Prompt: AU: Arthur is a law student and Eames is a beginning actor. Arthur's parents don't like Eames, they think he is not good enough for their son. One day they make Arthur choose: family or Eames. He chose Eames. Years later Eames is an Oscar winning actor and he just asked Arthur to marry him. Arthur's parents read about it in newspapers.
It never bothered Arthur that Eames wanted to be an actor.
He believed in Eames and he was ridiculously talented. Eames had plans after school to head into the city, to do stage work to hone his skill and then be discovered. Arthur believed he probably wouldnât get very far on stage before being discovered.
In the meantime, Arthur worked on being a law student. Eames teased him and said that he would need a lawyer in his career, who better than his boyfriend.Â
When Arthur prepared to go to law school, his parents called him one afternoon just to talk to him. He didnât sense anything wrong with the conversation until his mother asked,
"Are you still seeing Eames?"
Arthur felt it was a strange question.
There was a sigh, as if his mother had been expecting a different answer.
"ArthurâŠheâs still acting isnât he?"
"So you plan on supporting him your whole life?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Arthur, heâs going to spend his life doing terrible little stage shows or community theater and youâll be the only one bringing in any money. Do you mean to tell me that, thatâs what you want?"
"I believe in him! Heâll make it, I know he will."
"Arthur. Your father and I have been discussing this and we will gladly pay your way for law school. We know youâll make something of yourself. But Eames will drag you down. We want you to stop seeing him."
"We do. We donât want you to waste your life anymore. So leave him. Break up with him or weâll stop paying for school."
Arthur didnât even hesitate.
"Well then stop paying for school. Iâll find another way."
"Arthur, think about this."
"I donât need to. Iâm going to stay with Eames. I love him and I believe in him."
He heard his mother sigh.
Just a few years later, Arthur was sitting in a theater next to Eames. Having been nominated for an Oscar was enough for Eames, but Arthur was nervous for him. When his category, Best Actor, came up, Eames took his hand and Arthur felt the sweat the slight tremble and he could see Eamesâ knee shaking as they began to announce names and show clips of their nominated rolls. Eames bit his bottom lip as the presenters said the words,
Arthurâs heart hammered away as he held his breath, feeling Eames grip his hand tightly.
The entire room erupted as Eames looked at Arthur in shock and Arthur hugged him, excited for him as he stood up with him, feeling Eames kiss him before he started to make his way to the stage.
It hadnât been easy. There were many long nights of work for the both of them, a lot of weeks apart while Eames worked but they had made it through and Eames felt like him being nominated was enough. He had said it again and again, it didnât matter if he won - though Arthur knew it would mean the world to him if he did.
Afterwards, as Eames gave a few interviews, still holding his award, he announced,
"I told the love of my life that I won, I would propose to him. Iâm hoping heâll make a winner out of me twice."
Eames had told him that in jest and Arthur had not really taken him seriously but now that he won, Arthur was shocked to hear him say it to a reporter.Â
When they were finally alone, after all the interviews, after all the pictures, after all the parties, they were alone in the hotel room that had been booked for them. Eames set his statue on the night stand as he looked at Arthur, exhausted but still excited.
Arthur undid the bow tie around his neck after taking off his coat.
"I was. I told you I was. I told you if I won, Iâd propose. So I won."
Arthur smiled, taking his hand.
The next morning, it was released that Arthur had said yes.Â
He only hoped his parents were regretting their words as they opened the entertainment section and saw that Oscar winning William Eames had proposed to his long time lover.Â
And that Arthur had said yes.
