invcntions !
he’d always expected getting engaged would feel magical, like each piece of his life was finally slotting into place the way it was destined to. perhaps that was naive, and yet standing in the middle of the room ethan was struck by how remarkably not magical it felt. not bad either, sure - but he’d always been a romantic at heart and a public proposal in front of everyone had never quite been what he pictured. somehow that was the main thought he had as brown eyes had scanned the room for some sign of his best friend, hoping to catch his gaze in a knowing look of create a diversion or just the shared amused thought of what’s he doing - because ethan had no doubt charlie would be aware just how not him this was. instead he found no sign if the other male, his attention turning back to his boyfriend as he heard the acceptance fall from his own lips and the applause from the people around them. each moment that followed passed in a blur, all leading to the chance to break away from the party and head out in the direction he thought he had seen a familiar mess of brown curls leave in. “ need some company? i could do with the fresh air. ” the words fell softly, not waiting for a reply as he moved over to the other, thumb fidgeting uncertainly at the ring that now felt weird around his finger. “ so, you really left to fend for myself in there, huh? ” he attempted to tease lightly, the words somehow still sounding a little forced as he ignored the unsettled feeling finding a home in his chest.
–––––––––––HE CAN’T TRULY be upset about this scenario, and maybe that’s what gets him. he can’t be upset that ethan was being proposed to. in fact, it was shitty of him to walk out as soon as his boyfriend started proposing, but here he was, feeling the pang of jealousy reverberate through his chest, hoping that he could have a chance, when he had never really made that clear. what did really catch him off guard though was ethan finding him outside. charlie figured he’d want to celebrate, show off the ring, take in the congrats that were ringing through the room. so when he hears his voice, a smile immediately finds residence on his features, any bit of sulking now removed from his demeanor. ‘ of course. ’ it takes him a second to process, to come up with the right words. ‘ thought you’d wanna be inside. ya know, big proposal and all. ’ why didn’t he just congratulate him like everyone else ? charlie knew how to keep up the right look, make ethan feel happy, but even charlie couldn’t say what he didn’t mean. eyes focused on ethan, he’s looking for a sense of happiness, of him being ecstatic, and instead finding his thumb playing with the ring on his finger. ‘ it was your moment. after all, it was your proposal. ’ even bitterness finds home in his words. ‘ guess you said yes, huh ? ’ eyes now really look to his hand, now decorated with a new ring. his hand reaches over, taking it in his and studying it. ‘ you excited ? ’