This is it. Now or never, Dave. Just do it. What's the worst that can happen? Well, he could reject you… or break up with you… or leave forever. Shut up, Dave, not helping.
"Dave, what's that look for? Are you brooding again?"
You snap out of it. "Huh?"
John laughs and slips his hand into yours, warming up your freezing fingers as you walk through the snow-dusted park.
"Dude, do you ever pay attention?"
"I'll have you know that I am noticing everything at this very moment, cataloguing shit and deducing people. Solvin' mysteries over here like Sherlock. Come along, Watson, we got bad guys to fuck up."
"Did you know that Watson's first name is actually John?"
"Of course I know that, dumbass. I have literally watched Sherlock about eighty-four billion times with you."
"Yeah, but you never pay attention."
"Yeah I- you know what, fuck you."
He grins, showing off the best pair of buckteeth in the entire world. "Later, Dave, we're in public."
You roll your eyes and force a smirk, but now the anxiety's hit you full-force. You sigh; you really don't think you're going to be able to do it. John notices, despite your best efforts, and squeezes your hand.
"Whatever you're worrying about, it'll be fine. I'm almost sure Karkat is over The Incident by now."
You cringe. "God, don't even mention that. I've never seen someone covered in birthday cake look so menacing."
John laughs his dorky snort-laugh and lets go of your hand, bending down to tie his shoe. You stare at the top of his head for a second before looking off across the park, watching a squirrel scamper up a naked tree and vaguely wishing you had your camera. Suddenly something wet and cold hits your head hard and slides down your neck.
You whip around to find your boyfriend with a shit-eating grin on his buck-toothed face.
"Egbert, I swear to hairy troll Jesus' mother…"
He just laughs.
You bend down quickly and scoop up some snow, launching it at Egbert's face.
"Dave, face shots are no fair!"
"What're you gonna do about it?"
"Oh, I see. You wanna do this?"
"Let's do this."
"Fine."
The most epic snowball fight in all of existence ensues. You absolutely pound John, and in turn you get soaked to the bone. In under an hour, both of you are freezing and laughing your asses off.
The ring box in your pocket is practically burning you through your jeans.
"I surrender, Dave. Let's go home and warm up."
You grin across the park and jog over, wrapping both of your arms around John's waist.
"You suggesting what I think you're suggesting, babe?"
"Mm, maybe I am."
"Sweet. We have marshmallows, right? Those little guys are the shit."
"Kinky."
"You better believe it, sweetheart."
"Shut up, Dave. The shower is calling my name."
"Ugh, you're gonna take all the hot water again."
"Not if you're in there with me."
"Dude, I'm the good-looking one here. I'm s'pposed to be seducing you."
"Hey, I'm plenty good-looking. So you can just go shove it."
"Oh, I will."
You get back to the apartment amid peals of laughter and stolen kisses. The neighbors must hate you, you swear to god.
The ring finds its way discreetly underneath the mixing equipment as you pass it.