WHO: Jasper Sampson Spencer & Ryan Comley. WHEN: BACKDATED: Saturday, April 8th. WHERE: Lion & Stag. SUMMARY: Jasper has a proposal for Ryan. STATUS: Complete.
It really had been a while since they’d gone on a proper date - one that wasn’t quietly staying in and trying to ignore whatever craziness the town was trying to throw at them that week. And, yeah, a storm of scrolls floating out of a giant hole in the sky wasn’t normal, but if they waited for that, they were probably never going to actually get out and do something. So when Jasper had asked him, there wasn’t any other answer than yes - his boyfriend needed a night out, with nothing to worry about except enjoying himself.
“It feels like it’s been months since we’ve done this,” Ryan said, smiling. “Does it make me old if I say we should just schedule a regular date night on our calendars every month?”
“It probably has been,” Jasper admitted a little sheepishly. “I don’t think it makes you sound old, just wise. And like someone who knows how our schedules get. It’s really my fault for not wanting to share your attention with other people.” He smiled through his gut’s slight twinge.
As nice as it was just to be out, pretending that there weren’t major issues to be dealt with outside of the restaurant, Jasper had a motive tonight. The more he thought about the future, the more he pictured Ryan in it. With children. But that wasn’t what he actually wanted to talk about - though making sure Ryan wanted children was going to have to be a priority eventually.
“How’s living with Helena going?” He asked. It was a slow tiptoe to the actual question he wanted to ask. But it felt more natural to start here.
Ryan rolled his eyes. “She’s settled in. I’m pretty sure she’s decided she’s just going to stay there.” And though he gave her a hard time about it, anytime he thought seriously of giving her a deadline to get out, guilt stopped him. It wasn’t like she was a hindrance, but he missed having space, and not worrying about whether she could hear anything through the walls.
“I think she’s gotten used to having someone cook for her. At least she cleans up after herself as an adult.”
Jasper smiled. “It is very easy to get used to your cooking or baking. I can relate to that from experience.” He fidgeted with his napkin, trying to think through his words and make sure nothing he said was too forced or too aggressive. This was a natural next step in their relationship, and one Ryan didn’t even need to say yes to tonight. “Did you two talk about what happens when your lease ends, or when it’s up for renewal?”
He shook his head. “Not really. My lease is up end of June, so if I’m renewing,” he paused, shrugging, before continuing, “I need to decide by next month. I have to give standard thirty days notice if I’m not. Maybe I should tell her I’m not renewing it. That might actually make her look for something of her own.”
“Yea, it probably would,” he agreed. “I was thinking that maybe we could talk about your lease? I mean, I would feel bad about putting Helena in a tough position. But,” Jasper paused to look Ryan in the eye, to make sure his boyfriend wasn’t reacting badly to his words. “We are going to each others a lot. Which is probably just a waste of money. And, I mean, I would prefer to be able to sleep with you every night. I thought it might be worth thinking about?”
It took a second to connect the dots, and then he was blinking away the surprise. Jasper was asking him to think about moving in with him. As if Ryan needed to actually think about it.
Ryan grinned. “It would make sense to just have one place,” he replied, trying to sound thoughtful instead of giddy. “And I definitely prefer to sleep wherever you are instead of on my own. I’m pretty sure I don’t need to think about it, though.”
It was relieving to hear Ryan agree to it, without actually saying those exact words. “It’s not exactly a small step so I thought it was something you, or we, should discuss. And give thought to. I don’t know if you’d be interested in moving into my place which would become our place. Or if you’d prefer that we find a new place together. Or anything else you might be concerned about.” Jasper smirked. “Like how much space you might need for your baking supplies.”
“I’ll need an entire room for them.” Ryan said promptly, that was immediately rewarded by a laugh from Jasper. “I’m joking. But I like your place, so I’m fine with just moving in with you.” Jasper’s place had already felt like home for a while, so it made sense to just make it that officially. “I mean, I already have an entire drawer there. I’m practically already moved in.”
“I was thinking of expanding that drawer to a full nightstand, half the dresser, and half the closet.” Jasper found himself incapable to taking the grin off his face. “Super generous, right?” He glanced down at the menu, now able to actually focus on the words. “But, seriously, you can take time to think about it. I don’t want to rush you or push you into something you don’t think we’re ready for.”
Ryan laughed. “That’s very generous of you. I was only hoping for a second drawer, but I like your offer better.” He reached across the table, sliding his hand over Jasper’s. “And I don’t need to think about it, Jas,” he added, a little quieter. “I’d love to move in together.” There weren’t any concerns about them not being ready for this step - sometimes, it felt like he lived there, preferring Jasper’s to his own where his sister could barge in at any time.
“I’ll let Helena know she’ll need to figure out what she’s doing, or she can take over my lease.” He opened his menu with his free hand, scanning the entrees. “Just be warned she might start trying to plan a wedding.”
Jasper squeezed Ryan’s hand. He was still a little surprised that Ryan didn’t want to take the time to mull it over but the result was what he wanted. He had no complaints there. “Okay, great.”
His cheeks pinked a little at the mention of a wedding. “Well, to be fair, I don’t think she’s going to be the only one who is going to start dropping hints about that.” He gave a small shrug. “I think I’ll be able to handle her though.”
Ryan looked up, curious. “Who else do you think is going to?” He set his menu back down, meal decided on. “And I’ll make sure to send her your way, then. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already started a Pinterest board,” he added wryly. It was good, though, that Helena liked Jasper; having his family like his boyfriend was important to him - well, of the ones who were talking to him, anyway.
“The rest of my family? Co-workers? Random people on the street, probably.” Jasper flipped the page of the menu, as he idly looked through the offerings. As if he didn’t order one of the three same things every time he came here. “At least, that’s what I’ve noticed happens when people move in together.”
“Ah, well.” Then Ryan shrugged one shoulder. It hadn’t really occurred to him that anyone outside of them would be that interested in their relationship. Helena excepted because she always liked to stick her nose in where it didn’t belong. “I’m fine with that.”
Jasper glanced back up at Ryan, trying to determine how far they wanted to take that line of conversation. “I’m fine with it too. I didn’t mean for it to sound like a complaint. I,” he paused, taking one more moment before jumping in head first, “expect to marry you one day.”
“You do?” he blurted out, blinking in confusion. It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about it, but idly, in passing. Not getting too attached the idea because there was that tiny nagging voice in the back of his head, reminding him that this was Jasper’s first relationship, that people didn’t marry the first person they dated. Especially people as wonderful as Jasper.
“Yea. I haven’t planned our wedding, or a proposal or anything.” He felt his face heating up again. Unlike the moving in conversation, this was not one he’d thought through carefully before blurting it out. But it’d come up and Jasper was never really one to shy away from having what he felt were important conversations in the moment. “I just imagine you there, with me, whenever I think about the future.”
“Oh,” was the dumbstruck reply. Ryan felt his cheeks turning pink and he glanced down at the table, a tiny, shy smile tugging at his lips. Somehow, it hadn’t occurred to him that Jasper might actually want to stay with him, and he felt like anything he could say right now would just make him look all the more stupid.
But he also didn’t want to say nothing, so he glanced back up, trying to ignore how warm his face felt, and said: “Well, if you start planning a proposal, I’m not really into yellow gold jewelry. I like white gold.”
Whatever response Jasper had been expecting from Ryan, it was not a request about the theoretical rings. “Well...yes, that is good to know.” He spoke each word slowly, still surprised they were talking about this right now.
Jasper was unsure of what else to say on the subject, but was luckily interrupted before he took the conversation even further, with the arrival of their waiter. After they gave their orders there was an unspoken agreement they were done with that conversation and moved on to talking strategy for the dance-a-thon.