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Y/N's POV, 1983
My life on paper was pretty ordinary, I worked a job in a diner as a waitress, I made varying amounts of money depending on tips and nothing substantial ever really happened to me, I thought I was rather boring actually, though there is one person who'd fight me to the death of that.
That would be my boyfriend Nikki, he's always found me fascinating which I find kinda cute although it's always boggled me. He was quite the opposite of me but we'd always just understood each other though we came from entirely different backgrounds, and had different outlooks on life.
We met in 1980, a couple of months before he met Tommy to start forming Mötley Crüe, he came into this diner and I was new at that time, and he realised that and asked me how long I'd been working point, which was only about two weeks at that point, we just kinda got talking from there, he was pretty shy but spoke to me regardless.
After that initial meeting, he came in every day after that and he slowly told me more and more about himself and what he was doing, we became friends, then not long after he met Tommy, he asked me out on our first date.
Since then we'd been going strong, he'd built up his band which had gained a lot of traction in a short period of time and this year definitely proved that, given this band was basically thrown together through newspaper ads, mutual acquaintances and old friends it was a good achievement for them to have been picked up by a label within pretty much a few months and then earlier in this year play a widely televised festival and then get the supporting act slot on Ozzy Osbourne's next tour and a pretty nationally successful sophomore album. This year really has cemented Mötley Crüe as the next hot rock band and I couldn't be happier for them.
Technically, I didn't need to work at this diner anymore and Nikki has been encouraging me to quit, but it gives me something to do so I was still on the fence about making that choice.
I was working tonight, which Nikki like usual didn't really like but I wasn't going to call in sick just because he didn't want me to come in. My shift was six hours, I started at three it was now half eight, so I had half an hour left, I was counting the minutes, because this has been a pretty boring shift, it was a Wednesday so it had been quiet, even at dinner time we only filled half the diner.
To pass some time, I was wiping down the tables for the third time, as my colleague, Lisa, went to smoke outside, just as I was wiping down another table I heard someone enter the diner but didn't bother to turn around and look at whoever it was just said "Sit anywhere, I'll be with you in a minute."
"I'd rather be seen right now seems as nobody else is around. You've got nothing else to do, darlin'." The man says and the voice made me smirk, immediately recognising the voice.
"If you're gonna talk to me like that then I'll leave you standing there all night."
"I don't think you're gonna wanna do that, baby." Nikki murmurs, wrapping his arms around me from behind and brushing his lips over my ear.
"We'll see... what are you doing here anyway? I'd be coming back in thirty minutes anyways."
"Hmm, I know... that's too long though, I wanted to take a leaf out of Tommy's book and pick you up, be all romantic and shit seems as he consistently tells me I'm awful at it."
"I think you're quite good for being inexperienced in the field. You've done this before though so don't make it out to be like this is just a romantic gesture because it isn't, you're just here to distract me."
"Don't tell me you don't need distracting, I know you do besides who says me coming here was all the romance I had planned."
"You telling me there's more?" I wondered, placing down the cloth I was using to wipe the table and turned around so I was face to face with my boyfriend who was smirking at men
"I am... but I'm not telling you, you gotta see for yourself. How's your shift been?"
"Boring, not many people have been in, like most weekdays to be fair so I'm cleaning the tables for the millionth time to give me something to do."
Nik looked at the tables and nodded in satisfaction jutting his bottom lip out in approval "They're the cleanest damn tables I've ever seen. You should seriously get a raise for how clean they are."
"Now you're just being silly."
"No, honestly, I can see my face in these tables, they should be framed in a museum, they're beautiful specimens. Now, we've complimented the tables, forget about them immediately and come with me, I wanna take you somewhere."
I rolled my eyes "Nikki, I can't just leave. My shift isn't over yet, if my manager finds out I'll get in trouble."
Nikki rolled his eyes back "It's not like you're rushed off your feet here and can't catch a break, there's tumbleweeds in here because of how empty it is, come on you literally just said your shift was boring come with me, I've got something I want us to do."
"Because that makes such a convincing argument for why I should leave work early." I say sarcastically.
"It does actually. You're telling me you'd rather be here than anywhere with me. That's insulting."
"I'm not saying I don't want to go anywhere with you, dickhead, you know that. I'm not saying I prefer being here over you either, I just don't wanna lose my job."
"You don't need your job."
"Doesn't mean I don't still want it. Is that your plan? Get me fired so then you get me all to yourself?"
"It's not my plan for tonight but it's a plan I'm not totally disregarding for the future, now come on, let's go." Nikki spoke eagerly, grabbing my wrist and pulling me towards the door to leave.
I resisted his pull once it registered in my head and protested "Hey, no, no, no, Nikki, seriously. You're gonna get me fired if I walk out of here, you've met Rick, he doesn't tolerate anything like this."
"How's he gonna find out? What's her name, your colleague, Lisa or something? She won't rat you out will she?"
"I don't think so."
"So, you've got nothing to worry about. Let's go."
"It better not be for anything stupid, I'd I lose my job over something stupid I'll kill you." I muttered, taking off the frilly 50's style apron we were forced to wear and left it on the counter knowing Lisa will put it back where it belongs given she was outside, I literally told her as we left what to do and she said it was fine.
Lisa was my friend, we weren't super close or anything but we had each other's backs at work and I appreciated her, especially at times like this. Nikki took me to his car and we got inside the vehicle and I wanted to know where exactly we were going "What's your grand plan then?"
"That would be telling."
"At least tell me where we're going?"
"A park."
"You gonna tell me which one?"
"Nope, just enjoy it and trust me. Okay?" The man requested, flashing me a charming smile which made me narrow my eyes and concede.
"Fine... but it better be worth it. You better show me some nice ass trees in this park."
"Trust me, I've scoured out the best park in LA with the best trees. You'll definitely be impressed, so impressed you'll become a tree hugger, that's a promise."
"I think I'd be committed to a mental institution if I went around hugging trees."
"I wouldn't let that happen."
"Thanks." I chuckle as I cast my eyes out the window and watched the streets pass by as we drove. I was curious the entire drive as to what exactly Nik's endgame is here because I couldn't really think of a reason, sure he could have just done this spur of the moment however, it wasn't necessarily Nikki's style and that made me curious.
I didn't ask though, knowing he wouldn't answer even if I did, I just stayed silent and let him take me to whichever park he'd chosen. We were driving for about half and hour, I can't say exactly how much so it easily could have been a little longer but when we parked up, Nikki and I got out the car and I looked around "I've never been here before and I've lived here my entire life... when'd you find this place?"
"A few weeks ago, Tommy said he came here when he was younger with his parents and his sister. I came here one day while you had a shift and thought it'd be a good place to spend time together."
"You've really thought this out."
"You sound way too surprised about that." The bassist says with a smile on his face walking around the car to me and taking my hand in his, we made our way from the car and into the actual park and it was really pretty.
I'd always adored places like this and I'd been to a number of parks around over the years, though I hadn't had the chance to go many parks the last few years, Nikki knew of my love for places like this so I couldn't help but think it was intentional.
"Nik?"
"Hmm?"
"You didn't just get the idea to come here from Tommy, did you?"
"No... he sparked the idea though but I brought you here because I know you really like places like this, I do too. It's the closest thing you really get to a rural area in LA, you know? It reminds me of when I lived in Idaho with my grandparents and it's nice to draw those similarities every now and again."
"Do you miss living there? Cause I know I would."
"Sometimes, but I think I miss it because at the time I was there being there meant so much to me cause I didn't have to deal with Deana. Sure, I was still an asshole but I appreciated being there, I wish I'd have expressed that more than I did. It was just more laid back there... and I'd never really had a chance to be laid back before. I don't think I'd ever live there again, but I wouldn't mind going back to visit while I still can, maybe next year I'll find a chance too."
"You'll take me with you, right?"
"Yeah, course, what kinda question is that?"
"Nothing." I shrugged, having genuinely meant nothing by it "It was just a question, I'd like to go but I'd get if you want to go alone. I was just curious."
"I want you to come, plus I think Nona and Tom would murder me if I went and didn't take you along with me. All they ask when I talk to them is when they'll meet you, they hardly give a shit about me."
I laugh "That's not true, they're just excited. I'm excited to meet them too."
"I want you to like each other, they're the only close family I have."
"I'll love them and I can't say if they'll like me but I hope they do... for your sake more than anything."
"Whether they like you or not I'm staying with you, their opinion is important but nothing will make me give you up."
"Nothing, huh?"
"Nope." He said popping the 'p'.
I hummed then asked another question "Are we wandering around aimlessly or do we have a final destination?"
"There's a spot I wanna go too... I think it's pretty, just follow me, I think I know where I'm going."
"I hope you do because I don't fancy wandering around here in that dead of night."
"We won't be, have some faith."
"I am... I am, but that doesn't mean I trust your sense of direction."
"Fuck you." Nikki scoffs lovingly, putting an arm around my waist and we continued walking through the park, eventually reaching the spot Nikki was talking about.
We stopped next to a large tree, and Nikki sat on the floor and I sat beside him, overlooking the pond that was directly in-front of us, it looked beautiful, especially seems it was lit with a few street lights, but some were covered with the trees so admitted a duller glow.
Being here reminded me how much I missed being in places like this, in nature. It made me happy and that on top of Nikki, I was the happiest I could be right now.
"See? I knew where I was going. Didn't get lost once."
"I'm proud of you, Nikks." I teased biting my lip playfully and letting my head fall onto his shoulder "It's beautiful here... nice to know you know me so well to know this is somewhere I'd love."
"I'd be worried if I didn't know you by now."
"Yeah, it wouldn't be good I don't think. But, you'll have a hard time getting me to leave now I'm here."
"We can come back as often as you'd like... I wouldn't mind staying here forever either but unfortunately, we have other commitments."
"Sometimes I wish we didn't."
"Adulting isn't fun, but it's how life works."
"Don't go all deep and philosophical, it doesn't suit you."
"You calling me stupid?"
"In certain ways yeah, I am. Suck on it, Sixx."
"Bitch." The man grumbles but it was in good fun.
We sat enjoying one another's company for a few minutes, before Nikki's voice broke the air "I love you, I couldn't find the words to describe how much even if I wanted too."
"I love you too, baby."
"No but, honestly, I don't know what I'd be without you anymore... can't imagine myself without you." Nikki admitted quietly into the faint sounds of distant traffic and nature.
"You'll never have to, we're a team. That's how it's always been since we met."
"Yeah... I know, I know... you mean the world to me though, never forget that."
"I couldn't even if I wanted too. You'd never let that happen."
"That's true, but you can never be too careful, which means I'm going to remind you regardless."
"And that makes you adorable." I coo, lifting my head up off the man's shoulder and poke him on the nose, he swatted my hand away with a click of his tongue.
"Stop."
"No, you love it really even if you'd be the last person to admit it."
"My lips are sealed."
"That's not true, you can't keep your mouth shut for very long most of the time, you always have some smartass remark to say."
"And you love me for that, even if you'd be the last person to admit it." Nikki murmurs, echoing what I'd told him, and it was true.
"Touché.... why are we really here? It's stunning and I love it, but why? Because although I believe you when you said why we came here, it's still strange to me, it's not usual practice for you."
"We've done things like this before for date nights."
"Yeah but they're planned out in advance... this was spontaneous, at least for me it was... why? What makes this different from any other day?"
"Everything." Nikki mutters "Everything makes this different... it wasn't going to be like this, not exactly, it was gonna be slightly different, under slightly different circumstances but I don't know, I woke up today and just wanted to do this, cause it just felt right."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, not quite understanding what he was saying. I assumed he was just talking about bringing me here randomly like he did.
But little did I know there was method to his madness, and I found that out when he sighed and leant forward a little, then making it so he was sat on his knees, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a little velvet black box, opening it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring.
I stare at it then meet Nikki's eyes, at a total loss for words, Nikki smiled lopsidedly, now looking a little nervous "I know it's a big question to ask and I know it's pretty out there for me to do this now but... it's what I want. We haven't ever spoken about it and I was firstly confident about asking you up until this exact moment, now I'm actually doing this I'm kinda second guessing myself but can't exactly back out now. So... to just see if we're on the same page... marry me?"
It was a question that I never dreamed of receiving tonight in a million years and Nikki was right, we'd never talked about it but that doesn't mean I was against the idea, quite the opposite in fact.
"Yes." I state "As if my answer was ever going to be no."
Nikki's face broke out into a wide grin, relieved that we were definitely on the same page, we had been for a long long time, the bassist then took the ring from the box and slid it onto my left ring finger and although I wanted to admire the rock on my hand, kissing my fiancé was of a higher priority.
I brought my lips to his in a slow and passionate kiss, which he reciprocated straight away, I put my arms around Nikki's neck, he put his arms around me back, choosing to just lose ourselves in the moment as we into got to appreciate the moment right here and now.
When we did pull away from each other I couldn't help but say "Do I dare ask how much the ring cost?"
"You don't wanna know. I'm gonna be paying off that bill for a while, but it's worth it." Nikki shrugs, a mischievous look in his eye "Given I dragged you out of your job early to ask you this, if you do happen to get fired, would this be worth losing your job over?"
"I could get over it..." I reasoned, then adding "Eventually... with a lot of persuasion." I smirked a little seductively, thinking this was certainly worth me losing my job over.
"I'm more than happy to start persuading you, I'll start here but the real persuading will start when we get home, I don't believe it'll take much effort."
"Well, we'll see... you have until tomorrow morning, then I'll tell you if you've persuaded me. It better be good."
The musician mirrors my exact smirk and says "Oh, babe, you should know it will be."
And yeah, I did. Nikki was very good at persuading, always had been always will be, and despite the fact we both knew the fact I didn't need any persuading, it was fun to pretend.
This hadn't been an ordinary day and there couldn't have been anything better to happen than what unfolded tonight. I was excited not just for the bands future but for mine and Nikki's personal future too, and I just knew it would be epic.
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