Hello! I love your idea of doing prompts, here's mine for the Take That fandom:
"The one where Gary hides a surprise in the picnic basket for Mark alone to see"
I hope it inspires you, but if it doesn't feel free to ignore it!
How could I possibly ignore it?!!
Sorry for the delay—it’s been a hectic few days. I hope you enjoy it! I'm not the best at writing M/M, but who can resist a bit of Barlowen?
----
The sun sank lower, painting the sky with hues of amber and rose as Gary smoothed out the chequered blanket, his heart racing with anticipation. He’d been planning this moment for weeks, ever since the European leg of the tour ended and they finally had a few nights to themselves. He wanted everything to be perfect.
He’d invited Mark for a picnic in the park, selecting the most secluded spot, far from the other couples scattered around, their laughter and chatter a distant murmur.
Mark settled down beside him, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “What’s with the grin?” he asked, eyeing Gary with curiosity.
As much as Mark had loved the tour, the gruelling pace had worn him down. The idea of a quiet evening, just the two of them, was exactly what he needed, and Gary’s invitation had been impossible to resist.
Gary’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, his voice laced with excitement. “You know how you’ve been surprising me and Dougie with little treats from the picnic basket during the tour…” He trailed off, pulling the basket closer. One by one, he began to reveal its contents: a bottle of non-alcoholic wine, a dish of perfectly ripe strawberries, and two sandwiches from the deli they both adored.
Mark’s eyes widened as the basket emptied, but Gary’s expression remained oddly expectant.
“Wait, we’re missing something,” Gary said, his tone suddenly serious, though the corners of his mouth twitched with amusement.
Mark’s brow furrowed as he scanned the spread. “What could we possibly be missing?” he wondered aloud.
Gary’s grin widened as he reached back into the basket, pulling out a small, velvet box. He handed it to Mark with a look that made Mark’s heart skip a beat.
“This one’s just for you,” Gary whispered, his voice soft, almost reverent.
Mark’s breath caught as he took the box, his fingers trembling slightly as he opened it. Inside, nestled against the dark velvet, was a promise that neither of them had spoken aloud, but both had felt for a long time.
Their eyes met, and in that quiet, secluded spot, with the world far away, everything felt right.
“Gary…” Mark whispered, his voice barely audible, but full of wonder.
Gary shifted closer, his hand reaching out to gently cup Mark’s cheek. “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” Gary began, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest. “Through every country, every city, every show, all I could think about was how much I wanted this—wanted us—to be more than just stolen moments and memories we could only keep to ourselves.”
Mark’s eyes glistened, his heart pounding as Gary continued.
“I love you, Mark,” Gary said, his thumb brushing lightly over Mark’s cheekbone. “I want to be with you—really be with you. No more hiding, no more pretending. I want everyone to know what you mean to me. If you’ll have me.”
Mark’s throat tightened with emotion. He could barely find his voice, overwhelmed by the depth of feeling in Gary’s words. He glanced down at the ring, then back up at Gary, who was watching him with such hopeful intensity that it made Mark’s heart ache in the best possible way.
“Yes,” Mark finally managed to whisper, his voice cracking with emotion. “Yes, Gary, of course, I’ll have you.”
Gary’s face broke into a radiant smile, his eyes shining with relief and joy. He took the ring from the box and gently slipped it onto Mark’s finger, his hands steady despite the rush of emotions coursing through him.
As soon as the ring was in place, Mark surged forward, wrapping his arms around Gary’s neck and pulling him into a deep, heartfelt kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of love, of promises made, and of a future that, for the first time, felt entirely within reach.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they tried to catch their breath.
“I can’t believe you did this,” Mark murmured, a soft laugh escaping his lips. “Here, in the middle of a park, during a picnic…”
Gary chuckled, his hand still holding Mark’s. “I wanted it to be special,” he said. “Just like us.”
Mark smiled, his eyes locking with Gary’s, filled with so much love that it made Gary’s heart swell.
“It is special,” Mark whispered, leaning in to brush his lips against Gary’s once more. “It’s perfect.”
