Warning(s): none that i can think of!
A/N: other than it was written in 3 hours, i am insanely sleep deprived, and it may contain some sleep deprivation induced mistakes ;) anywho, it’s nearly 6 AM, i have 3 finals to study for and 1 race to watch. Bonne fucking nuit les copains!
A/N 2: I added a hyperlink or whatever you call it for [redacted but SFW] for my visual readers out there. It will be underlined in the text!!
The football season had come and gone. You were finally relaxing after travelling on and off with the team, handling the media communications, scheduling the press conferences. You sighed as you rolled out of bed, the sun tickling your face across the blinds. You swiped your hand to your left, patting down the spot next to yours. Empty…That’s odd. You quietly rolled out of bed, comfortably stretching your aching body. The blinds were promptly opened, light flooding the room as you embraced the new day. Your stomach grumbled, your nose dancing at the smell of something sweet coming from the kitchen. You grabbed your phone, before wrapping yourself in a light blanket and walking out of the room. Strutting into the kitchen, you were greeted by a breathtaking sight. Standing with his back to you, there he was shirtless, his hips slowly dancing to older R&B tunes. Sensing a shift in the air, accompanied by the faint scent of your body mist, he stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around, greeting you with a smile.
“Bonjour mon cœur.” He rushed to place a kiss to your temple, his hands snaking around your collarbone to pull you in closer. “How did you sleep? I did not mean to wake you up this early.”
You looked down at the watch on your wrist; 8:25 AM.
“It’s okay,” You sighted lightly leaning into his embrace. Jules kept a hand around your collarbone while the other stirred around whatever was in the pan. “What’s cookin’ good lookin’?” You teased the French player.
His chest rose up and down from his laughter, the vibrations creating a fuzzy feeling that spread across your body.
“I’m trying to make pancakes.” His face contorted with confusion. “I was gonna surprise you with breakfast in bed.” He sheepishly confessed. “I even bought fresh oranges to make hand pressed juice, no pulp. Just how you like it.” He tried to give you a peck on the lips, only for you to pull away.
“Morning breath.” You excused yourself to the bathroom to freshen up.
Your mind kept wandering as you washed up.
I know why he is doing this today of all days, you thought to yourself as you spit the toothpaste out. I wonder what else he has planned for today, you thought, raking a hand through your hair. You had heard of people whose experience had gone totally wrong and you prayed it wouldn’t be the case for you guys, you worriedly though to yourself.
When you finally exited the bathroom, Jules was sitting at the kitchen island, waiting for you. Seeing your shadow appear from the hallway, he hurriedly put his phone away, but not before you could get a quick glance at his panicked expression. Weird… You thought to yourself once again.
“Can I kiss you now?” He teased you. You nodded at him before he leaned it to press a quick but delicate peck to your lips.
“What has chef Koundé prepared to accompany today’s breakfast?” You asked, unable to tear your eyes away from the plate.
“We have fluffy vanilla pancakes, doused with the perfect amount of maple syrup, and finally, topped with fruit slices. No cantaloupe or grapes for ma’am.” He gestured at your plate before comparing it to his.
“Thank you, my love.” You rested your head on his shoulder before digging in.
The breakfast went by almost quietly, the sound of clattering cutlery accompanied by your satisfied hums. You and Jules often did that, eat in silence. It was an opportunity to recharge your personal batteries before unwinding for the night. Ever since the beginning of your relationship, neither of you felt the need to bring work home, opting to make your house a work-free zone. After all, you worked alongside one another almost every day. After both plates were cleared, you cleaned up the island, opting to set the plates down in the sink. Jules jumped on the dishes, shooing you out of the kitchen.
“Why don’t you go relax a bit? I’ll come join you after I finish the dishes.” He shouted across the kitchen.
You walked back to your bedroom where the scent of sleep welcomed you back in. The bed was messy; the decorative pillows sprawled across the floor in a symphony of fabrics. You sat down on the bed, trying to find the energy to start cleaning the room. You lived in Jules’ house, having decided to move in together almost 2 years ago. Yet, your heart was keen on keeping the house you were living in prior to your relationship, to your move. Having both struggled with your finances when growing up, you collectively decided to keep one house in your name, and one in Jules’. You had promised to buy your forever home once married, viewing the joint purchase of a new house as the best way to start your new chapter together, a place for you to make into a home.
Consumed by your thoughts, you barely heard the door of the bedroom creak open, Jules’ body dropping next to you with a heavy ‘plop’.
“What’s on my smart, beautiful lady’s mind?” He scooted closer, his hands resting below your jaw, thumb faintly caressing your cheeks. “Mh?”
You looked at him through your eyelashes. You couldn’t tear your eyes away from his. You were mesmerized by the way his eyes flickered with glee and love every time you were the subject of his attention.
“How I love being in your arms.” You giggled, leaning into his chest. His arms instinctively wrapped around your body, pulling you as close as possible. Unable to resist, you closed your eyes, the sound of his heartbeat lulling you to sleep for the second time today.
Hours went by before you woke up again, this time with Jules sleeping soundly next to you. His left arm was slung around your waist, fingers softly digging into your skin. You heard the covers shuffle before a deep voice filled the silence in the room.
“I guess we both needed that nap.” He confessed, stifling a yawn. “You’re such a loud snorer.” He faked his outrage, dramatically put his hand to his forehead.
“I’m not!” You lightly tapped him on the shoulder, embarrassingly burying your head in his chest and under the covers.
“You had the foundations of the house shaking, I thought I was finally experiencing my first earthquake. Had we been in California, I swear I would have thought it was the ‘Big One’.” He lightheartedly teased you.
“Stoooop.” You jokingly begged him, your cheeks sore from laughing so much.
“I hope our kids don’t inherit your snoring habits.” He innocently said, unaware of the vicious attack awaiting him.
Faking offence, you retaliated.
“I hope our kids don’t inherit their dad’s humongous feet. That shoe size of yours is absolute madness. Every time I want to buy you shoes, it feels like going on a wild goose chase. You need feet reduction surgery.” You exploded in a fit of laughter at Jules’ expression.
“You know what they say about men with big feet, right? Big di-”
“Jules!” You squealed in disbelief, grabbing your pillow from behind you and lightly smacking him.
You both took a moment to calm down, your breaths finally going back to normal. You were still facing one another, unable to look elsewhere. Jules’ lips were curled up in a genuine, love-struck smile.
“So… You want to have my kids?” He teased you, knowing damn well you would give him 100 kids if possible.
“Nah, you got those giant feet. Your genes are gonna have my kids stomping on the floor at the age of 1.”
“What are you on? Our kids will be advantaged because of my feet genetics. They will be super fast on the field, gonna carry the Koundé name across the best European clubs.”
“What if they don’t want to follow your footsteps?”
“I’m sure the firehouse across the neighborhood will be happy to take them in.”
“You’re unbelievable.” You broke into a fit of laughter, tears rolling down the corners of your eyes.
“No but in all seriousness, I would love to have a family with you.” You confessed. “I dream of the whole ‘getting married, having kids, a dog, and the house with a fence’ thing.”
A silence hung between the two of you. It wasn’t uncomfortable but rather, familiar. You did not need a verbal response to know that you were both on the same page.
“But, as much as I would love to have a family with you, I don’t feel ready to cross this line yet. I long for the day where two smaller heads of hair will come rushing to the door to welcome me after a long day of work, but I wish to savour our relationship, us, a bit longer.” You confessed.
Jules listened carefully, your need for a bit more time as a couple resonating perfectly with how he felt. He didn’t mind having kids later in life, as long as it got to be with you. Contrary to what he had seen or heard from his friends and colleagues, Jules knew your paths were destined to be intertwined beyond the terms of boyfriend and girlfriend long before you two ever spoke to one another. To say Jules loved you was a lie. He worshipped every move you made, every word to have ever left your lips. He worshipped your intelligence, and the goodness that surrounded you.
His hand rested on your lower back. Jules’ mind was racing at the thought of disrupting the routine you had kept as a couple for the past few years.
“I know you’re a woman whose goals are always set in stone. And I wish to highlight how much I respect that, how beautiful I find it to see you, so goal driven. But I see something wrong with what you’re asking of me, of us, and I cannot ignore that.”
He pulled away, blindly rummaging through his bedside table, nervously pulling a neatly wrapped box. He sat up as your eyes scanned his face for any hint of sarcasm.
“I had originally planned to do this over dinner, or a walk on the beach… Something more romantic than…this.” He gestured with his free hand. “But I quickly realized that it wasn’t authentic to who we are as people and as a couple. I like how easy it is to love and to feel loved with you. I like how… how we can take anything and turn it into a discussion filled with jokes that will bring us to tears.”
You looked up at him, his glossy eyes meeting your surprised ones.
“You know, when it was announced that you were taking over the media position, my heart fluttered. Before I had even seen your face or even introduced myself to you, my soul knew that my life would not ever be the same again. You are the best partner I could have ever, ever, ever, asked for.” You were at a loss for words. The more Jules rambled, the dizzier you felt.
“I knew since the moment I saw your smile across the room that I wanted to give you the wedding of your dreams, the kids, the dog, and the house with a fence.” Your eyes danced between his teary eyes and the box he was holding so tightly against his chest, you were afraid it was going to break. He fiddled with the box, his hands shaking as he struggled to open it. Your hands laid gently on his, your body slowly leaning onto his.
“It’s okay. Take your time, my love.” You whispered against his lips, stealing a shy kiss from him.
“You are my God-given solace. My refuge, my biggest ally, loving you is my greatest and truest achievement. If I were to die tomorrow and must start all over again, I would look for you in every life, and in every universe. Will you marry me?” He broke in a nervous fit of laugher as he presented you with the carefully selected ring, his last sentence hanging heavy in the air. “And subsequently have my giant-footed babies?” He whispered in an attempt to alleviate the thickness of the tension.
You wish you were able to control the flow of tears streaming down your face as you realized what had just happened. The brightness of the diamond bringing you back to reality. Jules’ face was broken with the anxiety upon waiting for your answer.
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you and have your giant-footed babies.” You let down a sob as Jules’ exhaled a sigh of relief, carefully sliding down the Emerald-cut ring down your finger. He brought his lips to your knuckles, peppering your hand with light, feathered kisses.
“I had the ring engraved.” He pulled it off your finger to show you. In an almost invisible calligraphy, the words ‘To my God-given solace’ were permanently etched into the metal of the band. Jules slid the ring back on your finger, his eyes unable to peel away from yours.
“I love you, ma fiancée d’amour. Happy anniversary.” His arms wrapped around your shoulders.
“I love you, mon fiancé d’amour.” You giggled in disbelief as you pressed a sensual kiss to his lips.
