HE SAID YES

Avan Jogia & Jacob Artist in Now Apocalypse episode 8 “Unknown Desires” (2019) dir. Gregg Araki

I’m gonna take a shower now, if that’s okay?

It’s not long before the taxi comes to a halt, an extravagant hotel underway as the driver tells them they’ve reached their destination. Drew grins at the notion, glad to be able to step out of the car and regardless of the fact that he’s only going to be heading into the hotel, he’s excited for the moment they’re settled in before taking a stroll around the popular-spoken New York City. “Babe?” Drew says, turning to Wes as he steps out of the car. “Do you reckon we might run into a celebrity?” He’s partially kidding, partially but the thought of such a possibility does excite him whether he’d admit to it aloud or not.

Letting Drew handle all the check in stuff, Wes looks around and wonders just how much he spent for this trip.  It wasn’t 5 star, but it definitely couldn’t be far off.  He continues to think the same thing as they get to their room, seeing the view and becoming genuinely impressed.  “I can’t believe that we’re here right now, this is insane.”  Wes goes straight for the window once he sets their things down off to the side.  “Do you think we can see the whole thing or do you already have a plan for the break down of it all?”  Turning around he pulls Drew close to him.  “Thank you again for all of this.  You’ve got a way with plane tickets that amazes me.”  There’s a kiss given, but Wes makes sure not to overdo it and get carried away, smacking Drew on the behind as a joke.  “Thought we were gettin pizza, come on!”  It takes Wes half a second to snag Drew’s beanie off his head and put it on his own, waiting by the door with a fake impatience. 

He’s holding Wesley on for dear life, simply holding him as he’s crying and it’s then that Drew realizes just how broken and alone they were before meeting one another. They were never perfect, never pretended to be, but together they somehow made this work. Made all of the heartache and distress worth what it was now. Drew’s hand goes to the hairs on the back of Wesley’s head, lithe fingers running through the short strands before he hears Wesley’s words being spoken out. He exhales a smile through a breath as he looks downcast, still keeping Wesley in his arms. When did his mind know? “Probably when I stopped relying on alcohol to fill a void and found myself needing you.” he admits softly. The simple thought of how Drew used to go for days, consistently drinking and wasting away his life and how it all seemed to stop, no longer wanting his fix in a way that made him want something else, someone else. And that someone had evidently been Wesley in the grand scheme of things. “That or probably when you bought me a churro in seattle.” He grinned, pulling back to press a kiss to Wesley’s temple.

Tears still stick to Wesley’s cheeks, causing him to wipe them off with he back of his hand childishly.  The gentle nature of Drew’s kiss doesn’t go unnoticed, only adding to the comfort that Wes felt from his fiance’s closeness.  That feeling was another security that helped in making his lifetime decision.  Typically Wesley could be seen as a high strung workaholic, and yeah, he still worked his fingers to the bones, but with a single touch from Drew, his feet were that much more planted on the ground.  “We’ll have churros at the wedding, don’t worry.”  It’s banter at the moment, but Wes knows that if it made Drew smile, he’d make it happen no matter what.  “I’ve sort of only just thought as far as tonight, but that seems like something easy to incorporate.  For now though, do you want to go lay down and take a rest?  I’m not sure how your Mum is with this sort of thing, but she might just gush over the plans first thing in the morning, so for now we can take a breather.  I’ll carry you upstairs if you need.”  As if he wasn’t just crying, a mischievous smirk makes its way to Wes’ face, standing up and yanking Drew up and over his shoulder.  Making his way up the stairs, Wes can’t help but let out, “you’re going to have to wait for that fairytale sweep off your feet.”  

When he turns back to Wes, Drew lacks hesitancy when he’s placing hands on either side of Wesley’s face, eye thumbing at Wesley’s under-eye before Drew smiles with an unspoken happiness he knows he doesn’t need to explain. “I love you for who you are and for who you’ve allowed me to be with you. I wouldn’t ask you to change any part of you if it wasn’t something you were comfortable with. Regardless of it all, I love you. My parents love you. The girls love you. That, in itself, makes me so happy, babe. I said it on that first day, didn’t I? You’re my meri jaan. My heart has known that longer than my mind has and look at where we are now. I’m going to be your husband!” he says, excitement in his eyes as they begin to form further more moisture. He’s been crying far too much in this day, fucking hell. “Nothing in the world has made me happier than you.” He assures, leaning forward, chest pressing against Wesley as he’s kissing him without a care in the world. He was on cloud nine and nothing could knock him down. 

Never in his life was Wes a crier, but he couldn’t help it.  As if everything he had felt for the day, for the week they were in Bradford, for the year that he had spent with Drew, finally came to the surface.  He was so happy, so incredibly happy and utterly grateful that he had found Drew.  Arms were wrapped around his fiance, his face titled into the man’s neck where he was able to shamelessly cry.  He lets himself go for once in his life, only stopping briefly to repeat Drew’s own question.  “When did your mind know?”

Waliyha makes sure to come up to Wesley, a hug evident as she thanks him for everything from the presents to “getting this ugly one out of the house” which makes Drew pretend like he’s gonna swat her before he actually asks for a hug in return. It’s a little closer to ten at this point and it’s no surprise the girls are already winding down, having been up since early in the AM’s. Drew’s thankful for the fact that his father had set up the chimney early, the warmth already reaching his chilly fingers and sock covered toes. He takes another sip of the hot chocolate before he’s setting it on a coaster on the coffee table before his mum starts explaining how she’s going to get ready for bed, the dishes can wait for tomorrow, before she’s coming around the couch, congratulating them once more with hugs yet again, a soft spoken, “welcome to the family.” to Wes that Drew hears, making a smile appear on his face. With that, she wishes them a good night before she’s disappearing out of the room, leaving the newly engaged couple in the silence of the living room. Drew’s eyes go back down to the ring, an evident grin on his face before he’s shaking his head, turning to Wes. “When did you know?” He questioned, eyes focused on the stubble against Wesley’s jawline. “That you wanted to marry me?” 

“I know that traditionally maybe I’m not the perfect fit.  I don’t have a family to reciprocate for you and even if I did, they certainly don’t share the same cultural values.  We don’t really talk about it either, but your religion sort of scared me too.  Not the religion itself, just the worry that maybe I wouldn’t be right for you because of it, and I’ll seriously look into it if that’s a concern in the back of your head.  I want you to know that I want our kids to live with the same cultural too, I’m not going to strip you of that or not raise them with the knowledge of where their Father came from.  I can promise you that.”  Finally Wes looked up at Drew, licking his lips quickly.  “I’ll do anything to see you happy.”

“Beti!” he’s startled out of his thoughts as the four family members immediately swarm him, eyes immediately going to the ring he’d been caught staring at. The praises and congratulations swarming from left to right. It’s no surprise that he starts crying again as his mother holds him, her reassuring voice in his ear, “He’s going to make you so happy, Sonshine. He loves you so much.”  Even his father has moisture building within his eyes and when Drew hugs him, he laughs against his father when he’s hearing his own words. “This is s’posed to be a happy moment, Beti. Smile!” He states, pulling back and Drew having to wipe at his eyes. “I’m going to kill him for making me this goddamn emotional.” Drew finally states, an uproar of laughter filling the room before his mum is handing him a cup of hot chocolate, Drew prying off the beanie and setting it on a table as he waits for Wesley to come back down to join them. 

It was just always something that Wesley thought was the right thing to do, respectful.  He knew that the Malik’s loved him, but allowing him to marry their son was something completely different.  “I guess I just had to wait for the right moment and I knew it would be best if all of you were close, so the holiday’s just seemed like the right time.”  Wes thanked Tricia as she brought him his cup, making sure that Drew wasn’t crying anymore.

It’s like deja vu in a sense, reminding him of the night Wesley had asked him if he’d be his boyfriend and now–   “Wes?” he breathed out, unable to speak any further coherent thought in his mind as he watched Wesley get down on one knee with a box being pulled open, It was nearly immediate, as realization dawned on him that Drew’s eyes began watering as a hand immediately went to cover at his mouth. It didn’t take long before the tears trickled down the sides of his face, eyebrows furrowing as the declaration of love was being spoken. The promise that he made not only to him but to their future family, their future life. The promise of a forever that Drew could’ve only dreamt of. His sight was blurry and his heart felt tight again his chest, an unsteady breath with the emotions that ran through his veins at the declaration. Wesley wanted to marry him. Wesley wanted to marry him. “Yes.” he spoke through a cracked voice, eyes intent on Wesley’s brown orbs. Letting out a forced laugh as he nodded his head, forcing more tears to spill. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Wesley.” 

Wesley stays glued to Drew for at least another minute, but the slight breeze is killing his soaked knee.  “Come on, let’s go back inside so that we can have some tea and I can change.”  He wipes away the newest set of tears, forcing himself to see these as happy and not the sad that his mind initially leans towards.  Like before, Wes tugs Drew back towards the direction that they came, fingers holding on to the other’s with a death grip.  “I know that it’s not the most traditional of rings, but I thought it fit well for you and honestly?  Looking at it on you after all this time, it’s more than I could have ever asked for.”  When they get back to the Malik household, Wesley stops them at the top step and kisses Drew with everything he has.  With one hand on the doorknob, Wes turns to Drew one last time.  “They’ve been waiting for this for months.”  He tries his hardest for a charming wink before turning the handle and walking into a wall of warmth and all eyes their way.  “I’m gonna go change my trousers real fast,” Wes whispers the words before leaving Drew be with his family to go upstairs to their luggage.

“Were you getting overwhelmed in there?” Drew asks with a smug smile as he looks over to Wesley, walking in sync with his boyfriend before he’s turning to look at the path before them. “Told you, no matter how many times you visit them, it doesn’t get any easier.” He teased, licking at his dry lips before his free hand is helping tug the beanie down further to cover at his ears. “Are you having a good time at least?” He asks, hazel eyes staring over once again to catch Wesley’s expression. 

“I mean what I say about your family.  They’re a gift to me and I-”  Deep breath Wes.  “I want that for my future, for my children, our...children.”  Wes takes his hand out of his pocket and lets it join with his other- still laced with Drew’s - hoping to warm it up that much more.  “Everything that you are and everything that you come with, I want that.  You’re the most beautiful, authentic man that there is.  I don’t just want it for now, I’m not that type anymore.  I need you every day, for the rest of my life.”  Shaky, but sturdy all the same, Wes pulled away from Drew just enough so that his hands were free to pull out the box and give him space to kneel down; snow and ripped jeans or not, he was getting down.  “I know it’s cold and wet, but I will kneel here before you, in this spot and beg for as long as you need.”  As if words were wishes, Wes began to feel the snow numb his exposed knees, the wetness having set in the second he hit the white powder.  “I love you more than any other person could, I promise you that.  I will take the rest of my days to prove that to you and to be the best Father that you could ever imagine.  I could stay here and talk and talk about all the promises I want to make, but really, I just want you...and me.”  One last deep breath and he was opening the box, “please make that happen for us.  Will you marry me?”  Looking up at Drew, he hoped that his eyes held enough conviction and would elicit the single word he had dreamed of.

“We got you something, too.” Drew admits, getting up from his spot and thanking Safaa who had already taken hold of the 8 by 5 box wrapped in light blue with snowflakes sprinkling the decorative paper that Drew very well knew held two dinosaur egg candles that he’d seen Wesley eyeballing one too many times. Something the girls had agreed to get him while his mum and dad had just gotten him a nice jumper, despite the fact that Drew had warned her that Italy was much warmer than England. Drew’s holding off on his own gift, the envelope placed deep within the box that held two tickets for a trip to New York for New Years, something he hadn’t really discussed with Wes but had hoped Wesley would be willing to commit to. 

He takes a few moments to let it all just sink in before his jacket comes into view, hanging on the coat rack near the door and it’s like he can see the small box through the material.  When he looks back to the rest of the room, it seems like they’ve all busied themselves with trying to open the hover boards.  Perfect.  “Before we settle down for the night, do you maybe want to go for a walk?  Get some fresh air since we’ve been in all day?”  It’s all it takes for Drew’s Mother to whip her head back towards them, as if she knew that was the cue.  “Promise it won’t be for long and you can wear my scarf if you need.”  Wes is already getting up and pulling Drew with him, headed for the door where their boots and coats are waiting.

“Oh, Andrew.” she begins, a hand cradling his cheek. “What, ma?” he questions, a smile on his face. “I’m just so proud of ya’.” She says softly and it causes Drew to furrow his eyebrow in confusion because what had he done worth being proud of recently? “Are you going to start crying?” Drew asks and that seems to ruin the moment, a hand swatting at his arm before Andrew is lightly tugging her in for a hug, rubbing at her back. “Love you, ma.” “Love you, Sonshine.” she returns before she’s letting go and nudging her head back towards the diner. “Go on before your father scares my favorite boy away.” Drew doesn’t need any explanation to know she’s talking about Wesley and it’s enough for him to get melodramatic. “I thought I was your favorite.” He states, before she’s swatting him out of the room, laughter following as he makes his way back towards the dining room. It doesn’t even take a second guess before Drew’s going up behind the chair Wesley is say at, arms going around Wes’ shoulders before he’s leaning down. “Mum’s trying to disown me for you.” He mutters, kissing his cheek before he’s letting go and finding his place in the chair next to him. “She’s not the only one.” he hears his father speak and that’s enough to get giggles from the girls before Drew’s left flabbergasted. “The disrespect.”

Everyone seems to be all smiles as the family sits down for the last of the food, Wes interjecting when necessary and telling stories of his own, like that one time he mistook sour cream for cream cheese and delivered them to the next door neighbors for a ‘welcome to the neighborhood’ gift.  It was the thought that counts, right?  That exact statement was running through his head when he excused himself to go gather everyone’s gifts.  Respectful as always, Wes went along with Drew’s parents first.  “I tried to find the most authentic thing that I could considering we live in Italy and our prize possession is coffee.”  By the smiles on their faces and the look of gratefulness, Wes knows that he didn’t fuck that one up.  “And of course I didn’t forget you girls.”  Pointing to the boxes stacked against the wall, Wes held his breath as the paper was ripped off and the hover boards revealed.  Gasps were all that he needed to hear to get that satisfaction, but it was the last person waiting that Wes really only cared about.  “You know that I told you I got you something that I have to give you back home, but I’m a bit weak when it comes to you.”  That said, Wes sets a small box that holds the shower speaker he thought would be a fun gift and a larger bag carrying the backpack that just screamed Drew when he saw it.