Chapter Text
“As I live and breathe?! Scoot!”
The blonde man rolls his eyes at his roommate’s comment.
“Hardy har har Charles. It hasn’t been that long.”
The redhead chuckles. “I never know these days, with you spending more than half your time at the Calloways. Or the Davenports? Davenport-Calloways?” He rubs his chin, thinking. ”Anyway, you’ll let me know when you’re ready to move out in a few months, right?”
Scott nods absentmindedly, starting to go through the pile of mail waiting in the box for him. “Yeah, yeah, You know I would, wait, a few months? Are you trying to kick me out already? Things with Millie going that good?”
Charles blushes, grabbing his coat at the door..
“No. Kani came to see me yesterday to ask if it was okay for her to stay here with you for a few weeks when the house is getting redone.” Looking at him, the man raises his eyebrow. “Apparently she didn’t think you asked me already and wanted me to be comfortable.”
“Yeah, but what does that have to do,”
As Scott was speaking, Charles turns from the door and places a hand on his shoulder.
“You’re like a brother to me Scott. I wouldn’t mind you staying here even if things go well with Millie and I, but they’re making a whole suite specifically for you and Kani. And weren’t you going to propose at Christmas? Not sure why you of all people got cold feet, but I’ll be fine.”
Charles gives Scott’s shoulder one more pat before leaving for work. Frowning, the blonde continues shuffling through the mail, seeing the same junk as usual until he gets to a thick envelope.
~~~~~
Kani’s leaning against the side of the museum entrance when the clock strikes 7. Not seeing him, she figures he’s already inside and goes in. Her eyes widen in shock, seeing the mix of regular rose and fairy rose petals scattered on the ground with balloons here and there.
“Scott?” He turns from the biome by the donation box and smiles, making her heart flutter. “Is this why you left the letter on my pillow this morning before I woke up?”
“Fey! Sorry to make you wake up alone today, but I hope this makes up for it.” His arm gestures out to the rest of the museum. “Welcome to our own world of wonders. Ready for a journey through time and beauty?”
“Private tour with you? Lead on good sir.”
She gestures in the direction the path seems to be going, giving an exaggerated bow. Heading to the left, they go down the stairs into the gems and stone part of the artifact wing.
“So. gems right? They form under pressure and heat. Kinda like feelings.” He notices her biting her lip as he turns from the gem they’re standing in front of, powering through his speech before she distracts him. “This gem here? It’s got depth and brilliance. Just like, y’kmow…your personality.”
“Oh Scott.” Wrapping her arm around his, she tugs him over to the other side of the walkway. “I’ve got to confess, in our time together my favorite stone has changed from amber, to this one." She gestures to one of the pedestals. “The azurite. Your eyes get lighter or darker depending on your mood, and this one captures all of them.” She pauses, looking back at the gem he was talking about before. “Is that one your favorite? You’ve never talked to me about the rocks and minerals except when I donate them.”
“No. For the past year and a half it’s been this variscite.”
Looking at him, she’s making some calculations in her head.
“That’s when Karla donated it. Did something happen that day?”
“No. It’s just the same shade of green as the eyes I fell in love with 2 years ago. Come on, there’s more to the tour.”
Looking back at the stones curiously, she follows him into the Dinosaur Exhibit.
“Hey Scott?”
“Yes, Fey?”
“This is the next stop on the adventure? You know we share a love of Jurassic proportions.”
He chuckles. “You know me, I’m all fossil-abrating our love.”
“We make quite the pair-odactyls.” she says with a grin.
“You know you have me raptor round your finger.”
'You make me feel like a Styracosaurus...'
She tries to lean in for a kiss but he quickly turns her toward one of the displays.
“Ahem, um, oh and these guys? They were around millions of years ago. And they’re still here, leaving their mark. Kind of like the mark you’ve made on my heart. Totally timeless.” He kisses her forehead. “I dino-scored the day I met you. Now off to the insect exhibit!”
Pointing and dragging her along, she laughs.
“Always have to get in the last pun.”
Walking through the pathway, they stop and look at a few different areas.Scott wonders how much of a magical princess she is, so she gets into her best pose and stands completely still. Before too long many moths are hovering around her and landing on her outstretched arms.
“Ugh, not even the pretty Blue Morpho? Some princess I am.”
He’s laughing at the fake hurt in her voice as she slowly moves her arms to get them to fly away. Taking her hand he leads her over to the stone pathway through the mini river.
“Okay, so each bug has its own unique thing going on, right? Big role in the web of life. You’ve got this… unique thing too. And you’ve kinda weaved into my life in a big way.”
“Comparing me to a bug? Any specific one?”
His hand goes out to brush a lock of hair behind her ear. “You know you’re a spider. I’ve been trapped in your web for the longest time,” He smirks. “And you delight in sucking me dry. Onward!"
As they get closer to the blue glow from the aquarium entrance, Scott’s steps falter slightly. Reaching out, she takes his hand and gives it a squeeze.
“My heart’s treasure, why so sad suddenly?”
“As proud as I am of the setup we have here, and how amazing it is to normal people... You, you’re a mer-person. You get to see this like, all the time without the glass, and probably more than I can even imagine. How can I compare?”
“You don’t. You keep saying I’m a magical faerie princess or merfolk, but you’re the magic in my life Scott. From nerding out over our love of dinosaurs, going along with all my crazy costume ideas, and never hesitating to try new things with me. All these perceived treasures of the deep you think I see are bland and boring without you to share them with.” Letting go of his hand, she reaches up to cup his face. “Now I’m pretty sure you had a speech to finish and question to ask me, please go on.”
“Fey…you know me too well.” Clearing his throat, he walks them over to the tunnel, stopping in the center to face her. “The ocean holds…so many mysteries. Just as these fish swim together, I hope we can find our current.”
He drops down to one knee, looking up at her. “Everything we’ve seen tonight…It reminds me of…well, how I feel about you Fey. I need you to know, I love you.” Grinning, he pulls a box out of his bag. “I’m hoping the third time's the charm, I truly mean it, and I hope my sincerity came through tonight, but will you marry me?”
He opens the box to reveal a silver colored ring and she nods, holding her hand out. Taking it out of the box, he slips it on her finger, then standing, picks her up and swings her around in a circle. Laughing gleefully, she wraps her arms around his neck.
“I’ve got to say this is better than what I had planned.”
“Oh?” He sets her down, still holding her close.
“Yeah, had a whole speech and everything, but already used part of it to cheer you up.” She sighs. “For the first time in my life I want to stay somewhere and grow roots. Having someone I actually love, to come home to at night isn’t a feeling I ever thought someone like me could have.” Her face nuzzles into his neck. “Why don’t I help you clean this up, and we can go at least enjoy part of my surprise and I can give you your ring.”
~~~~~
Scott flops down next to Kani, breathing heavily, and just staring at the fairy lights in the gazebo above them. Propping her head up on her hand, she looks at him.
“Need a break already old man?”
“How do you have so much energy still? And I’m not that much older than you.”
Her free hand goes to trace patterns on his chest. “I dunno. Guess I’m just filled with excitement knowing I get to marry my best friend.” Leaning forward, she bites his ear and whispers. “Don’t tell the other musketeer I said that.”
He chuckles. “He’s going to be over the moon I finally asked you. After all the bugging I did to have him make a custom ring, then order another one after your secret came out.”
Laughing, she throws her leg over him, straddling his waist. “Who do you think made your ring? He’s been practically vibrating keeping it a secret from you. How much longer do you think we keep him waiting? Before or after we talk to Mayor Connor about planning the wedding? When should we even have it? Wait until summer? Next week?” She looks down at him, a wicked grin on her face. “Oooooo, something I said excited you. Finally got your second or fourth wind, eh?”
His hands grip her hips tightly, keeping her from moving.
“I got asked to go on an archeological dig this morning. If I accept, I have to leave next week.” He blurts out.
“What?!”