RP Log with richandlovingit | New Beginnings?

[seeuincourt]

Now that it was nearly the end of the cruise, Ethan couldn't believe how bloody quick the whole thing had gone. Initially, it had been luxury to think they had three weeks of relaxtion ahead of them in the sun, stopping at various European ports to explore and just basically leave all the stress of the past few months behind them. Really, the last thing he needed or wanted was for a ghost from his past to show up in his face in the form of an ex girlfriend. Which would probably be all well and good until she tried to hit on him and then pinched his arse in the cocktail bar when Sophie had gone for a walk with Stuart to get some fresh air. She had become close to Tom's lover recently, and it warmed Ethan's heart. He knew it meant loads to Tom for them to get along with Stuart. Apparently the key to fighting Stuart's seasickness had been lots of fresh air and these things called Sea Bands that Tom found in the ship's pharmacy. Little elastic straps with a plastic ball that rested on the pressure point in the wrist to stop the unbalanced feeling... or something. Ethan didn't profess to understand how they worked, he just knew that Stuart was getting around with the little bands on his wrists that looked like exercise accessories and he had been mostly fine since. Stuart and Tom finally started to enjoy the cruise like they anticipated, and now in the main entertainment area, Ethan watched them dancing together as he stood at the bar waiting for a refill of his scotch on the rocks. Sophie was sat at a nearby table with a couple also from Surrey who she had struck up a friendship with over the course of the cruise. The woman was expecting her first baby and Sophie just seemed to click with her. Of course, it had left Ethan wondering if Sophie wanted the same thing, despite only being a few months into their marriage.


Ethan smiled to himself, watching Tom and Stuart get wrapped up in each other during a slow song. It was a huge thing for him to see Tom finally fall in love with someone, no holds barred. Ethan wasn't sure he would ever see it, or if he did, that it wouldn't last. Tom liked the single life when he had it, he had thrived on it. But now it might have just seemed that way because he feared seeing if the grass was greener on the other side. Then Stuart knocked him on his arse in the street into a whole green grass area Tom didn't realise he wanted. Ethan was proud of his best mate for biting the bullet and giving a committed relationship a go. Maybe they really were growing up. The slow song ended and Ethan now had his fresh drink. He sipped it slowly, watching as Stuart made another hasty retreat for the exit out onto the deck. It looked like Tom was going to go with him, probably contemplated a ninja grope behind a pylon or something, but then he turned, seeking Ethan out in the crowd and then zeroing in on him as he crossed the dancefloor. Ethan raised his eyebrow curiously and then held up his glass in a toast to his friend as he approached. "Come on, the love song wasn't that bad, was it, mate?" he joked, smirking.

Tom pushed his fingers through his hair as he leaned against the bar and tried not to look like he might actually be close to vomiting. He could feel the nerves start to twist in his gut, and he was never nervous about anything. Even court cases. He went into court always feeling like he owned the bloody place, but this? The thing that had been on his mind the last few days really was starting to eat him from the inside out.

He tugged at the short strands of hair, and looked at his best mate. He was eternally grateful to Liam for being able to squeeze him in for a haircut, even if there weren't any benefits that came with the appointment anymore. The last time Tom had had his hair cut by Liam there had been some pretty awesome sex to follow, and Tom would be lying if he didn't admit to still appreciating the blond's form, but things were different now. Very different. He had Stuart, and Tom really didn't want to fuck with it. He was actually happy in a committed relationship, and just being with Stuart.

"I want to propose," he suddenly breathed out in a low whisper, getting his great big secret off his chest as he held Ethan's gaze. "And I think I'm going to piss my fucking pants."

Ethan didn't mean it, but he started to laugh at Tom's behaviour. Anyone would think he had just admitted to Tom that he took a shit in the elevator or something. But he regained his composure, still sniggering as he took another sip of his drink and slapped Tom affectionately on the back. "I knew something was going on in your head. The only time you haven't been looking all furtive is when you're with Stuart and then it's like he has some blinding force over you. So, what... you're talking tonight, or just in general? What's making you want to piss your pants? Did you get a ring? Or something? Or is this just a decision you came to just now when you were groping him on the dancefloor?" He waved down the barman again, holding up his drink to indicate he wanted another. "Make it a double. You look like you're about to pass out, mate," he noted, watching Tom warily.

Tom gave a shake of his head as he straightened up and reached into his pocket to pull out a velvet box containing an engagement ring. He shifted so his back was to the dance floor and popped it open for Ethan to take a look. "The dangers of having about five jewellers aboard the ship. The idea just got in my head, and wouldn't let it go. I want to do it tonight. I really do. Only now I'm starting to think it should be on the last day of the cruise, but I can't make a fucking decision, and I feel really sick. I know you're pissing yourself laughing at this, but you do remember how you felt when you were going to propose to Sophie, don't you? I mean, I might be risking getting a bagpipe shoved up my arse. Four bagpipes. Even if they never said I couldn't propose..." He took a breath and picked up the drink as soon as it was set down in front of him and knocked it back in one hit before letting the bar tender know he wanted a refill.

Ethan set his own glass down to grab Tom by the wrist gently, smirking. He glanced over at the barman. "He'll have a Diet Coke, cheers," he requested and returned his gaze to Tom pointedly. "First thing you don't want is to be pissed off your face and leering at him." He took the small box and looked inside with an impressed whistle. "You really are serious about this. Like, really serious. This is serious. You've already made the decision, mate. You're just nervous. His brothers liked you, you got along well with them, even after he bollocked you in the hallway just a few paces away from them. They only ever said you couldn't elope, but this isn't eloping. This is making it official. You should do it tonight. It's a gorgeous night outside, lots of stars. Tomorrow it'll be all over the place trying to pack and get ready to dock again. This is the real deal, mate. You want to propose. Sure you aren't nearly pissing yourself because you're not sure? You need to know. Something has obviously changed for you on this cruise to make you want it."

Tom sucked on his bottom lip as he looked down at the ring in Ethan's hand and shrugged. "I saw it, and I knew it was the right one. That it was for Stuart. I saw it and I just knew that it was time. I really do want everything with him. I don't just want to go back to London and only have him living with me. I don't want the fucking tossers one floor down at work taking bets on when I'm going to cheat on him because they think I'm that sort of person. I'm not. I could never cheat on him. Stuart's all I need. All I want. And I want it official. I want him to be my fiancé. Be my husband. I want him to hold that siginificant place in my life that means something. Not just a title." Tom rubbed his forehead against his fingers and smirked a little. "I'm not having doubts. I'm really not. I think I'm just pissing myself because I've never been at this point in my life with someone."

Ethan put his free hand abruptly over Tom's forehead, pausing for a moment in contemplation. "Hm, no fever, so you can't be ill. Just checking," he joked and then tucked the ring box back into Tom's hand, cupping his hands around his friend's fondly. "Welcome to the Dark Side, mate. You've crossed over. How does it feel? Just so you know, though, I think you've found an awesome bloke in Stuart. Not sure you could find a better match for you if you tried, even if it opens the way for countless lawyer and copper jokes. He's a good bloke, you both are, and you really fucking deserve this, mate. I'm not sure you've ever just let yourself be happy before. You never gave yourself time to be, and now you have."

Tom started to feel a little better as he contemplated boxing Ethan around the ears for pulling the piss, but he did deserve it. Tom had done the exact same thing to the other man when Ethan was thinking about getting married. "Fuck you, mate," he said with a slight chuckle. "Do I get to wear leather trousers on the Dark Side? I'll skip the mask and cape though, cheers. In all seriousness though, it feels pretty fucking good. Or it will if Stuart says yes, and I no longer have this ring burning a hole in my pocket. Thanks for the support though, Williamson. Really. Couldn't have gotten through it without your constant piss pulling. Lawyer and copper jokes aside, I think he is pretty fucking fantastic. He makes me happy, and he's given me the room to let myself be happy, so I think that's something pretty bloody special."

"Of course it is," Ethan agreed wholeheartedly, and his eyes automatically sought Sophie out. She was watching them curiously in the middle of her conversation, and he just smiled at her, shooting her a knowing wink. "I wish I could reassure you on the nerves side, but it'll only increase to the point you feel like you're going to crap yourself right up until you do it. Then when you do it, it gets worse, and you feel like you're going to crap yourself, pee yourself, pass out, and throw up all at the same time. Most scary fucking minute of my life, I swear. I was so convinced she would say no, and I don't even know why. Your brain just kicks in with this moment of insanity when all the doubts rush to the forefront and you second-guess everything you've convinced yourself over the past few days that you're set on. But it's second only to when the celebrant tells you you're married. A rush of emotions like that is good for the constitution. And why not do it here? Seriously. You can't get better than a six-star cruise, beautiful night after weeks of hot sex. I've hardly seen you two over the last week and a half. I know you've been making well with the private balcony because I saw Stuart in the sauna and there's not a single tanline. Some fucking feat for a Scotsman," he sniggered.

"He really has done well, hasn't it?" Tom bit his lip to stop a huge grin at the idea of Stuart and his tan. He really did look fucking great after these last few weeks. "As if you're really complaining about not seeing me. You've had Soph here, you couldn't use the free time on her in your cabin? You were the one telling me we'd probably never see each other because you'd be too busy shagging your wife into oblivion. Instead, you've been getting some furtive looks of your own. Everything alright on the Dark Side or do I need to be prepared for more than just pissing, shitting, and passing out just before I propose to Stuart?"

Ethan shot a guilty look in Sophie's direction, but luckily she wasn't looking this time. He turned back to face the bar, resting his elbow on it. "We have been fucking into oblivion. Made it easier to avoid the rest of the cruise. The cabins really do have everything you want if you don't want to leave it." He scratched at his forehead wryly and then looked at Tom. "Lucy is here, on the cruise. Lucy. Remember? About a year before I met Sophie?"

It took a moment for it to break through the haze in Tom's brain, but after a moment his jaw dropped. "Lucy? Fuck, mate. What happened? Is she here here? Now? You haven't told Sophie. That's some dangerous dynamite, Ethan. Even if the cruise nearly is over."

Ethan huffed in annoyance with a small growl. "I've been avoiding it. Avoiding her. She tried to bloody hit on me, fucking pinched my arse and acting like I would all just be willing to pick right up where we left off. She was always like that, and when I was single, I didn't bloody mind it. But I'm not single, am I? She knows I'm married, but tried telling me all heirs fuck around on their wives at some point and I must be getting bored with having sex with the same person over and over by now. She said someone like me never changes. It just... rubbed me the wrong way."

Tom's lips curled back in a sneer, and he turned to cast his gaze over the crowd in search of the evil witch. "Fuck her. She wouldn't even fucking know what a person like you really was like. None of those girls got to know you. I know you think you were an open book only interested in shagging, but you kept sides of yourself away from them just like I've kept sides of myself away from the arses I've fucked over the years. No one knows me like Stuart except for you. She's a right bitch for trying it on."

"I haven't told Soph," Ethan admitted guiltily and went back to take a long gulp from his drink. "She doesn't need to know, right? I didn't do anything. I got away from her as quickly as I could and now the cruise is nearly over, so it's all good. It was just one of those things. Exes happen. I just have a lot more than most who actually remember who I am."

Tom shrugged. "I haven't exactly told Stuart about Liam, but it's not like me and Liam were a regular thing. Not a dating thing. He knows I've fucked people, but not who besides... Besides..." Tom rubbed his hand over his face as he gave a derisive snort. "Besides my late paralegal. Trust me, it's better she just knows this stuff. You never know when it'll come back and bite you in the arse. And with Lucy that may well be literal. She always did have an arse fetish."

Ethan shook his head. "I still can't believe you fucked Soph's baby brother. My brother-in-law... or at least, one of about eigtheen. I've lost count, I just know Liam is the youngest. I meant to say, too, it was cool of you letting him access to your medical records. I know that can't have been an easy thing for you to decide to do." He dropped his head, exhaling roughly. "What if she gets the shits? Or worries I'm losing interest? I'm not! I love being married, I don't want to not be married. I love her, I don't have any interest in any of my exes, even if I'm nervous she wants to procreate sooner rather than later."

"Hey, I made sure he was of age! Not like I bonked her baby brother who was still in high school. And I couldn't help it. Why should you have gotten the only Morgan sibling? Liam was like... my wedding gift. This was before Stuart, anyway. I was a different bloke. He's a good lad, I couldn't not allow it. I think he'll wind up making an excellent doctor. He's still an excellent hairdresser." Tom reached out to give Ethan's shoulder a brief squeeze. "I think she knows you better than to assume it's because you lost interest. She'll just understand your ex is a bitch, and the flirting was unwanted. Personally I want you to tell her so I can see Sophie deck the cow. She'll probably get the shits if you don't tell her. You did nothing wrong, you don't need to be worried."

Ethan snorted softly with a smirk. "Maybe you could give him some tips on how to find a perfect bloke and settle down too? I think Soph worries about him sometimes. He's like... you, with blonde hair and a fetish for sharp, pointy instruments." He groaned softly and went on to rub his hands over his face. "How do I just tell her something like this? The cruise is nearly over, can't I just go back to pretending it didn't happen? I have changed, but what if my past is just always going to haunt me? Don't you worry about that?"

Tom laughed. "Are you kidding? I don't think it's time for Liam to settle down yet. I don't think he wants to settle down yet. But I can probably try and give him some tips none the less." Tom picked up his Coke and took a sip. "Mate, I don't know what to say. All I know is that sooner, or later, the things you don't tell someone will always surface somehow. Better just to tell her like you just told me. Haunting is just that... haunting. I don't give a shit about my past because it's made me who I am, and it was a part of my life. Stuart knows who I am, and he hopefully knows I love him and just want to be with him. I'm not going to change my mind about this, and I don't want to go back to shagging random and meaningless cock. The bastards that think otherwise can all just fuck off. I don't have to justify myself to them, and neither do you. Soph knows you are. Trust me."

"No, I'm not kidding! He's not even my biological brother, and I feel all protective of him. I also want to slap any bloke down who touches Soph's sisters. Which is... fuck, complicated, thanks to you. Remind me to never, ever let you let Phillipe be your delivery boy again, alright? It's just safer that way. For him. You think bagpipes up the arse are painful, I might be forced to resort to the whole whole pipe band," Ethan said wryly and finished off his drinks, the ice cubes tinkling against the side of the glass. He looked over at Sophie again and found her piercing him with a Wife Look. Or at least, one of about a hundred potential Wife Looks. Ethan had come to learn there was a whole repertoire of them. "I think she thinks I'm up to something."

Tom pointed at Ethan. "I didn't give the French fuck permission to hit on your sister-in-law. That was his own knack for getting into trouble that lead him down that path. Believe me, I know how protective you are of Sophie's troops. I think it's admirable, and I would help you kill anyone that did dare cross them. You make a fantastic brother-in-law, you know? And a great husband." Tom couldn't help himself as he turned around to see what look Sophie was giving her husband. "It probably looks like you're up to something considering how conspiratorial I've been acting with you. Just blame it on me."

"He's lucky he didn't come away with a shiner," Ethan said with a shrug. "You bonked my brother-in-law, Phil wants to do my sister-in-law. What's next, his carbon copy wanting to do my mother-in-law? And if I'm looking like I'm up to something when I'm not actually up to something, I'm so fucking screwed. Blame the fact my ex hit on me on you? How is that going to work? You had her hypnotised or something? Your lovesickness is messing with your head."

Tom grinned. "You can't say none of us are lacking in taste. Sophie comes from a very blessed gene pool. I meant more blame the current secretive looking meeting on me because of my wanting to propose to Stuart. That's at least a truth you can reveal. Preferably after I propose. Or during. You can sweep her off her feet for a slow song, or two."

"My lips are sealed, mate." Ethan patted Tom on the back and then gave him a brief, firm hug. "Go. Go make an honest man out of him. Just don't give in to urges to elope. I'm not quite ready to have my best mate murdered by Braveheart's ancestors. You'll be fine, alright? Best thing you'll ever do."

Tom laughed as he hugged Ethan back and then gave his friend's shoulder a squeeze. "Thanks, mate. I really wouldn't have the balls to do this without you. As hard as it is to believe. I'll let you know how it goes. Alternatively I might just keep you guessing until morning."

Ethan smirked, slipping his hand into his jacket pocket. "At least send me a text so I don't start worrying that you've tossed yourself overboard if he says no."

Tom gave Ethan a wink. "If it doesn't make sense, just assume he said yes and we're having hot sex."