✦the boys planned the whole proposal… but they got too nervous…
Sebek Zigvolt
Sebek had been a rigid, stick all day. His usual booming voice was clipped. His posture was military straight. He marched rather than walked, hands clenched at his sides, green hair somehow even more perfectly styled than usual, as if every strand was standing at attention out of sheer anxiety. He had been planning this for over a year.
Every detail had been planned. The exact day, the exact hour, the exact flower that would be in peak bloom in the private castle garden. He had even begged (very loudly and very respectfully) for Malleus’s permission to use the garden… and of course Malleus had granted it with a soft, knowing smile.
What Sebek hadn’t thought was how his heart would try to explode the moment the plan actually began. He had managed to lure you to the castle of “important business involving the Young Master.”
You were suspicious immediately.
“Sebek, this is really sudden,” you said as he practically pulled you through the halls. “Maybe after we’re done I can have tea with Lilia and…”
“NO!” Sebek barked, far too loudly. He cleared his throat, ears burning red. “Lilia does not like tea.”
You stared at him. “…Lilia doesn’t like tea? Since when?”
“Since always! It is a known fact! Do not question me!”
You let it go, but your suspicion only grew.
Sebek finally led you into the garden. It was breathtaking. Flowers of every color bloomed in perfect harmony. Golden sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting everything in a dreamy glow. It was undeniably romantic.
You turned in a slow circle, admiring it. “Sebek… this is beautiful. Why did you really bring me here?”
The second your back was to him, Sebek dropped to one knee so hard it probably gonna leave a mark. His hands shook violently as he pulled out the small velvet box he had carried in his pocket for months. He opened his mouth to deliver the speech he had practiced at least two hundred times. But instead, a broken sob tore out of him.
Then another.
And another.
Big, loud, ugly sobs that shook his broad shoulders. Tears streamed down his face as all the tension, fear, love, and overwhelming devotion of the past years crashed over him at once.
You spun around instantly at the sound. “Sebek?!” You dropped to your knees in front of him, cupping his wet cheeks in both hands, eyes wide with panic. “What happened?! Are you hurt? Did something go wrong? Talk to me!”
Sebek could barely breathe through the sobs. His face was bright red, tears dripping off his chin. He thrust the open ring box toward you with trembling hands, the beautiful ring glittering between you. “W-Will you?” he choked out, voice cracking horribly. “Please?!”
For a second you just stared, stunned. Then your expression melted into pure joy. “Yes!” you whispered, laughing through sudden tears of your own. “Yes, Sebek. Of course I will.”
Sebek let out a loud sigh and practically tackled you into a hug, still on his knees. The ring box nearly went flying before you gently took it from his shaking hand and slipped the ring onto your finger yourself.
“I have prepared a speech…” he sobbed against your shoulder, arms wrapped around you like iron bands. “But I ruined it… I’m sorry… but I’m so happy…”
You laughed softly and kissed the top of his head, stroking his hair. “You didn’t ruin anything. This is the most Sebek proposal I could have asked for.”
Up in the castle window, three figures watched the scene unfold.
Malleus smiled softly, looking proud.
Lilia was laughing so hard he had to hold onto the windowsill.
Silver just sighed, looking equal parts fond and exhausted. “He’s going to be insufferable about this for the next decade…”
Azul Ashengrotto
Azul had spent weeks… no, months!Crafting the perfect proposal plan. He had spreadsheets. Multiple drafts. Risk assessments. Backup plans for the backup plans. Jade and Floyd clear his schedule and secure the location.
He tried so hard to be slick when he casually asked you during lunch if you’d like to go on a date, you smiled and said yes immediately. But the way his fingers twitched under the table and the way he adjusted his glasses three times in ten seconds made you suspicious.
“Dinner at the beach restaurant that you talked about recently.” he said smoothly. “This Saturday. 7:15 p.m. I’ve already made the reservation.”
You raised an eyebrow. “…Specific…”
“Good planning is important.” he replied, smiling that polished, professional smile. You knew something was up.
Saturday evening arrived. The beach was beautiful, soft golden sand, gentle waves, the sky painted in breathtaking pinks and oranges as the sun began to set. Azul had somehow gotten the entire beach cleared. You walked hand in hand along the shoreline, your shoes dangling from your free hand. Azul’s grip on yours was a little tighter than usual. His palm was suspiciously clammy.
“It’s really pretty tonight,” you said, leaning into his side.
“Yes. Very beautiful” he agreed, looking down at you, voice slightly strained. That’s when his fancy digital watch started beeping insistently.
Beep. Beep. Beep beep beep.
You both stopped. You glanced down at the screen.
HEART RATE: CRITICAL. PLEASE SIT DOWN IMMEDIATELY.
“Azul?!” You turned to him in panic, grabbing his arm. “What’s wrong?! Are you okay? Is it your heart? Should we call someone?”
Azul’s face was flushed pink all the way to his ears. He quickly silenced the watch with a trembling finger. “It’s… nothing. I’m simply excited to eat!” he said, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. “The restaurant has an excellent menu tonight. Very… exciting...”
You stared at him, utterly confused. “Azul. Your heart rate is through the roof. We should ditch the date and go home. Or at least visit the infirmary—”
“No!” The word came out far too loud and desperate. Azul’s eyes widened in panic.
Before you could say another word, he dropped to one knee right there in the sand, nearly losing his balance as his legs gave out from nerves. Sand flew everywhere. One hand fumbled in his coat pocket and pulled out a small, elegant velvet box. His glasses were slightly fogged up.
“Marry me!” he blurted, voice cracking. “Please! right now! I mean, not right now, I mean… UGH! …will you marry me?!”
You froze.
The sunset painted everything in warm gold, the waves lapped gently, and Azul was kneeling in the sand, looking up at you with wide, desperate eyes and a face so red as tomato. You stayed quiet for a long moment, stunned, just staring at him. The beeping grew louder.
HEART RATE: EMERGENCY PROTOCOL.
Azul looked like he was about to pass out...
Then you broke into a bright, teary smile. “Yes…” you whispered, then louder “Yes, Azul. Of course I’ll marry you.”
You dropped to your knees in the sand too and threw your arms around him. Azul let out a shaky, relieved breath and hugged you back so tightly you could barely breathe, burying his face in your shoulder.
“Thank the seven…” he mumbled, voice muffled against your neck. “I had three different speeches prepared… deam it...”
You laughed softly and kissed his temple. “It was perfect.”
In the distance, hidden behind some rocks, Jade stood with a camera, calmly filming the entire thing with a little smile. Floyd was doubled over beside him, laughing so hard he was wheezing, slapping his knee.
“OMS! look at his face! He’s gonna short circuit! Best entertainment ever~”
Jade didn’t even glance away from the view. “Be quiet, Floyd. This is going into the wedding montage.”
Ace Trappola
It was the perfect sunny afternoon for a picnic. The park was bathed in warm golden light, birds chirping, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves. You’d packed all of Ace’s favorites, sandwiches with extra mayo, cherry pie, and those sour gummies he liked. The two of you were sprawled on a big blanket, like any other lazy date.
But something was off.
Ace kept fidgeting. He’d laugh at your jokes a little too loud, then go quiet. His hand kept drifting to the right pocket of his hoodie like he was checking if something was still there. You noticed, of course, but you didn’t push.
Finally, after he’d been staring at the same tree for 10 straight minutes, you set your drink down. “Ace… is everything okay?”
That was the moment he decided to go for it. He sat up straighter, cleared his throat, and tried to look casual. The words that came out of his mouth, however, were not the ones he practiced in the mirror for months straight.
“I don’t wanna be your boyfriend anymore.”
The world stopped.
You stared at him, eyes slowly widening in shock and hurt. Your heart dropped straight into your stomach. “…What?”
Ace blinked, realizing too late how that sounded. “Wait! Let me explain! I think I was your boyfriend for long enough!”
“You’re serious right now?” Your voice cracked. You felt tears already burning at the corners of your eyes. “After everything…? You were my boyfriend for ‘long enough’?”
Ace’s face went pale. “No! Wait! That came out wrong!”
But the damage was done. You felt your chest tighten painfully. You stood up on shaky legs, brushing grass off your clothes. “I can’t believe you…” you whispered, voice thick. Tears spilled as you turned and started walking away, arms wrapped around yourself.
Then in the distance, hidden behind some trees and bushes, five very panicked boys were losing their minds.
“ACE YOU IDIOT!” Deuce whisper yelled.
“NO! DONT GO!” Ortho nearly dropping the camera he was holding.
“Turn around! Turn around!!” Epel shouted, waving his arms.
“HUMAN! BEHIND YOU!” Sebek boomed, forgetting all subtlety.
Jack just groaned and facepalmed. “This is why we shouldn’t have let him do it alone…”
You stopped, confused by the sudden shouting. When you turned around, Ace was sprinting toward you, nearly tripping over his own feet. He sprinted to a stop right in front of you and dropped to one knee so fast his knee made a dull thud against the grass.
“WAIT! I’m sorry! I messed up so bad!” He was panting, face flushed red with embarrassment and nerves. One hand fumbled desperately in his hoodie pocket and pulled out a ring with a bright red gem that sparkled like a rose.
“I don’t wanna be your boyfriend anymore because… because I wanna be your husband now!” he blurted, holding the ring up with a trembling hand. “I’ve been carrying this thing around for weeks, practicing in the mirror like an idiot, and I completely screwed up the line! I had this whole smooth speech planned and instead I said the worst possible thing! I am so sorry!!”
You stood there stunned, tears still streaming down your face… but now they were shifting from heartbroken to happy. Ace looked up at you with those big eyes, voice softer now.
“I love you. Like, stupid amounts. I wanna wake up next to you every day and build a life that’s loud and fun and ours. So… will you marry me? Please don’t walk away. I’ll literally die if you do.”
Behind the trees, the boys were a mess of emotions. Deuce was tearing up. Ortho was zooming in with the camera. Epel was whispering “Get it together, Ace!” while Jack tried to keep Sebek from crashing over to beat Ace for almost traumatizing you.
You let out a wet, teary laugh and dropped to your knees in front of him, throwing your arms around his neck. “Yes…” you whispered, then louder through happy sobs “Yes, you absolute idiot. I’ll marry you.”
Ace let out a whoop of relief and hugged you so tightly you almost couldn’t breathe. He slipped the ring onto your finger with shaky hands, then kissed you hard, desperate, relieved, and full of love. You could taste salt from both your tears.
When you finally pulled back, Ace rested his forehead against yours, grinning that signature cocky but soft smile.
