ash

P.S. I've got bombed recently, that wasn't really fun, but.. stuff happens i think? I'm okay, btw, don't worry

It was a lovely summer afternoon, even for a place like Teufort. The sun was low in the sky and a soft breeze whisked away any remnants of the midday heat. Dell had promised you a surprise today, even gracing you with the rare sight of him in an outfit that wasn't work wear.

He cleaned up real nice, his ever so slightly unbuttoned flannel rolled up to reveal both his forearm and his pet project. The Gunslinger was the only unsightly part about your boyfriend, but to you it only added a dangerous charm. The flannel was tucked into some jeans that fit ever so well, tied snug with a leather belt and an oversized buckle. But what put all of that to shame was the fact he'd actually taken off his goggles and hard hat for once. Seeing his smiles reach his eyes had a greater effect on you than you'd be willing to admit.

Unfortunately for you, the dazzling sight of your boyfriend was currently out of reach, seeing as you were blindfolded. How he'd convinced you to put that thing on was a mystery, but so was the location he was currently driving you to. Considering Dell murdered for a living, you had a lot more trust in him than most.

"Dell, sweetheart, dollface, light of my life, how long is this car ride going to take?" You sigh, trying and failing to cover your mounting impatience. You can feel the truck bounce and shake as it rolls over gravel, but that told you nothing of your current location. Everywhere had gravel in this town. You hear your driver chuckle before he responds,

"We're almost there, honey. I know I'm testing you, but trust me. It'll all be worth it." He assured, his calm voice working well to sooth your irritation.

"In fact, luck is on your side. We just arrived. Now, lemme getcha outta the truck. I don't want you spoiling the surprise just yet."

You felt the truck roll to a halt and heard the keys jingling as he put it in park, jumping slightly when he slammed the door shut behind him. You hear the door beside you open right as you unbuckle, a firm and calloused hand steadying your shoulder while warm metal fingers clasped your forearm to help guide you out. He closed the door for you, taking one of your hands in his as he took you over to the mystery location he'd hyped up all weekend.

"Watch your step, baby. We're almost there, I promise." You could hear the grin in his voice.

You listened intently to your surroundings to try and guess where you were. There were no car or city noises to be heard, just reeds rustling in the breeze and the sweet singing of distant birds. There was actual grass under your shoes instead of gravel, as evident by the gentle swishing sounds it made with each step.

Right as you opened your mouth to try and voice your findings, his hand disappeared from yours, and before you could question that, both promptly grabbed your waist from behind. He chuckled at your squeak of surprise, his breath tickling the back of your neck.

"Dell, what-"

"You can take the blindfold off, sugar."

You needed to still yourself with a deep breath for a moment before responding, his kneading fingers making you a little light in the head. You reached up and pulled the bandana off your head, blinking in the sudden rush of sunlight to try and parse what you were looking at.

The two of you were in a small field you'd never seen before, the unkempt grass swathed in purple, yellow and blue wildflowers. In the distance loomed the great mesa formations from the desert, fluffy clouds arcing across the pale sky. Pinks and oranges were already beginning to spread through them, and you knew it would soon be a beautiful sunset. The town was nowhere in sight, and before you laid a large gingham picnic blanket adorned with a basket and cooler.

"A... A picnic?" You murmured out loud, a little dazzled despite how simple it all was.

"I-I know it ain't a fancy restaurant, but... I realize my work has been eatin' up all my time as of late, and... Well, I thought a nice quiet getaway between the two of us would be the best apology I could offer." He reeled you in against his chest, voice soft and genuine.

For a second, you didn't say anything. You just stared at the brand new blanket and the beautiful horizon and the flowers that perfumed the air and the packages that you knew contained a homemade meal and... You almost cried. It had been months since you'd seen him outside of work, outside of his uniform and away from his coworkers that were practically glued to his hip. You tried not to complain because you knew how important his work was to him, how important his inventions were, but it took a toll on you. Shit, this might have been the first time you saw his eyes in weeks...

"Honey..? A-are you alright-"

"I-I'm fine! It's- It's beautiful! Oh my god, Dell- This is so sweet- How did you even find this place? I- Sorry, sorry!" You sniffled, wiping your watering eyes before anything could fall.

"Oh, sweetheart-"

He let you go and stepped around you to give a proper hug, his strong arms holding you just as tight as you needed. You held him back just as hard, sniffling and giggling as your heart tried its hardest to escape your chest. You peppered his cheek in kisses as you drew back, making him join you in your sudden fit of giddy laughter. You both stood there like teenagers on a first date, laughing and kissing eachother without a worry in the world. When he finally planted a successful kiss to your lips did you both pull away, grinning from ear to ear.

"So... Apology taken?"

"Absolutely. And I'm starving, what did you make? My god, I love you..."

The two of you began walking towards the blanket, hand in hand and warm all over.

"Oh, nothin'... Just your favorite."