Chapter Text
Julian had nervous butterflies in his stomach all day. No, actually, all week. Today was finally the day, him and Yadriel’s sixth anniversary, and the day Julian would propose to his boyfriend.
He had the whole day planned out perfectly. They would go out for dinner at 7pm to a restaurant by the beach. After, they would walk on the shore until Julian saw the photographer. Then he would do it. He had a whole speech written, something that he was at first a bit hesitant to do. He didn’t think he could express how much he loved his boyfriend in a speech, but he did his best.
He had been planning this for months. Two months before, on Día de los Muertos, he told Yadriel’s mom the plan. She was absolutely over the moon, and demanded all of the details. Julian hoped she didn’t accidentally say something to Yadriel.
“Should I wear something more formal?” Yadriel said, snapping Julian out of his head.
“Nah, you look great. As usual.” Yadriel smiled softly and walked over to Julian, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead. Something about this made him a bit emotional.
Julian grinned and said “I’ll race you to the car.”
——
Julian won the race, of course. He opened the door to the passenger seat for Yadriel. Julian got in the drivers seat and turned the car on.
“What a gentleman. So, are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Yadriel asked.
“Nope! You’ll have to wait and see.” Julian pulled out of the driveway and started heading towards their special spot on the beach. The spot where they shared their first kiss all those years ago, when Julian was still a ghost. When he wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to touch Yadriel properly.
A few years ago, developers bought the land and build a beachfront restaurant there. When Yadriel and him wanted to visit their spot, they went there. It was always bittersweet.
Yadriel turned on the radio and started switching through the stations until he found a song that he liked. They sat in comfortable silence for most of the ride. As Julian took one of the final turns, he saw Yadriel smile in the corner of his vision. They hadn’t been in a while, Yadriel was getting used to his new responsibilities as one of the heads of the Brujx and Julian was getting used to him new job at Rio’s mechanic shop.
Julian pulled into a spot and jumped out of the car.
“Come, Yads. We’ll be late to our reservation!” Yadriel laughed and he ran over to his boyfriend. He took Julian’s hand and kissed the spot over the small Portaje tattoo on his arm. Julian felt himself get emotional again, so he tugged Yadriel towards the restaurant.
——
Julian barely touched his meal. He was so nervous about what came next that he was nauseous. Yadriel noticed, and asked him three separate times if he was okay. Julian felt bad lying, but he obviously couldn’t say anything. He practically dragged Yadriel out of the restaurant.
“Woah!” Yadriel tripped after an especially hard tug on his arm.
“Shit! Are you okay? I’m so sorry!” Julian helped Yadriel get up. This was not a good start to the evening.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. No harm done, see?” Yadriel tried to reassure Julian, clearly seeing his distress. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Julian sighed. “I’m fine. Sorry. Just a bit stressed.” Yadriel took his boyfriend’s hands and kissed him. Julian melted into the kiss just as Yadriel pulled away.
“Come on, Yads. Let’s go for a walk. I promise I won’t trip you again.” Yadriel laughed, and started to walk in the wrong direction.
“Wait, let’s go the other way. There’s something I want to look for.” Julian made puppy dog eyes, sending up a prayer his boyfriend didn’t question it.
Yadriel turned around, and started walking in the direction Julian wanted to go. Julian knew that Yadriel could tell something was wrong with Julian. Well, he wouldn’t say something was wrong. He was extremely excited to propose, and to marry Yads. There was just a bit of worry that Yadriel would say no.
He was being ridiculous, of course. He and Yadriel have had many conversations about their dream wedding. They practically had it all planned.
Julian took Yadriel’s hand for the hundredth time since their date started and led him towards where the photographer should have been. When they were at the spot, Julian looked for the photographer. She was nowhere in sight. Julian discreetly took out his phone to message her, and saw a message.
Jessica (photographer): Sorry, I’m not going to be able to make it. Family emergency.
It was sent an hour ago, when they were at the restaurant.
“Fuck.” Julian tried to say it quietly, but Yadriel still heard him.
“What happened?” Julian knew he was trying to be useful, but it was possibly the last thing he needed in that moment.
“Nothing. I’ve gotta go to the bathroom.” Julian ran off, trying to find someone who would film the proposal. Finally, after a couple of minutes, he found a couple of teens willing to do it.
“Just stand over here and start recording now. I can shorten it later.” Julian hoped the kid wouldn’t run off with the phone.
“Cool.” Julian turned around and jogged over to Yadriel, who was takin pictures of the sunset on his phone. It was a bit darker than Julian hoped it would be, but it would have to do. He didn’t want to wait any longer for this.
“Yads.” Yadriel looked up, and smiled when he saw his boyfriend. Yadriel opened his mouth to say something, but Julian put his hand up. “Just let me say something first, Yads. I promise I’ll try to be quick.”
Julian put out his hand, and Yadriel took it, clearly sensing that this was important. Julian never intentionally interrupted his boyfriend.
Julian took a deep breath, and continued.
“So, we’ve been together for six years as of today. We’ve been through so much together. I know we’re young, but we’ve been together so long it feels right to do this.” Yadriel’s smile grew, and Julian was pretty sure he knew what was happening.
“Yads, I love you so much it hurts. I’ve already told your mom that I’m doing this, and Omar and Rocky found out somehow.” Julian’s hand started shaking as he took a step away from Yadriel. He reached into his pocket and grabbed the ring. As he looked up,he saw that Yadriel was crying.
“Yadriel Velez-Flores, will you marry me?” Yadriel had tears streaming down his face, and hauled Julian to his feet. He hugged him, and buried his face in Julian’s neck.
“Of course I’ll marry you, Jules.” Yadriel whispered in his ear. Julian laughed, and realized he was also crying.
“Come, give me your hand.” Yadriel held out his left hand, and Julian slipped the finger on. He had measured Yadriel’s ring size a few months ago while he slept.
Yadriel looked down at the ring.
“Jules, it’s beautiful. I love you.” Julian couldn’t resist it anymore. He kissed the shit out of his boyfriend. No, his fiancé. He could get used to that.