It was Valentines Day. Their fourth, although almost seven years separated the first from the second. That it was their third in a row made Calixa happy, and when her boyfriend had suggested that they go out for a romantic dinner, and that it was fancy, she dressed her best.

He certainly seemed to appreciate it, his eyes on her the whole time. But she felt when they were together like this that she was the center of the world, even when they were among others that she thought were more conventionally attractive, or she felt were more interesting. But he had never made her feel less than special when they were together.

Tonight, however, he seemed distracted. His fingers occasionally moving to tap out a rhythm on the wall behind them, but his eyes were on her, and he showed interest in the conversation, going around their respective days, their plans for the weekend, what Calixa and her friends had been up to. His tail giving an occasional whiplash against the chairs and her ankles despite how relaxed he otherwise appeared.

When he reached into his pocket when it was time for desert, her heart fell, sure that her stories of the coffeepot group, or the weird and wonderful clients at the store had not been enough to keep his attention, that she had disappointed him somehow and that in the morning he would be gone again.

He looked down at what he held, and then up at her, before cupping it in his hand and extending it towards her, his eyes upon her the whole time. She paused what she was about to say and then looked down, her eyes taking in the magenta box that he offered her. She reached out her hand, and tentatively lifted it.

The ring and the stone that crowned it sparkled in the light, and she lifted her hand away in surprise, confusion and hope and longing raging in her chest.

"Calixa," Akeashar said softly, his voice low and deep. "Will you marry me?"

Artwork ©  synnove

Calixa & Akeashar ©  Akeashar

She said yes.