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There were not a whole lot of romantic places on the island. Well, there were a few but the island was still covered in a thick mist, so actually going to those places was more or less a bad idea unless you were armed. Or wee Marcus, who’d checked out runic daggers and then requested even more. He’d made a run for his dorm room, and used the booze he’d not opened as bribery. He only needed the daggers for a short while. And the guy with the paperwork had given him a stern glare, told him he had 3 hours, and if he wasn’t back by then, he would regret it.

Marcus was damn sure he’d be back in three hours.

Setting up the area wasn’t that hard. Setting the trail wasn’t either. It was like Valentines. He started with one gift, and each one would lead to another. The first gift was A simple hair clip, a white rose. The next was a photo framed in dark wood, the first photo they ever took together. The next gift was a picture of her, sleeping, clutching the Unico plush with a note. ‘I never would realize I could be jelous of a stuffed animal until that moment.’ A small white totoro charm. The next gift was the petal of a red rose, where a small andes mint. ‘Soon.’

It was the last gift before the map would lead to the final spot, the grassy edge where they had taken their first date. Marcus stood, runic daggers on the ground, letting him keep his weapon unsummoned. He’d been lucky, as so far, no creatures had come but they probably didn’t have long. Right now it was just a waiting game.

The small picnic basket was hidden behind him, and he wouldn't need it for a while, at least he hoped not. As she came over he felt that tightening of his chest as his heart pounded in his ears. It was like buying the damn ring only worse. All the lines he'd run in his head were gone. Lost under waves of something he would later call love. In that moment? He just felt like a fool.

You can do this. You've faced worse Marcus, don't worry so much. easy for Dis to say, he wasn't the one looking at the girl he loved more than he thought was possible.

Realizing he was just standing there, Marcus took a breath. "Do you.. remember what you did in the Sahara? What we promised?" It was simple question. It was a good start.

s**t. s**t. SHE WAS FROWNING. SHE WAS FROWNING. ABORT. ABORT. END CONTACT. REGROUP. MAYDAY MAYDAY.


Marcus, she's not thinking about THAT, she's thinking about the whole death thing you over-reactive idiot.

He froze, then relaxed all seeming to happen in an instant. His heart was still pounding in his ears. "You draw a ring on my hand, my left hand, on a specific finger. At the time... I didn't return the action. I was.. terrified. Terrified at the thought of losing you. of not being able to give you everything you deserved. I still am terrified that I'll just ******** up somewhere and nothing I do will make things better." He stepped forward reaching out to put her hands in his.
"Out of all the things in this world Cassandra Norris, you scare me the most, because you've made me realize how much I love you."

He let out a breathy laugh, a short one but it was enough to help calm his nerves. He could do this. He could. God damn he'd gotten this far right? "It's stupid. It's stupid, but it nags at me. Love didn't come with horns, a tail and a pitchfork. It came with clear blue eyes, a smile that put the sun to shame, a laugh that can make anyone smile, a heart that cares so much while a mind that knows how to conjure up limitless love for everyone around her."

"Love came in the form of a girl I didn't know yet found myself falling for in a matter of days. In months I had made up my mind that I wanted to be with her. And recently.. I decided I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."

He gave her hand a squeeze. "I want to give you forever Cass."

A deep breath. Mental chanting from himself and Dis. He could do this.

He was doing this. "I know you now. I know what I want. Even if I am a hunter, and I can't give you a picture perfect life I want to give you everything I can. I want to give you everything I am. I love you. He pulled away from her, letting got of her hands.

"I love you Cassandra Norris, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
He went on his knee, reaching for the small black velvet case that had up until then, felt like a brick. A click and the case opened, a simple yet elegant diamond band sitting the the satin.
"Will you marry me?"

As he knelt in the ground, mist swirling around them, Marcus was lost in an ocean of worry.
She wasn't answering him.
She wasn't answering.
That moment of silence was an eternity, and each second that went by he felt that nagging part him, that part that said he just wasn't good enough, that no matter what he would do, no matter how hard he'd try, he wasn't worth it. He didn't deserve it. Panic began to set in, and for a short while his hand trembled in the air.

She was going to say no. The thought flashed in his head like lightning and he felt a pain somewhere inside him. He wanted this. He wanted her to say yes so much. He wanted, more than anything in his life, for her to say yes. That she wanted him. That she wanted to get married to him. He wanted it so badly that he was his own worst enemy.

Tears bubbled up in her eyes and the panic deepened. She was panicking. She didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to do. He almost snapped the case shut, but then-

"Yes."

Electric.
Every sense was hyper alert as it clicked. She said yes. He'd just asked her to marry him, and she'd said yes. She wasn't turning away, she wasn't shaking her head, she said yes. Smiling he was able to breathe again, hand taking her's, pulling the ring out to slip it on her finger as he stood up.

He tried to say something. But it was like he'd lost the ability to speak. A single word ran across his thoughts as he held her hands in his.
"Forever."

Dis wasn't cheering in the back of his head, but he was making a sound. It was strange, high pitched, yet it was happiness. Deep inside him, Dis was happy for him. It was strange having a mental house guest but they were in agreement, that this moment in time was worth all his worry, all his doubt and fear. That Cass, was worth it.

She said yes, and wanted forever, just like they'd promised.

The kiss was met with passion as his hand found her hair, fingers running to press her close, his other hand going to her rear, lifting her up, spinning her around with him. Joy was too light a word for what he felt. Euphoria, bliss, all words that were too mild. Nothing could contain what he felt. as the kiss ended, he turned to the basket, pulling out bouquet of red roses.

"One month Cass. I... we have a month. We can't afford to wait." He pressed his head to her own. "I don't want to wait anymore."

Smiling, the worry and fear was gone, utterly and completely. "I... we'll do it Cass. I'll do whatever it takes but we'll do it. I know we can." He picked up the now empty basket, motioning to the daggers. "Once I remove em we'll have to run back to the building. Not the most romantic but-" He kissed her nose.

"I wanted to pick someplace special for us." Another kiss. "We can watch a movie when we get back. And I mean actually watch the movie." He laughed, "I have to admit, this feels... amazing Cass. I just... I want to spend my life with you."