The sun was slowly setting on the other side of the valley, the golden rays turning orange first and finally red, making the shadows down below stretch longer and the little river winding through the hills sparkle faintly. It was a beautiful sight to behold and the two of them seemed to be completely engrossed in it, just looking at this place that they had visited so often in the past already.

After a while, Shangguan Yu’s lips curled into a smile and he turned to look at his husband. "Come to think of it, just looking at the time in the game, we’ve been moving pretty fast. Just half a year we’re already living together."

Ao Jing couldn’t help but grin when he heard that and turned around as well, putting a hand on the ground behind Shangguan Yu and leaning closer. "Why, are you saying that I should’ve asked you to marry me after all? I guess that would fit with the timeline."

Shangguan Yu laughed and shook his head. "I guess you’re not wrong with that but I’d still rather wait. Anyway, long engagements are also very nice."

Ao Jing couldn’t help but laugh out loud as well. "Long engagements? You will only have an engagement if I really asked you to marry me though."

Shangguan Yu shook his head at him and then motioned for him to take out the box. "Anyway, let’s see how they actually turned out. The drawing was very nice but I’d really like to see the real thing now."

Ao Jing nodded and then took out the box, holding it in his hands for a moment. It was really beautiful: lacquered black wood with a carving on the lid, looking quite sophisticated. "The Mo family really took us as their saviors, huh?"

Shangguan Yu nodded and leaned closer, putting his head on his husband’s shoulder. "I guess they did. But if this was real life, then that might as well be true. That Liangqiu Huang was angry enough to really make their life hell in return for what had happened to his brother. Anyway, it’s good that we managed to solve it."

Ao Jing nodded and then opened the box, revealing two rings that were sitting on a small pillow inside. They were golden with the three stones displayed on top, looking almost exactly like the drawing Mo Ju An had done.

Shangguan Yu gave a hum when he saw them. "They’re really pretty." He reached out his hand, holding it next to the box, clearly expecting his husband to put his ring on for him.

Ao Jing laughed again, put down the box, and took out one of the rings, slowly sliding it on Shangguan Yu’s finger. "Since it’s a ring of promise, I promise you that I’ll keep being your husband in the game for as long as you want me to and I’ll stay your boyfriend in real life until you want me to be more than that."

Shangguan Yu raised his hand, looking at the ring that fit perfectly, and then looked up at his husband with his eyes twinkling with happiness. "That’s a good one. Let me give you one as well." He picked up the second ring and took Ao Jing’s hand, looking at the ring for a moment while he pondered what he should say. Anyway, he didn’t want to be outdone by his own husband. "I promise you … that whether it’s now or in the future, you’ll always have a place in my heart. And with some time, you can even have the biggest part." He finally slid the ring on his finger and then craned his neck, pecking Ao Jing’s lips.

"The biggest part? Not your whole heart?" Ao Jing raised his brows at that.

Shangguan Yu lightly tugged at his lapel, his smile mischievous. "Well, you still need to leave a part for the rest of my family."

Ao Jing grinned as well, finally leaning forward and pulling him into his arms. "I should." Anyway, it was nice to hear how Shangguan Yu called them 'the rest' of his family. That meant he was considering that in the future, he would be his family too. What more did he want?

Shangguan Yu hugged him back, resting his cheek against his husband’s shoulder. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and just enjoying this moment.

Ao Jing reached up, lightly brushing through the character’s white hair with his fingers, and giving a low hum. "Tomorrow … When will we meet up?"

"As early as possible. How long do you need to come over?"

"If you want me to, I can be there right at 6 AM."

Shangguan Yu laughed, burying his head at Ao Jing’s chest. "Alright, that’s a little too early. Let’s make that eight?"

"Alright, eight it is. Then what do you want to do?"

Shangguan Yu raised his head and opened his eyes again, looking at his husband while he pondered. "Well, we didn’t get to go to the game center today because of what happened with my brother-in-law. I think it would be fun though. Let’s go do that. And for the next date, you can decide."

Ao Jing smiled, feeling like he was going crazy. "We haven’t even had the second one and you’re already wanting me to plan the third?"

Shangguan Yu just nodded though. "Who knows how long you’ll need to plan? I’d better give you enough time to prepare."

Ao Jing laughed again. "I’d better not disappoint you then."

Shangguan Yu put his arms on his shoulders, the corners of his lips quirking up further. "You’d better never disappoint me. Otherwise, I’ll have to demote you from boyfriend to just friend."

"Oh? Do I lose my small place in your heart then?"

"No, my friends still have a place in my heart. It’s just not as big."

"I’d better make sure I don’t screw up then. My place might become negligible otherwise."

Shangguan Yu laughed and kissed him again. "You should. Anyway, I’m afraid it’s time to get off. See you again in real life, my husband." With that, he logged off, looking forward to the next time they would see each other outside of the game.

yansusustories

Welcome to the end of the main story! I hoped you liked it so far ;) I have a small extra prepared for Thursday so there'll be one more update that I hope you'll stay around for ;)