Andrew pulled down the dirt road slightly outside of town and felt his breath catch. The road looked the same, with a small addition.
Fairy lights were wrapped around the trees leading towards the dome in the distance. Even from the distance of the long drive you could see the bright light of the dome, and the trees led the way. It was a beautiful sight, and Andrew glanced at Maxwell as he shifted in his seat.
A look of mild confusion crossed his face as the sky turned into almost night.
"Isn't this…?" He trailed off and Andrew gave a slight chuckle. Yup. It was a location that anyone who grew up in the city would know. Andrew was pretty sure every school had trips here, mostly elementary schools.
It was the butterfly gardens. That was where Andrew was taking him. That was the place that he and his Mom would often visit for a little break. It was cheap, full of flowers that his Mom liked, and full of butterflies in pretty colours.
They were obviously not really active this time of the year unless they had more exotic butterflies, but Andrew didn't mind. That wasn't the reason he was here.
It was the flowers. The flowers that he and his Mom had always admired that he was here for, and the play by play that his Mom had suggested. Not that he was going to follow it, but there were several good places to propose and Andrew had made sure that each location was set up and ready.
That was why May had dropped off more flowers, because that also meant there were ribbons in Maxwell's eye colour all over, and soft, twinkling lights all around as well. It was also why Andrew had made sure Maxwell was in a more plain suit. He would stand out against most of the flowers.
They bloomed all year round, thanks to the heat of the dome even in the heart of winter. Andrew had gone back when he'd come back from his self exile to England, just once, and had found that it hadn't changed. He was glad for it, since it had been so beautiful then.
Andrew pulled into the dirt parking lot, noticing that there were a few cars here, but they were probably staff. They had been open during the day, but they had just gone into after hours. Andrew was grateful that the team was doing this for him, and had promised a generous donation for their help.
They had been so kind and had dealt with his craziness. He never wanted this place to close, so he meant his words. He also had too much money to know what to do with, so it made sense for him to donate. He was sure Maxwell would want to as well after they were done here.
"Did you ask them to put up the lights?" Maxwell asked and Andrew laughed.
"No. I think that's just something they have done themselves." Andrew said, but Maxwell was still giving him a suspicious look. Andrew just smiled at the man he loved, his hands shaking slightly on the wheel.
It was time. This was where it was going to happen. God, Andrew hoped that he didn't trip over his words too much. Or cry too much.
"I promise I didn't. Asking them to hang them in the middle of winter? Do you think I'm that mean?" Andrew asked and watched as Maxwell stared at him for a moment, before he sighed.
"No, but I do think that you would want everything to be perfect." He muttered and Andrew felt his face warm. He was right about that.
"Let's head inside." Andrew said, turning the car off and getting out. Maxwell waited for him, letting him open the door for him. He'd been letting him do that all day, and Andrew was very grateful for that. Andrew had done the same for Maxwell yesterday as well.
The photographer wanted to get some photos out in the cold, under the sparkling lights while they still had a little bit of light and Andrew and Maxwell obliged before they headed for the dome.
There was a small building attached to the sanctuary's dome where visitors would enter first. There was a huge wall that explained the who's what's and whys of the dome as well as a ticket stand. The ticket stand tonight was manned by two girls, one probably around Andrew and Maxwell's age and another slightly older lady. They both had kind eyes and soft smiles.
"Ah. Welcome you two." The older greeted, offering a hand to both of them. Maxwell took it suspiciously. "We didn't discuss it, but did you want either of us to give you a tour?" She asked and Andrew turned to Maxwell. If he wanted a tour, Andrew would gladly oblige. Would it mess up his plans slightly?
No, because this wasn't just Andrew's big day, it was Maxwell's. He'd adjust. They were already here, time didn't matter at this point.
"Maybe just around this room, if that's okay. I would like to explore the dome with my partner." Maxwell said, not even glancing at Andrew. Andrew had to turn his face away to hide how happy he was to hear that. This man. He could have called him his fiance, but he didn't. Sweet man.
The girls shared a look, a knowing look, before the older lady came out with a soft smile.
"Alright then boys, follow me. I assume that you both grew up in the city, yes?" She started the tour right away, not delaying for a second. Andrew appreciated it, and also appreciated that she wasn't making it feel rushed. She took her time, explaining everything.
Andrew realised with a start that most of the places that he had taken Maxwell today had been informational places that Andrew would like, hoping that Maxwell would like it. Maxwell seemed to be enjoying himself, but now that they were here, Andrew was getting worried.
Was he actually enjoying himself, or was he just saying that he was because he knew Andrew was going to propose today? Andrew would have to revisit that once they were alone.
The tour took about 20 minutes, and while Maxwell didn't seem that impressed with the dead bug aspect of everything, he seemed to be interested in everything else. The tour guide only briefly mentioned the plants, glazing over them because for her, that wasn't the reason why people came here. It was barely a footnote on tour, and that made Andrew smile.
He hoped that she had done that intentionally, hoped that she was being sneaky. Part of it was because as soon as people stepped into the dome they were overwhelmed with the plant life inside. At least, that was how Andrew remembered it. From the little smirk on her lips as Maxwell nodded along readily, Andrew hoped that was the case.
She let them know where they were allowed to go, where they were not allowed to go, and beyond that, gave them a few pamphlets and told them to have a fun time. Her eyes were warm as she looked them over and when she thought that Maxwell wasn't looking, she and the other girl gave Andrew a thumbs up. He grinned widely.
He was glad that this was where he had decided, no matter what.
Andrew let Maxwell be the one to open the door. He wanted to see the expression on his face, the shock. The photographer technically was the first to go in since Andrew had said he wanted to get this shot, but she had stepped in a few minutes before them, when Maxwell's back was turned.
Maxwell's soft gasp of wonder hit Andrew's ears like a damn drug. It filled the man with a shot of happiness and Andrew had to catch the door so it didn't smash into him.
"Oh Andrew." Maxwell breathed as Andrew ushered him in so that the door closed behind them safely. It was exactly like Andrew remembered.
Like a fairytale garden.
Andrew was a bit surprised to see a few butterflies fluttering around, with the vines creeping up the side of the dome, trellised and free roaming alike. A few other beetles and bugs were around, but it was the way that the flowers were scattered around the stone paths and dirt paths that caught Andrew and Maxwell's attention.
"I'm glad to see it hasn't changed." Andrew said softly, and Maxwell whipped around. He had big eyes, shocked, as he stared up at the soft smile that Andrew had on his face.
"This…I don't remember it looking like this!" Maxwell said and Andrew felt his lips pull up more.
"Well, it has changed a bit, but not much. I think the last time I visited was a few years ago. Plants are slow, and they probably curate it so that it looks a certain way." Andrew told him and Maxwell swallowed. He grabbed Andrew's hand, tugging him along and they began to explore the butterfly sanctuary in earnest.
Andrew felt his heart warm as Maxwell did so. He had worried, but it was pointless. Maxwell pointed at flowers, asking Andrew to explain them, and Andrew felt himself melt over and over for this man. He knew his hands were sweaty as they rounded a corner and Andrew saw the set up that the ladies had done, per his instruction.
Maxwell hadn't noticed, and Andrew realised that they hadn't made a few places for him to propose, but instead had decorated a particular part with specific flowers, the little flower arrangements that he'd had made, and the pretty ribbons as well. It was basically a pergola set up, with pretty blue ribbons, flowers and butterflies alike at home, and several fake candles set up.
Andrew jerked, but Maxwell didn't notice, reading about a particular type of butterfly the sanctuary was known for. Then, he turned, and froze. He halted, before he glanced at Andrew, back at the set up, then back to Andrew. Andrew saw his eyes water.
"Andrew, you didn't." Maxwell whispered and Andrew cleared his throat. He gently tugged Maxwell over until they were standing under the pergola, the scent of flowers heavy in the air, but pleasant, and Andrew took Maxwell's hands in his. He was nervous, his eyes already watering, and he had to clear his throat a few times. He wasn't going to give this up though.
"Maxwell Beckett," Andrew began, his voice low, and Maxwell took in a shaky breath. It was a bit relieving that Maxwell was so out of it. If he had remained calm and collected, Andrew would have found this harder. "I know you hate being called pretty, but I need to be honest with you. The first time I ever laid eyes on you, I thought a fairy had escaped and was trying to live as a human." Maxwell's whole face went red and his mouth opened.
"No. Stop it right now." He protested and Andrew chuckled.
"It's true. I didn't really get it then, didn't clue in that you were going to mean everything to me, but I think somewhere I knew. Like you, I wanted to keep you in my life, wanted to get to know you, wanted to do things with you. Did I expect that our relationship would start the way that it did? Absolutely not. Who in their right mind would think that is how it would start?" Andrew said, smiling down at the other man. Maxwell looked ill at the mention. Andrew was skirting around it because they had company.
He squeezed Maxwell's hands.
"With that said, I have never regretted a moment being by your side. You have been my support, my guiding light, and have called me out when I was too stupid to see the forest for the trees. You encourage me, and make me a better man just by having you by my side, and I love you with every fiber of my being." Andrew took a shaky breath in. "I know loving me hasn't been easy," Andrew started and Maxwell shook his head.
"Don't say that." Maxwell whispered, and Andrew just smiled at him.
"You can't say that it has. You have been by my side as I've manifested, changed. While I know that I am mostly the same person that you met, it's not quite true anymore. I am so grateful for everything that you have done, from reuniting me with family I had distanced myself from, several times, as well as pulling me out of situations where I was being taken advantage of. You have truly opened my eyes in so many ways, and I have a long, long way to go before I am ever able to make it up to you." Maxwell did not seem to agree.
"Relationships aren't supposed to be about keeping scores." He whispered, squeezing Andrew's hands. Andrew nodded.
"I'm not keeping a score, Maxy, I'm just telling the truth. Where would I be without you in my life?" Andrew asked, truly asked, and watched as Maxwell gulped. It was a thought neither one of them wanted to have, and Andrew watched as Maxwell's eyes watered more. Andrew bent, pressing his forehead against his. "You saved my life, Maxy. My life." Andrew gulped. He needed to change this, make it more romantic. He was getting worked up for a different reason.
"Did you know that this was a place I used to go to with my Mom often?" Andrew said, shifting, and Maxwell sucked in a slightly shaky breath, trying to calm himself as well.
"I had no idea, but it…fits." He said softly. Andrew nodded, rubbing their foreheads together.
"I told her, at 10, that this was where I wanted to propose to someone when I was older. From that point on, every time when we would come here to look at the flowers and butterflies, we would plan. She'd help me, happy, proud, and here I am today, standing before you, before her, and the flowers who were our silent witnesses, to make that statement true." Maxwell trembled.
"Andy." He said softly.
"Maxy, you are everything I have ever wanted in a partner. Stubborn, opinionated, passionate, your love is a quiet storm that enfolds me wherever I go. You never make me doubt that you care about me, never make me wonder. You are the kind of man that when you commit to something, you commit wholeheartedly. My biggest worry when I manifested is that I would become a man who would hold you back, limit your shine. I am proud to say that it was a silly worry, there is no way I could ever do so." Andrew's lips trembled. Keep it together.
"When I knew that I was going to propose to you, my first concern was finding a ring that would suit you, my second concern was making sure it was perfect. I never worried about what your answer would be, because that is the kind of love you shower me with. I want to be by your side, supporting you as you continue to be an amazing person. You light up every room you enter, command all attention. You are the sun that I wish to orbit for the rest of my life, and I am so proud to be the man who stands by your side." Andrew stared at Maxwell, pulling back slightly so that he could see his face.
Maxwell's lips were trembling slightly.
"Baby, stop putting yourself down." Maxwell whispered. "You are perfect." His voice held so much emotion that Andrew shook. Andrew let out a harsh breath, shaking himself slightly. Andrew hadn't really realised that he was. He guessed that his issues weren't fully resolved.
"See? Even now, your love is keeping me afloat." Andrew whispered and watched as Maxwell's face crumpled. Andrew slowly, so slowly, dropped to his knee before Maxwell. He'd practised, didn't want to look like an idiot as he held onto Maxwell's hand and reached for the ring box. "I told my Mom about you, Maxy. I knew she would like you, as a person, and someone by my side as well. It's in every look you give me, every way you touch me, how you go against your own pda rules to bring me comfort. I want to be the same for you. Someone who you can call home. Someone who you never have to question is safe. A harbour where you can leave all your worries behind. I know you are going to go on to do even bigger and better things. Crazier things. Your ambition is so damn attractive that I want to be the man who can scream at the top of his lungs that you're mine, but that I am also yours. Maxwell Beckett, would you marry me?" Andrew shakily opened the box, worried that the ring wasn't even there but he didn't get a chance.
Maxwell had tackled him, taking him to the ground and was kissing him, his arms around his neck.
"You foolish, foolish man! How dare you propose to me while belittling yourself? You are exactly what I want in my life, and anyone who says otherwise is dead to me." Maxwell growled. Andrew panicked, worried that the ring had fallen out of the box. He didn't care that he was on his back, in the dirt, while Maxwell pinned him there.
"I-Is that a yes?" Andrew asked carefully, and Maxwell sat up, gripping his face in his hands. His glare was fierce, possessive, and his eyes were spilling over.
"Of course it's a yes." He said, before kissing him. Andrew laughed into it, his grip tightening on the box in his hand.
Well, it hadn't gone exactly to plan, but he'd gotten the right answer. Thank goodness.