The hatter inhaled deeply as Ariel kissed him. A warm sensation settling in his stomach as his eyes fluttered shut. She would always give him these feelings. Each kiss they shared felt like their first, reminded him of their first, reminded him of how he felt the first time he was able to actually kiss her.
He pined for her for so long, watched her with others just as she undoubtedly watched him. Was that selfish of him to think? That when he was kissing blonde after blonde, the redhead was pining for him?
âIf you still wish to marry me,â  There wasnât anything else he wished for more. Every candle on his unbirthday cake contained that wish. Every dandelion he blew to the breeze. Every coin he tossed into a well. Every wish bone.
He loosened his hold on the mermaid and lowered himself to one knee, the sand dirtying his pant leg as he shifted down into a comfortable position.
âIâm caught a little unprepared,â He blushed and held onto Arielâs left hand, thumb idly caressing her ring finger. âI will always believe you will deserve better than any way I could ever ask you,
He was stalling. The hammering of his heart against his ribs distracting him as he rambled on.Â
âI mean, it will never be like the way it was in the pub. All of our friends near. That love, support, the shock.â He snorted a short laugh. âIâll never forget the surprise on everyoneâs faces. The love on yoursâŠâ
Reginald paused and dropped his gaze to her slender finger and chewed on his lower lip in thought.
âBut at least this time, I can promise that Iâll never leave you again. Iâll make sure no one hurts you again. I promise Iâll never let you cry without embracing you. Iâll cook your favorite meals, bring home your favorite flowers, take you wherever you want to go.â
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her finger, pressing his forehead to the back of her hand.
âI promise I will always be yours, always loyal, always loving, always gentle. I promise to love you until the end of time and then even beyond that.â
âI promise all this and more. Marry me? Iâll give you all this even if you say no, but you deserve a proper proposal.â
Another kiss to her finger before his eyes met hers again.
âPrincess Ariel of Atlantica, will you marry me?â
Ariel stared at Reginald with wide, surprised eyes as he knelt down before her. Her heart began to race in her chest; thumping wildly in her ears as she searched for words - tried to listen to each and everything he murmured to her. Reginald. Her Hatter.Â
Tears sprung to life as realization began to dawn on Ariel. No matter what the hurdle had been, no matter the challenge or the heartache - he had always been there. Even if he hadnât realized it. Even in the time that he was gone - he hadnât really left Ariel.Â
As he lifted to gaze to hers, Ariel slowly sunk to her knees and moved her hands to his cheeks gently. A smile grew on her lips as she slowly began to nod.Â
âOf course, Reggie - yes!âÂ
It was she who felt he deserved more - deserved more love, more tenderness, more care - but she knew she would devote herself to giving him all and more.Â
âYes!â She repeated. âI love you. Iâve always loved you. Always. I-I never stopped. I never. . .â gave up hope. âI give you all of myself. All that I am.Â
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