(Requested by royal_witchwolf)

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(Gradient)

I'm so bored... laying upside down on the couch I stared at the television, flipping through channels, wishing my little Bluescreen was home...

"Ugh, there's nothing on..." flicking the tv off I just went lax, my head hanging off the edge of the couch.

Bluescreen had gone home to his mom Blueberry's house for the week, celebrating Blueberry's birthday. Without him here everything just seemed so...ordinary and boring. He made my life so much brighter and nicer with his confidence and love and playfulness.

Thinking about his brightness I sat up. Getting off the couch, I made my way to my bedroom and my computer. Turning it on I got my digital art pad out and plugged it in as the computer booted up. But as I opened the app to draw, I sighed. I needed more inspiration than his brightness to draw him. If I wanted to replicate his perfect face, glitched though it might seem, I needed an image, a proper mental image of what he looked like. Maybe even an actual image. I didn't want to start something I'd have to redo over and over. I wanted to make sure that I could always keep my little Bluescreen in my mind and not ruin him.

Going over to my bed I laid down with my hands beneath my head. Closing my eyes, I started working on the perfect mental image of Bluescreen.

As I thought about him, I smiled and slowly drifted off.

(Bluescreen)

Sighing, I traced a stain on the table, listening as Mom cooked up food for his own party. I'd offered to help but he said to let me rest after my travels.

Blueberry turned at my sigh, "Something wrong, Bluescreen?"

"I just wish Gradient were here," I sighed again, "He gets nervous in crowds and I know you had big plans for this party. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable..."

"And that's sweet of you," Blue said softly, "But wouldn't he feel better with you than alone?"

"I guess so..." I looked over at him and gave him a weary smile, "But I wanted to see you and celebrate."

"You didn't have to come for a whole week, or so early," Blue said.

"Mom, you're making me feel worse."

"I'm letting you know why you feel bad."

"And why do I feel bad?" I asked, sitting up and rolling my eyes at him.

"Because you're in love."

"What?" I stood up, looking at him as he grinned.

"Bluescreen, think about it," he turned back to his cooking, "He's more than a boyfriend, isn't he?"

"Yeah...But I've already told him I love him."

"There's a difference between saying it and feeling it. Sometimes it takes time for one to catch up with the other," he smiled softly at me, "Why don't you go lay down. Maybe with some rest, you'll feel better and can call him. But you don't have to stay the whole week. Stay for tonight and go home."

Getting up I gave him a hug, "Thanks, Mom."

(Gradient)

Sitting up from my nap, I had a sudden idea. The perfect thing.

Dashing to my chest of drawers, I pulled out the little velvet box I had hidden inside. Going to the still-awake computer, I pulled my drawing pad out and got to work.

The box sat open beside me as I drew Bluescreen.

Oh, this was the perfect surprise when he got home.

I just had to make every single detail just right...

(Bluescreen)

I honestly forgot how boisterous Mom's parties could be. He really went all out sometimes, even for his own birthday.

Crashing onto my bed after the party, I thought I would fall asleep instantly from how exhausted I felt. Only, I couldn't stop thinking about my trip tomorrow. I'd be heading home. I couldn't wait to see Gradient!

Staring at the ceiling, I tried repeatedly to tell myself that I needed to sleep. Even my body protested my alertness as it sunk into the mattress and refused to function.

Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep... Blinking my eyes, I wished they felt heavy-lidded. It would be easier to just close them and drift away.

My mind wandered in hopes of finding a solution to sleep. Gradient came to mind as always. My thoughts turned to how he said he'd deal with his occasional insomnia.

'When I really need to sleep, sometimes I'll hum a lullaby...'

'Which one?'

'Oh, I make them up most of the time. There's this one Ink would sing to Error sometimes...'

'How'd it go?'

'Um, let me think...'

He took a deep breath and started to sing.

'Quiet night, gentle breeze
Lull me down to sleep
Silent stars, sweeping trees
Rock me back to sleep'

'Purple sky, silver moon
To these, we close our eyes
In my arms, a warm cocoon
Sleep claims thee with soft sighs'

'Sleep my love, sleep with me
Rest your mind, rest with me
When you wake, I'll be here
To keep your company...'

With a final sigh, my mind drifted off as sleep claimed me at last.

(Gradient)

With a jerk I woke up, knocking the box to the ground as I looked around. I'd fallen asleep at my desk, the image almost finished. Using my sleeve I wiped the drool from my mouth and the desk before bending down to pick up the box. As I flipped it over my heart dropped: it was empty.

Oh no, oh no, where did it go!? "Gah, where is it?!" Falling from my chair, I searched around the floor beneath the desk, looking for that special little glint I needed. My hands patted every inch of the floor, near the desk legs, the wall, under the chair, in the tangle of wires. When I had fully searched that area I started to slowly crawl around, patting the floor frantically as I searched.

"No, no, no, no, where is it?!" Panic surged in my soul. I needed it. I needed it.

My hands hit something solid and I picked it up hopeful but it was just a wall tack. Tossing it away in a huff I continued my search, looking over the carpet with my eyes as my hands skimmed the entire floor beneath me. My hands hit clothes like socks and the occasional rubbage, but not that special glint. Anger flashed in myself as I thought about how I needed to keep my room cleaner but it was drowned out as my search repeatedly came up fruitless.

Panting, short of breath, I searched the entire floor before returning to the desk and looking everywhere: in the drawer, beneath the keyboard, under my sketch pad, even under the little velvet box. NOTHING!

It was nowhere! "Where did it go!?" Falling into my chair, I bounced my knee, holding my skull in my hands as I thought over what I did before I fell asleep.

"What did I do..." I was drawing Bluescreen. The box had been glinting next to me the entire time. I picked it up to study the detail of it for my image before setting it back down. I accidentally knocked it over once and didn't think twice about setting it up. The glint had been there, right? Groaning rubbed my temples, where did it go?

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I looked back at my desk. There was a little divider wall at the back to hide the majority of the wire mess. A thought popped into my head and I stood up, pulling the desk forward and looking behind it.

There! On a coil of cables rested the glint. Crouching down, I reached for it but it was too far. Grunting, pushing the desk away a bit more, I reached for it again. So close...It sat just out of reach. My fingers clawed at the coil, hoping to pull it forward, but as I tugged on a wire the glint started to slip into the coil. I stopped and let out a frustrated breath.

The desk was pushed up against the wall in a corner. This was the only side I could access. Pulling it forward would pull the monitor off because the cords were tied neatly to minimize the cord spaghetti on the floor. Growling I slammed my fist into the wall. So close!

After banging my skull on the wall a few times, trying to knock a solution into my head, I glanced down and saw the monitor cord. It was plugged into the monitor, which meant it could be removed. Duh... Pulling the cord out gently I pulled the desk forward enough to reach and grab the glint. Plugging the cord back into the monitor my image popped up and I smiled, looking from the glint now back in its box to the image I had drawn.

Letting out a sigh of relief I closed the box to keep the glint from falling out again, I sat back and reclined slightly in my chair, still staring at my image. Picking up my stylus I began to add the delicate finishing touches to it.

I hope he likes it...

(Bluescreen)

Yawning widely I stretched, looking at the clock. I shot out of bed: I had slept in!

"Mom!" I yelled downstairs, hurriedly packing my stuff. Throwing things into my suitcase with little organization, they heaped up as I tried to shut the suitcase. Blueberry came upstairs with a plate of breakfast and handed it to me forcefully, pulling me off my suitcase.

"Why di'n't you wak me up?" I said through a mouthful of softshell breakfast tacos.

Blueberry started to undo my frantic packing, taking things out and folding them neatly, placing them to the side as he reorganized it.

"You needed sleep. You were really tired last night," he said simply, finally emptying the suitcase.

"I told you when I wanted to leave," I swallowed, pausing my eating, "I wanted to get home in time to make Gradient lunch."

Blue chuckled, starting to stack the clothes neatly in the suitcase. He stacked my shirts and pants, folded my socks and stuffed them in the sides, and placed my underwear on top of it all. He shut it with a small click, still not answering my accusation.

"It'll be okay, Bluescreen," he said softly, "Gradient won't mind. He'll just be happy to have you back at home." He handed me my suitcase, holding it to keep me from rushing downstairs.

"Take your time. I don't want you to overexert yourself. Neither would Gradient."

"Okay, I promise."

Pulling out my phone as I left Mom's house, I tried to call Gradient.

Ring, ring, ring...

He didn't pick up, so I shrugged and texted him a quick "on my way home" before putting my phone away.

(Gradient)

I missed his call but got his text. Bluescreen was on his way home, four days early.

Grabbing my jacket I hid the box again, turned off the monitor, and ran to the store.

At the store, I wandered through the aisles, trying to think of something special I could make for Bluescreen to go with my picture and surprise. He was the cook in the pair, so I only knew what he told me and what Ink had shown me when I was younger. What did he like... Well, he was probably tired of tacos. It's all Blueberry ever seems to make.

What could I make? Tacos, for one, but not always that good. A few desserts.

Breakfast! I knew how to make breakfast. That's special, right?

Grabbing what I needed as I wandered the aisles, I chose to get the stuff to make crepes. Blueberries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, crepe batter supplies, the works. Along with some bubbling grape juice and sweet smelling candles, I checked out with a grin.

It might not be 'fancy' but it would be a nice surprise for my Bluescreen!

-----------

Once I got home I immediately got to work on making the crepe batter. Even with setting out all my ingredients in an organized manner, I somehow managed to still destroy the kitchen in the process. Flour all over the counter, sticky blueberry syrup on the island, half of the dishes we owned in the sink: how can I be this messy?

As I finished, wiping my hands on the apron I wore, I realized I had forgotten something: flowers!

I needed flowers. What kind of flowers: Bluescreen's favorite, baby blue roses.

Taking off my apron, turning off all the things that could cause a fire, I ran back out the door to the floral shop.

I ran the entire way up the street. I wanted to be sure I had everything ready before Bluescreen got home. He sent me a text, updating his ETA to half an hour.

Panting, I stopped at the door, looking around for blue roses. They were rare, but there was a small handful still in the shop. Entering the shop, I gave the happy florist a tired smile.

"Are those...roses...still...available?" I asked, panting slightly still.

She smiled at me, "Yes. Would you like them?"

I nodded, "Yes, please..."

"Special occasion? Anniversary? First date?" she peppered me with questions.

I nodded again, paying for the bundle of about eight flowers, "Even better."

She grinned, waving goodbye as I left with the flowers. They were wrapped in plastic but I didn't run home. I jogged, trying to keep them safe in my arms.

He's going to love this...

(Bluescreen)

Locking the door behind me, I let out a tired sigh, glad to be home.

All the lights were off in the house, which confused me, so I called out, "Gradient? I'm home!"

A soft light came from the kitchen. Looking at the floor, I saw a little trail of confetti and I giggled. Of course, he'd use confetti.

"Gradient?" I called again, leaving my suitcase by the door as I followed the little trail of confetti. My curiosity grew. What is he up to?

The soft light in the kitchen flickered slightly, like a flame. Very curious at this point, I rounded the corner.

"Gradient, what are y-" My words died in my throat as I came upon the sight in the kitchen.

My hands shot to my mouth as I took in the sight, not even breathing.

Several candles were littered on the table, giving off the soft flickering light. The table was set with a stack of sweet looking crepes oozing blueberry topping. A vase of baby blue roses sat as the centerpiece. More confetti littered the entire kitchen. Gradient stood, rocking back and forth on his feet as he smiled at me, something behind his back.

"Surprise!" he said, walking up to me.

Warm tears built up in my eyes and fell as I smiled at Gradient. His face fell slightly, "Do you not like it...?"

Hugging his neck I let out air in a large, happy laugh, "This is amazing!"

He laughed as well, hugging me back before pushing me off and handing me a single blue rose. He led me to the table as I sniffed it, smiling happily as he pulled out a chair for me. I sat down and he sat next to me, handing me a plate of the delicious smelling crepes.

"What is this all for?" I asked him. He smiled, almost slyly.

"For you," he said.

---------

The meal was actually good. Gradient wasn't normally much of a chef but I could tell he put all his effort into this. He made me laugh when he hurriedly insisted on cleaning up, clumsily bringing a pile of dishes to the sink.

He brought back a little cake with a candle in it, setting it in front of me before backing away. He then set an envelope in front of me. He shifted about and stood next to me, expectant.

"Gradient, this is so nice, thank you," I said, smiling up at him. He looked nervous, rocking on his feet again. "Something wrong?"

"I have something," he said quickly, "Open the envelope."

I did as he asked, opening the envelope. Pulling out a folded paper, I gasped when I unfolded it.

It was an image of me holding a massive blooming bouquet of blue roses. They were tied with a white ribbon. A veil hung over my head, attached to a lacy headband. My face was mostly hidden by the roses so you could only see my eyes. My hands were delicately wrapped around the bouquet, a silver ring on my third finger of my left hand...

I turned to Gradient as he let out a breath. He pulled something out of his pocket and got down on one knee in front of me. My soul paused, my breath catching in my throat as he looked up at me with a shaky smile. He held up a small black velvet box, his hands shaking slightly.

"Bluescreen, this weekend made me realize just how much you mean to me. You are the light in my life, the music to my ears, the warmth of my soul. You are the inspiration for my art. You are my everything and I want to love you forever."

"So, Bluescreen, will you do me the honor and make me the happiest skeleton alive and..." he gulped, opening the box.

"Marry me?"

(Gradient)

My soul beat rapidly as I waited for his reply.

Bluescreen stared at me, breathless, his eyes sparkling with tears again.

We waited for a second, another, three...four...

"Yes..." he breathed and my head snapped up.

Bluescreen had a massive grin on his face as he looked at me, "Yes, yes, yes!"

He tackled me to the ground in a loving kiss, "Forever yes!"

"Yes I will marry you, Gradient!" he said, cupping my face in his hands.

Laughing, he held out his hand and I put the ring on him. It was silver with a single sapphire gem in the shape of a heart. Bluescreen kissed it before kissing me, hugging me again. I hugged him back.

Together, we just held our embrace, enjoying each others company for the rest of the night.

"I love you..." I whispered.

"I love you, too..."