Work Text:
1981
Dutch fiddled with his hair in the bathroom mirror, his chest tight as he swallowed hard. He smoothed down the front of his vest, adjusting the pocket watch chain that hung along the buttons. Today was a special occasion and Dutch had planned quite an extraordinary day. It was a celebratory birthday for his partner, the big forty, although it was not only the number that made this late summer day memorable.
For today was the day that Dutch was going to propose to Hosea.
He pulled the ring box out of his trousers pocket, opening up the mahogany case to stare at the beauty. Hosea was a simple man, and simple his ring was. A golden band, etched on the inside with the year they had met, nestled in the plush pillow interior. He shut the case again, the sound echoing through the bathroom as he tucked it back into his pocket.
Dutch met his gaze again in the mirror, determination on his face as he smiled at himself. He left the bathroom and waded through the hallways to their shared bedroom.
“Old girl,” Dutch breathed, as he saw the rather dapper outfit his partner had changed into. “My stunning gentleman.”
“Could say the same about you, dear,” Hosea replied, looking away from the mirror at Dutch, “I’m just about ready to go. Am I allowed to know what our night looks like?”
“Not yet,” Dutch denied as he approached his other half.
“You know I don’t like surprises, Dutch,” Hosea griped, sighing softly as he adjusted the collar of his button up shirt.
“You’ll like this one. I swear on my life,” Dutch confirmed, wrapping his arms around Hosea’s midsection from behind and pressing a gentle kiss behind his ear.
“I love you, my dear,” Hosea whispered, tilting his head to rest against Dutch’s that was perched on his shoulder.
Dutch shut his eyes as he inhaled the subtle scent of cologne intertwined with Hosea’s shampoo. Pine and sage filled his nose, the aroma bringing him comfort as it had for five years now.
The two men met long ago, five miles south of Springfield, Illinois when Dutch was hitchhiking out towards St. Louis. By a strange coincidence, Hosea had been travelling that way from Chicago and picked him up. Dutch's plans fell through once they got to their destination, and Hosea, without much consideration, invited this stranger to join him on his travels towards California.
Somewhere along the way, their hearts began to beat harmoniously. Never one without the other. Like two stars twinkling together in the sky.
Dutch opened his eyes as he stared lovingly at Hosea in the mirror. He wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but where he was right now.
Hosea was all that mattered and always will matter.
Moments like this were enough to remind Dutch that everything they worked for was worth it. That despite whatever occasions they had where they disagreed over something trivial or argued till their faces turned blue, that forever together was what they both so craved.
“I love you, my beloved,” Dutch replied, his voice above a whisper, “I always will.”
Hosea rested a gentle hand on Dutch’s cheek before stepping away.
“I’m getting mighty hungry, Dutch. Hopin’ there’s food in my future.”
”You guessed correctly, old girl,” Dutch laughed as he gestured towards their bedroom door to begin their evening. Dutch had taken the keys to the ‘72 Chevy Chevelle, the car that hadn’t been driven much since their cross country road trip. The brigade blue vehicle sat un-used in their garage and was more of a collectors item rather than a necessity. Although, today’s momentous occasion felt right to pull it out of retirement.
They peeled out of the garage into the sunny streets of Cholla Springs, travelling out west to a restaurant that Dutch knew Hosea was fond of but didn’t visit often as it was a tad too upscale for the both of ‘em.
”Martelli’s?” Hosea cooed as they exited the car, “Ain’t I special?”
”Only the best for you.”
Dutch held the door for his gentleman, then approached the hostess.
“Two for van der Linde,” He drawled, “I believe we’re out on the veranda.”
“Ah yes, sir” The hostess replied, grabbing their menus before chaperoning them to the fancier section of the restaurant. Hosea felt rightfully special as they sat at a beautiful cloth covered table underneath an ornate lantern. A trio of small candles glowed in between. Dutch ordered them each a glass of the most expensive champagne on the menu as they perused the menu for their meals. Dutch had settled on the lobster risotto while Hosea opted for a steak with bearnaise sauce. Although, in the midst of their waiter taking their orders, Dutch urged Hosea to order the larger portion. He denied, saying it was far too expensive but Dutch insisted, wanting to spoil the man rather than be frugal.
As they ate, Dutch fiddled with the outline of the ring box in his pocket. He had plans to propose later on in the night, although the setting was all too perfect for him to not decide to do it now. He considered it a moment as he watched the way Hosea smiled at him between bites. His chest was tight, anticipation growing in his stomach.
“Everything alright, dear?” Hosea inquired, “Food tasting as it should?”
”Oh, it’s delicious, old girl,” Dutch replied, moving his hand away from the box, “But it ain’t as delicious as you.”
”Dutch,” Hosea hissed, glancing around to see if anybody had heard the raunchy remark.
”Ain’t nobody listening to a couple of oldies.”
”We ain’t that old,” Hosea retorted, eyes rolling, “Well perhaps, you ain’t. Me on the other hand, good Lord, forty. I can’t believe it.”
“Here’s to another forty more if all goes right,” Dutch added and Hosea raised his drink to that.
The two men split a tiramisu after their meals before they paid and left for their next destination of the evening. The sun was just beginning to dip deeper in the early September sky as Dutch drove them south towards the lower city limits of Cholla Springs. Hosea hadn’t expected to be taken on the interstate, although they did not spend long on the road before they turned off towards Lake Don Julio.
”Dutch, where are you taking me?” Hosea puzzled, “Shooting me out back and leaving me where nobody will find my withered corpse?”
”Good Lord, old girl,” Dutch chuckled, a loud belly laugh that shook his shoulders. ”You can read the signs, can’t ya?”
”Oh!” Hosea exclaimed, “I ain’t ever thought of that!”
“Hush,” Dutch jested as they turned off towards a patch of rocks and grass that they could park on. They exited the car and Dutch went to grab a small bag from the rear seats as Hosea looked out towards the water.
“Come on, there’s a boat just down there that we could use.” Dutch pointed out as Hosea hesitantly followed him.
“Dutch, I ain’t properly dressed for this.” He added as they began to push the small wooden dinghy out into the water.
“Where’s the spontaneity, Hosea? Did turning forty suddenly make you immune to fun?” Dutch ribbed as the older man let out a very dramatic sigh.
”I’ve had enough of you,” Hosea teased as he climbed into the boat. Dutch followed suit, tucking the bag between their legs as he took hold of the small oars. He rowed them away from the water’s edge as Hosea looked around. There were a handful of boats or waterskis peppered around. No one within a half mile of them though, he’d say.
The water was a bit choppy from the wake of the other vessels. Although nothing large enough to disturb their peaceful ride. The sun shone warmly on their backs, the brightness reflecting on the blue-green surface beneath them. The wind was gentle, enough to cool them off but not enough to chill to the bone. They came to a stop a good distance away from the shoreline.
“Is this so bad?” Dutch asked as he leaned back more comfortably in his seat.
“At least while I’m bone dry, all is well,” Hosea replied, “I know you’ve got a tendency to toss me in while I’m least expecting it.”
”It ain’t happening tonight. It’s your birthday.”
“Well, ain’t I special?” Hosea breathed, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he looked around at the scenery. The sky was mostly clear, a picture painted with hues of pinks, oranges, and blues. He had always enjoyed the sunset and had lost count of how many he had watched with his other half.
“I’ve got binoculars if you’d like a closer look.” Dutch offered as he saw Hosea squinting his eyes to scan the horizon. He had started to require glasses but was refusing to wear them, even under the instructions of his optometrist.
“You know me well,” Hosea accepted, taking the binoculars that Dutch had stored in the small bag. He adjusted the settings before looking through them. He scanned the sky, then the way the water rippled near some rocks at shore, even a handful of birds he saw perched a ways away. He pondered the species of bird it was as he tried to get a better look at any sort of distinguishable features.
Meanwhile, Dutch fiddled with the ring box in his pocket. This was it. The moment he had planned for. Proposing to Hosea under the sunset on his birthday. It was perfect. His chest felt tight, as it did earlier this evening, as it did when he bought the ring, as it did when he realized it was Hosea he wanted to spend forever with. He swallowed hard, as he slowly removed the box from his pocket, praying that Hosea would keep his eyes on those birds in the distance. Dutch moved slowly onto one knee, trying his best to stabilize himself in the rocky boat. He took a few unsteady breaths as displayed the open box and when Hosea pulled away from the binoculars to say what species the bird was, Dutch’s mouth went bone dry.
Hosea’s lips parted as he inhaled for a brief moment, the binoculars travelling slowly onto his lap. Dutch took another steady breath as he began the speech he had been planning for ages.
“We met long ago on the I-55, in ‘middle of nowhere’ Illinois and instead of leaving me behind, you took me with you.” Dutch began, his voice shaky, “I’m blessed to have been a part of that journey with you.”
Dutch swallowed the dryness in his mouth. The moment was here, in all its overwhelming glory.
“You know me, old girl, and I always tend to jump into things before I'm sure of it. Although, I was quite sure long ago that you were the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”
Hosea’s eyes stung as tiny pools of tears fought their way to the corners. He held a hand up over his mouth in an attempt to conceal his quivering lip.
“And so with this ring, I ask you, Hosea Matthews, will you marry me?”
“I’d be a fool to say that I wouldn't.” Hosea choked out, his voice cracking. “Of course I will.”
Dutch let out a shaky cry, his breath trembling as he removed the ring from the box and placed it gently on his fiancé’s thin finger. Hosea grabbed Dutch’s face with trembling hands as he stared into those tear-filled dark oak eyes. He kissed him, a sob escaping his throat.
“I love you more than I can describe,” Hosea whispered once he pulled away, his forehead pressed gently against his other half’s.
”And I you, my beloved,” Dutch replied as he pressed another kiss on the other man’s lips. They stayed close to each other for a few moments before Hosea pulled away to stare at the gold band. It was beautiful and he was so thankful for it.
“I can’t believe it,” Hosea muttered, wiping away a tear that was falling down his cheek, “We’re getting married.”
”Now all we need to do is to pick a date.”
“Tomorrow,” Hosea replied, looking up from the ring.
“Tomorrow?” Dutch exclaimed, “At the courthouse?”
“You know neither of us need anything fancy, per se. Besides, I don’t want to wait any longer to be able to call you my husband.”
”Tomorrow it is, old girl.”
And tomorrow it was. They had secured themselves an eleven o’clock appointment for their marriage at the Cholla Springs City Hall. For their witnesses, Hosea had invited Susan Grimshaw, one of the other faculty members at the school Hosea taught at. While Dutch invited Simon Pearson, one of the other mechanics at the automobile shop that Dutch worked at.
They arrived fifteen minutes before their allotted slot, filling out required paperwork and supplying their newly acquired marriage license, before sitting outside of the small room where they would partake in the ceremony.
Susan arrived in a beautiful yellow dress, nothing too fancy but enough for the occasion. She gave Hosea and Dutch tight hugs, giving them well wishes and a thank you for inviting her to such a momentous occasion in their lives. Pearson wore his Sunday best, Dutch teasing him about it for being far too much for such a relaxed ceremony but he stated it wasn’t often he got invited to weddings and he needed to look his best.
Soon, their names were called and they shared one last determined look before following the marriage commissioner, Ms. Julia Gonzalez into the room. They assumed position; Susan standing behind Hosea while Pearson stood behind Dutch. The two men faced one another as Julia began to speak.
”We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Hosea and Jeremiah. You are to be married under the laws, customs, and authority granted by the state legislature of Arizona. Marriage is not just a ceremony but rather a commitment of life. To support one another, comfort each other, to experience the vast journey of what is called our lives. May you grow together, laugh together, even grieve together.”
Ms. Gonzalez turned her gaze to Hosea.
“I now ask you, Hosea Elias Matthews, do you promise to give Jeremiah Samuel van der Linde your love, companionship, comfort, and support until the day you both shall die?”
“I do,” Hosea breathed, a gentle smile on his lips. She turned her attention to Dutch rather.
”I now ask you, Jeremiah Samuel van der Linde, do you promise to give Hosea Elias Matthews your love, companionship, comfort, and support until the day you both shall die?”
“I do,” Dutch echoed, the same gentle expression on his face.
Julia returned her gaze to Hosea, offering that he speaks some words if he so pleases. The older man cleared his throat, swallowing the thickness behind his words.
“Many moons ago, I went, quite frankly, completely out of my comfort zone by inviting a total stranger to join me on a cross country excursion. It was mad. You very well could have killed me! Although, you didn’t, and I thank the Lord for that. You see, I believe everything in this world happens for a reason. That we were destined to meet and by God, I am grateful for that. I’m looking forward to a lifetime of adventure with you, my darling.”
Hosea could see Pearson wiping away a tear from the corner of his eye, sniffling momentarily before straightening his posture. It was Dutch’s turn now to speak his oath.
“Hosea. Forever is a good long while, but it ain’t so daunting when I know it’s you I get to spend it with. When I think about the future, I picture us together, old and grey, snuggled up on the couch watching some re-runs of shitty television. Maybe we had successfully raised the children we dreamed of raisin’ together. Whether it be out here in Arizona, way out in Tennessee, up in the temperate sub-zero climate of our neighbours up yonder, or hell, even an island paradise way out in the Pacific, I don’t care where in the hell we end up, as long as it’s with you. Forever.”
It was Susan’s turn to sniffle now, as she dabbed her nose with a handkerchief.
“Beautifully said, the both of you.” Julia praised, “The rings, if we may?”
Pearson and Susan followed suit, removing the rings from their safe spots before offering them to the two men in front of them.
“Hosea, as you place the ring on your partner’s finger, I ask you to repeat after me. I give you this ring,”
“I give you this ring.”
“As a lasting reminder.”
“As a lasting reminder.” Hosea repeated, his voice becoming a bit thick.
“Of our vows and as a symbol of our love and commitment to one another.”
Hosea recalled the line, slipping the golden ring onto Dutch’s finger. They had picked it up that very morning so that they could match their wedding bands with one another’s. Dutch mimicked the procedure, repeating the lines and replacing the gold band that he had put on Hosea’s finger only one day prior. They interlaced their hands together as small tears escaped their eyes.
“Hosea and Jeremiah, as you begin your marriage, let it be one of complete trust, honesty, and understanding. May you enjoy a long, happy, and fulfilling life with one another. Today, you have consented in marriage and declared in front of myself and two witnesses. You have exchanged rings as a symbol of your love and devotion. Now, upon the authority vested in me by the state of Arizona, I pronounce you married. You may kiss, if you so please.”
Hosea wasted no time, his hands caressing his husband’s face as he pulled him into a loving kiss. He choked back a cry as Dutch smiled against his lips. They pulled away after a brief moment and Dutch’s eyes roved over Hosea’s face.
“Married, old girl. We’re married!” He exclaimed, kissing Hosea again but this time dipping him dramatically. Pearson and Susan began to cheer as Julia congratulated them on their merger. They left the room shortly after, the two men following Ms. Gonzalez elsewhere to sign the final paperwork that would make them formally married in the eyes of the Arizona state government. Pearson and Susan waited for the happy couple before they left the building.
“Honeymoon plans, I’m hoping?” Susan inquired, “Get way outta here, nothing fun to do here in Cholla Springs.”
“We’ve got a few ideas,” Hosea laughed, as he intertwined his fingers with his husband’s.
“Vegas?” Pearson joked as Dutch let out a belly laugh.
“Good Lord, that ain’t a bad idea!”
“We’ll think about it,” Hosea laughed, although he truly wouldn’t mind having a bit of fun out there anyway. “Thank you for coming, the both of you. It means the world to us.”
“Blessed to have been a part of it,” Susan replied, “I must be off now, you boys have some fun. Congratulations, again.”
“Congratulations, fellas.” Pearson wished, “Win big money in the slots!” He added before leaving towards the parking lot.
Dutch and Hosea shared a jubilant look before they left towards their vehicle. A ‘Just Married!’ sign was taped onto the rear of their Chevy Chevelle. It was Susan’s handwriting, from the way the cursive was drawn. They left it displayed while they cruised down the streets of the sunny city, windows rolled down. Hosea had slipped one of the cassettes from the glovebox into the player; the same exact one that was playing when he had collected Dutch off the side of the road in Illinois back in ‘76.
“Goddamn, Creedence, and all twelve songs that band had,” Dutch joked, almost fully quoting himself from many years ago.
“You have many long years ahead of you of being forced to listen to ‘em,” Hosea retaliated, a sly grin on his face.
“Ain’t nothing bad about that, old girl.”