It was during dinner your third night at a nice lake-side cabin Eric had booked for the whole family that Brian brought it up and heat crept up to your ears.

“When are you going to put a ring on her finger, anyway? You act like you’ve been married for years, but haven’t even done it yet. You’re getting old, man,” he joked, shoving some roasted veggies into his mouth. 

“I’m not that old—” Eric’s attempt to intercept was immediately interrupted by Eddie.

“You and Y/n have been dating longer than me and Brittany. You can’t keep a lady waiting for that long. You work too much.”

You could tell your boyfriend had no reply to Eddie’s jab, and for his sake, you quickly switched the topic of conversation. Eric was simmering for the rest of dinner, unusually quiet as he mulled over Eddie’s words. Although he told himself in his head that it didn’t matter and his brothers had no business pointing it out in that way, the fact that he couldn't stop thinking about it set off alarm bells. Eddie had been happily married for five years, and already had three kids. Eric would be lying if he said he didn’t wish he was in that situation at times.

He’d talked about it with you before. Plans for the future. You were always on the same page with things, and were always able to come to an agreement even when you didn’t have exactly the same idea. Marriage was something Eric wanted. Of course he did— and he wouldn’t even think twice about it when it was you he would be marrying. But maybe it had shifted to the backburner. Perhaps your relationship, although not lacking in romance or affection, hadn’t been his main focus lately. 

Work was all-consuming at times. New albums, company considerations, filming, and touring. There was barely a day when Eric wasn’t busy with something. It was a routine you got used to quickly when you first got together with him, and it wasn’t a problem. You knew his busy schedule before you even went on your first date. If it had been a dealbreaker for you, you wouldn’t have been dating him for this long.

Not getting married any time soon wasn’t a dealbreaker for you either, although you did dream of it in the back of your head. Kids would be nice; you would adore having a little mini you running around. But it also wasn’t a priority for you. Life seemed to be taking a leisurely pace, and you weren’t going to try to speed it up. Eric rushed through things quickly enough as it was. You liked being the easy and quiet part of his life. You brought him his happiest moments away from his busy worklife, and truly, you cherished that.

But, the thought continued to bother Eric for the rest of vacation, even when he had mastered his bright smile during family activities. You could see through the little act, though, and you knew he would bring it up when he was ready. The time came almost a week after you arrived back home.

A hot and muggy July evening seemed to bother both you and Eric. Even after cold showers and the aircon set to a low temperature, the air in the room seethed and blistered. Eric only paced when something really wasn’t right. Like a pot about to boil over, you knew that Eric would break in a matter of seconds.

“Are you upset that I haven’t given you a ring yet?” 

There it was. The topic he swore wasn’t a big deal at family vacation that had been following him like an ominous shadow for a week and a half. He couldn’t bear it anymore. 

“No, but it seems like it’s bothering you.” 

He frowned, “I thought it wouldn’t, but I can’t stop thinking about it. We’ve been dating for six years, and I just feel like maybe we’re taking it too slow? At the same time, anything else feels overwhelming— or maybe it’s just because it’s surreal to think about. Am I just crazy?” he let out an awkward laugh, staring at the ceiling for a moment before he dared to meet your eyes again. You just blinked at him, a smile creeping onto your face.

“You want to get married, but you’re not sure how it would fit into your schedule,” you suggested. 

He let out a breath, “Yeah. That’s the feeling.” He wasn’t sure how you were always able to put into words the feelings he couldn’t. 

“Come here,” you prompted, hand outstretched, beckoning him to take a more comfortable place by your side. He did, almost warily, although his tense posture relaxed when you intertwined your fingers with his. “Listen, I love the thought of us getting married, but if you don’t think you’re ready—”

“It’s not that. It’s not. I’m ready. Heck, about ten different jewelry stores are still bookmarked on my phone, and I almost bought one a few months ago until I realized I’d have to hide it from you for so long. You know I’m really bad at keeping anything from you,” he said softly. “But I want to marry you so fucking badly.”

You laughed, partly at how endearing the sentiment was and how it was washing away any of the lingering doubts you might have had of this truly being a big issue. 

“You know what will happen if we do get married, right?”

He cracked a smile, tilting his head in a teasing manner, “Your parents are gonna start expecting grandkids the week after the ceremony.”

“You know them so well,” you grinned. “Practically acting like my husband already.”

“Brian’s right, you know. We act like we’re married even though we aren’t.”

“Sometimes I feel like weddings are just a big scam.”

Eric frowned, “I want to see you walk down the aisle, though.”

You glanced at him, amused. “You’ll start crying like a big baby as soon as you see me in a white dress.”

He laughed, “True.”

“Eddie had a point too, though. You do work too much,” you nudged him.

“I know. It’s the only thing I know how to do— only thing I’m good at.”

“Hey, you’re a pretty good pretend husband too!”

Laughter bubbled up once again before it was swallowed with kisses and lingering touches and a silent agreement that it was time to cuddle under the covers until sleep came. But once you were curled up close to Eric, wrapped up in the covers that smelled like him, cheek pressed against your pillow, he spoke again.

“I don’t want to be your pretend husband forever— I’m gonna make it real soon.”