#rencam

“Looking good as always, Baron.”

Camus rolled his eyes as he took the seat opposite Ren at the cafe.  “You needn’t call me that, Jinguji, we’ve been together for quite some time,” he said.  “I have a name.”  He picked up the menu and immediately began scanning the dessert section, reaching up to adjust his glasses.

Ren chuckled, a rich, warm sound.  “Well, you don’t have to call me ‘Jinguji’,” he retorted.  He took a sip of his coffee, having ordered before Camus arrived.  “I’d rather hear you call me by my name like you do at home.”

“It’s best to keep up appearances in public,” Camus said from behind the menu, unfazed by the subtle flirtation.  It was the answer he always gave about their relationship, and as much as Ren hated the rule that prevented either of them from dating, he was respectful of Camus’s insistence of following it, at least on the outside.  That was also the reason why they were always mindful to wear disguises if they went out together, like today.

They weren’t getting any younger, and as time went on, Ren only grew more frustrated with the rule that kept them from going forward in their lives.  Just today, he needed to break the veneer of obeisance they followed.  As Camus ordered an absurd amount of sweets from the menu, Ren fiddled with the small box in his pocket.

When the waitress brought two heavy trays laden with sweets, Ren thought about asking then, but he thought better of it.  Let the desserts put Camus in a better mood, though Ren knew he had generally been in Camus’s good graces even before they started dating.  He had always been special to him, despite the differences in their personalities.

After polishing off a parfait and a crêpe, Camus seemed to slow down in his meal long enough for Ren to catch his attention.  Ren took a breath and removed the box from his pocket, but kept it out of sight.

“I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while now…” Why was he nervous now? Ren couldn’t seem to find the words, so he placed the box on the table and opened it.  He noted the way Camus’s icy eyes widened at the sight of the simple platinum band.

“Marry me?”  Only two words, but Ren felt an incredible weight lift of his chest.

Camus took the ring and slipped it on perfectly.  He admired it on his hand for a moment before putting it back in the box.  He didn’t return it back to Ren, and instead placed it into his own coat pocket.  A smile, warm smile crept onto his face, and Ren swore he could see the slightest blush tinting his cheeks.