[ram-the-man]

agnescohen​:

“And I would if I wasn’t afraid it would bounce. Your girl’s got expensive taste.” Hadley gave him a cheeky grin before turning her head to place a few kisses along his neck. At this point she couldn’t be sure of where they were at, but she felt enough stability in their relationship that it didn’t actually bother her anymore. “You’re right. At this point my options are cheesy or never getting married, and I’d rather not go with the latter.”

Coal placed his free hand over his heart, groaning loudly enough that he was sure the rest of her family could hear. “We’re getting married. Maybe I was just waiting for you and Hollie to make up so that makes the bridesmaid conversation a little easier. It’s just taking longer than I expected. Thankfully I’m patient.” And maybe he was dragging his feet a bit, but he didn’t think it was necessarily a bad thing to take their time. “Seriously though. We’re getting married. I just never wanted to be one of those people who ask and then stay engaged for five years.”

[ram-the-man]

agnescohen​:

“I gave up on that idea as soon as you started to insinuate that I had to be the one to propose. I mean, I know I’ve made all of the moves thus far, but c’mon. I’m not buying myself a ring an sending you the invoice later. That’s not even a little bit romantic.” Hadley couldn’t help but role her eyes at the suggestion, but it didn’t stop her from nestling closer into him. “It’s fine. I’m okay with it being me and the dogs against the world. A Christmas proposal is kind of cheesy anyways.” 

“Uh, you’re the one who said it first. I’m just following your lead and waiting for it to happen at this point. If it makes a difference I thought you would take my card to buy the ring.” Coal tightened his hold on her. “You’re so funny. Crazy if you think you’re getting rid of me, but still, funny. Just because it’s cheesy doesn’t mean it’s not cute. Think about the Eiffel Tower. It’s way over used but it always gets a pass.”

[ram-the-man]

“I’m really shocked that this wasn’t the year.” Coal sighed playfully as he wrapped an arm around Hadley’s chest. “I was fully prepared to wake up Christmas morning to find a ring that you would’ve tried to con me into thinking I bought, and with the pressure of your family watching I would’ve had no choice but to commit to it. I guess there’s always next year but... I don’t know, Hadley, I was ready.” @agnescohen​

[ram-the-man]

haileyvb​:

“You think shitting on my boyfriend is fun? God, get a hobby.” Hailey had always known better than to be sensitive to any of Ram’s jabs, which was probably one of the reasons they got along so well. “I think it’s because you used to have a thing for ballerinas. Then the free coffee came along and made you forget about it. Now, remind me why I hang out with you again?”

“I have a hobby. It’s playing pro football. You might’ve seen it on tv sometime.” Ram shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to delve into here relationship talk any more than they already had. What he thought was clear, but he also knew enough to understand that what he thought didn’t really matter. Hailey was smart enough to make her own choices. “Uh, no. I’ve never had a thing for ballerinas. I had a thing for one, but the tights were just a bonus.  Aside from that I’ve always been a cheerleader guy myself. We both know you’re still showing up because you like to look at me.”

[ram-the-man]

haileyvb​:

“Wow. You really can’t handle when the shoe is on the other foot, can you? Finally I’m the one giving you shit and suddenly you want to change the subject.” She smirked at him, barely making an effort to conceal it. “I could use a solid reminder of why you meet up with me. Is it for the free coffee?”

“Because at least when I roast you about your love life and the effort you’re putting in it’s fun. This? Not so much. I can’t actually remember why I hang out with you. I think it started off as a pity thing but now I’m not so sure anymore. The only thing that makes sense is that I really like the free coffee soI guess we can stick with that until I come up with something better.”

[ram-the-man]

haileyvb​:

“Funny of you to assume I won’t be doing the same. But whatever, if I end up dying of loneliness or boredom, please know it’ll be your fault.” She rolled her eyes, still smirking at him. “And no one is more proud of you for that than I am. Believe me. But do you think Poppy would appreciate it if you put in a little more effort? I’m not about to lecture you, just asking.” 

“I’m not surprised. I’m putting in an effort, I’m just not going crazy overboard or turning into a bridezilla and stressing about things that don’t really matter. Worst case scenario that’s what wedding planners are for. Now can we stop talking about marriage? Believe it or not, that’s not why I meet up with you.”

[ram-the-man]

haileyvb​:

“As if not being your best man wasn’t offensive enough. Did you wake up this morning and think hm, today might be a good day to make Hailey sad? Because that’s exactly what you’re doing.” She shrugged it off, understanding where he was coming from even if she didn’t exactly carry the same belief herself. She wouldn’t admit it, but having a beautiful wedding was one of her many dreams. “Yeah, but it’s not about the guy officiating. It’s about celebrating the two of you and how much you love each other. We’re not in middle school anymore. Shit like that isn’t gross. Besides, it’s a great opportunity for you to flex in a tux. You should be excited for that reason alone.”

“Sorry. If I picked anyone but Mason he’d find a way to kill me and make it look like an accident. We can’t let that happen or you might just die of loneliness. Or boredom. Maybe both know that I think about it.” Ram placed his cup back down, leaning back in his seat as he made himself more comfortable. “I never said it was lame. I go to therapy, Hailey. I’m a whole ass fully formed man now. I’m in touch with all the things that need to be touched. I’m just saying that’s never the way I looked at things before now.”

[ram-the-man]

haileyvb​:

“Fine. With that attitude, you can expect the most boring cutlery set of all time as your gift from me. I’ll be expecting over the top gratitude in return for not getting you something meaningful.” She matched his unimpressed look as she took a small sip from her coffee. “You mean wedding planning isn’t your thing? Who would have thought?”

“And with that attitude you can expect a seat in the back.” Ram raised his free hand to flash his middle finger at her. “Fuck off. I’m not saying don’t try, I’m just saying you don’t have to stress yourself out about something that isn’t a big deal. I guess I just don’t care that much about weddings. When I was younger I used to have to go to a ton with the rest of my family and it always just seemed super boring. Who really wants to listen to some dude reading out of a book for hours? It just seemed like a reason to give people things and drink free beer if you could get your hands on it. Like a birthday party but less exciting.”

[haileyvb]

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re incredibly hard to buy for?” Hailey frowned while she scrolled through her phone, simultaneously passing Ram is coffee order before grabbing her own. “In general, but especially as far as wedding gifts go. As your best friend, and yes I am your best friend, I feel like I’m expected to get you guys the best one. Or maybe that’s just me being competitive. But either way, my point still stands.” @ram-the-man​

[ram-the-man]

“I’m actually easy to buy for. You just like to make things difficult by trying to be original and ‘different’ like that shit actually matters to me.” Ram rolled his eyes but accepted the drink, taking a quick swig as he watched her. “At this point, I think you’re putting more thought into my wedding than I am.”

[ram-the-man]

haileyvb​:

Hailey leaned her elbows on the table, leaning forward with a serious, intense stare. “Ram, I am telling you right now that I have never been ashamed of you. Not once. You’re my best friend, and you probably always will be. It may sound dramatic, but seriously. Don’t be a dick by doubting that.” She leaned back with a slightly more smug smile with the smallest big of warmth behind it. “Oh, it’ll be my lock screen by tomorrow. You’ll have some explaining to do to Poppy when she sees it. What about you, huh? How come you never post pictures of me?” 

“I know you’re not. I just meant I think some people like to ignore the fact that we’re friends. But thanks for that. That was actually really nice.” He hadn’t been fishing for compliments but he couldn’t help feeling like he’d received one anyways. “You do realize who I am, right? People have been thirsting after me for years. They named a milkshake after me, Hailey. If she couldn’t handle that I’m a legendary Rosewood thirst trap she would’ve bailed a long time ago. I haven’t posted you because the second I do rumors will start and I’ll get floored with a million stupid questions that I don’t care enough to answer. It’s one of the cons of being a hot commodity.”

[ram-the-man]

haileyvb​:

“God, you’re such a teenage girl sometimes.” She rolled her eyes at him, trying to resist the grin that instinctively found its way to her lips. “I can broadcast our friendship to the entire world if it’ll make you feel better. But I’ve never really felt the need to considering I’m not actually ashamed of you. I feel like that’s something you’ve made up just for the sake of teasing me.” She whipped out her phone anyways, begrudgingly taking a photo for her Instagram story once he was ready. “See? And just to further prove my point, I’ll go ahead and tag you too.”

“Shut up. We both know how long people can hold a grudge if they really want to and all you PA people love to be dramatic.” They probably had a reason to dislike him given some of the shit he’d done during high school but Ram liked to ignore that part. He wasn’t a great person but he wasn’t the same guy he’d been years before either.When she raised the phone Ram offered up a confident smile. “Don’t act like you aren’t gonna look at it later tonight and smile about it, because we both know you will. So really I’m doing you a favor. At least I’m giving you something good to look at.”

[ram-the-man]

"You realize you can’t deny that you like me anymore, right?” Ram raised his eyebrows without looking away from the passing PA kid who’d appeared on the verge of fainting once he’d spotted Ram and Hailey at a table together. “Maybe you should post me more often so when people see us in public together their eyes don’t pop out of their heads. Not that this isn’t fun for me.” @haileyvb​

[ram-the-man]

poppy-montenegro​:

***

Just a couple of years ago. If anyone had told her that she would finally get some peace and happiness she would have told them they had to be joking. After being caught up in bad situations, making questionable decisions, and just all around self sabotaging for so long she had given up hope on having a happy ending. And over time, as things started changing, as she started changing her own attitude and lifestyle, she was grateful for the things that had turned out in her favor. But still she wasn’t holding on to any expectations, she wasn’t asking for more than what she had because she was happy enough with things as they were, finally.

“Huh?” To say that she was shocked when Ram just blurted out his question, as quickly and breezy as if he was asking her what she wanted to eat for dinner, was an understatement. She thought maybe it would happen once his life felt more secure and things started calming down for him a little more. So she was at a loss for words, not expecting something like this to happen anytime soon. Especially not when she was in a drab hotel robe after just having gotten out of the shower. Of course she was over the moon that it was happening. But it wasn’t something she needed in order to solidify their relationship or to reassure her of their love for each other. After everything they had been through over the years together she was honestly just happy that they were together in any capacity. Still, it didn’t make her heart leap any less to hear him express his feelings, to put it all on the table and firmly state that this was something he wanted. That he wanted her. Not only did he want her but he wanted her for the rest of his life. Growing up she had all she needed in the material sense. But she had lacked what she really needed, the most fundamental thing everyone needed, to be loved and wanted by someone. Ram had shown her what that kind of love was like time and time again, even through their ups and downs. He was her best friend and the love of her life. There wasn’t a future for her that she could ever see without him. The rush of overwhelming feelings, of all the happiness and the love that she had for him, caused the tears to spill freely down her cheeks. She brought her free hand up to her mouth, to cover the way her jaw had dropped and hopefully also keep her from sobbing like a complete child in front of him. Until she realized she still had yet to answer him. “Oh my god. I’m supposed to say words. Yes! Of course I want to marry you. How is that even a question?” She managed to say between her cries. It felt weird not being on the same level as him so she kneeled down to the floor with him, holding his face in her hands, looking at him like he was the most precious thing in the world to her. Because he was. “It’s always been you. It’s only ever been you for me. You’re my best friend and my partner in crime. You make every day better. And no one has the power to make me as angry or as happy as you do. And I know we’re strong on our own but we’re so much stronger together, when we’re working as a team. I don’t ever want to know what life is like without you. So yes! I wanna spend the rest of it with you.”

Ram’s face was consumed by a wide grin when she said yes, his relief and excitement completely evident on his face. Who wouldn’t be excited to spend the rest of their life with Poppy Montenegro? She was one of the greatest people to come out of Rosewood, but she was so much more than that and after everything that had happened Ram promised himself he would fully appreciate that. He would appreciate her for all the small things that made her her. Sometimes he was sure it was impossible to fully explain the way he felt about her and why he felt that way, something that had once driven him to try and write it out instead even if it wasn’t his specialty, but thankfully she didn’t seem to need the words. “Right. It’s you and me against the world. Always has been, always will be.” He nodded slowly, not wanting to cause her hands to shift away from him. At the moment he felt like he needed to touch her. It was the only thing keeping him grounded. “We’re doing this.” Even if he tried tampering down his smile at the moment it was impossible. At one point thinking about the future had made him nervous. Football was always a risk, and if that was gone he wasn’t sure what else he had. But knowing Poppy would be there had his stomach turning in the best way possible. For the first time he was excited about what else life might have to offer. “Does this mean I’m officially your sugar daddy for life? Because I’ve been trying to win that title since you moved in with me.”

[ram-the-man]

Traveling with the team was always something Ram had enjoyed, but being able to have his own room he could share with Poppy during away games made it that much sweeter. After years of Rosewood drama, drinking problems, and enough make ups and break ups to last a life time, he finally felt like they were where they were supposed to be. He’d felt connections with other people but something about her and what they had had always been different. It was why they continued to gravitate back towards each other even when it might’ve been a smarter move to let the past go and move forward. At one point he thought they would. It might’ve been easier that way, but Ram couldn’t imagine being completely happy without her. He couldn’t imagine being anything without her. 

“Do you wanna get married?" The question escaped his lips before he was even fully aware he was going to ask. Of course he’d thought about it. He’d tried to come up with some sort of plan with Gen considering she had a better handle on the romance department, but he hadn’t actually settled on anything. Asking after she’d stepped out of the hotel shower definitely wasn’t the best thing they’d come up with, but watching her in the moment had the words spilling out. “Like, not in general. To me.“ He’d never lacked confidence in any aspect of his life so the newfound sweatiness of his hands as he felt around in his suitcase for the small box he’d been carrying around for the better part of a year made him that much more aware that he was nervous, but now that he started he realized just how much he wanted to go through with it. He wanted to take the next step if she wanted to make it with him. So he shifted forward to snag one of her hands in his own before he sunk down on his knee to look up at her. “You’re my best friend and the best part of my day, like, everyday. You make me believe good things can happen and that good people exist because I wake up and see you every morning. You can’t not believe what’s right in front of your face, you know? You make me so happy, and I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone. And I don’t ever want to let go of that. Or you. I want us to love each other forever, and I always want to be your biggest cheerleader in everything, and I want us to have a huge house with all the goofy little dogs you want. So... would you marry me? Please.” @poppy-montenegro​

[ram-the-man]

penn-orville​:

“Once was enough, old boy?” Penn teased, much more comfortable to do so now that they didn’t have that whole high school jock and nerd power dynamic going on. “Actually she cheated on me and I dumped her so whoever you’re getting your info from is weak as shit,” he stayed chipper, though a little pointedly so, finding it futile to get worked up over something that was well and truly in the past. “I’m just playing my part, man. Not trying to have everyone in my business. That’s for them to deal with,” he gestured up to the cliff, a few people already gathering up there waiting for the games to begin. “How’d you psych yourself up to jump back in the day anyway? Aren’t you scared of heights?”

“That would be Pops, so I’d be careful about who you’re calling weak.” Ram reached forward to pat Penn’s back a little harder than was necessary. Just because they’d grown and he looked at the kid as a pathetic younger cousin didn’t mean he could get away with anything. “You’ve met my friends. Dealing with them calling me a pussy for the next year if I didn’t jump would’ve been way worse than just jumping and getting it over with.”

[penn-choi]

“Alright, alright, no flares until you get your numbers from the one, the only, the incomparable Chanel,” Penn reminded everyone from his perch on the back of the truck he was using as his podium, crate of flares at his feet. “And no flares for anyone who just wants to burn shit– Holden I’m talking about you, you creepy motherfucker,” he pointed to his eyes, then across the party toward Holden, who smirked back in the kind of way that made you wonder if it was actually a joke or not. “You got a number? Hope it’s a lucky one,” he turned back to the task at hand, noticing someone had shown up at his feet.

[ram-the-man]

“Nah, no number. And I don’t need one. I’m here for moral support for my brother but I couldn’t not ask if they’re paying you to say this shit?” Ram raised his eyebrow curiously. “The last I heard the one and only Chanel dumped you and insulting Holden never turned out well for anyone so what gives.”

[ram-the-man]

agnescohen​:

“Please. If I wanted to get married I would have gotten down on one knee by now. God knows that’s the only way for the gears to start moving in this relationship. ” She rolled her eyes at him as she reached over, tucking herself under his arm as she wrapped both arms around his torso. “As much as I love the idea of having another day all about me, I think it’s supposed to be about us, dummy.” She smiled up at him, unsurprised by his response. “But I’m glad we’re on the same page. Dogs are a maybe. But hey, you know what’s not tacky? A giant tiered wedding cake. I’d sacrifice a part of the budget for my dress on something like that.” 

“Screw you, okay. You act like we’ve been together for decades and not a few years. Do you want me to apologize for taking things slow? Because we both know you would’ve side eyed me if I tried to rush into things and said we should’ve done it on our first anniversary.” Coal grumbled under his breath but the smile on his lips made his small effort to complain pointless. “Well this is me telling you that I don’t care if you want to have a dog or 10. I don’t care where it is, or what season we’re going for, or how many bridesmaids you want. Everyone can wear hot pink or jorts and I wouldn’t bat any eye. The only thing that matters for me is getting to watch you walk down the aisle to me and hearing whatever vows you manage to come up with. I’m up for a giant wedding cake though. But if you try smashing my face into it it’s on. I’m not holding back just because you had someone do your makeup.”