The future. Not the future he’d seen in horrible nightmares, and not the future he’d almost had, with entirely different people. But then, the way the dark future didn’t seem to be playing out quite as scripted, they hadn’t quite been the same people they’d thought each other was either. Lena hadn’t been part of the plans back then, but then… it could be argued he wasn’t necessarily that good at sticking with the plan… and found they rarely held up past the first glimpse of action.
Still he had to admit he was nervous as hell, trying not to fiddle with the things in the pocket of his bomber jacket, the one she’d bought for him, with the circle of Nasa patches on the back (He loved that damn jacket.)
Nervous or not, it was a nice night for a walk, waiting for the fireworks, and he knew damn well that although there might be action tonight, there were trustworthy souls out looking for the inevitable trouble that stemmed from literally any attempt to be social in large groups in this damn city.
Specifically he knew because he’d made a number of bribe offers involving food. And teasing. Plenty of teasing. And probably more to come, but hey. Worth it. Probably worth it. He hoped it was worth it, and at least… at LEAST, he didn’t need the damn crutches.
“Well… if I timed everything right… there will be a Apple Crock pot cake finished cooking by the time the fireworks finish and we get home.” He noted, trying to find something to keep from falling into nervous silence. “Annnnd crepes in the morning.”
Assuming this went the way he hoped. But doing anything other than pretending things were normal would be too obvious. Besides, he’d gotten pretty good at some more complicated things when he had nothing else to do but keep his weight off his leg, rest, and be restless.
----
“If not, there is always ice cream in the fridge.” Lena chuckled as she elbowed him in the side. He had seemed off since almost Christmas. It seemed that the closer they got to New Years, the more tense he seemed to be getting. Lena couldn’t blame him though. The history he had shared with her over time made it seem as if New Years in this world equaled death and disaster. Had he not asked her to watch fireworks with him, she had been considering dragging his cute a** out of town to watch the comets going by.
But as she glanced towards him, Lena was more than happy just to see him at ease. In human form made it even better. If they happened to still be awake, she would point out the second one close to dawn. “That is if someone lets us eat it in peace. How on earth did you make that dish without any cat hair? I thought for sure that Voyager would be all over it.”
One hand came out of her pockets and she wrapped it around Xan’s arm, snuggling close to him. One that hand, was one of the cheap plastic rings he had been planting around. The ring pop had made a nice treat but at least a few of cheap ones were cute. This one had made her smile, since it had been on Voyager’s tail and they had a good laugh watching him try to get it off. How he had not gotten dizzy was impressive.
“So, where are we going to watch the show?”
---
“I found a spot up the hill from the fireworks I think should be safe from most of the people who got an early start on the partying.” He suggested. “Wouldn’t work in july but with the leaves down it’ll give us a nice view, and we won’t have to engage in mortal combat to get back to the car.” He joked adding. “I should know, I bribed the kids enough to make sure we don’t get assaulted by some idiot trying to make quota.”
He still wished they didn’t have to take that into consideration, but then again, it was within spitting distance of way too familiar areas of the Park, and the Park might as well have been renamed ‘magical showdown land’. Although he’d also come there to purify, so there was that. But it felt like the area had gotten steadily out of hand over time.
“I thought about trying to see if anyplace was open afterward and getting food while we were out but I figured anyone who has to work tonight has enough to deal with.” He added, realizing he was rambling as he added. “Anyway I owe a few pies. We… did get cleared to use the gym though. So wish me luck with that. Word is out and now we just hope someone actually shows up.”
----
It took Lena several moments to compute what Xan had meant by quota. Her first thought was drinking quota which, honestly, wouldn’t surprise her. After all, even finding a parking place had been an adventure. Thankfully most people headed for the street party that seemed to be going on. They went another way!
“The kids...Oh!” Lena realized what he had meant finally and lightly smacked herself on the head. “Wait! So you bribed everyone to spend their New Year’s Eve patrolling so that you and I could get out of it?” One eyebrow lifted now as if something seemed ‘off’ to her. “Xanthus, what are you smoking? You...Mr. Kick Butt even in a suit or at a work party...taking a night off?” Chuckling, she shook her head. “Well, I feel like a lucky lady.”
“Even if I’m a lucky lady who has to make sure you don’t get out of hand teaching people how to punch. Your leg still isn’t a hundred percent so no running marathons.” Lena smirked but it was clear on her face she felt something was off. “But Quinn came through? Or at least got the hint that he should listen to you?”
---
“Well he felt bad for not being able to turn up more on what we were trying to dig up at the wonders… so I think this is his way of trying to make up for it. Annnd yeah. I kinda did. Bribe them I mean. Hell half of them aren’t even of drinking age so it’ll keep ‘em out of trouble, right?” He grinned. “Besides I mean, I owed you some down time. You’re the one that put up with me the whole time I was waiting to get rid of the crutches. I… know I get grumpy. Besides, it’s New Years. That’s historically been a pretty big deal. I’m just looking to make sure this one’s the good kind.”
He had to resist the urge to put his hands in his pockets and play with the box he had stashed in there again. In his head this had seemed… simple. But it seemed a lot less simple now.
“It’s off to a pretty good start so far…”
---
“And it hasn’t even started yet.” Lena smiled, going up on her toes for a second to kiss his cheek. “But you have to admit 2016 wasn’t all bad. After all, I did force you into a date and steal your bull.” Giving him a wink, she squeezed his arm again. “So if we ignore any of the fighting and the idiots who seem to not understand a simple taste…” Rolling her eyes, Lena was still smiling though she knew the thought frustrated Xan.
“But you haven’t been too bad. After all, you are a walking fire ball who enjoys driving really fast around a track. I’m still really proud of you for that by the way. Even if it meant you moved in with me a bit sooner than either of may have expected. I can say that now...I honestly enjoy being home. And Voyager likes you too. Though he misses his scratching post.”
“But grumpy? No. More like bored and anyone could understand that. You are an active man who had to be chained to a couch...or bed…” The last words made her wink again.
---
“Yeah but you gave him back.” He moved to put an arm around her shoulders as she kissed him, because it was better than fidgeting. “It was my fault, I let a heavier bike get to be a habit. Better drivers than me have done worse.” He made sure to note, not for the first time. “I’m glad you pushed me to do it though.” The wink made him laugh, giving her a gentle squeeze. “...Also that.” He chuckled. “I don’t think there’s anyone out there who could do what you do.”
He paused a second and pointed across the grass a distance to an lonely park bench. “... Right over there. That’s where I purified.” He noted. It was relevant… kind of. “Because Iris thought it was dramatic to have a new life for the new year.” He smiled wryly, palming the box as subtly as he could. “I think she set off a trend.... Some of it’s been good… some … not… so much.” He paused to take a deep breath.
God, he had actual butterflies in his stomach, it was ridiculous.
“...So I was kind of hoping…”
s**t. He had a whole line he’d been thinking of. It seemed perfect at the time and it was just… gone. DAMNIT.
“...I was hoping it’s been a good one for you too. And that you might consider… sticking with me on this one?”
Ugh. Not how he’d wanted to deliver the line, but he’d kind of gone in for it now, even if he wasn’t sure if it was going to be easy to get back up once he moved to drop into a kneel, holding up the box.
“...I was kind of hoping to get you one of those damn peridots from space but… that… didn’t… Yeah I’d have to sell a kidney.”
----
When he stopped, Lena only glanced towards the bench. So, that was the spot he became Xanthus...her Xanthus...She owed this Iris a large thank you if she ever met the woman. “She’s one for the…” But Lena’s voice stopped as she glanced back at the man beside her.
She didn’t have time to process the words he mumbled out. The action in and of itself brought a hand to her mouth and tears formed in her eyes. “Xan…” She tried to gasp out her shock in what she saw. There, in front of her, was her boyfriend taking one knee and in his own way asking her to be a part of the rest of his life. What words could she have?
“I...I…” The words wouldn’t form but she didn’t need them as she threw herself at him. Dropping to the ground in a more jump than fall, she threw her arms around his neck and planted her lips on his. The ring didn’t matter at that moment. All that did was him.
“Yes.” She finally managed out breaking the kiss only a moment before kissing him again. “Yes Yes Yes! To Mars and back again.”
---
Relief, and then glee washed over him almost simultaneously, interrupted only by an (largely ignored) pang of warning from his ankle. He didn’t even know what to say that she hadn’t already, returning her kiss vigorously and squeezing her in his arms.
“Really?” He finally asked, as his thoughts reeled. She wasn’t pulling his leg right? This wasn’t just a dream? “God I was afraid you’d laugh in my face or think I was kidding.” He let out a long sigh of relief, resting his head against the crook of her shoulder.
“You’re wonderful…”
--
“Me?” Lena managed out as she jerked her head back, tears still sitting in her eyes as her smile seemed to glow like the moon. “No silly. You are.” She nuzzled back into him, unwilling to let the man go. “Wonderful and silly for thinking I would laugh in your face.”
The palm of her hands came up to each eye and she tried to wipe away the tears. “Are YOU serious Xan?” She looked towards him now, still grinning like a schoolgirl. “I mean if you aren’t I may not help you up.” Trying to laugh, Lena ended up just kissing him. God she couldn’t stop.
“I love you Xanthus.” She finally cooed in his ear. “And I will say it over and over again. Yes. Yes Yes. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
---
“Of course I’m serious. I don’t line up getting as much crap from Delilah and the others as I’m going to for a -joke-. Not on this.” He promised, giving her another squeeze. “...I think I’m going to have to call in that favor on getting up though.” He added, with a note of embarrassment. “And if I don’t get back up we’re never gonna get to that damn crock pot before it burns and I love you to the ends of the universe but I still don’t want to try and chisel burnt cake out of that thing.
Sirene Naiads
He's no fool he put a ring on it ;D
