Akihito sat contemplating the two rings sitting laid out on the table in front of him. He had finally been able to pick them up from the jewellers today and they shone beautifully in the artificial light. Ryu wasn't due home for hours so he was taking the time to consider his options and gather his courage.

How many years had they been together now?

Seven? Eight?

Over time their relationship had grown and changed with them. They were open about their feelings now as well as their needs and wants. Neither of them were prone to sprouting long gushing words of romance but they had confessed their feelings verbally to each other more than once. Their actions counted for more than words, anyways.

Although it had taken Akihito a long time to realise that.

Ryu seemed perfectly content with how they were and honestly Akihito was too.

Except…

Gay marriage had finally been legalised late last year after a long, hard fought battle. Their relationship could finally be legally recognised. It's not like Akihito really needed the government's recognition, or even that of strangers or the world at large. But they had been through so much together, they held such strong feelings. Was this not the logical next step?

He waited cautiously after the news of marriage legalisation to see if Ryu might be thinking the same thing he was but the man made no move to propose. It eventually hit him that he didn't have to wait for the other man to make that choice.

He was perfectly allowed to propose too.

Ryu frequently steered the course of their relationship, such as it was, in the beginning but Akihito had long since become an equal partner. He was always encouraged to stand up and speak his mind, ask for what he wanted and Ryu met him at every turn.

He wasn't looking for a fairy tale wedding or the dream of a spouse and children. It was more like he wanted a physical reminder of his lover and their bond wherever he went. A physical mark on Ryu to stay the vultures away was an added bonus, although he didn't think it would deter them all.

So, with great nervousness he first sought out the advice of the internet about men's wedding rings. He spent hours nervously reading forums and advice columns trying to piece together a general consensus before beginning to look at prices.

Of course, the ones he picked out were expensive.

They had to be to fit both of their tastes.

He had been saving secretly for these for months. Sure, he could have paid for it with his limitless credit card from Ryu but for this, he was going to get it by himself. Akihito had gone so far as taking on extra jobs just for the pay and waived it off to his lover under the guise of greater demand for his services. It was nice to bask in his career progress once in a while, it was easy now days to forget how far he had come.

Now here he was, two sparkling white gold bands sparkling in front of him fully paid for by his own hard work.

He liked the traditional gold bands that his parents had but quite frankly, they were anything but traditional in their relationship and the white gold suited them both far better.

They were simple but elegant in their design. The very center was a matt finish with two thin bands cut into the ring lining it and polished white gold edges. Akihito had borrowed one of Ryu's dress rings to get the right size. He had so many rings for different fingers that he had to watch which ones he wore to figure out which ring as the best one to borrow.

While his own remained plain, he had gotten the inside of Ryu's ring engraved. A little nod back to their beginnings. He could only hope his lover appreciated the little jab.

Akihito was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the sound of the penthouse door opening. Ryu walked into the room followed by Kirishima carrying a sheaf of papers and all he could do was stare in surprise. Ryu wasn't due home for hours! It wasn't even remotely close to the evening, it was still early afternoon.

His lover stopped and looked at him curiously before glancing down at the two rings sitting in all their glory in front of him. He stopped dead in his tracks and his eyes widened in obvious surprise. A small part of Akihito crowed in triumph over being able to elicit a visible reaction from the always put together man.

Kirishima trailed off from whatever he was saying and looked between them in confusion before his eyes landed on the rings. He gaped in surprise before awkwardly putting his papers on the table and making a hasty, albeit polite, retreat.

Akihito sat, face slowly reddening in embarrassment, staring at Ryu. All thoughts of grand proposals or thoughtful gestures of love gone out the window. His lover slowly approached and picked up the larger of the rings and examined it, a slow smirk spreading across his lips as he read the inscription on the inside.

Forever yours, bastard.

His gaze flickered up from the ring to meet his own and Akihito almost sagged in relief at the warmth and amusement flooding his golden eyes.

"Do you have something to ask me?" Ryu asked, his deep voice showing the same emotions his eyes held.

Akihito held his gaze for an endless second, blood rushing in his ears and his heart thudding loudly in his chest.

"Marry me," he replied, not a question but a statement that held a level of confidence that surprised even himself.

"Even after all these years, you manage to surprise me." Ryu chuckled as he passed back the ring before holding out his left hand. "I told you I'd never let you go, I'll track you down even to the ends of the abyss if I must. Surely you knew the answer already?"

Akihito rolled his eyes fondly at the familiar possessive words. "Bastard," he muttered cheekily before carefully slipping the ring onto Ryu's finger with trembling hands.

Ryu returned the gesture with all the smooth grace that he had come to expect from the man before letting himself be pulled in for a passionate kiss. They were both breathless when they finally parted.

"Don't think this means that you will be getting out of a formal ceremony, I'm looking forward to showing off my cute wife."

Akihito half-heartedly punch him in the shoulder. "I'm not your wife, husband."

"Husband, hmm? It has a nice ring to it," Ryu drawled in reply before his eyed darkened and his smirk widened. "How about we start our honeymoon early and spend the night celebrating?"

Far too quickly for his age, Ryu grabbed Akihito and flung him over his shoulder. He slapped his ass to get him to stop squirming as he made his way to their bedroom.

Akihito sighed dramatically before breaking into relieved giggles. Some things never changed but he loved the big old bastard and he was happy to yell it out to the world.

VF

When Akihito finally woke the next afternoon, sore and worn out, he discovered the bed empty and his ring missing. Alarmed, he scrambled up only to discover it sitting in its box beside the bed. Picking it up, he noticed letters on the inside that had not been there the day before.

Forever yours, brat.