they’ve been together for a while now, two years— three years? she’s not sure anymore, but it’s not like it really matters. it matters more that she loves him, even if they’re likely coming closer to the inevitable end of their relationship. it’s nothing she’s happy about, in fact she’s been dreading it since they returned from christmas break— but she knows they’ve got a few weeks left. it’s enough. enough to enjoy the best times of her life with the best man she’s ever known until he’s finally deployed. A REAL STARSHIP RANGER. dead god knows she couldn’t be more proud.
and then he’s got something to do, and she’s so very confused, the expression shifting as he kneels down. did he forget to tie his boot? that would be a very tootsie thing to do. so simple, so sweet, not a single mean bone in his body. he’s fumbling for something in his pocket, only serving to further her confusion and she almost asks him what’s happening until he manages to pull out that box and he isn’t— he can’t be— but OH he is. breath catches in her throat and it’s the most beautiful thing she’s ever seen, hand pressing over her mouth, and her eyes are suddenly wet. so very wet with tears of pure HAPPINESS when he says those words and those butterflies in her stomach lurch and flutter violently in reaction.
❝ oh… oh my dead god… i… ❞ now it’s her turn to take a deep breath. ❝ —YES. dead god yes i will marry you tootsie! ❞
It seems like ages has passed, before she answers. & he can finally breathe again! He promptly gets on his feet, wrapping her small figure with his arms. He doesn’t hold too tight, though: never in his life wants he to hurt her, so he’d always touch her gently, as if she’s a delicate FLOWER. But she is, isn’t she? Especially if her eyes fills with tears, like dew on petals. & especially if those tears are JOYFUL.
The following seconds are a blur. He laughs, he cries, he picks her up & they spin around. Happiness fills those moments. ❛ I promise you, ❜ he starts, putting her down, hands cupping her face. ❛ That I’ll do my best to make you happy. ALWAYS. ❜
A smile forms on his lips right after he has pronounced the words. Tootsie can’t help but feel thrilled: she said yes!! The future is holding so much for them, he can tell; he is about to become a proper Starship Ranger, he’s about to go on his first mission... But everything is fine, everything will be fine. Hell, everything is simply wonderful, while he’s holding her in his arms. &, just like that, he kisses her ever so sweetly, like he always does -- like she deserves to be kissed.