of the house’.

“I see, I see…so Mr Guest proposed to Charlotte’s mom?” Mia got back on topic again.

“Yep. That’s why I’m going to him. Otherwise my only other option would be Shedletsky. And he would’ve been a NIGHTMARE to get hold of.” Elliot chuckled.

“Because he’s always sword fighting?”

“Because he’s always sword fighting.” They both agreed, completely ignoring the fact that he is also an ADMIN.

When they arrived at Guest’s house, Mia and Charlotte immediately ran upstairs squealing, leaving Elliot, Guest and Daisy to their boring adult conversation.

“So,” Guest began, voice still as rough as ever. “I understand from our call that there was more to you coming over than just bringing Mia.”

Elliot nodded in response. “Yeah, it’s…actually more of a question I wanted to ask you? But like…regarding something I’m doing.”

Guest looked at his wife, who just shrugged. “Alright, so what’s going on?” He turned back to Elliot, who shuffled in his seat.

“…how did you propose to Daisy?”

Guests’s eyes widened. That was NOT the direction he expected this to take.

“Are you planning on proposing to Chance?” He grinned slightly, his wife looking just as surprised as he was.

“Yeah…but I dunno how! Or when! It’s making me nervous!” Elliot’s freak out forced Guest and Daisy to stifle a laugh. “Were you nervous when you proposed?!”

“Oh, absolutely.” Daisy spoke up for him, which caused Guest to roll his eyes in embarrassment. “He could barely get the words out! He seems tough, but he’s soft inside, really. Like a caramel Froggo…”

“Weird comparisons aside,” Guest interrupted, “it’s completely NORMAL to be nervous. You’re making a big step, and there’s always the possibility of rejection. But do you know what my advice is?”

“What…?”

Guest leaned over, putting a hand on Elliot’s shoulder. “Just do it. If you spend your whole life worrying about the ‘what ifs’, you’ll never get the result you want. Or worse, Chance proposes first. Then he gets bragging rights.”

Elliot snorted at that, before bringing up his main worry with Guest.

“I’m just worried that it hasn’t been long enough. I mean, we’ve been together for around…1 year since we came home…plus however long we were um. There.”

“From what people told me, it was around six or seven months.” For some reason, that sentence triggered giggles from Mia and Charlotte. Guest looked towards Charlotte’s bedroom door, confused.

“So surely that’s too soon, right?!” Elliot went back to panicking, causing Guest to roll his eyes again.

“Elliot, we may not interact as much nowadays, but I saw how you and Chance looked at each other back in that realm. That was a look I give my wife.”

“Heck, I barely know you two at all! But from the sounds of it, my bet is on Chance saying yes.” Daisy added, giving Elliot a reassuring smile.

Elliot thought about it, and it kind of made sense. After all, he was so sure Chance was who he wanted a future with, and they seemed to share that sentiment. Does the amount of time in the relationship truly matter? Still, the worries persisted.

“But they could still say no! What if they-“

“Elliot.” Guest spoke bluntly, eager to get his point across. “They won’t have the opportunity to say yes if you don’t ask them. You get the ring size, then the ring, then a place to propose.”

Elliot always seemed to freeze up at that commanding tone. Guest tended to use it back in you-know-where, when situations were more serious. He responded with a nod, prompting the former soldier to release him.

“Okay, okay…” Elliot exhaled. “Ring, nice place, propose. I can do that!”

“Exactly, you can. I believe in you, Elliot.”

The three had stayed downstairs for a couple more hours, letting Mia and Charlotte have plenty of time to hang out. Eventually, Elliot called his sister downstairs, and everyone said goodbye to each other.

The air outside was far cooler as the siblings stepped outside. Elliot shivered slightly, wishing he’d brought a coat. Still, he pushed onwards, eager to get to the bus stop in time.

“Looks like the next bus will be here in…fifteen minutes.” He said to Mia, reading the bus times on the chart. Mia just hummed, staring ahead of her.

The two stood in silence for a while, with no one else at the bus stop yet. However, Mia decided to speak up, having something she wanted to ask.

“Elliot? Can I be the flower girl at your wedding?”

Elliot smiled, pulling her closer. “That was already the plan.”

Mia smiled back, satisfied with the answer, and the pair returned to silence.

Chapter Text

Elliot sat on his bed, holding a red journal. One he’d used for journalling for a few months now, as Two Time has recommended it.

‘Dear diary,

I am DONE waiting around. I NEED to propose to Chance. NOW!!!

I spoke to Guest 1337, because he’s the only married person I know who isn’t an admin. Or my dad, but…

Anyways, he told me about how proposing went for him! So now, I think I have a basic idea of what to do!! I get the ring, go somewhere nice, propose. That’s the basics, I guess.

GODS I’M SO NERVOUS! What if they aren’t ready?! I mean I’m ready. But are they?! WHAT IF THEY AREN’T

Guest told me not to think about the “what ifs”. I’ve already failed that part. Oops.

I WILL do this. I WILL.

From Elliot.’

“Ellieeeee!” Chance dramatically entered the room, flopping next to Elliot. The worker slammed his journal shut and hid it under a pillow.

“Haha, hi Chance.” Elliot grinned, running a hand through Chance’s hair. Chance had noticed Elliot hiding his journal.

“Oooh, something secret?” Chance teased, prodding Elliot in the side. “Something not even I can know?”

“It’s nothing important!” Elliot giggled, pushing their hand away. Chance just smiled, shuffling closer to Elliot. They lay next to each other for a while, before Elliot spoke up.

“Maybe we should eat out sometime. Like a date. We haven’t done that in a while.”

Chance perked up at the idea. “Ooh, good call! Do you have somewhere in mind?”

Elliot shook his head. “I was hoping we could maybe look for somewhere together. Just a nice place to spend time.”

“And a place that accommodates for how picky you are.” Chance teased, earning a huff from Elliot.

“Whatever, whatever…pass me your phone, we gotta look.”

The two scrolled through restaurant options for a while, before coming across a newly opened restaurant…

A SFOTH themed one.

Now, if Elliot didn’t know the admin, he’d assume Shedletsky had opened this as a gag. But he knew better, Shedletsky didn’t have enough time for that. Even if he was friends with BUILDERman.

“I know this place sounds silly,” Chance began, “but I think this would be a nice place to go! Probably high up, so nice views, and we get a fun reminder of our old friend, Shed!”

“Dunno if he was a ‘friend’. Peer, maybe. ‘Weird guy who called us the power couple’ even more so.”

Chance proceeded to fall off the bed from laughing.

“He’d be DEVASTATED if you said that to his face! I think he really liked you, ya know!” They said, finally sitting up.

“Beyond my healing pizzas?”

“Oh, DEFINITELY beyond your healing pizzas. He told me he was a fan of how chilled out you were.”

Elliot hummed. He never knew he’d been viewed so positively by anyone other than Chance, let alone an ADMIN.

“I’ve booked a reservation for this weekend. So even if you don’t want to go, it’s a bit late.” Chance smirked smugly, and Elliot just sighed.

Well, that’s the location down. Now for the ring…

Elliot finally found an opportunity to go out by himself to buy a ring. Getting the ring size was easy enough, Chance already had a lot of jewellery, and that included rings. Now it was just finding one that they’d like…

The day was nice enough. Cloudy, but not cold. The town wasn’t too busy either, so Elliot could walk peacefully. That was, until he noticed someone talking about him in the distance. Said person then jogged up to him.

“Hey! Sorry- I’m Darrel. I think I recognise you.” He began, rather awkwardly. “I know this is a really weird question but have you got out of the hospital recently?”

Elliot blinked. That was DEFINITELY a weird question. “Uh, fairly recently, I suppose. Apparently I’d collapsed in some field and someone found me.”

“YEAH! That was me! I just wanted to know if you were doing okay. I never heard anything about you since.” Elliot at least appreciated that this random stranger cared so much.

“That’s so nice…! I’m okay now, really. It wasn’t anything serious…!”

The two conversed for a little, and Elliot learned a little about Darrel. Married, foster parent. He’d found Elliot during his morning jog. Seemed like a good guy, like a side character in a story that an audience would latch onto for some reason.

Elliot eventually ended the conversation, expressing that he had something important to do, and the two went their separate ways. ‘What a small world,’ he thought.

He eventually arrived at a jewellery shop, the only one in the area. He’d have to make do with what he found here.

Elliot had always told himself that the price of jewellery was stupid, ESPECIALLY for engagement rings. This stayed true as he looked through what the shop had on display. It’s not that he couldn’t afford it, he and Chance were actually well off. Hell, he was even before he met Chance. Doesn’t mean he can’t complain about stupid ring prices.

He wasn’t looking for anything expensive, just something pretty. Something…Chance. At first, not much was catching his eye. Then, he took notice of a nice, silver ring, which proudly displayed a black opal. It wasn’t the most flashy or expensive ring in the shop, but it was perfect in his eyes. He walked up to the person working the register, who greeted him.

“Hey, I’m Elliot. What can I help you with?” They waved at him casually. Elliot grinned slightly.

“No way, I’m also Elliot!” The two laughed over the fact for a while. ‘Elliot’ certainly wasn’t as rare as people who used numbers for their names (he remembered how Mia had a friend at school called M4rkoo, pronounced Marco), but it certainly wasn’t common for him to meet another person with his name.

“Anyways, I’m looking to buy the uh…ring with the black opal, there.” He pointed at the ring in question, and the cashier moved over to grab it from the case.

“Is this for a lucky person?”

“It is, actually!” Elliot was smiling just thinking about Chance. “Although between you and me, as someone who works in customer service, don’t ask that to everyone. I once asked someone what the occasion was for them eating at my pizzeria, and they told me someone had died.”

“Oh, goodness. Thanks for the heads up.” They laughed awkwardly, ringing up Elliot’s total. “That’s 387. I take it you’re using card?”

“Read my mind,” Elliot muttered, still thinking about how stupid ring prices are. He paid for the ring and left, waving goodbye to the other Elliot.

Elliot had made sure to hide the ring somewhere as soon as he got home. Somewhere Chance would never look.

…which was under the kitchen sink. Chance has a very weird aversion to the cleaning products under the sink.

Anyways, after both were home and settled, they decided on watching some random television programs before bed. Just whatever seemed interesting. The first thing to come up on the screen was some cooking program, where one robloxian would cook for a bunch of other robloxians who came to their house. The first contender for tonight was currently making their dessert, Bloxton Mess. A mix of meringues, cream and strawberries.

‘There’s only one way I can crush these meringues,’ a voice sounded from the TV, followed by several loud bangs as the robloxian brought their fist down on them. Chance looked on in horror.

“He’s fisting the meringues!!!” They exclaimed.

It took Elliot five minutes to recover from his laughter.

“Telamon above, Chance!! You can’t-“ Elliot wheezed, still cracking up. “You can’t just say ‘He’s fisting the meringues’! You nearly killed me!”

“But he was!! He could’ve used like…a rolling pin or a wooden spoon, but he decided to hate crime them!” Chance was distraught at the choice of the person on the screen.

Elliot doubled over from laughter again.

Chapter Text

This was it. The home stretch. Today was the day he’d propose to Chance. It was now or never. Well, not ‘never’, maybe at some other point. But Elliot told himself he’d do it, so goddamn it he is doing it TODAY.

Elliot and Chance were driving to their venue, once again listening to Elliot’s very intense music taste. It was turned down to a quiet volume though, as Chance was telling a very interesting story.

“…and they tell me their name is ‘miitski’. Like, they specified it had 2 I’s.” They continued. “Anyways, we had to call five people over to get their hand out of the slot machine.”

“And why was it in there, again?” Elliot held back his laughter, at least until he was told the full story.

“I was told they were trying to donate to the slot machines so that anyone who got the jackpot earned a better prize.”

“Wow, so charitable. Donating like…a few dollars to the rich.”

“Technically, the money was planned to go to whoever won.” Chance corrected.

The two sat in silence for a bit before Chance started a new conversation.

“I got an email today, actually.”

Elliot tilted his head. “Oh yeah? What was it about?”

“I dunno, something about my debt. The email said ‘Pay your debt or we’ll fuck you up, faggot’.”

Elliot’s jaw dropped. “Was- that wasn’t from Mafioso, was it?!”

“Nah,” Chance shook his head. “From what I know, he’s not the slur-calling type. Actually, I have a vague memory of him quite literally throwing someone out of his casino for their homophobic remarks towards one of his men.”

“Huh…the more you know.” Elliot just mumbled to himself.

“Still though, the person who sent the email didn’t even sign it, the idiot.”

“Wait, how does a debt collector get your email?”

“…”

“…”

“Well damn, now I’m wondering the same thing!”

Elliot considered the possibility that Chance almost got scammed.

At some point during the journey, Elliot had fallen asleep. Which was evident by the fact that Chance was very annoyingly poking him awake.

“Ells. Ellie. We’re here!” Chance grinned, gently shaking him.

“I’m aware, I’m aware…” Elliot groaned, pushing Chance’s hand away, secretly checking he still had the ring with his other hand.

The two made their way into the restaurant, immediately being assaulted by heat.

“Jesus, I know it’s based on Shed’s realm, but does it need to burn us alive?” Chance sighed, taking his blazer off.

Then again, can’t complain with how their first SFOTH experience went.

[“Ah, Forsaken’s power couple! Here for some sparring, are you?” Shedletsky was precariously perched on the railing of the middle section, dual wielding two different swords. Elliot and Chance shot unsure glances at each other before nodding.

Shedletsky had shown them through the basics, different swords, what they do, and even gave them a sneak peek on where to find them.

“For most participants, I’d give the whole warning about how weird dying feels, but obviously you two don’t need it!” The admin laughed, but the pair just awkwardly stared at him. He cleared his throat, and spawned in two default swords for them.

Shedletsky was then brutally gutted in front of them by one of the SFOTH regulars.]

The couple were quickly seated at a table by the window. Chance was right, the views were stunning. But Elliot took notice of something else. He’d spotted a familiar pair sat at a table nearby…

‘How did Guest and Daisy know where we were going?!’ Elliot thought to himself stared at the two, stunned. Guest just smirked as Daisy politely waved at him. He turned away before Chance noticed what he was looking at.

Thankfully. Before Chance could ask, a waiter came up to them.

“Hi, I’m Void, I’ll be your server today, what can I get started for you?” They smiled. A customer service smile, Elliot was familiar with it.

The two ordered, with Chance making fun of Elliot’s ‘picky toddler’ meal the entire time.

“Ellie, you’re a CHEF. Well, not just a chef, but that’s not my point. How are you THIS food sensitive as a chef?” Chance looked baffled as Elliot just rolled his eyes.

“It’s BECAUSE I’m ‘food sensitive’ that I make a good chef. I know what works and what doesn’t. In terms of texture at least.”

“Texture-? It’s food, Ells. Taste should be more important!”

The two bickered back and forth for a little. Meanwhile, their waiter was talking to someone else in the corner…

“Zap. Zapster. Get over here.” Void whispered, beckoning another waiter over to them. “See that guy in the red shirt?”

Zapster, as the name-tag read, glanced over to Elliot. “What about him?”

“Dude, his pocket. There’s something cube shaped in it.” Void drummed their fingers on a table, as Zapster rolled their eyes.

“Here we go…”

“Ya think it’s a ring…? Oh, he is SO proposing.”

“Void, you have other tables to serve. Go, shoo.” Zapster pushed Void back to work, earning a groan from them.

Back to Elliot and Chance, the two still seemed to be arguing. Well, ‘arguing’ isn’t the right word. What is the right word? No idea.

“Do you realise how insane you sound?? What do you MEAN the textures and taste don’t match up?!” Chance was almost laughing at this point, but he held back as to not rile up Elliot too much.

“Well of course you wouldn’t get it! I once saw you eating paper when I came home from shopping.”

“We didn’t have any food in the house, man! What was I gonna do?!” Now it was Chance’s turn to be riled up.

“Wait for me to come home with some! Like a normal person!”

Eventually, the two agreed that they were both too far on each end of the spectrum. Perfect timing too, as their drinks had finally arrived.

“I seem to be the only one who thinks lemonade is like…a divine blessing from the gods.” Chance casually remarked about a liquid.

“You don’t tend to think like other people to be fair. Most people who like lemonade would just say ‘I like lemonade’.” Elliot didn’t look up as he said this, instead taking a sip of his water.

Chance just sulked in his chair. Obviously Elliot wouldn’t get it, he has the taste buds of an overly sensitive, elderly earthworm.

Whatever that means…

They looked outside, looking out to the horizon. The sun had mostly set by now, spreading a nice gradient of blues across the sky. The first star had started peeking through, as if watching them both. Chance wondered if it was a good sign of things to come.

They glanced back at Elliot upon hearing soft laughter from him.

“What? What’s funny?” Chance was still in a bit of a mood from their debate a few minutes prior. But Elliot had nothing but a kind smile on his face.

“No, no, it’s not that something’s funny…” Elliot sighed fondly. “Your eyes are just so pretty.”

…wow. Chance went from sulking to flustered almost instantly as he pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. “Nuh uh.”

“Yuh huh. Don’t get all shy. That’s my job.” Elliot teased, pulling his sunglasses off entirely. Now Chance could really see it. The pure kindness in his boyfriend’s eyes. It moments like this that cemented his beliefs: this man was who he wanted to spend his life with. Those were the eyes he wanted to see next to him in the morning.

Man, they really had to hurry up, then.

“Apologies for the wait, here is your food.” A voice sounded next to them. The pair turned to see Void, handing them their plates. They both thanked the waiter before they walked away.

The two were enjoying their meal, as Chance had now decided to ignore Elliot’s bland tastebuds. The sky outside was now painted a deep black, as more stars were littered around. One stood out more than the rest, though. Still shining brighter than any other.

Elliot shot a nervous glance across the room, spotting Guest 1337 staring back at him. While the two were silent, Elliot could practically hear him in his head.

‘Just do it.’

Elliot drummed his fingers on the table, considering it. The two were almost done with their food after all. If he didn’t do it now, when would he do it?

He cleared his throat as he spoke up. “Chance?”

The gambler looked up, a small smile on his face. “M’yeah? What’s up?”

“You really mean a lot to me. Do I say that enough…?”

Chance tilted their head at that, but their smile never left. “Of course you do. Maybe not through words, but definitely through actions.”

“It’s just-“ Elliot took a breath before he carried on. “I admire you so much. Your outlook on life has always been so positive, even during what we went through. And not to mention how you always strive to be better. After every conflict we had, you came back BETTER. That’s part of what I love so much about you.”

Chance’s face became a light red as Elliot continued with his praise.

“Even if you would never guess at first, you’re so…caring. You always want to make everyone feel valued, no matter what. No matter who they are or where they came from, you want to make people happy. And you make me so happy, Chance. If I could spend the rest of my life with you, I’d die a happy man.”

Chance’s eyes followed Elliot as he stood from his chair, then dropping to one knee.

“I guess all this is to say…” Elliot reached into his pocket, pulling out a box. The box contained a silver ring, decorated with a black opal.

“Chance, will you marry me?”

Chance stared at the ring, dumbfounded at first. Then, his head fell back as he groaned.

“Aghhhh!” Their eyes widened as they realised what impression they were giving off. “I mean yes! A thousand times yes, obviously! It’s just-“ Elliot tilted his head, confused, as Chance suddenly started laughing.

“I was planning on proposing too!”

Elliot soon joined in with their laughter, as he flung himself into their arms.

In the corner, an excited waiter was shaking their co-worker by the shoulders, squealing.

And at another table, a different couple silently celebrated together at Elliot’s success.

And in the sky, the brightest star among them all started flickering with delight.