"D-Do you like it?" Andrew had finally gotten the ring out of the box and onto Maxwell's finger. The man had been busy kissing him the whole time, whispering kind words to him, and while Andrew really enjoyed it, he did want the man to focus on the thing he'd been worried about the most.
Maxwell was in his lap, on the ground of the sanctuary under the pergola while the photographer watched the couple flirt and make out with a camera in her hand. Andrew knew he should be embarrassed, knew he should be way more flustered than he was, but he wasn't. Instead, he was now more worried that Maxwell wouldn't like the ring.
Maxwell, a little dazed, looked down at the ring that weighed down his finger. Andrew stared at the man's face, trying to get a read on what he was thinking, and watched as Maxwell straightened.
"What kind of stone is this?" He asked carefully. "This doesn't look like a sapphire." Maxwell stared at the ring and Andrew felt his lips twitch.
"It's blue tanzanite. Those are black diamonds, with some other gems thrown in to fill out the look. Pretty sure they're regular white diamonds." Andrew said, taking Maxwell's hand in his own and turning it slightly. "We seemed to both have the same idea." Andrew said softly, staring up at Maxwell with warm eyes. "I liked this kind of design because this small pattern on the sides looked like leaf work while still supporting this stone." Maxwell let out a soft exhale.
"Why did you go that big for a stone? I would have thought you would have selected something…smaller." Andrew couldn't get a read on the tone that Maxwell was using. It was professional in a way that made Andrew flinch.
"I was actually just looking for a stone that matched your eyes, if I'm honest." Andrew said carefully. "But…there was also something that was said to me when I was making the ring that stuck with me." Andrew admitted. It wasn't something he truly dwelt on, but it had stayed with him. He wanted Maxwell to show off, have something to show off.
There was also what Amir's grandmother had said. He had told Andrew that with the world that they lived in, it was a sign of wealth, affection, and comfort. Essentially, since Maxwell was an omega, even a smart, kind, capable one, Andrew needed to put a flashing warning sign on him. So, how big was that warning sign going to be?
Andrew gulped at the thought.
"What did he say?" Maxwell couldn't mask the humour in his voice as he tilted his head back, looking at Andrew. Andrew grumbled.
"At least pretend you don't know who I used." Andrew complained and watched as Maxwell smiled. He reached up, placing his other hand on Andrew's face as he leaned back to kiss him quickly.
"Why on earth would I do that when I used the same person, but months apart?" Andrew felt his eyes widen as Maxwell gave a little smirk. "He probably used my design as inspo." That little snake. Andrew felt his eyes smile as his shoulders began to shake with laughter.
"He's good at a poker face." Andrew said and Maxwell nodded.
"Probably has to be. In that line of work, how often do the pairs come in to get rings custom made while one is cheating? I can't even imagine." Andrew coughed.
"That would not fly for us. We would be butchered long before that ever happened, By each other, and by those who care about us." Andrew cut that thought off immediately and Maxwell laughed. His eyes were warm as he looked up at Andrew, before turning his gaze back to the ring on his finger.
"You're right. So, don't get any thoughts. If you want to try other things, we'll just figure something out." Maxwell said. "Spice it up. Get creative." Maxwell was so calm about it, so collected, that Andrew had an awful feeling that he'd thought about it. Cheating, or being cheated on. Andrew leaned in, pressing his forehead against his pretty shoulder.
"Angel, in what world would I ever do something that awful to you? I couldn't, I wouldn't be able to. Not only would my Mom come back from the dead to beat my ass, I think I have too much trauma around that to even consider it. Plus, I just love you too much to even consider wandering." Andrew let out a dry chuckle. "I worried there for a moment that the feelings of protectiveness I had for Richard was something awful, but then I realised it was just because he's like a brother to me and he'd manifested as an omega. That's where I'm at mentally." Andrew told him.
Maxwell remained quiet for a moment before Andrew felt his lips against his hair.
"Yeah. I know. You're a good man, Andy. A very good man. I'm worried I'm corrupting you with my badness." Maxwell's voice held a fondness to it that made Andrew want to melt. "Don't worry, I would never think that you were up to something with Ricky. He wouldn't let it be that way, and if he thought for a second that things were going in that way, he'd panic and let me know. He's more worried that I'd kill him first than you." Maxwell seemed amused by that. Andrew felt his shoulders shake.
"Did you tell him? That you would deal with me first?" Andrew asked and Maxwell snorted.
"Absolutely not. It was more fun to watch him panic." Maxwell said. Andrew laughed harder. He pulled up and way for only a moment before he kissed Maxwell softly, slowly, enjoying their lips being connected.
"I am so happy that you said yes. Do you like the ring? You didn't say if you did." Andrew asked, nerves eating him alive. "I won't be upset if you don't. Just…tell me what you don't like and we can change it. In the end, I selected it, but it's your ring. I want you to be happy with it too." Andrew felt like he was begging. He really wanted an answer.
Andrew watched as Maxwell's eyes curled at the corners and the already handsome man grew even more so. He leaned in, nibbling on Andrew's bottom lip until Andrew's head felt like it was going to explode.
"Baby, in what world would I not like a ring that you put so much care and thought into? You took my suggestions into consideration already, and this? This is so pretty, so sparkly, and so beyond my expectations that I am desperately trying not to cry in public." Maxwell's voice choked up, and Andrew felt his own eyes water.
"Don't cry, Maxy. That wasn't why I did it." Andrew said, his own voice hoarse. Maxwell turned his left hand over, gripping onto Andrew's hand tightly. He leaned forward, placing his face against his shoulder and Andrew could feel the slight wetness beginning to form there.
"How could I not cry? I'm not emotionless, and we need to talk about how you put yourself down in your proposal still, Andy." Andrew flinched at the sharp edge in his voice.
"What did I say that was putting myself down? All of it's true, Maxy. While maybe seen from my perspective, that doesn't make it any less true. I'm not upset about it, really. So, let's just focus on the good stuff, alright." Andrew hesitated as he felt Maxwell stiffen in his arms. He had meant to keep this under wraps for a little bit longer, actually a lot longer, but given how Maxwell was behaving right now… "I…actually have been thinking that I needed to go to therapy." Andrew said carefully. "I didn't want to tell you right away. I wanted to tell you after I'd figured out who I was going to, but given how tense you are right now…" Andrew trailed off.
Maxwell snapped his head back, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand as he stared up at Andrew. With his slightly watery eyes, his stricken face, and his pretty pink lips, the man looked like sin.
Andrew also knew that if he kissed him right now he might get in trouble. Was it worth the risk? Probably.
He was his fiancé now.
Thinking that sent a little thrill through him as Maxwell began to speak.
"A therapist? And you wanted to keep it from me?" Maxwell seemed upset about that aspect and Andrew shifted awkwardly.
"Not…keep it from you. More like…I wanted to do it for myself, by myself to show that I was…I was serious about trying to get better. For you. For us." Andrew spoke carefully, knew that he was treading on dangerous ground. What he wasn't expecting was Maxwell's eyes to get even bigger, wider and he pulled the man down and against his lips.
Two lone tears streaked down his face as he kissed Andrew, and Andrew could feel his own emotions overwhelming him.
"Baby. You are…ugh, I'm proud of you, but don't keep these things to yourself! Why in the world would I judge you for doing something like that?" Maxwell demanded and Andrew felt a little sheepish. Embarrassed.
"Is it so bad that I wanted to look good in front of you?" Andrew asked and Maxwell's lips turned flat, into a straight line and he reached up, pinching Andrew's nose. Andrew flinched.
"Yes, when it's something so important!" He told him and Andrew sighed.
"Well, I wanted to get the first session sorted first before letting you know. Showing that I was taking initiative to…get better." Andrew mumbled and watched as Maxwell's shoulders relaxed and he let out a sigh.
"You silly man. I can't believe you." Maxwell muttered. "So, you're going to therapy? Do you know what you want to deal with?" Maxwell asked carefully and Andrew gulped. He was slightly avoiding Maxwell's gaze, but he forced himself to meet it as he spoke.
"I want to deal with my issues around fatherhood." Andrew told him and watched as Maxwell stopped breathing. His eyes were wide, and Andrew could feel his heart begin to race. When he finally did breathe, it was shaky, rough, and it sounded like it took a lot of effort.
"Oh Baby." Maxwell breathed. He blinked once, twice, and then more tears poured down his face. Maxwell pulled him in close, smothering him in kisses again and this time, Andrew didn't protest. Letting the man pepper his skin with his overflowing affection. Andrew would take it.
He needed it, his own heart racing in his chest at his admittance. It was the next step, the step that he knew Maxwell wanted, and honestly, he was pretty pissed at himself, and his father that he was halting his life with Maxwell. So, therapy.