open;

[schild]

Who: Network folks who are in Locke for Xmas
Where: A community center (let's say it's the same one from the first aid thing)
When: Backdated to December 23
What: Christmas/Holiday Party!
Warnings: Shenanigans? Kissing?

[ Ah yes, come one, come all! As per the plotting, let's just say Ryan put out a message that went something like this:

Hey everyone! I was wondering how many of us are stuck here in Locke for the holidays. I'm used to parties and celebrating with friends, so I figured, why not do that anyway! It'll be a Network-only thing, so don't be shy. And if you wanna help, just let me know!

And thus your character finds themselves here, a part of christmas cheer and echoes, surrounded by free food and tinsel and even Mistletoe... The Christmas party! And by Christmas I mean Santa and reindeer and all that lame stuff. ]

[ Feel free to start your own top-level comments I mean seriously, if you need an excuse for dumb shenanigans this is it. ]

Comments

[toobig]

Y-yeah, you did a really good thing.

[He wraps his skinny arms around Ryan, pressing close as they talk, voice quiet.]

All I know is... is if you're with me, there's no doubt we'll be fine.

[schild]

Yeah. Same here. As long as we're together... we'll make it.

[ Gosh, Ryan blushes, he's smiling like such an idiot. HE'S NOT NORMALLY THIS SENTIMENTAL but. It's... It's now or never, huh? He stays just as close to Bertholdt, whispering in his ear. ]

Hey Bertl. I've got a question for you, okay? [ Wait, that sounded weird. ] I mean, uh... can I ask you something?

[toobig]

[At least it's not a "we need to talk". Not that Bertholdt has experience with that sort of thing, but he has seen a lot of movies. And Ryan is pretty cliche.]

Uhm... yeah, of course. What is it? Is... something wrong?

[schild]

Nono, nothing's. Wrong.

[ Though Ryan is blushing quite deeply. He'd do this formally, but he knows how embarrassed Bertholdt would get if they caused a scene. So instead, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out... a small box. He's nervous. He's normally a lot smoother about this, but with everything that's been going on, it's hard to keep his cool. ]

Um... so. I love you... and I can't... I can't imagine wanting to be with anyone else, so...

[toobig]

[Bertholdt is still worried, until he sees the ring box in Ryan's hand and his eyes widen. He can't believe it... if Ryan's doing what he thinks he's doing, he can't believe it at all. His heart leaps in his chest and he grips his hand tighter.]

I-I... Ryan I...

[schild]

Yeah, um...

[ Ryan pops the box open, revealing a smooth, silver band. ]

I had this whole thing planned out in my head but, uh-- I couldn't wait till tomorrow.

[ He takes a deep breath, looking up at Bertholdt with a smile. ]

So, will you marry me?

[toobig]

Ryan....

[He swallows hard, feeling his eyes grow wet while he looks Ryan in the eyes, seeing how sincere and handsome and happy he looks. Happy to be with him. Then he smiles too, even when tears slide down his cheeks.]

I-I want to. I'd love to!

[schild]

Aw, Bertl...

[ Ryan smiles, and he can't stop himself from getting teary-eyed, either. He plucks the ring out of the box and slides it onto Bertholdt's hand, trying his best not shake too much. ]

I love you, so much. So, so much.

[toobig]

I love you too.

[Luckily the skin isn't pulled off of his left hand yet. The ring goes on without a hitch and Bertholdt laces their fingers together tightly, unable to believe it.]

I-I didn't think I'd ever. That. That anyone would ever...

[schild]

[ Honestly, he'd get you that ring even if you were skinless, Bertholdt. Ryan grips him back, smiling as he pulls Bertholdt into a hug. ]

Well, now you have. And I love you. And... I'm that someone, Bertholdt. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you. Because when things get weird or terrifying, thinking about you by my side makes me feel like I'm not afraid.

[toobig]

[He clings to him tightly, pressing his face into Ryan's strong neck.]

I'm so... I'm really happy...

[schild]

Me too. I'm... I want every day to be this good.

[ Ryan nuzzles into Bertholdt, squeezing him tight-- armored or not. ]

I love you, Bertholdt. And I wanna spend my whole life with you, by your side.

[toobig]

[It takes a while for him to collect himself, before he pulls back and wipes his eyes, smiling and looking down at the ring and...]

Wow. I... wow... I-I don't know what to say...

[schild]

Just you saying yes is good enough for me.

[ Ryan kisses Bertholdt's hand, smiling wide-- yeah, his eyes are teary too but he doesn't care. ]

I love you. And you've done so much for me, and you let me stay in your place, and you've put up with every silly thing I get wrapped up in, so--- thanks, Bertholdt. Thank you.

[toobig]

[He just smiles, taking it all in for a while, kissing and snuggling and generally being disgustingly mushy under the mistletoe with Ryan (how gay can you be?) before finally laughing a little and looking at the ring on his hand.]

Does this make me the girl, then? Octavia will be happy.

[schild]

Oh, please, that's...

[ Ryan chuckles, wagging his eyebrows at Bertholdt. ]

We both know who the "girl" is, Bertl.

[ In bed ;^) ]

[toobig]

[He just blushes and laughs.]

I don't know, we're pretty convincing.

[schild]

Shhh, let's not ruin the surprise for everyone else.

[toobig]

The surprise... does that mean you'll be the one in the dress?

[schild]

I'd say that all depends on what we plan for the honeymoon.

[toobig]

W-we're in public...!

[schild]

[ He laughs. ]

Hey, it's okay! I wouldn't do anything to embarrass you... too much.

[ Smooch. ]

[toobig]

Y-you can't talk about that sort of thing here...

[schild]

I won't. I'll leave the rest for when we get home.

[ Wink wink. ]

[toobig]

Reiner....

W-we should do... uh, party stuff or whatever, not... this...