summary: danny proposes to ross through a game of cards against humanity
words: 1690
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Danny’s hands were sweating. His cards sliced into his hands as his grip tightened as the last round came closer and closer. His brain was reeling and he was trying his hardest to act normal on camera, but inside every nerve of his was on fire. Every few minutes, Arin would have to lean in and tell him to breath. Danny couldn’t ever get a full breath.
He had planned this from the moment Barry told them how Polaris wanted him and Suzy to host a segment on their channel, and that they were hosting Cards Against Humanity.
For three months, Danny had tried to come up with the best possible way to propose to Ross. They had been dating for just a little more than a year, and he knew that Ross was the one. He had thought about doing the typical slip-ring-into-wineglass move, but that’s not who he was. He always wanted the best for his boyfriend. He tried a flash mob proposal, but that idea got shut down when Ross walked in on them dancing, and they had to tell him they were playing Just Dance even though the TV was off.
For three months, Danny searched and searched for the perfect idea, but always came up short. Until the simplest, yet most unique plan came to surface.
After Barry had told them the news, Ross walked out of the room to get some water. Danny sprung into action immediately. He grabbed ahold of Arin and Barry’s wrists and looked them in the eyes.
“I’ve got an idea, and I need your help.”
+
It took them a month and a few days to make sure everything was perfect, and that nothing got screwed up, but finally it was the day.
All five of them had been filming for an hour, and it was winding down to the last round. Four of them shared secret looks around the table, while Ross sat clueless.
Danny felt like his heart was going to explode, and he had already had three moments where he almost chickened out. Almost.
“Okay, Barry wins that round! Looks like we’re down to the last round.” Suzy said to the camera. Everyone seemed to straighten up, eyes concentrated on their cards. Danny rubbed nervously at the card he had been holding since the first round. Four simple words on a 5 by 4 card. The box in his vest jacket felt heavy. Barry picked up the last black card and smiled.
“What did Danny say to Ross?” he said, face stoic and voice natural. Ross looked up at Danny with a warm smile, and focused his attention on his cards. Danny was breathing in low pants, trying to cover up the fact he was almost having a full blown panic attack. He felt a hand on his thigh, and looked up at Arin with a small smile.
“You got this dude.” Arin whispered. Danny nodded and pulled the card out of his hand, sliding it towards Barry. Barry took it and nodded, smile toying on his lips. Before Ross looked up, Suzy ran her hand gently down Danny’s arm. She grinned at him, and Danny looked around at all his friends, looked at Ross, and looked back. He suddenly wasn’t afraid anymore.
Ross drew his card and handed it to Barry, who shuffled the cards.
“Okay. What did Danny say to Ross? Blowjob Jesus.” he said with a airy chuckle. The others laughed, and Danny shrugged. He’d probably say that.
“That was great. Next. What did Danny say to Ross? Extremely tight pants.”
Everyone laughed as Ross slapped his thigh, and pulled the tight fabric up slightly.
“It’s true.” he smiled. Danny felt his heart swarm in his chest.
“Looks like we got a contender. What did Danny say to Ross? Mandatory Sex Party.” Barry threw his head back in a laugh along with everyone else. Danny nodded and winked at Ross. Ross blushed and covered his mouth with his suit jacket. Danny felt like the luckiest guy on the planet. Everyone calmed down, and suddenly it was quiet. Barry waved the last card, Danny’s card, in his hand.
“Last one. What did Danny say to Ross?” and he paused. Danny swallowed, and palmed the small box he had had for so long through his pocket. Ross looked at Barry and rolled his hand in the air.
“C’mon, let’s hear it.” he laughed, Barry looked at Danny, and Danny nodded.
“What did Danny say to Ross?”
A beat of silence.
“Will you marry me?”
It was quiet. Ross chuckled and rolled his eyes. He became silent as he looked around at his friends. His eyes swam with question and his gaze locked with Danny’s. His eyebrows lifted and his lips parted, asking silently what was going on.
Danny smiled and stood up. He pulled the small box out of his pocket, and hid it in his hand. Ross laughed nervously as Danny stood in front of him. Danny just smiled as every part of his body shook.
He got down on one knee.
He placed his closed fists on Ross’ knee and took a deep breath, mind flicking back and forth from the present, to the first time they met, to their first kiss, to their first whispers of love late at night, and to the moment when he knew he was the one.
“Ross..” he started, voice coming out solid, which he was grateful for. Ross placed a small hand on top on Danny’s.
“Ross, I think about the first day we met everyday. How you nearly talked my ear off about how much you loved my videos, and how you split your soda all over me.” he paused to chuckled, eyes softening as he looked into Ross’ eyes.
“I wasn’t mad, all I thought was, ‘this guy is too cute for his own good.” he sighed, heart beating faster and faster.
“From that day, I liked you. Liked how stupid you could be, liked when you would only smile for me, liked how completely wonderful you always were. I liked you so much. So obviously I was ecstatic when Arin told me you liked me too.” he said, looking up at Arin, who gave him a thumbs up. Ross smiled, and Danny could see the wetness brimming those beautiful blue eyes, He felt his own come to surface.
“The day I knew I loved you, was a hot summer night. We were laying in bed, watching TV and you just looked up at me and smiled so big. You know what you said?” Ross nodded and spoke with Danny.
“We should get a dog, and name him the Dogtor.”
Everyone around the table laughed, and Ross reached up to wipe away a stray tear.
“I knew I loved you, because that one sentence was you condensed down into words, and I could picture us living together with that dog. You fell asleep, and I told you I loved you, because I was too scared to tell you when you were awake.” his voice was becoming thick, and his vision was getting more and more blurry.
“I was awake, you know.” Ross mumbled. Danny nodded.
“I know.”
The felt was digging into Danny’s hand, and he took three deep breaths before continuing.
“It’s taken me three months to propose to you. I couldn’t go with any old idea, because that would be a disgrace to you. Because you are so amazing, and special, and way too good for me, but nonetheless, I just knew I was ready.” he said. He slowly unraveled his fist, and picked up the box with his fingers. Ross’ cheeks were brushed bright with red, and trails of tears fell down his face. Danny could tell his face matched, cool lines running down his heated neck. He lifted the lid to the box slowly, and closed his eyes to balance himself.
C’mon, Danny, he thought to himself, you got this.
Don’t think about it.
Think about him.
You love him.
You love him so much.
He opened his eyes and cleared his throat.
“Ross O’ Donovan, since the beginning, you’ve been the light in my dark night sky. And I wanted you to be mine. Will you marry me?” his voice cracked on the ‘marry’, but Ross was too busy nodding to notice.
“Yes, yes, oh god yes.” he mumbled, ignoring the ring and wrapping his arms around his fiance. The others cheered and clapped, wiping away their own tears.
If Danny had died then, he would have gone the happiest he had ever been.
Ross pulled back enough to kiss Danny gently on the lips, hands shaking on Danny’s neck.
They parted and laughed shakily, sniffing and wiping away their tears, Danny pulled the ring out of the box and slid it onto Ross’ finger.
Perfect fit.
Just like the two of them.
He pulled Ross back into his arms again, and sighed, light shining in his eyes,
His night sky was finally bright.
+
Before the left, Ross filed through the cards, eyes squinting at the writing. Danny wrapped his arms around his waist and smiled at the ring on his finger.
“Whatcha doin’ babe?” he mumbled, Ross hummed, spreading the cards out.
“Looking for something.. Ah ha!” he said, grabbing a card and pulling it to his chest before Danny could see. He turned around in his arms and smiled brightly, pecking Danny’s lips quickly. He held the card up, back towards Danny, and grinned.
“Here.”
Danny smiled and grabbed the card, flipping it over, He felt everything inside him warm and melt, twist and turn, doing every possible thing to make him feel whole.
Three simple black words.
I love you.
Danny pulled Ross’ face to his and kissed him deeply, hands gripping onto his waist. They parted for breath, and Danny kissed his forehead gently, pulling him to his chest, holding him tightly. He never wanted to let go.
