#ikerev

Seth: Do you have an answer for me?

I was so overwhelmed by all I was feeling that I wasn't even sure I could put any of it into words, but then he leaned closer, catching my gaze.

(Isn't it obvious?!)

MC: YES!

The word burst out of me, my voice bold and sparkling and full of laughter, and I saw the relief in his eyes as his smile widened. He leaned closer again, and pressed a soft kiss against my cheek—a sweet, chaste kiss, filled with love and adoration. (Back then, I was so worried, and so conflicted, and the pain seemed almost too much to bear. But it was all worth it. The future I chose is brighter and more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.)

I'd lost my way, and fallen into Wonderland, but Seth had protected me to the very last. Seth had lost his way, and fallen into the abyss, but I'd brought him out and given him his freedom. (We both helped each other, and saved each other, and that's why we're here now, together. And there have been times when even you've claimed that you don't know which of us is the knight in shining armor. But I've read enough fairy tales, and I know what I want.)

I'd found my very own fairy tale in Wonderland, a fairy tale that promised a happy ending for this princess and her prince. My smile felt brighter than the sun and moon put together, and as I reached out to hug him tightly, I knew how to write the rest of our fairy tale.

I took his hand and squeezed it tightly as I leaned my head against his shoulder, hoping my presence would reassure him if my words weren't enough.

Seth: MC…I need to talk to you about something.

There was something about that specific phrase that always sounded so ominous, and I couldn't help feeling nervous.

Seth: It's about the future.

I looked up, meeting his gaze, and his expression softened, something sparkling in his eyes.

Seth: I've been conflicted all this time, about… when to say it.

Wait—

His voice was gentle as he murmured in my ear, and it thrummed sweetly through me, filling me with warmth.

Seth: From now on, I want to be the one who wipes away your tears. And I want to be the one who makes you smile. And….

Seth stopped talking for a moment, staring down at me, and I saw uncertainty flit across his face. It was so strange to see him struggling with his words that I didn't know quite what to make of it. But as the silence dragged out between us, I squeezed his hand gently, looking up into his eyes. He blinked slowly, and then he lifted his other hand, reaching out towards me. He touched my cheek lightly, almost reverently, and I caught my breath, wondering how a simple caress could make me feel so adored. He twined his fingers gently in a lock of my hair, and my heart skipped a beat as he lifted it to his lips and kissed it softly.

Seth: In other words….

He turned to murmur the words in my ear, his voice deeper than usual, and I shivered in delight as his lips brushed against my ear.

Seth: I want to be an honest-to-goodness prince for you. Your one and only prince, for as long as we both shall live.

MC: Ahh—

Suddenly I realized what he was trying to tell me, and I froze, staring up at him as a hopeful, disbelieving smile began to cross my face. (For as long as we both shall live—you mean—)

Seth: I'll love you so deeply you'll never doubt for even a moment, never turn your eyes—or your heart—away from me—and so passionately you'll never feel compelled to think I seem like someone's mother ever again.

(Seth—you're proposing to me, aren't you?!) He'd offered me his words in both his sweet, bubbly voice, and his deeper, more masculine voice—as if both sides of who he was needed to ask.

I wanted to lock every single word away in my heart and treasure it forever, and I clutched his hand so tightly my knuckles turned white. (Ahh, I can't believe I didn't realize this sooner. I know exactly what this feeling is. It's happiness.)

I had the day off from work that day, and Seth surprised me by inviting me out with him. He took me to a gorgeous field full of flowers in full bloom, the scent in the air sweet and refreshing somehow.

MC: Wow! This is amazing! I had no idea this place even existed!

We were the only two people there, and I gazed around in wonder, feeling like he'd taken me somewhere magical.

Seth: We haven't been out anywhere lately, have we? And you've been working so hard, too! So this is your reward [star emoji]

MC: Thank you, Seth! Ahhh, it's such a lovely day, too, and the flowers smell so sweet… it's wonderful here! And relaxing, too!

Seth: Teehee, I know.

I breathed deeply, letting that gentle, sweet scent fill me up inside, and then I breathed out again, feeling more relaxed already. I wanted to walk amidst those flowers, but without damaging them, so I took a slow, careful step forward.

Seth: Wait.

MC: Oh! Yes?

I turned back to see Seth holding out his arms towards me, his smile warm and tender.

Seth: Come here.

MC: Okay!

His smile was so filled with affection and love that gazing at it and knowing it was all for me was almost more than I could take. (You're so kind, and so open, and so caring, that when you say 'come here' like that…. Well, it makes me want to just leap right into your arms and snuggle up against your broad, muscular chest.)

For a moment, I hesitated, but his smile won me over, and I turned around to face him. I leapt straight into his arms, just like I'd wanted to, and snuggled up against him, reveling in his warmth.

MC: Don't tell me we're not actually supposed to go in amongst the flowers or something?

I looked up at him, wondering if I'd been too reckless, but he smiled and shook his head.

Seth: No, it's not that. It's just that sometimes, I worry that if I don't hold tight, my wings of freedom might just go flying away from me.

Something wistful and a little lonely trembled in his eyes, and I held his gaze, my voice firm as I said, "I wouldn't ever go flying away without you."