"I knew you were intelligent and crafty," Jack begins, tilting his head and looking up with a smirk. "But this is the most genius idea I believe you've ever had."
Brian smirks down at him and sips lazily from the fruity, alcoholic drink Jack had brought back the last time he'd excused himself. "Ya know, Jacky boy, I think it is too." Brian is lounging comfortably in a chair, legs spread to accomodate Jack as he leans back against Brian's chest. His free hand trails up Jack's bare skin, dancing over his abs, up his pecs, before he curls his fingers around Jack's throat, just enough pressure for Jack to feel it. He tightens his knees around Jack's hips, along his thighs, and chuckles when Jack exhales slowly, leaning deeper into Brian's warmth, distracted by the faint murmur of the waves washing over the sand. "Maybe Hawaii will become our place."
"I'd like that," Jack says softly, eyes fluttering shut as Brian shifts closer and kisses him, the moment drawing on and on as it turns hotter, the two playfully warring for dominance, tongues and teeth and panting breaths all that matters between them for a few moments.
"At some point, we do have to figure out our next step though." Brian pulls away reluctantly and presses a kiss between Jack's eyes, lips quirking wryly. "I appreciated you taking Maverick down for me, but... hm. Maybe it's something you and I can work on together."
"Interesting things do happen when our goals are the same," Jack says lowly and Brian nods.
"Yeah." They lay quietly, taking in the beginning shades of red and orange overwhelming the sky as the sun slowly sets. Brian stirs after a moment and nudges Jack. "I have something for you."
Jack blinks. Sits up a bit and turns to see Brian properly. "For me? A gift? Seriously, Mr. Kendrick-" His words die away when Brian tangles his fingers around the back of his neck and draws him closer, kissing him speechless. When he pulls away again, Jack blinks at him, eyes blown.
Brian smirks at him, tracing a finger over his lips before reaching under the chair and pulling out a small box, carefully setting it in Jack's palms and curling his fingers around it. "Happy Christmas, Jack."
Jack exhales lowly, staring down at the box, fingers twitching and trembling as he pulls it open. He gasps and clicks it shut after barely a glance, shaking his head with a faint, choking sound. "Brian."
Brian stares at him, brows quirking upwards. "I didn't even ask yet, Jack. A little premature to deny it, don't you think?" He takes the box lightly from Jack and smirks. "I guess it is a little eclectic, but, well, what else would you expect from me?" He takes in the pale shock on Jack's face and shifts his hold on the box. "But maybe I shouldn't have gotten it at all. Never mind-" He moves like he's about to throw it out into the ocean, when Jack's hands close sharply over his, trapping the box between their fingers.
"Don't you dare," he says vehemently, eyes flashing as he slips off of the chair and shakes his head, tugging at his lips. "Dammit, Brian." He laughs weakly and reaches over for the umbrella sitting folded up by Brian's chair, opening it with a haphazard sort of shake, something hard rebounding off of Brian's leg as it falls out.
"Wha-?" Brian stares as Jack collects it out of the sand. "What is that?"
"That, you daft man," Jack says softly, "is my answer to yours." He holds up his own ring box and Brian slaps a hand to his forehead. "I was going to ask you after dinner, when the time felt right." He closes his eyes and shakes his head. "How do we do this now?"
Brian stands, loosely wraps his fingers around Jack's. "I guess..." They stare at each other, warmth and happiness curling around them. Finally putting the mess with Gulak behind them, and finding themselves on the same page so thoroughly that they both had taken this step at the same time. "Jack...?"
"Brian," Jack says softly. Both fight grins as they search each other's eyes. "Will you marry me?" The words blend beautifully together. Even more so when they chorus, "Yes, I will." Slipping the rings on carefully, Jack finally gets a good look at the deep blue ring that he had barely caught a glimpse of earlier before nerves claimed him and Brian stares at the warm purple swirling through the base of his own ring.
"That's amazing," Jack murmurs. "It reminds me of your jacket in a way."
"Purple," Brian says, sounding almost uncertain as he takes it in.
Jack stares at him. "Yes," he responds quietly. "Because the cruiserweight division would've been nothing without people like yourself paving the way for the rest of us, fighting for any opportunity when guys our size were mostly overlooked."
Brian smiles, glancing at him. "See, that's the kind of respect I'm looking for. Not that difficult, is it?"
"No, not so much," Jack chuckles, leaning in and kissing him. "Merry Christmas, fiance."
"Right back atcha, fiance," Brian says, pressing his forehead against Jack's and peering into his eyes warmly.