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Tonight felt right. Carnelian thought the universe was telling him that tonight was the perfect time. He smiled to himself, finishing his patrol at one of Euclase's favorite spots in Destiny City - a lovely section of the park filled to the brim with flowers, decorated with a lovely bubbling fountain. During the springtime this place smelled divine, like heaven. Carnelian took a break and sat down on the edge of the fountain, lifting one leg over the other. Pulling his cellphone from subspace, he sent Euclase a text message.


Hello Darling,

Please meet me by the garden in the park. After all we've been through, I have something important I'd like to discuss with you. Don't worry - I've already patrolled for the night. We could use a little time to ourselves, don't you think?

Hope to see you soon.

All my love,
Carnelian


And he waited.

Ah, that sweet voice. Carnelian smiled to himself and stood for her.

"There you are, my dear!" he chuckled, opening his arms to embrace her. He'd been more worried about her than usual and doubled his efforts to find and avoid Sailor Tsui. The tiger had hunted him halfway across the city -- twice -- and had no doubt she'd try to do it again. Worse, she could go after Euclase.

And that would be unforgivable.

It was then that Carnelian pushed himself to become stronger, to protect her for once. Usually it was the other way around. Makayla was always the more aggressive of the two even since they met. How long ago was that? High school, sometime. Her father still didn't like the redhead but never once had he strayed. Sure, they'd had their disagreements just like any other couple, but they resolved it like adults. That's what made their relationship as strong as it was. "How are you? I hope they didn't work you too hard today at the bar. Anything interesting happen?"

The redhead chuckled wholeheartedly, his body shaking with mirth and there was a light smile on his face. "No, darling. You know you could never do anything wrong in my eyes." A hand raised up to stroke her hair, soft like velvet and deep like the night sky above them. "You worry too much. I'm afraid you've been working yourself too hard, Euclase. You know you're perfect to me, always."

Sure, he was stalling but part of him just wanted to see her squirm. Just a little. Not enough to be cruel, of course, but he didn't want to be too obvious.

For now, he was content to hold her and stroke her hair.

Carnelian couldn't help but shiver. She really did know how to push his buttons.

With a sigh the redhead nestled his chin in her hair and breathed deeply. "Alright, alright. But you have to promise to turn around and close your eyes, okay? And no peeking - I know you're a troublemaker when you set your mind to it." It was a warm and very affectionate was of gently teasing her. Carnelian knew, the in years that he'd been in love with Euclase that she was more than capable of twisting him around her pinkie and having her way with him.

Not that he minded, of course.

The moment was nigh. Now or never!

The box had been wearing a hole in his pocket, heavy as a lead boulder. Carnelian was thankful his coat was velvet and thick so she couldn't feel it in his pockets. While she turned around and closed her eyes, he felt his heart race. Would she accept? At first, the redhead had thought about asking her father for permission but knew that would likely end in a fist fight and a call to the police. But Caleb was a determined man - even someone as frightening as Makayla's father would not keep him from her.

And so, he bent down on one knee, pulling the box from his pocket and breathed a heavy, steadying breath. The box was black, unsuspecting. He'd been saving up for this for quite a while now, scrimping and saving every penny he could to find just the perfect thing. Something Makayla would absolutely adore. Now it was time to find out if Carnelian's hunch was right. Opening the box, a brilliant silver ring, set with a brilliant sapphire in the center and surrounding by bright rubies, like his arms encircling his beloved Euclase.

"...you can turn around now."

So his hunch was right. Inwardly, Carnelian was beaming.

"Euclase..." he started, and, realizing she had called him by his real name, smiled. "...Makayla Dolan, will you marry me?"

It seemed like the stars were aligning just then and glowing brighter. Or was he just imagining things? No, the stars were definitely brighter that night and Euclase's tears shone like diamonds on her cheeks. Right then and there, it didn't matter that he was worried about their corruption thanks to Sailor Grus; it didn't matter that corrupted senshi were rare and hardly trusted within the Negaverse. It didn't matter that Makayla's father would likely s**t a brick house after finding an engagement ring on his daughter's finger. None of that mattered in that very special moment.

Only her. Only his Euclase.

With a smile (and he himself was trying not to cry but he was shaking with a sort of leap-of-faith nervousness), Carnelian allowed his own power to dissipate until he was simply Caleb, worker at a local hair salon, perfectly mundane in every way save for his two younger sisters. And now he had a fiancee to add to his resume. Pulling the ring from its plush pillow, Caleb stood to place it on Makayla's finger with a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"You have no idea how long I fretted over this thing, my dear!" He chuckled, shoulders shaking with the movement deep in his body. "Weeks! I've been to four shops all over the city and scoured online and never found a thing until this one. It just speaks to me, I think. Just like you did, the moment I saw you. I've never regretted it, not for a moment." A hand wrapped around her, pulling her in for a tender embrace. "I'd follow you anywhere, Makayla. To the ends of the Earth and back."

Another kiss. "Always."

Caleb couldn't help but smile though the pang of guilt in his heart for making her worry couldn't be ignored. He brushed a few fingers through her hair. "You know I wouldn't make you worry on purpose - you mean too much to me. And I don't care if people think I'm whipped. Honestly, I'd follow you anywhere and gladly. When everything has gone to hell, I know you'll always be with me."

Tilting her head towards him, the redhead gave her another kiss. "Now you get to find that perfect dress. But I promise I won't peek." A wink. "Much."