The day Neil and Andrew got âengagedâ so to speak was an uneventful day. Some decade had passed since theyâd been together, and by now they had settled into quite the life. Same pro team, a house together, the cats. Life together was good.
It was in the off season, so the pair were able to just spend time at home. They were watching TV on the couch, some show to fill the noise, Neil was only half paying attention. Something Neil hears vaguely on the TV triggers his thoughts.
âShould we be married?â, Neil asks.
Andrew pauses before saying âprobablyâ.
âOkay,â Neil replies, âcan we get married then?â
Andrew looks at him for a long moment, sees the seriousness in Neils face. âIâll organise it this week.â
That was all they said about it. It was unspoken that they did not mean the typical marriage, with a wedding, but the binding between them under the law. However, one aspect left Neil unsure, and it picked at him for the rest of the afternoon.
When they went to bed that night, Neil asks.
âYou canât wear a ring when youâre playing exy you know.â Andrew says without looking up from his book.
âIâd take it off for games, or wear it in the off seasons. Itâd be more for the symbolism anywayâ, Neil shrugs.
âSince when do you care about symbolism?â
âSince you gave me a key and called it home, remember? Since you.â
âSo a yes to the rings?â