Our Ocean
IZONE Kim Minju x Male Reader
Words: 5.3k+
“Oh! I used to have these in my grandma’s house,” Minju pointed at the school of goldfish, which weirdly, were in a very huge tank.
“I think everyone had a goldfish at least once in their life. I did,” you said, eyes still on the tank.
“That’s not true. Some people had hamsters.” Minju replied immediately.
“That’s worse.”
She scoffed, turning to look at you. “How is that worse?”
“They die really fast and in the most random ways.” you laughed just by thinking about those stupidly fragile creatures.
Minju laughed sharp and sudden, then clapped a hand over her mouth like she hadn’t meant to be that loud. “Right! My cousin had one back then. It died in shock after her dad sneezed too loud!”
You snorted despite yourself. “See? They’re so fragile. That’s why many people have goldfishes,”
“Pfft, whatever smarty pants.” She puffed. “How many did you have? I had three: Kim, Min, and Ju.” She giggled.
“Really? You just named them after your name?”
“Of course I did!” Minju said, feigning offense, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. “It’s not like I could come up with better names at six years old. Besides, they fit them!”
You tilted your head, pretending to scrutinize the tiny fish darting through the water. Their scales glinted gold in the overhead light, little flashes of sunlight caught mid-swim, like coins tossed into a shallow fountain. “Could you even tell them apart? I only had two but I couldn’t even tell which is which so I just didn’t name them.”
Minju leaned closer, brushing her shoulder against yours. “Oh, come on, that’s lazy. Everyone can tell them apart if they try,” she said teasing you, eyes squinting like she knew she was getting under your skin, but not really.
You chuckled, letting your hand just brush with hers. “I tried. They all just looked like shiny little blobs swimming around.” But actually, you just couldn’t remember what you named those two orange blobs from your childhood.
She gasped dramatically, putting a hand on her chest. “Wow, you just called these cuties just shiny little blobs. Those two will be so disappointed in you.”
“Nah, they’re good. I mean, they’re dead… so…”
Minju huffed a laugh, rolling her eyes but nudging your side with her elbow. She glanced around and then grinned, wrapping her arm to yours. “Come on,”
You let her lead you through the dimly lit hallways to the curve of the glass tunnel. The overhead lights reflected off the water, casting shimmering patterns on the floor, walls, and the two of you. The distant bubbles made it feel like you’d stepped into another world. Well, not really because of the other people also walking around the tunnel.
Sharks swam, and schools of fish swirled around them. There were also stingrays that glided gracefully above the tunnel, wings rippling as if it was flying through water instead of swimming.
Minju slowed her steps, tugging your arm with her. “Okay, tell me that’s not cool,” she said, tilting her head back to watch a stingray glide above you. Its pale underside caught the light.
“It’s cool,” you admitted. “I’m not blind.”
She smiled smugly. “See? Aquarium dates are cool. You doubted me.”
Not that you were against going in an aquarium for a date, you just thought it wouldn’t be as enjoyable just looking at fishes in a bigger tank. But well, you didn’t really had much ideas to where would you go for this date so you just went on with her idea. She wouldn’t really stop talking about it for weeks now ever since she saw one IG reel of this place.
“I didn’t say anything,” you said, acting all innocent. “You’re the one who dragged me here.”
She scoffed, punching your arm. “Dragged you? You walked in on your own two feet.”
“Under protest.”
“Liar,” Minju said, glancing up again at the stingray that already drifted past, replaced by a scatter of silver fish that flashed and vanished like spilled light. “You’re enjoying this.” she sang, leaning into you closer. She slipped both arms around yours, clinging openly now, cheek nearly brushing your shoulder. “You’re so bad at lying. It’s cute.”
“You’re cute,” you said, playfully bumping her lightly.
“Iiiing…” Minju whined, stretching the sound as she squeezed your arm tighter, swaying a little side to side. “Don’t say it like that. You’re embarrassing me.” she pouted, squeezing her damn voice higher like a child.
“Now you’re the one embarrassing me,” you said, smiling as you leaned closer. “People are already looking.”
Minju narrowed her eyes at you, her pout faltering just before she smirked, letting out a soft, teasing giggle. “Hmph. You’re annoying,” she said, then suddenly her cutesy aegyoistic self coming back again, bouncing slightly on her heels. “Come on, you like it here! Admit it, admit it!” she squeaked, looking up at you with a grin, her whisker dimple digging on her cheek.
You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide your grin. “Fine, fine… I like it. Happy now?”
“Tch… you only say that to shut me up.” that squeaky childish voice dropped deep, clearly unimpressed with your answer. She rolled her eyes as she freed herself from you, arms crossing trying to look away. Seriously, what even was the answer she wanted to hear? Everything would literally be a wrong answer for her.
You stopped walking, letting her pull ahead without you. She hasn’t even noticed as her focus was on the small goldfih following the bigger fih behind the glass. She was completely absorbed in the shimmer of the water, unaware that you were deliberately grinning behind her, watching her as she got a little far.
“Mingju,” you called softly, already recording her from your phone.
She froze mid-step, probably confused as why your call came from behind. You could see the imaginary question marks popping above her head as she turned side to side like a lost puppy, or perhaps a lost fox.
A smile formed on your lips, not to tease or annoy your girlfriend, you were simply just happy. She looked so pretty. How did you even manage to bag a solid 10/10 like Minju? Wait, more like a 1,000,000/10. About right? No, it was definitely more than that. You’d still choose her, love her till your next life, and the life after. You’d choose her eternally.
She turned a little more, scanning the tunnel with a faint frown, lips parted like she was about to ask something on someone. For a while, she genuinely looked misplaced, eyes drifting over strangers, fish, glass, anything but you. Then her gaze landed on that familiar figure with the familiar matching white shirt as hers.
“Yah!” she ran tiny hurried steps towards you, almost bumping on that little child that was wandering so carelessly unattended. And you were assaulted with a flurry of consecutive normal punches raining down your chest and shoulders. “You’re so annoying!”
“Minju,” you laughed, grabbing her wrists mid-swing before she could land another hit. “Calm down, that’s enough.”
She tried to tug free, still muttering complaints under her breath, but her glare softened when she noticed you weren’t laughing at her, just smiling like a complete idiot in love. Your eyes met, making her crack as she lose her character. “Yah, you’re so mean.” she whined, bottom lip jutting out.
“Sorry,” you murmured, leaning in to plant a kiss on her forehead. “Sorry,” you said again, followed by another kiss against the tip of her nose. “Sorry,” and finally, a peck on that ridiculous pout.
She blinked at the last kiss, pout melting into a flustered half-smile. “You think kisses solve everything?” Minju muttered, but she didn’t pull away. If anything, her fingers curled tighter into your shirt, tugging you closer.
“Most things,” you said lightly, dipping your head near her ear and whispered something. “Some things might require me to breed you—” you couldn’t even finish, Minju’s smack landed on your chest with more surprise than force. “YAH!” she yelped, swatting your chest with more shock than actual force, though her smile betrayed her.
You laughed it off, glancing down… then you dropped, one knee hitting the polished floor. Minju went still, completely, utterly still. “…What?” The word barely made it past her lips. Her eyes went wide, then wider. A woman walking past slowed. Someone behind Minju audibly gasped. The tunnel's fluorescent lights cast everything in harsh white, catching the shimmer forming at the corners of her eyes.
You looked up at her, not saying anything. Her hands flew to her mouth, eyes sparkling, cheeks floshed pink full of blood rushing up to her face. “Yah…” she squeaked, acting all excited, wobbling slightly on her feet as she stared down at you. “…Is this—?
You just let the silence hang, letting it stretch for a bit just to make her chest completely filled with butterflies. You held her gaze for a moment, letting the tension build, her smile creeping inuncontrollably, stretching so wide her eyes nearly disappeared. Then, just as dramatically, just as slowly, you reached into your pocket… then you pulled your hand out… and flashed a tiny finger heart.
“I love you.”
Beat.
“Your shoe’s untied.”
The bright and excited smile on her face was fast gone with yet the fourth? Or maybe the fifth frown of the day. “…Yah.” You watched realization crawl across her expression in real time, shock, confusion, then the slowest-building storm of indignation you'd ever seen, so you just worked on her lace before she could kick your balls off.
“YAH—” she shrieked, too loud that the couple who’d stopped by flinched. Her hands instinctively flied to her mouth, bowing on the passersby with a small “sorry” along. They shuffled off quickly, already whispering at each other.
Minju turned back to you as you stood, and the look on her face could've killed a man. “Don’t you fucking scare me like that!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you said, shrugging your shoulders.
Minju stared at you like she was plotting some unspeakable things to you on the spot. “You’re unbelievable,” she muttered, then jabbed your chest with her finger. “I actually thought you were serious. My heart—” she clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “You owe me.”
“For what?”
“For emotional trauma,”
You bit back a grin. "That's a stretch.”
“I hate you,” she muttered, but her arm was already slithering its way wrapping around yours. You stumbled after her as she marched slightly ahead of you, still grumbling to herself under her breath. “Next time you kneel, you better mean it. I almost embarrassed myself in front of strangers.” she said without turning to you.
“I just tied your shoe. You would have embarrassed yourself if you tripped so you’re welcome.” you said, still trying to play dumb with her. “Besides, you were already embarrassing,” you teased.
She whipped her head toward you. “What did you say?”
“Uhm, that you were embarrassing?”
“Say that again.”
"Em-bar-rass-ing.” you repeated each syllable slowly and annoyingly, and honestly, the look on her face made it worth whatever’s coming. She swatted, but you just dodged.
She tried swatting you and missed again, which made you hold back a laughter. And then, probably against her will, she started laughing too. Just a little at first, a sharp exhale through her nose, but it cracked her wide open. By the time you reached the vending machine near the tunnel exit, she was shaking her head at you like she couldn't believe she put up with this.
The machine hummed quietly. A few people milled around cylindrical glasses lined up in the darker room. Minju let go of you and stepped up to the machine, arms folding as she squinted at the rows of drinks inside.
“What do you want?” she asked, though you just watched her fingers as she punch two Milkis on the keypad without even waiting for you to answer.
“Why’d you even ask?”
A side eye followed by an eye roll is the only answer you got. She leaned down to grab the two cans clunked down into the dispenser. She straightened up with both cans in hand, holding one out to you like she was doing you a favor. But she pulled it back out of your reach before you could grab it, mouth curled up along with one eyebrow.
“So is that mine…?” you asked, darting your eyes to the can on her hand then back to hers.
MInju lifted her chin and turned her head slightly, her not floshed anymore cheeks facing you now. She didn’t say anything, maybe just letting you figure out what she was asking for yourself. You just stood there, though you’re not exactly clueless, you just want her to explicitly say what she wants. But well, Minju clearly wasn’t going to give you the satisfaction.
She tilted her head a little more, lips pressed together, eyes flicking pointedly to your mouth and then back to yours. Still stubbornly silent. You bit the inside of your cheek, trying not to laugh at her trying so hard to get a kiss.
You finally broke first, a quiet laugh slipping out as you shook your head. “You’re ridiculous,” you said. Minju’s eyes narrowed when you didn’t move, then clicking her tongue softly. Her stare grew more pointed, almost offended that you were enjoying this.
“Just ask what you want,” you laughed in between your words. But she’s still refusing to give in, so you just gave her the satisfaction and leaned in, planting one kiss on her cheek, then another, then another.
Her head turned fast with a wide grin on her face, no hints of any annoyance she was having just a second ago. “See? That wasn’t so hard was it?”
She popped open one of the cans, handed it over, then cracked open her own and took a long sip, eyes still on you the whole time. The cold fizz hit your tongue, sweet and sharp, and you downed half the can in one go just to give yourself something to do that wasn't staring at the way her throat moved when she swallowed.
Minju wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, then grabbed your arm again, her favorite method of steering you around, apparently. "Come on. I want to see the seahorses."
"Seahorses?"
"Yeah." She tugged you forward, weaving between a family with a stroller and some guy taking a selfie with a tank full of neon tetras. "They're cute. And they mate for life you know."
You raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to imply something?"
She glanced at you over her shoulder. "I don’t know.”
The seahorse exhibit was tucked into a smaller alcove off the main tunnel, dimmer than the rest of the aquarium. The tanks here were tall and narrow, lit from within by soft blue and violet LEDs that made the water look almost unreal. Inside, delicate seahorses drifted vertically, tails curled around strands of kelp, their translucent bodies catching the light in shimmering pulses.
You stepped up behind her, your chest brushing her back and peered over her shoulder. The seahorses moved in slow spirals, their tiny fins fluttering so fast they blurred. One of them was bright yellow, hovered near the front of the tank, bobbing gently.
You leaned a little closer, eyes drifting past the bright yellow one, then you spotted two seahorses near the back of the tank. Their tails were wrapped tight around the same strand of kelp… and around each other, moving slowly, suspiciously close. A smirk tugged at your mouth.
“Minju,” you said amused. “Look at those two.”
She followed your gaze, squinting at first. “Which— oh.” Her words stalled. “…Oh.”
The two seahorses swam together, bodies brushing, tails still linked like they had no intention of letting go. You bit the inside of your cheek, already losing the battle against your grin.
“Yah,” she whispered, then immediately slapped your arm. “Don’t make it weird.”
“I didn’t say anything,” you replied, already laughing under your breath. “They’re the ones doing all the work.”
“Why are you laug—” Minju cracked as her eyes met yours. Minju wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, then grabbed your arm again, her favorite method of steering you around, apparently. "Come on. I want to see the seahorses."
"Seahorses?"
"Yeah." She tugged you forward, weaving between a family with a stroller and some guy taking a selfie with a tank full of neon tetras. "They're cute. And they mate for life you know."
You raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to imply something?"
She glanced at you over her shoulder. "I don’t know.”
The seahorse exhibit was tucked into a smaller alcove off the main tunnel, dimmer than the rest of the aquarium. The tanks here were tall and narrow, lit from within by soft blue and violet LEDs that made the water look almost unreal. Inside, delicate seahorses drifted vertically, tails curled around strands of kelp, their translucent bodies catching the light in shimmering pulses.
You stepped up behind Minju, your chest brushing her back and peered over her shoulder. The seahorses moved together, their tiny fins fluttering. One of them was bright yellow, hovered near the front of the tank, bobbing gently.
You leaned a little closer, eyes drifting past the bright yellow one, then you spotted two seahorses near the back of the tank. Their tails were wrapped tight around the same strand of kelp… and around each other, moving slowly, suspiciously close. A smirk tugged at your mouth. “Minju, look.” you said amused.
She followed your gaze, squinting at first. “Which—… oh.” Her words stalled.
The two seahorses swam together, bodies brushing, tails still linked like they had no intention of letting go. You bit the inside of your cheek, already losing the battle against your grin.
“Yah,” she whispered, then immediately slapped your arm. “Don’t make it weird.”
“I didn’t say anything,” you replied, already laughing under your breath. “They’re the ones doing all the work.”
“Why are you laug—” Minju cracked as her eyes met yours. She covered her mouth, shoulders shaking. "Cut that stupid smirk off your face."
“Come on, you’re literally the one making it weird. I just told you to look at them.”
Minju tried to hold it together, but the more she looked at them, the worse it got. She pressed her lips together, shoulders shaking, but she lost it and buried her face in your arm. “Stop looking at me like that,” she mumbled, laughing.
“You’re the one who dragged me to the seahorses,” you reminded her.
She straightened up, eyes glinting with mischief now that she’d recovered. “Well,” she said, folding her arms, “you know in seahorses the male carries the babies.”
“So?”
She leaned in closer, grin spreading. “So technically,” she said sweetly, poking your chest, “if we were seahorses, you’d be the one getting pregnant.”
“Well thank God we’re not seahorses then.”
"Aw, what?" Minju pouted, tilting her head with disappointment. "You don't want to carry my babies?”
You stared at her for a beat, then let your gaze drift deliberately down to her stomach, then back up to meet her eyes. "Pretty sure that's not how it works for us."
”Pshh, you’re boring.” her grin faltered.
"In fact," you continued, stepping closer until she had to tilt her head back to keep eye contact, "I'm pretty sure if anyone's carrying babies, it's gonna be you."
The smugness drained from her face in real time. "I—that's not—"
"What?" You tilted your head, copying her earlier tone. "You don't want to carry my babies?"
"That's different.” Minju's eyes darted to the side, to the seahorses, then back to you. Her face was already flushing.
“What’s different?”
She tried to say something, but couldn’t form it in words, so she just kept herself silent, shaking her head. “Why can’t I win any argument with you?”
You stepped closer, holding her face, her fingers intertwined as she wrapped her arms around your back. “Don’t worry, I still love you even if you’re like that. My Minjugattoo,” you leaned in and kissed her softly, breaking with a warm smile from her.
“I love you too.”
You lingered close, your forehead brushing hers while the low hum of the tank filled the quiet space. The seahorses drifted behind her shoulder, tails still curled together, unaware of the chaos they’d started.
Your eyes flicked past her for a second, then back to her ear as you leaned in. “We should try that position when we get home,” you whispered.
Minju froze, smacking your chest, eyes wide and burning. “Yah,” she hissed, trying not to laugh. “We’re still in public!”
A couple walking past slowed down, glancing at the two of you laughing quietly at a tank full of tiny drifting seahorses. Minju noticed and got off you, trying to look composed, only for her eyes to meet yours again, and she cracked up all over again, her laugh blending with the low hum of the aquarium around you.
“Let’s go.”
.
You followed Minju along the stone path that curved away from the tanks and toward the open river area. It had a much cooler air there, carrying the faint smell of the river’s fresh water. It wasn’t too sunny so it was a good weather for a picnic. Besides, there are others who were already sat down the grass as well.
“Here,” she said, pointing to a patch of grass nearby the riverbank where a line of short trees cast soft shade. The water moved slow and steady beside the stone edge, catching bits of light that slipped through the leaves.
She set her basket bag down, you took the thin blanket and spread it out, pressing the corners flat with both hands so it wouldn’t bunch up. A few families and couples sat farther down the river. There were kids by the small dock, throwing crumbs to the fishes that gathered close by. A few ducks paddling near the makeshift pond in the middle of the park.
Minju dropped onto her knees and reached for the bento box with a small, proud smile. “I woke up early for this,” she said, tapping the lid twice before opening it. There was a carefully but cutely placed small octopus in between the sliced fruits and veggies and rice that had cute small fishes like they’re swimming.
You just raised both your eyebrows, nodding at her statement. ”If you say so,”
Wrong answer, she smacked your arm with darting eyes. “Yah, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You can barely follow a kimchi fried rice recipe without adding something else. One time you started frying with the fire off. So yeah sure.”
“That was one time, I was experimenting*.*” Minju defended as she took the chopsticks on the bag.
You snorted at the memory of that disastrous dish. It didn’t taste bad though, but not really as impressive. “The egg on the top was talking. That was quite an experiment.”
She took a small tentacle from her bento, but she moved her hand towards your face. “Ah,” you just surrendered and opened your mouth, taking the food and chewing it carefully. “Oh… It’s good!” you said, flashing two thumbs up of approval.
“Eunbi unnie helped me with this.” Minju smiled before taking a bite of her own.
“She helped you or you helped her?”
Minju’s eyes snapped up at you, already defensive. “I cooked,” she insisted, pointing her chopsticks at your face, probably wanting to stab you too. “She helped me.”
You stared at her for a second, then leaned back on your palms, the realization settling in. “Ah,” you said slowly. “So that’s why you suddenly had a sleepover at Eunbi’s place.”
She tried to hold onto the serious face, but it slipped. “Yes, so just shut up and eat.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She kicked your shin, but she was smiling now. You took another bite, the sweet carrot and rice mixing with the faint coolness from the park air. Minju watched you chew like she was waiting for a final verdict, pretending she didn’t care while inching closer until your shoulders pressed together again. You swallowed, then gave a small nod. And she’s already satisfied with that reaction.
The two of you settled into a comfortable rhythm, trading bites, pointing out ducks, watching a kid nearly fall off the dock before his dad caught him. Minju laughed at that, and you realized you'd been smiling unconsciously.
Minju had moved on from the bento to a bag of chips, crunching loudly while she stared out at the river. The orange dust was already collecting on her fingers. She'd pop one in her mouth, chew, then immediately reach for another. You watched her for a moment, the way the breeze kept pulling strands of hair across her face, the way she'd scrunch her nose every time she had to brush them away with the back of her hand. She looked happy, and so were you.
Your hand drifted to your pocket. The small box pressed against your palm through the fabric, a weight you'd been carrying all day. You'd planned this weeks ago, texted Eunbi, coordinated with the aquarium staff, arranged everything down to the last detail. The fake proposal earlier had been part of it too, a way to throw her off, make her think you were just messing around. But now, sitting here in the dappled shade with chip crumbs on the blanket and her shoulder against yours, you felt your pulse kick up. You should do it now.
“Minju…”
“Mm?” she hummed, turning towards you.
“I’m gonna get us some sweets.”
“Mkay. Don’t take too long.”
You stood, brushing off your pants, and headed toward the small vendor cart you'd spotted earlier near the aquarium entrance. Your heart was hammering now, this is it, this is the moment, your moment. The vendor, a middle-aged woman who'd been briefed ahead of time, gave you a knowing smile when you approached. "The special order?" she asked quietly.
You nodded. She disappeared into the back of the cart and returned with two popsicles. One was normal, bright blue and already starting to sweat in the heat. The other looked identical from the outside, but you knew what was frozen inside, a small silver ring wrapped in a smaller plastic film so it won’t get sticky, just something simple and clean, exactly the kind Minju would like. You'd spent hours picking it out. Weeks, really, if you counted all the times you'd scrolled through jewelry sites pretending you were just browsing. You really owed Eunbi one for helping you out with picking the best one. "Good luck," the vendor said, handing them over.
You managed a tight smile. "Thanks.”
The walk back felt longer than it should have. Minju was right where you left her, chip bag now gone, legs stretched out in front of her, scrolling on her phone quietly. She looked up when you approached, eyes lighting up at the sight of the popsicles.
"Ooh, blue!" She reached for the one in your right hand, the normal one, but you pulled it back.
"This one's mine," you said, handing her the other. "Yours is this one.”
Her lips curled, glaring at you. “Pshh, what’s the difference? It’s literally just the same one.”
“Just take it, gosh.”
She huffed but accepted it anyway, tearing open the wrapper with her teeth. You sat back down beside her, your own popsicle forgotten in your hand as you watched her bring it to her lips. She took the first bite, or tried to. Her teeth hit something hard. “Ow— what’s that?” she pulled back, frowning at the popsicle.
Your throat went dry. "Why?”
"Is that a coin or something?" She bit down again, more carefully this time, and her expression shifted. She was confused at first, then her eyes went wide. She pulled the popsicle away from her mouth and stared at it. The ring was visible now, partially exposed in the melting ice. “What…”
You set your own popsicle down on the blanket and shifted, turning to face her fully. Her gaze snapped to you, and you watched the exact moment it clicked, her puppy eyes got redder, tears started to form slowly as she realized what that was.
“Minju,”
She didn't move, didn't speak, she just stared at you with those wide and disbelieving eyes, letting you speak your moment. You reached over and carefully took the popsicle from her hand, then worked the ring free from the melting ice. It came loose easily, cold and wet on your fingers. You teared the plastic film and held it up between you.
"I know I kinda faked a proposal earlier," you started, more sincere now. "And I know you probably think this is another joke, but well it's not.”
Minju just let you speak, a single teardrop fell from her left eye, already realized that it’s real this time.
"I've been thinking about this for a while," you continued. "Longer than I probably should've waited. And I know we're young, and maybe people will think it's too soon, but so what? I don’t care about them." You took a breath. "I love you. I've loved you since the moment I saw your beautiful smile. I love the way your whisker dimple appears whenever I make you smile. I love how you try to act cute when you’re embarrassed. I love how we love hating each other and be sweet the next second. I love that you dragged me wherever you go so we could see everything together. ”
She laughed, or maybe it was a sob. Her eyes were shimmering now, wet and bright.
"And I don't want to wait anymore, let me be the one to drag you now, into a future where we could be together." you said. "I don't want hypotheticals or someday or maybes. I just want you. Forever. Officially.” You shifted onto one knee on the blanket, and her breath hitched.
"Kim Minju," you said, holding up the ring. "Will you marry me?"
For a long moment, she didn't move. Just stared at you with her hand pressed to her mouth, tears spilling over now, tracking down her cheeks. The river moved behind her. A duck quacked. Somewhere nearby, a kid laughed. People gathering around now to witness this moment, the couple from earlier stood there too.
Then she nodded. Once, twice, fast and frantic like she couldn't get the words out.
"Yes," she finally choked out. "Yes, you idiot, yes—"
You barely got the ring on her finger before she launched herself at you, knocking you backward onto the blanket. She kissed you hard, messy, tasting like salt and melting popsicle and something sweeter underneath. Her hands were in your hair, on your face, everywhere at once. The people around started clapping.
When she finally pulled back, she was crying and laughing at the same time, wiping at her face with the back of her hand.
"You—" she started, then stopped, shaking her head. "You hid it in a popsicle? You’re so weird."
"I thought it was clever."
"It's ridiculous." But she was smiling so wide it looked like it hurt, staring down at the ring on her finger like she couldn't quite believe it was real.
"So is that a yes?" you asked, grinning up at her.
She hit your chest. "I already said yes, dumbass."
She kissed you again, softer this time, and when she pulled back her forehead rested against yours. "I can't believe you made me think it was a joke earlier.”
"Had to throw you off."
"I'm gonna kill you for that later."
"Sure you are."
She laughed, burrying her face in your neck. You wrapped your arms around her and held on, feeling her heartbeat against your chest, fast and strong and real.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too."
She pulled back just enough to look at you, eyes still shining. "Forever?"
"Forever."
••••••••••
Big thanks to @mintwithchoco and Wooly for hosting the prompt and for the beautiful moodboards! I didn't really have any actual direction writing this and just rawdogged whatever scene comes to mind which was a bit challenging but it was fun!
