Out on the Ocean

{"I think another great one would be... uhm... they love holding hands, but OJ gets a little nervous one time and sweats... orange juice. And it's really... agh. *wheeze* WE ALL KNOW THAT FEELING!"

-Justin Chapman, January 2025}

Paper had been talking OJ's ear off about Desperate Housewives for quite a while now. Or at least, OJ thought it was Desperate Housewives... he couldn't be sure, he wasn't exactly listening at the moment.

He was too busy feeling anxious to really absorb what his lover was saying. Not even the smooth rocking of the boat they were on could subdue his worries.

Really, this shouldn't be that big of a deal. It was just a question, wasn't it? And he'd already gone over the reasons in his head on why now was the perfect time to ask such a question. They'd been together for 5 years now, and they'd spent all that time loving each other... yes, there'd been a couple setbacks, hardships or tough times; no couple was perfect, he knew that. But they'd always worked through it. Because at the end of the day, he knew that any irritation or frustrations he felt whenever they argued over something would die down eventually; but their love was eternal.

So, why was it still so nerve wracking?

Why did his mind focus on nothing but the idea of screwing everything up? The idea of forgetting what he'd practiced, those hours rehearsing that speech in front of their mirror all going to waste? What if he stuttered and stumbled through everything, and Paper saw just how much of an idiot he really was and broke up with him on the spot because obviously he would who would want to marry someone who couldn't even-

"OJ! Are you listening?"

A worried expression was painted on Paper's face, one that made OJ's heartbeat skyrocket. No, he couldn't screw this up. Not now. Not when he was so close.

"Hmm? Oh, I just spaced out, haha... sorry about that."

Paper shrugged, not thinking much of his answer. He shifted his focus away from OJ, taking a few steps towards the boat's gunwale, admiring the view of the landscape from where he stood. The sun was hanging high up in the sky, so its guiding light reflected onto the vivid, almost azure blue of the ocean's waters. The boat ebbed and flowed with the waves, gentle and undisturbed by the world around them. It was something right out of an intricately woven tapestry, or the centrepiece of an art gallery that attracted hundreds upon thousands of visitors.

He always found the ocean to be so beautiful. Even if he wouldn't dream of jumping inside for himself ever again, he couldn't help but admire just how mesmerising the view was. Just him, the endless expanse of water, and his partner. He breathed out a soft sigh, taking OJ's hand in his own when he finally realised that he was now standing beside him.

OJ focused on that contact more than anything else. Paper's hand was just as soothing and warm as it'd always been since the moment he'd had the pleasure to hold it for the first time. They held hands often, of course. Their hands just seemed to fit so perfectly together, almost as if they were made for each other. With all those revelations a few months ago, he wouldn't be surprised if they literally were.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? Reminds me of our first challenge together, as a team. Minus the whole 'Evil Paper' debacle, haha..."

OJ's words were stuck in his throat, as if they were waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves, too. Hiding from him. So all he could do was nod along.

He watched Paper's face like a hawk - a hawk that was extremely nervous and enamoured with their partner more than anything - but a hawk nonetheless.

And that face began to shift a little into what OJ recognised as confusion, and slight concern. The warmth he felt from holding his hand was suddenly gone.

"What the-"

Paper looked down at his hand, and realised it was covered in sticky orange juice. He looked back up at OJ, surprise evident in the way he held himself. He couldn't help but giggle a little at the sight, a teasing smirk on his face.

"Hey, babe, why are you so nervous? I don't think this has happened since our first dates."

OJ laughed along with him, but even he knew it was the sort of laugh he gave when he was anxious or hiding something.

"Nothing! Nothing, everything's fine..."

Damnit, he couldn't keep this up much longer. Paper was growing suspicious, surely; maybe he should just go for it... often times that was how he'd win challenges on the show, after all.

Maybe this was just one big challenge... one last hurdle before he made it to a life free of doubt and full of pure, unadulterated freedom and love.

A life with his husband.

His husband...

"Alright, well, you know you can tell me anything, right? I'm here for you, always."

...Always... did Paper really mean that?

Now. He had to do it now.

He took a deep breath.

"...Actually, now that you mention it... I do have something I need to tell you."

Paper could see the way OJ fidgeted with his hands, how red he was, the fact he was avoiding eye contact... and only nodded. He didn't want to make whatever OJ was about to tell him more stressful than it already appeared to be.

'Okay... here we go.'

"Paper... from the moment we got on that boat, all those years ago... you have done nothing but support me and stand by my side."

He could see Paper's curiosity grow by the way he shifted to focusing all his attention on him.

"Even through all our hiccups and failures... every time I'd prioritised the hotel over you, or stayed up so late we barely got to see each other... all those difficulties... we overcame them, and you were still right there; my partner, in the show, in the hotel, and in life, ready to take on the world with me."

It wasn't exactly as he'd practised, but the words were just flowing out of his mouth now. Somehow, he was hiding his cracks from the pressure.

"All these years have only been enough to prove that I love you more than anything else in this life. More than the hotel, more than my winnings, even more than the juice that fills my glass. You are everything to me, Paper. You're sweet and adorable, reliable and patient, sincere and thoughtful... you complete me, Paper. In every single way. It's hard to believe someone so compassionate and hard-working even exists. It's even harder trying to wrap my head around the fact that you feel the same way about me, even after all this time."

He could see the smile on Paper's face grow wider and wider, a light blush dusting his face. He wondered if Paper had already realised what was happening - he wouldn't be surprised if he had, with all those rom-coms he loved watching so much.

"Of course... we're not perfect. We'll never be perfect. But Paper... I know that we are real. And I truly believe with all my heart... that you are the one I was meant to live out my entire life with. You light up every part of my life, every second, minute and hour with you is nothing short of a blessing... and when I picture my future, you are all I can see. Which is why I have to ask you..."

He got down on one knee, grabbing the ring box he'd hidden nearby on the boat. With shaky, careful hands, he pulled it open, revealing the glimmering opal ring inside. An opal that he knew would match Paper perfectly, since it was pure, gorgeous and clear, just like he was.

Paper's gasp told him all he needed to know.

"...Will you marry me?"

He barely had enough time to react before he was tackled by Paper on the spot.

"Yes! Oh my god, yes yesyesyesyes, a million times yes!"

He had never felt more relief in his entire goddamn life. His juice was spilling out onto the boat, but he literally couldn't care less. It was like his boyfriend was absolutely bursting with excited energy, finally able to let it all out in their shared laughter and sweet, happy kisses.

Or, well... he supposed Paper was his fiancé now, wasn't he?

That thought made everything feel... right.. Paper was actually going to be his husband...

And as the boat swayed along to their movements, that thought was the only thing swimming around in his head, as he held Paper close until the sun set behind them.

He was going to be the happiest object alive.