Anniversary Celebration

Written for March Madness 2022, Prompt: Lighthouse. Established Relationship. Follows Birthday Celebration and Valentine's Day Celebration. Comments and kudos would be awesome. Enjoy!


"I have a surprise for you," Shaggy tells Fred on a Monday morning. They're moving around the apartment they share, making breakfast while Scooby weaves around between them hoping for scraps.

"Yeah?" Fred asks, expertly flipping a pancake. "What's the occasion?"

"No reason in particular," Shaggy answers, occupied with setting the table, pouring coffee. "Just, be prepared to spend a night out on Friday night, okay?"

"Sure thing, Shags," he says with a smile, pulling the other man in for a quick kiss.


There is, in fact, an occasion.

It is probably a stupid occasion, an anniversary Shaggy would never expect Fred to remember, but one he does all the same. Five years ago they'd solved their first mystery together – the beginnings of friendships Shaggy wouldn't trade for anything. But, five years ago this coming Friday, that was the first time Shaggy realized that the others were going to stick around in the aftermath. Fred had made it the most clear, had slid over to make room for Shaggy on the bus without hesitation, had bypassed the table full of football players at lunch to sit with Shaggy instead, had followed Shaggy back home and settled in for a night of spooky movies. That's not to say that Daphne and Velma were not as involved – they were, they'd been sitting behind them on the bus, they'd joined them at the otherwise empty lunch table a few moments later, they'd promised to hang out over the weekend, but they both stayed in their own science and theater orbits just a little bit more than Fred had with sports.

And now they've been dating, living together for years.

And Shaggy has… plans.

He fumbles with the ring box tucked into his pocket as the ferry makes its way to the little island they're headed to, about ten miles out to sea. There is not much on the island itself, a very tall, very old lighthouse with a lot of spooky history (though, as far as Shaggy's research could determine, it was not haunted in any way), with a smaller keeper's house attached to it, and a small dock.

"This is so cool, Shags," Fred says, eyes scanning the cloudless horizon as they approach. It is a beautiful day, and the skies should be crystal clear tonight. It's perfect.

"It's all ours for the night," Shaggy says, slinging an arm over the other man's shoulders. Scooby barks happily from where he's getting snacks from one of the ferrymen.


When the boat docks, they only pause long enough to stow their bags away in the keeper's house before they set off exploring. They wander the property while Shaggy tells Fred of the history of the island. They settle on the beach for a bit, relaxing in the warm spring sunshine. The water is still quite chilly, but they wade in the shallows all the same.

When they eventually head back to the lighthouse, they explore that, too. Lose a little time making out on the porch with that stunning ocean view while Scooby naps after the long walk.

Shaggy makes them dinner. Manages a full-course, candlelit surf and turf sort of affair with the perfect menu of Fred's favorites (distracts Scooby Doo with some favorites of his own to keep him from too much begging). He adds in wine and desserts and when that's done, he finally drags Fred up to the top of the lighthouse to watch the stars in the night sky. They lounge on the gallery deck, lying with their heads together.

There are so very many stars.

Shaggy would swear he sees more than one shoot across the sky.

"You make a wish?" Fred whispers, apparently also having seen the shooting stars.

He wishes he knew what Fred wished for.

"Marry me," Fred blurts out.

"…What?"

"I, um," Fred falters, scrambling to sit upright now while Shaggy does the same. He's fumbling with his pockets, produces a velvet case similar to the one still safely stowed in Shaggy's own and repeats himself. "Marry me?" He tries again, a wry smile on his face. "I, wasn't exactly planning to say that right now, but yeah. I love you. Marry me?"

Wordlessly, Shaggy produces his ring. "Of course," he says, "But only if you'll marry me, too," he teases.

Fred beams at him, "Of course," he answers, pulling Shaggy into a passionate kiss while the stars keep shooting overhead.