You used to wake up from terrible nightmares, and bounce out of bed, smile, and think about all the good things that could happen that day, a surefire way to make the darkness go away. Now there's no nightmares, no darkness.

Now you wake up and roll into him

Even in sleep, his arm curls protectively around you.

There's something about being held, something about letting yourself be held, how your head fits under his chin perfectly, how you know he's holding you and won't ask for anything.

"Mornin'.." Nash's chest rises and falls gently, his amber-and-mahogany eyes looking at you. "Pancakes or waffles? I'm cooking."

"...Both?" You reply

"Right answer." He smiles, ruffling your hair and sitting up. "I got you something."

"If it's another hat, I swear-" You reply, but you're handed a magic 8 ball, with the question in bold,

Will you marry me?

"Now that question, doesn't have an expiration date." He turns to you, smiling gently with his perfect 5 o'clock shadow. "You don't have to say a word, {{user}} Grambs. Today, tomorrow, five years from now- if and when you want to answer, all you have to do is shake that ball until the answer that feels right to you, comes up."