YOU wa SHOCK [Alex, Nelliel]

It was a real good thing Vastime had such next-level medical tech, or Alex would've had some real explaining to do. Kimi had fucked him up something fierce, but it'd been so goddamn worth it. He could breathe again, he could think again. Every step he took was full of confidence, full of life that he just hadn't felt in a long fucking time now.

Did Alex get his girl flowers like always? Nah, not today. He always loved to shower her with little gifts like that, but today wasn't about that. This was about way more. He'd told Nel a thousand times that he loved her, but he knew he'd been wrong. He'd been a fuckin idiot, a fuckin child.

What he felt right now, this was fucking love.

It took every ounce of willpower he had not to kick down the front door, How could he help it? He had a ring he'd kept hidden for months up in his room, but there wasn't any time to just go get it. So he bought another one, just to make sure. He walked right on into the Tundra, and for the first time in over a year, there wasn't an ounce of Hollow energy in his presence. It was just Alex.

"Honey, I'm home."

Closing time. The day had been long and tedious and Nelliel was beginning to wonder. Had she seen him at all today? He had snuck out really early today which was very strange. Normally he only woke up early if she needed him to do something or take Vegas to school but today there was no need for him to get up, yet he was gone when she woke up.

It was uncharacteristic and a little concerning. Of course she could just be being overly worried over nothing. Maybe he just wanted to start getting up earlier, she'd ask herself what would've happened to make him want to suddenly get up early though. A change to one's life didn't tend to happen unless something prompted an action or reaction towards the issue.

When she heard him call she turned from the sink, a little surprised that he was back. There was something about it as well, his energy felt different. It didn't escape her keen perception with how things had changed for him over time but now it was like she couldn't figure out what had changed when she looked at him.

"You're back!?"

She started enthusiastically, leaning forward and the slight motion of her foot kicked her forward and in front of him with a blink and the humming sound of sonido. Nel avoided jumping on him and tackling him to the ground, a few centuries it was easy to tackle people when your body was leaking spiritual energy and you regressed in size but now she might send him through the wall. So she exercised her restraint and leaned forward a little. Her expression was a little worried but her eyes said she was glad he was back.

God, she was so fucking adorable. What else was a guy even supposed to think when he saw her looking like that? He always thought she was cute, to be fair, but God almighty every single thing about her was just so perfect. He could tell she'd been worried, and that honestly made him feel like a total fuckin dickhead. There was so much he wanted to do--but all he could do was just give her a big fuckin' hug.

"Yeah. I'm back, babe."

For all the confidence he'd worked up before, it was hard to even get the right words out now. He just wanted to hold her. He hadn't been able to hold her so fuckin tight in a long time now.

"Sorry I didn't tell you I was going out. Kind of wanted to surprise you."

How weird. Surprise her? Didn't he try and do that everytime he brought something home for her, this time he was not showing something so openly. It meant it was something secret he wanted to surprise her with. Something thought out and planned. It was uncharacteristic and therefore she was a little concerned about what this was.

"Um.. Okay. What's the surprise?"

Did she want to know? He was in a good mood so it must be good, right?

"It's a pretty big one. Honestly, I kinda meant to surprise you way before this, but like... I didn't wanna do it when I was sick."

Giving her a small kiss on the forehead, Alex finally released her from his embrace, fumbling around in his pocket for what he'd bought. God, he was getting all nervous. He was supposed to be a cool fuckin' guy. Chill, chill. Ah, fuck, he was still standing up, that was no good either. Getting down onto one knee, Alex took Nel's hand in his, looking up into her eyes.

"Nel, I'm not super good with words or anything, so this is probably not as big and amazing as it should be. But just... God, I love you so much. I wanna spend my whole life with you. I wanna have a family, babe."

Pulling the small velvet box from his jacket pocket, Alex released Nel's hand once more, just to actually open it. He'd broken the bank a little bit, but he also didn't know much about all this jewelry stuff. That lady who bought ol' Margaritaville off him had been sorta helpful, she knew a thing or two, but at the end of the day, it was all Alex. A nice silver ring, with not one, not three, but five diamonds.

"Will you marry me, Nel?"

Where was this leading? She had a faint idea but she never imagined it beyond anything more than a possibility. The conversation with Abalia flooded back to her memory, was he psychic? Had he overhead the conversation or was he just that perceptive?

She couldn't know and the events unfolded towards the conclusion that lingered in the back of her head. Traversing all obstacles of doubt and uncertainty before it was over and she was left dazed. It was kind of hard to focus on him. A thousand battles were easier to deal with than the situation he had created by starting the spiel that every girl wanted to hear said to them in one way or another.

"A- Alex.."

It was so much to process that she forgot to talk. Letting the silence drag out while she just stared at his gesture and the ring. It was a bit more flashy than she would've liked to be honest but the thought was the only thing that mattered for a catalyst of feeling like that. After what probably felt like an eternity and a return to reality she nodded.

"Oh, yes. Yes!"

That was all she got out before trying to pull him to stand back up, it was embarrassing seeing him like that but she hugged him the moment he was on his feet. As tight as she could.

Honestly, every millisecond that she didn't answer weight on Alex so heavily that he could barely even think straight. He didn't wanna lose confidence, he felt more than sure in this. But still, when you put it all on the line, it was only natural that you get a little nervous, right? But after what felt like a thousand years, she said exactly what he'd wanted to hear. Everything he ever could have wanted to hear. He stood right as she pulled him up, and gave her the warmest hug he could.

"I'm so glad, babe. God... God, I love you so fuckin' much."

He just held her, perfectly happy like this for a good long while. He wouldn't deny the lady her hug, after all, and it wasn't like he minded it one bit. But eventually, Alex did slip out of her embrace, if only just long enough to finally put the ring on her finger. It was just...perfect. Everything about right now was perfect.

"Sorry it took so long, Nel."