#professor tom

Tom would most definitely not make a big show of it, knowing how uncomfortable it would make you for your personal life to be put on public display like that, so it would happen in a rather private setting.

You two had discussed your opinions on marriage long before, and how either of you wanted to spend the rest of their lives. Unsurprisingly, you had been absolutely on the same page, but then left the topic at that with a smile on both your faces for a while.

People, especially a certain colleague of yours and a very noisy ex-student with odd hair colours (yes, I'm talking about you, Ben and Sky), had been insinuating to both you and Tom that it might finally be time to take the next step. And (not) subtle as they were, Tom and you obviously caught right on to their schemings. But as ever, you let them proceed with their shenanigans. A few magazine cut-outs of pretty wedding gowns here, an arranged romantic dinner there...

So one day, when your two crazy friends were supposed to come over for a dinner of some self-made lasagna once again as they did ever so often, you had a suggestion for Tom. Why not tell the two meddlesome fools that you were, in fact, married already? Just as a joke... Just to see their shocked faces. Tom was quick to agree with a mischievous grin on his face. This was daily business, after all... And you two still hadn't gotten back at Ben for his last practical joke anyway. This was the perfect opportunity.

So as was to be expected, Sky and Ben started making terribly obviously remarks and insinuations soon enough. You'd barely had enough time to flee into the kitchen with the dishes before you couldn't contain the smirks and giggles anymore. When you returned to the living room with new composure, an easy teasing smirk on your lips, and went to stand with the others in front of the large window to finally speak the words of trickery you had been preparing all evening, the room was silent for a while. Both Ben and Sky, entirely shocked.

"You are already married? Without telling us? Seriously?! AGAIN?!?!" Sky gaped an instant later, while Ben seemed too shocked to voice any witty retorts at all. You snorted, and looked at Tom out of the corner of your eyes. He was smiling almost serenely, obviously amused about your friends' hilarious faces too, and yet there was an expression on his own that spoke volumes. Like he knew more than everyone else in the room. You frowned to yourself for a second, but didn't get to dwell on it.

"So you're married? Really?" Ben finally found his voice again, gaze drifting from Tom to you and back. He was doubtful. Rightfully so, after all. Darn it, the man had learned from the years of prank wars between the four of you. Oh well, at least he was capable of learning. You snickered to yourself.

"No." Tom finally had the mercy to say, while his smile broadened to that radiant emblem of joy that still had the power to melt your heart in seconds. "We're not." And before you could melt entirely under his soft touch on the small of you back, he took half a step backwards to face you with that same smile, that same radiance. His eyes, as ever and always, capturing your soul with ease. "But I would like to change that, if you will have me, Y/N."

Again, silence that melted the world away, and you could only stare with parted lips at the man standing before you now. And standing straight he did, and stayed, even as he spoke on. "I am well aware that tradition dictates differently, but I will not kneel before you tonight. Because you don't need a servant, my dear, but you deserve an equal. An equal, a loving friend, and a devoted soul. I would like to spend the rest of my days trying to be that for you, and yet more if I can. If you allow me, I would like to make you mine forever."

Frozen in awe, your frantic heartbeat echoed through your entire being as you watched him delicately draw the smallest object from his pockets, a ring, made entirely of neatly folded paper. You couldn't help the sound between a sob and a chuckle that escaped your lips, as your gaze darted between Tom's eyes, the ring in his palm and the smile on his lips.

"Will you do me this greatest honour, darling, and marry me?" He asked quietly, softly like a brush of sunlight, when your eyes lingered on his own. There was so much hope in them, such love and dedication. You didn't have to think even for a split second.

"Yes! Of course! Always!" The world spilled from your lips like desperate prayers, the relief of their sound more prominent than the air to breathe. Smiling, Tom placed the origami ring in your palm, for it was everything but made to wear. You couldn't have loved it more, couldn't have loved him more. Overwhelmed by a flashflood of emotions, you carefully enclosed the delicate object in your hand, a mere second before practically jumping at Tom for a hug and a kiss that was sure to leave him breathless either way. If there was a highest joy, a deepest love for life itself, you could feel it now. Both of you.

"A ring made of paper? Really, mate?" Ben chuckled, long after he and Sky had given you both their happiest congratulations. You'd been surprised at first, when Sky had suddenly started squealing like a little girl on Christmas morning, that the two of them had still been there in the first place, but by now you were eternally grateful that your two best friends had been there to share this moment with Tom and you. They, too, were your family, after all. And after a long while of hugging and grinning, the overwhelm was slowly making room for unadulterated happiness.

"Yep." Tom replied with a cheeky grin, upon which Ben shook his head with a snort. "I've had the idea for a while now, actually. It, uh..." He let out a nervous chuckle, then gave you an almost apologetic smile. "It's the same piece of paper you placed on my desk when we first met. The one with the quote, the one I didn't know came from you until months later."

"You actually kept that?" Your eyes widened in surprise, heart skipping a beat while your smile however stayed brilliant as it was. "All this time?"

"What can I say?" Tom chuckled, shrugging with the shoulder you weren't leaning into. "I am very attached to everything you have ever given to me. I thought I would have some more time to practice my skill at origami, but well, your little trick on Ben and Sky tonight was too good an opportunity to resist. I do hope though that it didn't turn out too crooked. And needles to say, I will still give you a proper ring in due time."

"It's absolutely perfect, Tom, really. Everything. Exactly as it is." You smiled up at him, then placed a soft kiss on his jawline and finally rested your head back against his shoulder while he simply smiled to himself. Yes, it really was beyond perfect indeed.

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(Bonus:)

"Gods, will you two ever stop being disgustingly adorable?!" Sky groaned exaggeratedly a moment later, as only she could. "You make me want to hurl or yeet myself out the window!"

"Geez, they just got engaged, you heartless creature, let them be sappy for once!" Ben scoffed, as ever, with a smirk playing on his lips. "You're just jealous."

"Jealous? Me?! Who are you kidding, Cumberbatch?" Sky retorted right away, quirking an eyebrow at the man next to her in utmost sass. "That's called projection, my friend."

"Good gracious, when will they just kiss already!" You groaned under your breath, careful so your friends wouldn't hear, then rolled your eyes with a chuckle as you looked up at Tom. "It's been months since Sky graduated, and they're still hopelessly pining for each other. It's not gotten one ounce better over the years, but rather even worse! Wouldn't you say it's about time we start helping them along?"

The grin had spread on Tom's lips even before you had finished your sentence, but when you did, his eyes were sparking with joy and mischief as were yours. "That, my dear, is just what I have been thinking as well."

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Tagging, because it basically turned into a oneshot (oops... 😇😂)

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