Page 154 of Barbarian
“How long have you had this?” he asked, wiggling his ring finger.
Mal’s face became a mask of concentration. “How long have we known each other now?”
“A year and a half?” Nico said.
Mal grinned. “Then a year and a half.”
He was gone before Nico could even process this answer. Had Mal really had that ring tucked away since the day they’d met? Nico smiled. Yeah, probably. They were soulmates, after all. Two halves of one divine being, split in two. He grinned ashis notifications pinged again and again. Mal was just walking back inside with a stack of boxes and two bottles of Nico’s favorite hibiscus drink when he finally decided to peek at his messages.
Felix
Is that an engagement ring?
Seven
I did not see your night ending like this, but congrats.
Shiloh
Oh, my God. Are you fucking naked?
Levi
What he meant was congratulations.
Shiloh
Yeah, congrats or whatever. *vomit emoji*
Mal set the food down. “What are they saying?”
“That they’re all super happy for us.”
Mal grinned. “Good.” He handed Nico the first slice of pizza. “Are you happy?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to give a smartass answer, but seeing the anxious look on Mal’s face, Nico nodded. “The happiest.”
Mal’s shoulders sagged. “Good. Me too.”
And they were.
They were so happy.
the end
