(Semi-Modern AU) After learning about the legalization of same sex marriage in the US, the boys find a way to make the best of the day.

Author's Note: Happy Pride Month! (I noticed a lot of my one shots are pretty sad so I decided to write some happier ones, The next one isn't technically upbeat but I'm sure those of you who watch vine compilations like I do you'll enjoy it.)

• • •

Normally when Todd opened his eyes in the morning, he would find Neil curled up next to him, still completely asleep. But this morning, the opposite side of the bed was cold. The sheets were flipped over and his pajamas were scattered on the floor. He had left the apartment some time ago, and Todd wasn't sure when he'd come back.

He wasn't worried, completely, either. Whenever Neil left early in the morning, he would usually come back with some sort of gift. After their first night together, Neil left and came back with a box of donuts. Todd thought Neil was more likely to do something like that again, rather than leave him.

Todd forced himself out of bed and wandered into the kitchen. Everything in the kitchen was fairly modern, Neil had insisted on IKEA furniture, but Todd wanted to stick to a budget. So everything was nice, but nothing went together. He started to boil water in a tea kettle and noticed the newspaper laying on the kitchen table. The cover had a picture of a female couple embracing, the title read, "Love Wins!" Same sex marriage had been legalized in the United States.

He couldn't help himself from smiling. He felt like he had won a battle, like a whole army won. Sure it wasn't the war, but a major battle, and that was something to be celebrated. He wanted to be with Neil at that moment. They had talked about getting married before, but the timing never seemed right. Now seemed right.

The kettle whistled loudly as Todd heard the door being unlocked. "Todd?" He heard from behind him. He didn't think it through before running into his boyfriend's embrace. Both had wide smiles and bright ideas in their minds. Todd kissed him, Neil swore he could feel his heart burst as he remembered he was holding a box of scones. Todd forgot about the tea kettle in the kitchen as he led Neil into the bedroom, dropping the box of scones on their way.

• • •

"I thought we'd do something today, to celebrate," Neil whispered. They were always quiet when they were together, a habit that had started in Welton. They had always whispered to each other, they wouldn't let themselves get too loud. Which only made things difficult when they finally moved to New York. The couple was wrapped up in a soft, pale green blanket on their bed, with the scones resting at the foot of their bed. Todd had nuzzled himself under Neil's arm, he was practically asleep.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, let's spend the whole day together." Todd looked up at Neil, who was grinning at him. Todd nodded against him and closed his eyes.

"Can we celebrate in a few hours?"

Neil laughed, "sure, whenever."

"Lunch, let's start at lunch time."

• • •

Neil had forced Todd out of bed later that day. He made plans while Todd was asleep. Neil had established high hopes for the day and wouldn't let anything ruin it. Once Todd was ready, they took the Subway into Manhattan. Todd continuously asked questions but Neil wouldn't answer.

"It's a surprise!"

"You better not be getting me a rainbow desk set. . . Are you?"

"No! I would never do such a thing!" Which they both knew was a lie, Neil was a cheesy boyfriend.

Once they had stepped off the subway, Neil led Todd into Manhattan. The city was bustling with citizens, many decked out in rainbow colors and LGBT+ apparel. They were all smiling brightly and gave off cheerful vibes, Neil said, "hello," to those who walked past. Normally he wouldn't get a response, but today he would receive a cheerful, "Hey!" 

They stopped in front of a small cafe, it appeared to be worn down but the owners had cared for the building in a way that gave the building a cozy character. Todd turned to Neil with nostalgia in his voice. "This was where we had our first official date!"

After graduating from Welton, they had dropped their possessions off at their tiny apartment and eagerly went out for a drink. At the time, they lived across the street. They sat in front of a window with two iced coffees and a piece of cake as Neil asked, "is this a date?"

Todd blushed as he thought it over. "I think so."

Neil grinned, "I'm on a date with Todd Anderson!" He repeated those words again as they stepped inside the building. Inside, workers were covered in rainbow pins and rainbow accessories. One of the girls noticed the couple holding hands and congratulated them.

"Love wins," she exclaimed. When the boys ordered their drinks, she gave them rainbow napkins. They sat in the same booth next to the window as before, and the idea that Neil was going to propose finally reached Todd. As he realized what was going on, he did what he could to keep himself from shouting. He knew Neil had been planning this for a while, he didn't want to ruin it for him. He sat in never ending happiness as his boyfriend talked about their first days in New York.

• • •

The subway had stopped. No one knew why. Everyone was getting anxious, some where shouting at others to ask what had happened. Neil sat next to Todd with his arm around him. He was tapping his foot against the floor and staring at his reflection in the window, his jaw was clenched and Todd could hear his heart race as he leaned against him. He didn't speak but ran his thumb across Neil's hand in comfort.

"Have you written anything recently?" Neil asked him.

"Yeah, why?"

"Do have any poems on hand?"

Todd pulled his phone out and scrolled through his notes, where some poems were quickly written. ". . . Not anything you haven't already heard," he stated.

"Can you read one anyway?" Todd looked down at his phone and tried to find one he knew Neil liked.

"He speaks of her like she's the only one
She's shy and quiet
But she has the loudest voice
She's beauty beyond words
But he couldn't describe her in any other way
She's cautious and reserved
But she'll stand up for her beliefs
She's out of his reach
But he doesn't believe she would ever love him
Then he revealed that she is me
And he has become the only one"

Neil smiled and kissed his forehead. "Who's that about?"

"You know perfectly well, it's you," Todd whispered. It didn't matter how often he would admit his feelings, his face would always turn pink.

• • •

Every restaurant was full. Neither of them wanted to wait an hour in a lobby for dinner. Neil was clearly frustrated. They stood at a corner, watching golden taxis drive past and people wander to unknown destinations. Todd took Neil's hand into his own and turned to him.

"I have an idea," he told him. He lead Neil to a Noodles and Co. There they sat in the loud restaurant and watched others live their lives. There's was too much ramen for them but they made it work. They left with two cups of Coke in their hands and walked towards the harbor.

"I'm sorry if today didn't go the way you planned it," Todd said. Neil shrugged and looked towards him.

"My main goal was to spend the day with you, I accomplished that."

"It seemed like you had something bigger planned. . . ," Todd tried to hint at his suspicion. Neil blushed and did what he could to hide the fact that he was right. He stayed silent as he continued to walk.

No one was near the harbor, it was almost silent. Todd embraced the quiet sounds of the crashing of waves against the docks and the distant sounds of a city preparing for the night.

While in Welton, the two of them had escaped for a weekend to visit the city. They were seniors preparing to graduate at the time. They spent an evening in liberty park, watching the copper beauty shine her light to those seeking freedom. They spent an hour together under the stars.

"Do you ever wonder what it's like seeing her for the first time? Like coming from poverty and famine and then suddenly you see the statue and you realize you're free? That everything will be okay?" Todd asked. Neil thought for a moment.

"I don't think I've thought about that," he told him. "But I guess it must be a wonderful sight."

". . . I bet next time we see her, everything will be okay."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. We'll leave Welton, together. We'll have our own place and be ourselves. And despite our hardships, everything will be okay." Neil blushed and smiled at Todd, who was holding the star covered sky in his blue eyes.

"Promise?" Neil asked, he leaned in closer to Todd.  He was warm, which was cliche, but he was. He was warm and comforting. Todd couldn't be uncomfortable around Neil when they were alone. He could feel the soft heat of his breath on his face.

"Promise," Todd whispered. He kissed Neil then, and he could feel his heart beat under all the layers of cloth and human.

"Do you think we can still be okay together?" Neil asked now. As Todd looked at him, he couldn't see anything else. He could see the hope in his eyes, the soft curl of his bangs, a scar running across his temple from a failed attempt at his own death. It was all him, honest and vulnerable.

"I hope we can be okay for a long time," Todd admitted. As he finished, he heard Neil take an anxious breath and stand directly in front of him. He kneeled down and pulled a small, velvet box out of the pocket of the jacket he had been wearing.

"Todd," he opened the box and revealed a delicate engagement ring, "will you marry me?"

Todd wanted to pull him to his feet and kiss him, tell him, "yes, yes, I do!" But he had to control himself, he needed to say something. He got down on his knee and pulled out his wallet. He opened the worn out objects and pulled out a similar ring.

"I was hoping that you would marry me," he said. Neil practically screamed in happiness at the coincidence. He was crying and laughing as he pulled Todd to him.

They felt purely happy. There were no concerns in the world. There was them and this moment. Despite the actions of those who believed their feelings to be wrong, they had won. Love had won.