#jb<3

There wasn’t too much to complain about, sitting across a wooden picnic table under the warm nashville sun, a delicious array of vegan and vegetarian barbecue lays on two trays between you and Julien, a non-alcoholic IPA in a pre-chilled glass is held by Julien’s tattooed hand, your own holding a slightly-too-sweet fruity lemonade.

“Did you try this?” Julien murmurs chewing her bite, taking some of the slow cooked pulled mushrooms on her fork, holding it out for you.

“Not yet,” you hum, taking the fork gently between your lips. Instantly a smoky and sweet, but still savory sauce hits your tongue, eyebrows lifting in surprise. “Holy shit,” you gasp softly.

“Insane right?” Julien giggles, feeding you another bite, pleasantly surprised with the new plant based spot in Nashville.

So much has changed since you both moved to L.A.— it was a fresh start, that was definitely needed, but coming back to Tennessee, together, more grown up, more thoughtful, feels like coming home but with control—something your both grateful for.

“Should I look at which hiking trails are open?” you ponder to Julien, slipping a carrot to Beans under the table; she relishes in the shade, an ice water bowl next to her paws, as she accepts the carrot gratefully, your knuckles rubbing her big head.

Julien nods, shrugging her shoulders, a flash of nervousness flickers over her eyes causing you to scrunch your own. “What’s wrong?” you ask, eyeing her suspiciously.

“Nothing…just nervous to try the vegan mac… that’s all,” she responds, smiling prettily as she pulls the cardboard tray closer to her, digging her spoon in.

You huff slightly, laughing as you open your phone, looking at some of the new things that have popped up since you moved, but also seeing if Julien’s favorite trails are open, the tiny musician across from you itching to take Beans up on a hike.

Julien fidgets a bit, watching you grow more immersed in your phone, ignoring every alarm bell in her head that’s going off as you break the sacred mealtime rule: no phones, but right now she can’t help but be grateful for the small piece of technology in your palm. One hand lifts her IPA, sipping gently as her other palms the velvet box in her pocket. She’d seen exactly one tik tok (sent to her by Kelli) where one partner just nonchalantly slides the ring over the table and that was the proposal. She decided that in an effort to respect your wishes of a small, intimate proposal, this was the best option.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t fucking nervous though. Luc and Phoebe had given her a pep talk, she’d talk to your best friend, she knew that the ring she had designed and made was your dream ring. She knew that. You lived together, you’ve moved across the country, you’ve done countless tours and miles and miles of distance and yet, Julien was scared shitless.

She keeps the one hand in her pocket, the other picking at her food in front of her, building you a bite. She lopsidedly smiles, watching as she puts the spoon near your mouth, your eyes glued to the phone but accepting the food, cheeks full and eyes bright.

She waits. And waits. And waits.

Finally your phone adjusts in your hand, your opposite reaching for your fork, stabbing at some coleslaw before eyes drift back to your phone as she moves her palm, grabbing the box and sliding it across the picnic table.

You look up from your phone, smiling at her, looking at the box, then your phone, then back at your food before—

You do a full double take, looking at the velvet box and then back up at Julien. Eyes wide, lips parted, watching Juliens nervous smile turn into a cocky smirk as she gently lifts some beans into her mouth.

“Is that—?” you mumble. Julien nods, flicking her head gently, coaxing you to open it.

You drop the fork, and the phone, hands shakily opening the box.

Not just any ring, it’s the ring. Your ring. Julien did perfectly. The band color, the finish, the cut of the gem, the small details and engraving in the band. Down to the shimmer of the gem in the center, it’s perfect.

Tears fill your eyes, slipping the ring on. Julien’s smirk softens, looking at you with wonder and excitement. Seeing you accept the ring, accept her, accept the proposal, her body heats up from the inside out.

“Did you try the cornbread yet?” she asks innocently.

You can’t help but stare, lips parted, unbelieving of her nonchalance.

“There’s honey butter…” she smiles cheekily.