The scene of earlier replayed in his head, and he shut his eyes, leaning into her hand ever-so-slightly. "I love you, Poppy. I don't know what to do. I... I just-" He seemed to be at a loss for words. "I didn't want to break up with you, but I couldn't allow anything like that happen again. You've been hurt enough."
"I've been hurt by other people," she said sternly. "Not by you. And, if you recall, a majority of those situations ended with you saving me." She leaned in, her gaze insistent. "I... I can't be without you, Francis. I just can't."
He watched her, his expression soft as he looked into her eyes. After a moment, he stood. "Can you stand up, please? And then face that way." He pointed in the direction opposite of him, so she was looking away.
She raised an eyebrow curiously before turning away. She distracted herself by gazing up at the stars, her breath forming small steam clouds in the air as she waited.
There was some shuffling behind her, and then silence. "Okay, you can turn around now," he said, once she did turn around, she would find him on one knee, looking up at her hopefully. Something was hidden in his hands.
She turned around and inhaled sharply, obviously surprised. Her hands went to her mouth, and she watched him for a moment, her eyes tracing his features. "What are you doing?" she asked quietly, a small smile threatening to overtake her lips.
He had to stifle a laugh, then showed what he had in his hand. It was a ring, set neatly in the box. He cleared his throat, before speaking. “I know these past few days have been terribly difficult, what with the capture and my stupid decisions, and I know I already asked you to marry me already, and Phos said it was a bad idea to do it so soon, but I don’t care anymore. I don’t care about any of that. Poppy, I know I love you. I know it’s the right time, being here with you. It’s us. It’s only us. I don’t have to concern myself on if I should, or when I should, because I know I want to.. I just.. I needed to ask again, because other people’s opinions don’t matter to me right now. Only yours does. So here we are. Poppy Abernathy, will you do the honor in making me happiest person alive, and marrying me?”
She watched him for a moment, that smile still threatening to overtake her face. Finally, she leaned down and kissed him, her hands slipping to rest on his neck. "Of course. Of course."
He smiled against her lips, wrapping his arms around her, though he was careful not to hurt her. "I love you. I love you so much. You make me so happy," he said, burying his face into her shoulder for a moment, before kissing her again.
She knelt down in front of him and embraced him, her fingers running through his hair as she kissed him deeply, her lips soft and insistent. "I love you too, Francis," she murmured between kisses, her voice gentle and warm. "I love you too."
He pulled away for a moment, then took her hand while he spoke, putting the ring on. "I'm sorry I did that to you. I shouldn't have hurt your feelings like that. I shouldn't have broken up with you like that. I'm sorry."
Her hands trembled as he placed the ring on her finger, and she quickly brought them to his neck, missing his embrace. "You were scared," she said softly, looking into his eyes. "You did what you thought you had to do."
She laughed deeply and slipped her arms over his shoulders. She kissed the side of his neck lightly, and her nose grazed his jawline. "I am right 99% of the time," she agreed. "So just stick with me, and we'll never have to worry about it ever again."
"Hmph. Alright, I'll try to listen to that advice," he replied. He shuddered when she kissed him, as it tickled slightly, but he didn't mind. "That means you'll have to meet my parents, then."
"Oh?" she asked as her kisses trailed up to his jawline. She paused and squinted at him. "That's intimidating."
He kissed her jaw, pausing as his breath touched her neck with each exhale. "Nothing we can't overcome, right?"
She sighed, feeling complete as he kissed her, her head turning towards him. "Nothing we can't overcome," she agreed in his ear, her voice scarcely louder than a murmur. Her fingers intertwined with the hair on the back of his head, and she inhaled deeply, soothed by the familiar scent of his cologne.
He would always be able to feel her quick heartbeat against his lips when he kissed her neck. She closed her eyes, relaxing in his arms, and one hand squeezed his, their fingers intertwined, and the other came to rest on the side of his face, her thumb rubbing his cheekbone in slow, deliberate circles. She turned her head and nuzzled his temple with her nose. "I love you too," she murmured. "More than you know."
