Page 84 of Creep
My man sips a beer, nodding as Yeti whips his hands around while talking. Judging from the gestures alone, he killed a literal giant last week, and I smirk before making my way around the fire. The flames reach for the blanket I’m using as a cloak, and my hair dances in the wind when Creed spots me. His eyes always go dark when it happens, and my heart soars, because the old me wouldn’t even dare dream of someone as loving and attentive as him.
I made it my mission to prove that he is worth more than any other man I know, so the trinkets he sneakily gathered without my knowledge are now displayed on a special shelf in our home (except for the dildo of course), along with more photos we’ve taken together since that time at the funfair.
“Hello, lover,” I tell him in greeting.
Even after months of fucking me raw, he still seems shy when I say that. He smiles, his eyes dart away, and he slouches a little. It’s fucking adorable. “Having fun? You need a beer? Yeti made a batch of alcohol-free.”
I step right between his spread thighs and grin, cupping his head. “I actually thought we could sneak away and spend the rest of the evening together. What do you think?” My heart races in anticipation despite deep down knowing he’ll be up for it.
Yeti whistles. “Must be special if you’re willing to forego my beer for it.”
I smirk. “I’ll stay if you let me do something about the unibrow.” I wouldn’t, I’ve got plans, but I also know he’s not letting me touch that thing.
“Not happening. It’s gonna come back into fashion anyway, and all of you naysayers will be gluing fake eyelashes to your faces.”
“Sure, buddy. One day.” Creed snorts as he gets up, and I could swoon. He’s so fucking handsome. Still very pale, but even he caught a bit of sun over the summer despite being a nocturnal creature. I make sure his hair is slick perfection, and every morning and evening, I pamper his face with a cream and serum. He didn’t complain about it once. I love that about him. He never dismisses my interests.
Creed entwines his fingers with mine, and we walk off, moving in the general direction of our cabin. On a bench in the empty playground, we spot Road and Clyde making out as if they’re teens. I try not to ogle them and pull Creed farther away. This is the moment I could chicken out and take him to our home, but I’ve prepared a surprise, and I will present it to him despite my heart beating as if it’s about to push its way out of my chest.
“Where are we going?” Creed asks when he realizes I’m heading for the cave.
“I figured we could say goodbye to your former home in style,” I offer with a grin.
“Oh? You’ve got a plan for it?” He leans in and kisses my ear.
I’ve braved the caves enough times by now that I’m no longer afraid of the tunnels, but also know my way around secret passages only the two of us are aware of. Including the one that leads to Creed’s former home
“A picnic,” I tell him, even though that’s not the whole truth. It will do for now.
It takes us fifteen minutes to reach the familiar chamber, but when I switch on the lantern imitating the light of a brightcandle, I can see my man’s impressed by all the cushions and blankets stretched over yoga mats. We could even sleep here, if we wanted. Or, one of us could pretend to fall asleep and end up ravished in the dark caverns, where everything seems like part of a dream.
Maybe later.
I light five candles first, each made to represent a different feeling I have for Creed. Trust, happiness, pride, lust and love. I clear my throat, not yet ready to proceed to the reason behind our visit here, and pour us both some fruit tea from a thermos I left here earlier, along with a basket full of his favorite foods.
“Precious, this is lovely,” he says and removes his shoes. He only steps on the blanket once they’re off. “Ooh, soft underneath.”
“You only deserve the best,” I say and gesture for him to sit. I’m nervous, but when he plucks a box of profiteroles out of the basket, I know it’s time. “Wait. I need to say something first.”
He freezes, looking at me like a cat with a mouse already in its mouth. “Oh? Are these… not for eating?”
Oh, God. I’m messing this up.
“They are, just—” I hesitate, but no good explanation is coming, so I give up and go down on one knee, hand plucking the little ring box out of my pocket.
Within seconds, I’m covered in cold sweat, and my breath feels sluggish, as if my lungs refuse to accept much air. Some might tell me it’s too early, especially as I’m already wearing his patches. This question could wait another year as we learn each other’s habits further, but I know the things he’s heard people say about him for most of his life, and my heart won’t be at peace until I show him that I would never pick anyone over him.
“Creed, I—” I swear I had a whole speech written, learned by heart, and rehearsed, but it’s not coming, so I just open the box and offer it to him. “Will you be mine forever?”
He stares at the ring wide-eyed, and now I worry I’m spooking him. I know he loves me. He put his life on the line for me. But now that he’s grown in confidence, socializes more, maybe he doesn’t want to spend his life with the first man he got together with? I’m pretty, no need to be coy about it, but is that enough?
Creed blinks several times as he pulls the ring from the box. It’s a simple band of oxidized silver with a small pink sapphire I hand-picked guided by intuition. “Angel… Of course I will. There's no one else I've been with, and no one else I'd rather be with. You are everything to me.”
And that’s what I love so much. That level of earnestness I never encountered before I met him. “You… you are everything to me too,” I choke out as my thoughts start to spin. “I was never enough for anybody. But you… you really see me. You make me feel safe. And you deserve everything, so I picked this stone. I know pink’s not usually given to men, but this kind of stone stimulates love. It will protect you, and help you heal from the wounds deep in your heart. Marry me, please.”
I don’t know if this is the most pathetic proposal that ever came from anyone’s mouth, but I stand behind it.
Creed slides the ring onto his finger, and it feels like he’ll now always have a piece of me with him, just like I wear his vest. “Tomorrow if you want, or after as long as it takes to create some big bash of your dreams. I live to make your dreams come true.”
