memearium | after vivarium

after vivarium

after vivarium!

It may have been weeks, months, or even years, but finally, everyone makes it out of the warehouse just fine. The authorities have broken in and let everyone out, or maybe the characters managed to escape on their own. Either way, Zero and Calhoun vanish without a trace and they still haven't been caught to this day. It's infuriating, but the important part is that they're now free. What exactly entrails after that ending though?

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✖ Make a top-level comment, either blank or filled with some info/prose.
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✖ Done!

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"Y-you..." Heiji's face flushed at once; in his surprise, he almost dropped the box. "What are you..."

But that was what they'd been leading up to, hadn't it? Through college, through their trips between the States and Japan. The truth was, for the past few years, he hadn't even been entertaining the idea of life without Snake.

He bent down on one knee so that he was face to face with Snake, so close that Snake's bangs brushed against his cheek. Then he wrapped his arms around Snake's shoulders. "...Yes. I'll marry you, s-so quit getting down on your knees like that! You don't... you don't need to do that for me, okay?"

It's tradition, you lovely young man. *He squeezed Heiji tightly in response, feeling his eyes fill up with tears. He wasn't prone to being overly emotional but if there were a time to get emotional, he supposed proposing would do.* You make me so happy.

Jeez, Snake. Heiji leaned forward and kissed him deeply, completely disregarding everyone else on the observation deck. When he broke the kiss, his voice was little more than a whisper.

"...I think we should go somewhere we can be alone." He'd been planning to thank Snake for dinner, but this was something else entirely.

Of course. *Snake stood up, pulling Heiji with him and wiping at the corner of his eyes. He was startled with the sound of cheering by the remaining spectators on the deck. Well, nothing for it except to put an arm around Heiji's waist and smile, thanking everyone for their well wishes. When they got to the elevator, they were alone.*

Open up the box.

Heiji stood close to Snake, leaning his head up against Snake's shoulder as they rode the elevator down. Gosh, Snake, you and your public displays of affection. He hadn't ever thought... well, no, if he was honest with himself, he'd been thinking about it for a little while now, but...

He looked up as Snake spoke, face still a bit flushed. "Y...you didn't get me some flashy solitaire ring just to tease me, did ya? You know I don't like fancy jewelry..." He flipped open the box.

*For an engagement ring, it was quite simple. A thin band of silver that would fit his ring finger perfectly and not get in the way while having to do any of the ridiculous things Heiji would do on a detective job. Including manhandling perps and motorcycle riding.*

I thought we might go shopping together for proper wedding bands. I heard about a place that can cut designs into the metal so I thought perhaps they might also add braille to a ring.

Heiji slipped the ring on and threw his arms around Snake's shoulders, giving him a long, lingering kiss. Apparently, he liked the gift quite a bit. "Since you told me how you felt, I should do the same thing, right?"

"Truth is, I never really thought I'd get married to anyone. Cause it takes a lot of time and work. I always thought I'd be too busy for that kinda thing. But I really love you... and whenever we're away from each other, I can't stop thinkin' about how much I'd rather be with you. I don't care if we're different or if we fight sometimes still. I always wanna be with you."

I want to be with you too, Heiji. We can plan our wedding and then after that, I'm going to move to Osaka and we can live together. *He'd had a lot of time to think this over and he knew that someone was going to need to move. As Heiji lived and breathed Osaka, it became more obvious that Snake would have to make the leap to another country permanently.*

"You... are you really okay with that? I know how much your family means to you. And you like it here in the U.S., right? Even if ya visit a lot, it's a long trip."

In fact, even if Snake had wanted to remain in the U.S., Heiji would still... probably have spent a lot of time in Osaka. At least a few months a year.

Heiji, I know you. What you really want to do, more than anything, is be a detective in Osaka, right? So even though I do love my family very much, I want to be with you. *He smiled a little bit.* Why do you think I've been taking Japanese classes for so long? I knew there'd come a time when I'd have to move.

Aside from that, being in the physics field does mean moving around a lot to different positions. Even if we weren't dating, it's likely I'd move across the country or to Europe or somewhere else to fill a few posts until I wanted to settle down somewhere. The university in Osaka, so I've been told, is expanding its physics department so that will be where I work until they get tired of me. *Provided he could get the job, of course, but Snake planned on doing everything he could to make that happen.*

"That's true. I've wanted to be a detective since... well, as far back as I can remember." Heiji rested his chin on Snake's shoulder, holding him close. "Guess I just figured it was for our trips. And maybe to be a bit competitive...?"

After all, Snake did seem to make learning things a point of pride.

"They'll be happy to have ya, I'm sure. Remember that string of cases they had there a year ago? Pretty sure they haven't forgotten you, either."

I suppose it does help that I'm a hard person to forget. *Not only that but he'd made the acquaintance of a good chunk of the Osaka police department. And won money off them in poker.*

It'll take effort but we'll make it work. *Snake squeezed Heiji tightly in his arms. The elevator reached the ground.* Now go ahead and call your parents with the good news. I did ask them first.

"You what?" Ugh, that was so twentieth century, Snake. Why were you treating him like some kind of... maiden?

"...You mean they've been holdin' out on me?" He flipped open his phone and made a quick call to his house, which mostly consisted of him being disgruntled about being the last to know and Shizuka being quite happy to hear the news. That done, he slipped the phone back into his pocket and poked Snake in the chest.

"As for you, you've got a lot to answer for. Like... how long have you been plannin' this?" Despite the interrogation act, Heiji wasn't being particularly short with Snake. This was probably because he was simultaneously considering what he was going to do to Snake once they got back.

*Snake preferred to think of it as being considerate. He did like Heiji's parents and got along with them well enough.*

I had a nice conversation with them two days ago while you were busy trying to harass the local police department about unsolved murders. As for how long I've been planning this...*Snake smiled.* You know about two months ago I was at that symposium in England? I talked to Hershel and had him inspect the ring to make sure it was something you'd like. Just so everything would be good by the time you came for a visit.

"That far in advance, huh? I can't believe Hershel kept quiet about that one." Well... Heiji couldn't deny that he was a bit impressed. He kissed Snake again. When he spoke again, his voice softened.

"Were you nervous?"

*Snake rested his forehead against Heiji's shoulder.* Incredibly. I just...*And his voice wavered.* I just wanted it to be special for you. I thought this would be something you'd remember forever.

That was so sweet that Heiji couldn't help himself. He swept his arms around Snake at once and kissed him again as the doors to the elevator opened out into the lobby, not particularly caring who saw. Then he took a half step back and straightened Snake's tie, which he had undoubtedly mussed sometime during all this smooching.

"Trust me, it is. Now let's get back. I got other places I wanna kiss you."

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after vivarium

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