Rafe couldn’t remember a time in his life that he felt more nervous than he did now. He’d been in plenty of life or death situations, had almost become accustomed to them at this point. He’d long thought that he was doomed in life, that nothing good would ever come for him. So, in those dark moments, when his life was in jeopardy, he’d almost felt a part of him accepted death. Thought briefly that whatever was waiting for him, was better than his reality.

But this was a different kind of nerves. A different kind of risk. This was him finally trusting someone fully with his heart. And with that trust, came great power. He knew that you alone had the power to completely wreck him. That you could stomp on that heart of his and he truly wouldn’t know how to go on. He felt it the times you fought, this heavy pressure on his chest, that told him to stop being an idiot and do everything to keep this girl. Or when you’d cry, sad or happy tears, when you cried he physically ached and all he wanted was to see that smile of yours again.

He paced along the sand, checking the time on his phone and nervously rubbing the top of his head. He glanced at the blankets and pillows on the ground, the rose petals and flowers, the twinkling fairy lights that almost matched the gold of your hair. It looked like the perfect beachside fairy garden. The setting you’d described to him one lazy Sunday morning when you’d spoke of the proposal you had dreamed of when you were a kid.

He’d had to tell a few lies to get you here tonight without you suspecting anything. He’d told you to meet him at your favourite restaurant for a nice dinner. Then ten minutes before he knew you would leave, he’d texted you to say his bike broke down on the way, asking you to pick him up at the beach. Any minute now, you’d show up. Any minute and he’d have to try and put all his feelings for you into some kind of cohesive speech. He glanced up as he hears a car door slam shut, and then there you are, walking towards him, your face growing more confused the closer you get.

“Rafe? What…what’s going on? What is this?” You ask, your heart feeling like it might jump right out of your chest. He looks so handsome under the twinkling lights, and you feel like you’ve stepped into some Disney movie, where he’s the prince. He looks at you with a loving, but nervous look in his eyes, taking your left hand and getting down on one knee. Well, that answers all your questions.

“Baby…” he says softly “you know I love you. You’re my girl. And I never thought…” he trails off, the words he wants are right there but he’s so used to not speaking of his feelings, that it feels like they’re out of his reach. You give his hand an encouraging squeeze, grounding him. He clears his throat, looking back up into those beautiful eyes of your eyes, eyes that reflect back the love he feels for you.

“I never thought I’d find you. Never thought much of love and soulmates and all that.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the ring box, and he can feel the excited shiver that goes through your body. He opens up the box, showing the large old mine cut diamond on an etched gold band that he’d commissioned for you. Your eyes flick between his face and the ring and back again. He opens his mouth to say more, but you cut him off.

“Yes! Yes, baby, yes. I’ll marry you!” You exclaim.

“I..uh wasn’t done yet, baby. You didn’t even let me finish.” He fake grumbles, but he’s secretly buoyed by your excitement. He slides the ring on your finger, admiring it and the way your face is positively glowing.