A/N: Hey I'm alive! This fanfic is on its way to COMPLETION! Hang on a little longer my dear readers, I want to wrap this up on an even 40 chapters but we'll see if I can even make it last that long... I feel like I'm gonna end this on 39 and be eternally pissed at myself for not having an even number of chapters. So expect a short last chapter maybe? like an epilogue. Anyways, I spent a while searching up cute marriage proposals and engagement rings so. I hope you like what I've come up with. I've been swamped with my AP Art History Class and have barely had any time to breathe, let alone write, so I stayed up late to write because I wanted to. I hope you appreciate my efforts! I know this story is long and drawn out but I swear I'll wrap it up and make your long journey of reading this with me worthwhile. I love you all!

Chapter 37

A chocolate diamond. Dimitri had no idea such a thing existed until he was inside the jewelry shop, instantly distracted by the marvelous display of gorgeous, shining brown rings.

Most go for the bright, crystal-clear diamond, or wealthy gold, or gleaming silver, but Dimitri was entranced by the rich color of chocolate brown, with a modest shine and a mysterious sense of beauty. The color looked warm, smooth and silky, like Jim's voice, his hair, the way he felt in Dimitri's hands, the way he smiled and the way he laughed.

Jim was chocolate brown and Dimitri knew he had to get a ring that involved chocolate brown diamonds. Engagement rings and wedding rings were two different things, but he was in love with chocolate brown and he hoped Jim was too. With the help of one of the workers, he was able to find one that would do for engagement (they'd get a better ring fitted for the wedding itself, and Jim could pick which he wanted most). For now, Dimitri had the ring, and about twenty different proposal scenarios in his head that he had to choose from.

Option number one- follow Jim on his motorcycle, smash into the back of it, and instead of giving him the insurance card, giving him the ring.

Hell no. Dimitri felt like smacking himself upside the head. What part of that was remotely a good idea?

Option number two- proposing inside of the restaurant where everyone could see.

Now that was a possibility. He wanted to do it somewhere Jim wasn't expecting, in front of his family and the customers they valued so highly. Then again, Dimitri felt that was too easy. He felt he should set something up, make it a huge deal. He had the money to- why not make it fabulous?

But maybe Jim would appreciate something more 'at home' rather than something, as he could hear Jim saying, 'full of fancy-ass snobs.'

He was sitting in his car, staring at the ring and trying to find an answer. He knew he was gonna do it, but how?

Jim hummed along to the song on his iPod, slowly swirling a mop over the soapy wooden floor. The rest of the world was muffled and he was enveloped in his own personal space, not minding the fact he was doing a chore as long as he enjoyed his music. He watched the bubbles rise and pop, gather in clusters and disintegrate to slimy water. Eventually he put the mop back in its bucket and was on his knees, rubbing at the soapy water with a damp rag to clean up.

He plopped the 'Caution! Wet Floor!' sign with the ridiculous stick figure falling in some obscure way on top of the spot he washed. It was only then he slid his headphones off and placed his hands on his hips, momentarily proud of his work before going upstairs to take a shower. Just before he stared up the stairs, his mother stopped him.

"Jim! I'm going out to get more bread dough! I'll be back soon!" She called up the stairs.

"Alright!" He replied with barely any thought, then trudged into the shower with an exhausted sigh.

When he was finished with his shower, which seemed to go by with little to no thought, he strode into his room with a yawn, a towel draped over his shoulders. He nearly shit himself when he opened his eyes and Dimitri was standing in front of him.

"Oh my god, don't do that, you tall-ass freak," Jim stared up at his lover in shock, but then a clumsy grin spread across his face and he looked Dimitri up and down. "Why are you here so early? It's not even lunch time."

"Uh..." Dimitri responded unintelligently and Jim arched an inquiring eyebrow. "I have something I want to do with you."

"Something?" Jim rolled his eyes. "I thought we were past the embarrassment of saying sex already, Dimi-"

"No," he cut Jim off, then quickly fumbled at Jim's slightly offended look. "I mean. Not that I don't want to have sex with you, cause I always do, but uh... it's not that this time." Jim crossed his arms and looked up at Dimitri expectantly.

"Do I have to get dressed?" He put on his best pout, and Dimitri laughed, remembering how cute Jim was on some of their first dates, hiding his feelings behind glares and pouts.

"Yes, unfortunately for you," Dimitri teased, trailing a teasing finger up Jim's neck and under his chin, lifting it slightly. "I love it when you wear your birthday suit." His other hand rested on Jim's hip, thumb dipping teasingly past the towel.

"I just showered, you... you homosexual freak!" Jim cried out in the most annoying voice he could muster and dramatically ran into his room, slamming the door behind him. Dimitri erupted into a fit of laughter.

"This homosexual freak will be waiting for you in the car!" Dimitri called as he began to head down the stairs, "Don't take to long primping, sweetheart!"

He got a handful of weird looks from the customers at the restaurant, but he paid no mind.

"So will you tell me what we're doing already?" Jim pestered for the hundredth time in the car. Dimitri wanted to tell him, but it would ruin his perfect little plan. He finally figured out how he would propose to Jim, and he wanted nothing to ruin it.

"No, it's a surprise, I told you!" He flashed a smile at Jim and continued driving, his hands only shaking slightly.

He hoped his plan would work. Jim had a soft heart, and he couldn't turn down such an... adorable plan as Dimitri had in mind.

They wound up at a small strip mall, and by now, Jim was completely bewildered. He looked at the shops and offices. "Are we going to the dentist? Fuck no."

"No, no!" Dimitri laughed and waved a blindfold. "This is going on. I want it to be a surprise where we walk into."

Jim looked unamused. "Are you serious, Dimitri? What the hell..." He then looked entirely suspicious. "My birthday is-"

"November 23rd, I am aware," Dimitri smiled, "Now put on the damn blindfold and be surprised."

"... If this is some BDSM shit I swear-"

"Jim," Dimitri lifted Jim's face with his hands. "Look at me."

Jim felt his heart flutter and his face burned red. He pouted slightly and slowly met Dimitri's eyes, still feeling flustered and shivery in his hold.

"This is something I truly want to surprise you with," Dimitri spoke softly, his voice smooth and low. Jim was automatically in love all over again. "Is that okay?"

"... Yeah, god, yeah," Jim sighed, blushing more and leaning into the palm of Dimitri's hand. "You're such a romantic sap. Alright, blindfold me. But if you put a goddamn donkey tail in my hand, the sharp end will end in your ass."

Dimitri only laughed as he tied the silk gently around his head, then took hold of his shoulders and began walking slowly.

"I'm so curious it's eating my soul," Jim groaned dramatically. "I hate waiting."

"Yeah, yeah," Dimitri teased as they approached the door, "Maybe if you stopped talking you could hear stuff for hints."

Jim was quiet after that. The bell jingled as they walked in, and Dimitri looked around the store desperately. Sarah had her mouth covered to prevent any indication she was there- the woman was probably suffocating herself- with Dr. Doppler smiling encouragingly next to her. He met his father's eyes, then shortly after saw his mother beaming.

Everyone was here. He nodded to the clerk at the counter, who reached over at something that let out a loud squeak. Dimitri left Jim's side to take the soft creature in his hands, stroking behind its ears and earning a purr in response.

"What the- was that a cat?" Jim blurted out. "It smells like hamsters. Are we in a pet shop? What's-"

The blindfold fell from Jim's face, thanks to his mother, and in front of his eyes was a fluffy brown kitten with bright blue eyes cupped in Dimitri's hands.

Around its neck was a piece of paper that read-

'Jim, Will You Marry Me?'

As Jim stared at the cat's message, he slowly looked up at Dimitri, but soon found himself looking down as Dimitri fell to one knee. He set the cat on his knee and pulled out a ring while Jim stood paralyzed, unable to breath or speak or even blink.

"James Pleiades Hawkins..." Dimitri spoke with more emotion than it seemed possible to have, "Will you marry me?"

"... Goddamn rich people...!" Jim cried out, tears forming in the corners of his eyes as he fell to his knees and threw his arms around Dimitri. Delighted sounds of happiness came from their family, but they listened carefully for his obvious answer.

"Yes, yes, yes," Jim sobbed, "A-A thousand times yes. Dimitri Floydorovich Sudayev, I love you and I-I want to be your husband."

A cat's meow was joined with the cheers of the family, and soon a ton of arms were around the couple, laughing and crying.