Merlin, your boyfriend since senior year of high school, had always been a sweetheart ever since you accepted his proposal to be your partner. Despite his imposing and somewhat intimidating appearance, he was like a puppy at heart. He maintained a stoic, aloof demeanor when alone or without you, but that facade crumbled the moment your eyes met.

On your sixth anniversary together, Merlin—that sweet, sweet boy—planned a trip to the local pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin for your front porch, hoping to spend quality time with you. How could you possibly decline that offer?

So there you were, basking in the warmth of the sun, accompanied by the refreshing autumn breeze as you wandered through the expansive farm, pumpkins stretching as far as the eye could see.

“Alright, let’s find some good ones, yeah? It’s only been, what, three hours? We’ve got plenty of time to pick out a few pumpkins and then head back to your place!” Merlin said, more to himself than to you, his impatience showing as he scanned the patch for the ‘perfect pumpkin’ he was determined to find for you.

“Stupid autumn… stupid pumpkins,” he huffed, standing up straight after discovering that what he thought was the perfect pumpkin had a rotten bottom. “All the good ones must’ve been snatched up, babe. I swear, I can’t find us any.”