Who: Nilus and James What: Dinner and a proposal When: February 17th - Backdated Where: Out and then home Rating: Fluff Status: Complete
Nilus wasn’t sure he was looking at the right menu. He hadn’t been in a restaurant since World War II and the price of a hamburger was making him want to cry. He made little money, doing odd jobs here and there for people- money he was more than happy to spend on James. He’d bought him new clothes, anything he needed or could want. Things were a little different these days, holes in clothes were the fashion and no one seemed to know what a belt was. They spent a lot of time not wearing clothes anyway. Making up for all that lost time. He glanced at the other man over the menu, his eyes widening almost comically as he turned it and pointed to a plain burger-
“7.99,” he whispered over the noise. They’d been comparing prices all day and the angel just wanted to get home and snuggle him until they fell asleep. Maybe watch a movie. He’d been itching to see something new, he went through Netflix fairly quickly.
“What’ll it be, boys?”
“Burger,” Nilus looked at his choice of sides, wondering what the hell tater tots were, but they sounded like heaven. He ordered extra and opted for the cheese for another 1.25. Dollar twenty five. He’d told James as they sat down not to worry about the price, it was on him. “These and a strawberry shake, and whatever he’d like.”
James was just shocked.
He was at an utter loss for words, those pretty blue eyes as wide as saucepans as he scanned the menu for something that looked good and also wasn’t astronomical in price. How did anyone afford a meal for eight dollars? Eight dollars.
His body felt frozen, trapped. Even though Nilus had assured him that money was no object he still could not wrap his brain around the idea that food cost that much. Those eyes on him. James glanced up at the person whom was waiting impatiently for him to decide and he swallowed thickly. “Uh, same.”
Handing over the menu James sat back in the booth with defeat. While the food sounded good, that price…”Thanks,” he breathed, turning his attention to Nilus.
The clothes had been too expensive for so little; his mother would’ve balked at the holes and demanded to put patches over those fashionable tears. He didn’t understand it but at least now he had shoes that fit and clothes that weren’t too long in the leg or the arm (not that he didn’t love Nilus).
Nilus was all limbs and a pretty face. He could help his reach and it was always toward the man in front of him. His heart raced at the prospect of loving him for the rest of his days. It struck him that he couldn’t age with him. He would give his wings in a moment if he could grow old with him. He wanted that. All of it. The houses from the catalogues, lemonade, cookies, picket fences. James meant eternity to him.
Though not a soul in the diner could see them besides James, his wings stretched out in that cramped booth and the woman behind him reached up to touch a phantom brush by her hair. He’d wanted to sit next to the other man but there had simply been no room.
He upended the sugar canister into his iced tea, making sure to let James know not to touch the colorful sweeteners. “Artificial sugar. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Is there anything else you needed while we’re out?”
The way Nilus’ wings moved had always fascinated him. He didn’t realize that he was the only other that could see them, and anyone on the outside might find his staring at nothing was odd.
He fought a smile, the way Nilus wings moved utterly fascinated him. He felt like a child every time he saw them, whimsical. James had known Nilus was an angel from the jump but he still struggled with it when it presented itself.
James looked at his own beverage. He studied it. When Nilus was done with the sugar James plucked it up and tipped some into his own drink. He set the canister down and stirred the sugar into the tea, “I can’t think of anything.”
Nilus smiled, sipping at his tea. Sufficiently sugary. He hadn’t eaten in years. That sounded horrible, but he didn’t need it. He only ever ate when James was around. Food just didn’t seem important. He nudged his foot with his own, still not liking that he had to wear shoes everywhere but the house.
He’d bought movies to play. Things he’d never seen but the man at the store had recommended he watch. Some War over Stars. He hoped James would like them. He couldn’t wait to get back and snuggle right up to him.
The tea was exquisite. It was sweet and satisfying, unlike anything he’d ever tasted before. Sugar wasn’t a commodity readily available to many, he liked that it was easier to get here. That nudge from Nilus’ foot had him smiling.
Wherever the night took them was fine with him, he didn’t want to be anywhere that Nilus wasn’t. They had lost decades, he wanted to be around the angel as much as the other man would let him.
After a bit longer their food had come. James was famished and he didn’t realize just how hungry he was until the aroma of the burger and tots hit him. He devoured the food on his plate, only pausing every so often to take a breath.
When he ate, he tasted every little molecule. It was something he’d have to learn to get around or put together. The potato things had an interesting texture, and the burger looked to be done properly. It wasn’t as good as they ones down the street from their place so long ago. It probably wasn’t still standing. Sad.
“Can I get you anything else, sweetheart?”
Nilus spared the waitress a glance, “No.”
She was staring at him in small measures and James seemed to be her main focus. There was some strange feeling bubbling up inside and he wanted to lean across the table and establish that James was his human. That was his love. Not hers.
“The check.” So they could eat and not have to worry about sitting around after.
“Of course, honey,” the waitress replied. She stared at James another moment longer (she was being ignored in favor of the food on his plate and also because of the present company) before she turned to leave to get everything tabulated.
Finally, James was too full to eat another bite. He placed a palm over his stomach and sat back, satisfied and full. “Wow.” He tilted his head and peered over at Nilus, “Not as good as that one place we used to go to. Do you remember?” What had it been called? He hadn’t thought about it in years.
“Felix’s,” Nilus reminded him. His mind was like a trap. Since being out of the hospital, he was a vault of information. His lashes touched his cheek as his eyes closed in thought. They made the best burgers. Simple. Grilled onions, butter. He’d barely touched his food, but not for lack of trying. He was focused on the man in front of him. “You kissed me in the back when you thought no one was looking and told the waitress I was choking on a cherry stem when she discovered the two of us.”
He dug into that shake, leaning back into the booth. His wings had to adjust, clearly not enjoying being squished. One was arched high above him, brushing the ceiling and the other was pushed up against the window. He devoured the sweets no problem. He was made of sugar or something.
When he was done, he pulled out that stack of bills, laying out thirty dollars. That was including tip. They didn’t pay more than three at Felix’s.
Felix’s. How had he forgotten that?
And all of those memories. He’d forgotten their kiss but now that Nilus reminded him it was crystal clear. He could still taste those lips and he shivered visibly with the overwhelming sensation. “She hadn’t been happy but she didn’t say anything.” Back then two young men being tangled up in each other was unheard of. Their waitress had done them a blessing.
Swollen with memories he didn’t even notice the chunk of change laying on the table for their bill. It was a mountain of green but James was far too caught up in the moment. His own shake went by the wayside. He didn’t care much about it, they were too sweet.
Finally he snapped out of his daze.
“You ready?” When Nilus was, he slid out of the booth and followed after the angel. His angel.
Nilus was ready. He’d had enough sugar to last the both of them for the week. He wrapped an arm and a wing around him, still shielding him from the cold despite buying him a jacket. He turned to press a kiss to his cheek as they left, home was straight from there. He walked him around the corner and in the blink of an eye the two were gone.
They were home in a rush of wings. It was like flying, but much quicker. Apporting he called it. He unlocked their home, letting the puppy run right out the door. They’d been gone an hour but she was generally good about being alone.
He dropped their shopping on the table and kicked out of his shoes. He was ready to cuddle. He pulled out the couch to make it a little more comfortable.
James would never get used to the apporting, something Nilus did once or twice back when. It was such a strange feeling, traveling through space and time to end up instantly at home.
Tilting his head down James watched the puppy flee. At first he’d freaked out but he’d learned quickly how she tended to take care of herself.
“Nilus…” he started after shuffling into the house. Out of his coat, he hung it up and he closed the distance between them with only a few steps. “Can I ask you something?”
Nilus was peeling off layers when James approached, his head tilting in silent wonder. He heard the puppy outside chasing the cat and lifted a finger to open the window with an invisible hand. The little black cat scrambled in and took refuge upstairs. He’d give the dog to Dietre as soon as he was out. She wasn’t a burden, but she needed more attention.
His wings were gone and he tossed his sweater aside before he leaned in to kiss James softly, threading his fingers through that hair. He couldn’t get enough of him.
“Ask me anything, my love.”
His arms wound around Nilus, drawing the man closer as they kissed. James closed his eyes, he lost himself just then as he drowned in that connection. There were few things in his life he could recall that were as hypnotic as the angel.
Those blue eyes fluttered open. He needed to do this now before he lost his nerve. Nilus deserved a better man than James was, but James was determined to do the best that he could.
Pulling back, he took Nilus’ hands and held them for a moment. “I know we haven’t been back together long,” he began, trying to fight off a wave of nervousness. “But I know — I know you’re my soulmate. I love you. I — I can’t, I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”
His throat felt tight. He didn’t know why he was feeling paranoid but Nilus could say no to the question begging to be asked if he wanted to, James wouldn’t blame him.
Slowly he knelt onto one knee. “I don’t have a ring, I’ll get a job, get you what you want...but I can’t wait anymore. Nilus, please...will you marry me? Make my life complete.” Those blue eyes were turned upward, he waited to see what the angel would say.
Nilus didn’t even know the purpose of a ring, but he could understand the word ‘marry'. He’d seen it on television plenty of times. Witnessed it from a cloud somewhere. James was asking to marry him. Seventy-three years in the making and he nearly fell to his knees to join him on the floor. An overwhelming rush of emotion came at him, a breath he didn’t need hitching in his throat.
The angel was crying. Not sad tears. That this human, his human, asked him such a question. He was humbled, his heart swelled with that love he carried for so long. Nilus stared into those eyes for what seemed like an eternity, but really only a few stolen moments.
His lips curves into a smile and he turned his head away so the other man couldn’t see his tears. He nodded slowly at first, biting his lip to contain that blissful feeling he got. “I will marry you. You don’t have to get me anything. You’ve given me a life, love and happiness.” Things he could never dreamed of before. “I’m only sorry it took this long. I want everything to do with you.”
“I never stopped thinking of you,” he gently coaxed him to his feet, “I love you.”
They were both crying.
James had cried so often since coming back he barely noticed the way tears were streaming from his eyes. He was so moved and humbled and undeserving. A sense of relief washed over him when Nilus agreed and for once since his return he felt complete.
If Nilus didn’t want a ring he didn’t have to have one, but James wanted something to symbolize their love. Something to let others know that they were bound to each other. They could talk more about it later.
Standing, James pulled the angel into his arms. “I love you too,” he replied, sniffling. “I can’t imagine losing you again. I won’t lose you again.” He was adamant about that. He’d fight and die again if he had to.
Nilus wiped at his tears as he spoke to him, kissing the bridge of his nose. His own arms went around him at the declaration and and shook his head. No more dying. For either of them. Unless it was old age. Nilus would die right along with him and he felt content with that. An archangel dying for a human. This one single person that grabbed hold of his heart.
“You won’t lose me again,” he promised, capturing his lips briefly. He never wanted to be apart from him. The price on a ring was astronomical. He tugged at the dog tags around James’ neck, they could wait for trinkets.
His eyes closed for a second, the tears welling at the bottom of his lids sliding out from the pressure. Those gentle touches, that soft, sweet pressure. James leaned into those arms and he knew he was home.
Those blue eyes opened and he leaned backward long enough to slide those tags off. He put them over Nilus’ head, settling them against the angel’s chest. Now he would have a piece of James wherever he went.
James smiled. It was a bright gesture and only for Nilus. “There. That’ll do for now.”
Nilus admired them for the simplicity and idea. A little piece of James, his heart clenched at the idea. When they’d gone back for bodies, they only found these and his jump wings. They wouldn’t let him have the tags- those went back to his parents. The wings he’d taken because he wanted something for himself. Selfish. He twisted that chain in his fingers, looking down at the notch in the bottom of the tag.
He remembered hauling so many bodies, hammering that notch between their teeth so they’d be identified later when shipped back. He clasped his fingers around the cool metal, holding his closed fist over his heart.
He lifted his gaze to meet James’ once more, dragging him over to the couch intent on cuddling him until he couldn’t take the sweetness anymore. Then he’d take him upstairs and show him how grateful he was that James was finally home.