Holy High - IC III - Open!

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"Well, when do you want to start training?" he asked, pulling back and looking down at her with a smile. "I can start anytime, beautiful..."

"Now works, if that's alright." She smiled, looking back up at that dashing angel. He is a cutie, I nailed it with this one.

Then she remembered that he was only the second guy she'd ever been with, and her smile got just a bit wider. "But you've got to go easy on me, I've never done this before and I'm pregnant with your child."

Raphael smiled and hugged her even closer. "Okay, Hime... But you know we gotta get you started with some basic muscle exercises. Knowing hold to slash and parry and lunge with a sword doesn't help if you can't even hold one..."

[Ranoria]

"Now works, if that's alright." She smiled, looking back up at that dashing angel. He is a cutie, I nailed it with this one.

Then she remembered that he was only the second guy she'd ever been with, and her smile got just a bit wider. "But you've got to go easy on me, I've never done this before and I'm pregnant with your child."

Raphael smiled and hugged her even closer. "Okay, Hime... But you know we gotta get you started with some basic muscle exercises. Knowing hold to slash and parry and lunge with a sword doesn't help if you can't even hold one..."

"I'm not weak!" She said it indignantly, but Raphael knew her well enough that he would know she was joking, "Okay, maybe I am, just a teensy bit. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." She nestled her head under his chin, feeling warm in his embrace, and honestly wouldn't have minded staying there forever. And she snuggled with him a lot, so she could probably do it, too, if she didn't require food, water, and going to the bathroom every once in awhile.

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

Raphael smiled and hugged her even closer. "Okay, Hime... But you know we gotta get you started with some basic muscle exercises. Knowing hold to slash and parry and lunge with a sword doesn't help if you can't even hold one..."

"I'm not weak!" She said it indignantly, but Raphael knew her well enough that he would know she was joking, "Okay, maybe I am, just a teensy bit. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." She nestled her head under his chin, feeling warm in his embrace, and honestly wouldn't have minded staying there forever. And she snuggled with him a lot, so she could probably do it, too, if she didn't require food, water, and going to the bathroom every once in awhile.

"Well, we should probably start you out on some push-ups, and then some pull-ups... sit-ups... a whole lotta ups. Oh, and running is good too. Helps cardio and your legs." Raph said, smiling at her happily.

[Ranoria]

"I'm not weak!" She said it indignantly, but Raphael knew her well enough that he would know she was joking, "Okay, maybe I am, just a teensy bit. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." She nestled her head under his chin, feeling warm in his embrace, and honestly wouldn't have minded staying there forever. And she snuggled with him a lot, so she could probably do it, too, if she didn't require food, water, and going to the bathroom every once in awhile.

"Well, we should probably start you out on some push-ups, and then some pull-ups... sit-ups... a whole lotta ups. Oh, and running is good too. Helps cardio and your legs." Raph said, smiling at her happily.

"But my endurance is better than yours anyways." She winked at him, smiling mischievously, and then proceeded to change the subject immediately, without any further note of her previous statement or demeanor. "So, which one do you want to do first? I'm new to all of this."

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"Well, we should probably start you out on some push-ups, and then some pull-ups... sit-ups... a whole lotta ups. Oh, and running is good too. Helps cardio and your legs." Raph said, smiling at her happily.

"But my endurance is better than yours anyways." She winked at him, smiling mischievously, and then proceeded to change the subject immediately, without any further note of her previous statement or demeanor. "So, which one do you want to do first? I'm new to all of this."

"Well, uhm, you should probably change into some more workout clothes... and the endurance thing isn't my fault..." Raphael said, blushing and looked away from her.

[Ranoria]

"But my endurance is better than yours anyways." She winked at him, smiling mischievously, and then proceeded to change the subject immediately, without any further note of her previous statement or demeanor. "So, which one do you want to do first? I'm new to all of this."

"Well, uhm, you should probably change into some more workout clothes... and the endurance thing isn't my fault..." Raphael said, blushing and looked away from her.

"I was just teasing," she kissed his cheek, then hugged him, feeling a little bad now, "Sorry if I embarrassed you. Also I don't have any workout stuff. Wanna head back to the mortal world and grab some clothes and food? I'm hungry." That was true enough, the dragoness needed to eat every once in awhile, she was a dragon after all.

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"Well, uhm, you should probably change into some more workout clothes... and the endurance thing isn't my fault..." Raphael said, blushing and looked away from her.

"I was just teasing," she kissed his cheek, then hugged him, feeling a little bad now, "Sorry if I embarrassed you. Also I don't have any workout stuff. Wanna head back to the mortal world and grab some clothes and food? I'm hungry." That was true enough, the dragoness needed to eat every once in awhile, she was a dragon after all.

"I can't leave... I don't think the guys are back from Adam's dimension, so I have to stay here and guard..." Raphael said, frowning quietly.

[Castle Crashers]

"Yeah..?" He asked, a little alarmed by her wavering voice. What's wrong..? Was it something I said..?

"...I... I just realized," she muttered, clinging a little tighter to him. "I... I never told you, but... there's... I have a lot of scars... that you haven't seen... because of the things that happened to me... they're really horrible, Cade. They're ugly, and I hate them."

She was afraid of how he might react. After all, it was one thing to know about the things she'd been through... but it was an entirely different thing to have constant, physical reminders of how horribly she'd been used, wasn't it?

"...I just realized that... when we're married... you'll see them someday, won't you? And... I don't want you to feel like I tricked you or anything like that... because they're awful, and... I'd understand if you hated them, too. To be unable to look at me without remembering... that I'm not pure... like you deserve... If they're too terrible, I... I get it. I just thought... you should know about them before you make your final decision about whether or not you'll be willing to stay with me forever. I don't want you to feel trapped..."

She looked down, and fell silent, the only sound between them being her muffled weeping.

It was true, he'd never quite thought about that before, not that such a subject had come about anyways before. Regardless, seeing her weep over such a subject made him a little sad. I never thought she'd be so self-conscious around me... He thought, but honestly, he thought it was nice that she cared so very much about impressing him and keeping him happy. It was over the top, sure, but it was still a nice feeling in moderation. Not when it made her cry. He pulled her closer, letting her dry her tears on his shirt. He never minded, as long as he could make her feel better. "I think it's kinda funny that you think a couple of scars would be enough to scare me away..." He said in a gentle but light tone, just to comfort her as he smiled. "I'm in love with you, and I'd still be in love with you if you were four hundred pounds and bald. Really, a few scars are nothing to be worried about around me, no matter how ugly..." He kissed the top of her head as he held her close. "Please don't feel like you have to make everything about you perfect or try to do such a thing...you're perfect the way you are, I promise. I'll love you forever and ever, I proposed to you of course...as long as you're happy, I'm happy. I'd never feel stuck or trapped with you...as long as you don't feel the same of me...I love you for you, and I'll always. That's why I proposed, anyways. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else but you."

---

Hyperion smiled at her, and held out his hand, waving he other dramatically. A rip in the air appeared behind him, a cosmic window tearing itself out of reality. A portal to deep space, light and quasars twinkling in the dark beyond. With a flashy golden smile, he tilted down his sunglasses, revealing glowing golden orbs for eyes, and stuck out his hand with a wink.

"You ever seen a star being born?"

Meanwhile, Icarus, Tect, Czernobog could feel it in the air.

The universe was calming itself down, returning to some shade of normality, another threat cast aside.

Nothing left to do, but sit back, and watch those last few, return home.

She smiled softly and took his hand, matching his bright white gaze with her dark one. "No...I can't say that I have." She responded. "So...are you planning on showing, or are you simply asking?" Her smile grew, as she already knew the answer. Or, well, she thought she did at least, judging by the opening of the portal.

[Ranoria]

"I was just teasing," she kissed his cheek, then hugged him, feeling a little bad now, "Sorry if I embarrassed you. Also I don't have any workout stuff. Wanna head back to the mortal world and grab some clothes and food? I'm hungry." That was true enough, the dragoness needed to eat every once in awhile, she was a dragon after all.

"I can't leave... I don't think the guys are back from Adam's dimension, so I have to stay here and guard..." Raphael said, frowning quietly.

A loud snore from Ryujin begged to differ, the dragon's massive sleeping form literally behind the nearest wall, and Otohime grinned, giggling a bit, "Nope, they're back alright. They're all just sleeping, so I guess you should stay. I'm still hungry though." She frowned as well, then seeing as he was, too, "What's wrong?"

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"I can't leave... I don't think the guys are back from Adam's dimension, so I have to stay here and guard..." Raphael said, frowning quietly.

A loud snore from Ryujin begged to differ, the dragon's massive sleeping form literally behind the nearest wall, and Otohime grinned, giggling a bit, "Nope, they're back alright. They're all just sleeping, so I guess you should stay. I'm still hungry though." She frowned as well, then seeing as he was, too, "What's wrong?"

Raphael frowned, the blush still on his face. "I'm just still a little embarrassed..." he muttered, then shook his head. "If they're back, Hime, we can go down to the mortal world... we can go get something to eat and go shopping..."

[Luminesa]

"Who knows...for now I just want to relax...I'm so flipping tired it's not funny..." he answered, rubbing the muscles in the back of his neck.

Lux, in the meantime, lie on the shoreline, with the water occasionally sweeping against his unconscious body and then rushing back into the ocean. His wings sparkled gently, as the evening sun shined on them, and his hair was soaked in the wet sand.

Joaquin grinned down at him, and then turned to Xavier, who now came through with Haruka, Kyoko, and A'yaral's ghost. "Might wanna carry Sleeping Beauty somewhere where he can sleep and not get sick from being all wet. I'm sure that has to be uncomfortable," he mentioned.

"Fish-Face can always just keep him on his back, for the time being. He's not that heavy, and some sunlight might be good for him," Patriah suggested, grinning toward Ryujin.

Ryujin snorted at the comment, "I think I get more than enough sunlight, thank you. Enough to give me cancer, last time I checked." He said it all very grimly, trying to make Patriah feel just a bit guilty about his statement, then snorted again, "I can carry Lux back, but," the kami paused, his mouth opening threateningly towards the others, but instead of eating them, he simply yawned, "For now, I'm tired, and very."

Patriah grinned at him, and then he walked over and picked Lux up in his arms. The Archangel was very light, even when he was wet, and he remained silent and still. The Mage then walked over to Ryujin and lying Lux next to the large dragon's side. "Well, get more sunlight while the sun's still out. Besides, you and Lux need to spend more time together, get to know each other better." The Archangel never awakened, and simply lie against Ryujin, minuscule compared to the large dragon.

[Ranoria]

A loud snore from Ryujin begged to differ, the dragon's massive sleeping form literally behind the nearest wall, and Otohime grinned, giggling a bit, "Nope, they're back alright. They're all just sleeping, so I guess you should stay. I'm still hungry though." She frowned as well, then seeing as he was, too, "What's wrong?"

Raphael frowned, the blush still on his face. "I'm just still a little embarrassed..." he muttered, then shook his head. "If they're back, Hime, we can go down to the mortal world... we can go get something to eat and go shopping..."

"Okay, sounds like a plan! Let's go!" She changed to a baby dragon, hopping on his shoulders, then nibbling at his shoulder for him to hold on to her, which he hadn't done so well last time he had flown with her. "I really was just kidding, you know. I didn't mean to make you upset or anything. Sorry..." She looked a little downcast, not having meant to insult Raphael.

Ryujin snorted at the comment, "I think I get more than enough sunlight, thank you. Enough to give me cancer, last time I checked." He said it all very grimly, trying to make Patriah feel just a bit guilty about his statement, then snorted again, "I can carry Lux back, but," the kami paused, his mouth opening threateningly towards the others, but instead of eating them, he simply yawned, "For now, I'm tired, and very."

Patriah grinned at him, and then he walked over and picked Lux up in his arms. The Archangel was very light, even when he was wet, and he remained silent and still. The Mage then walked over to Ryujin and lying Lux next to the large dragon's side. "Well, get more sunlight while the sun's still out. Besides, you and Lux need to spend more time together, get to know each other better." The Archangel never awakened, and simply lie against Ryujin, minuscule compared to the large dragon.

Ryujin, whom had by not fallen asleep, unconsciously growled, his breathing even and deep in the dragon's slumber. He didn't even realize that he had fallen asleep, as he had intended to fetch Amaterasu and Niji from Ryugu-Jo, but he was more tired than he thought, especially after the adrenaline dump and having summoned and controlled as much water as he had. It was taxing.

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

Raphael frowned, the blush still on his face. "I'm just still a little embarrassed..." he muttered, then shook his head. "If they're back, Hime, we can go down to the mortal world... we can go get something to eat and go shopping..."

"Okay, sounds like a plan! Let's go!" She changed to a baby dragon, hopping on his shoulders, then nibbling at his shoulder for him to hold on to her, which he hadn't done so well last time he had flown with her. "I really was just kidding, you know. I didn't mean to make you upset or anything. Sorry..." She looked a little downcast, not having meant to insult Raphael.

Patriah grinned at him, and then he walked over and picked Lux up in his arms. The Archangel was very light, even when he was wet, and he remained silent and still. The Mage then walked over to Ryujin and lying Lux next to the large dragon's side. "Well, get more sunlight while the sun's still out. Besides, you and Lux need to spend more time together, get to know each other better." The Archangel never awakened, and simply lie against Ryujin, minuscule compared to the large dragon.

Ryujin, whom had by not fallen asleep, unconsciously growled, his breathing even and deep in the dragon's slumber. He didn't even realize that he had fallen asleep, as he had intended to fetch Amaterasu and Niji from Ryugu-Jo, but he was more tired than he thought, especially after the adrenaline dump and having summoned and controlled as much water as he had. It was taxing.

Raphael picked up Otohime and held her to his chest, and then looked down at Chiba. "You stay now, okay? Mama and I have to go run some errands, and we'll be back." he said, petting the pup on the head before taking off into the air.

"It's okay, Hime... I was just a little embarrassed, I'm over it now." he said, smiling at her. "So, where do you want to go to eat?"

[Luminesa]

Raphael frowned, the blush still on his face. "I'm just still a little embarrassed..." he muttered, then shook his head. "If they're back, Hime, we can go down to the mortal world... we can go get something to eat and go shopping..."

"Okay, sounds like a plan! Let's go!" She changed to a baby dragon, hopping on his shoulders, then nibbling at his shoulder for him to hold on to her, which he hadn't done so well last time he had flown with her. "I really was just kidding, you know. I didn't mean to make you upset or anything. Sorry..." She looked a little downcast, not having meant to insult Raphael.

Patriah grinned at him, and then he walked over and picked Lux up in his arms. The Archangel was very light, even when he was wet, and he remained silent and still. The Mage then walked over to Ryujin and lying Lux next to the large dragon's side. "Well, get more sunlight while the sun's still out. Besides, you and Lux need to spend more time together, get to know each other better." The Archangel never awakened, and simply lie against Ryujin, minuscule compared to the large dragon.

Ryujin, whom had by not fallen asleep, unconsciously growled, his breathing even and deep in the dragon's slumber. He didn't even realize that he had fallen asleep, as he had intended to fetch Amaterasu and Niji from Ryugu-Jo, but he was more tired than he thought, especially after the adrenaline dump and having summoned and controlled as much water as he had. It was taxing.

As soon as Lux lie against Ryujin, their wings folded around their svelte, airy form, acting as a blanket for the exhausted Archangel. They then fell to their side and curled against Ryujin's side, drying in the thick warmth of the late-summer evening. For once in Lux's life, all was quiet and unreadable. The Angel was resting in silence, his glow very faint but at-ease. Even as he was unconscious, he still managed to fill the area around him with a softening, peaceful sensation.

[Ranoria]

"Okay, sounds like a plan! Let's go!" She changed to a baby dragon, hopping on his shoulders, then nibbling at his shoulder for him to hold on to her, which he hadn't done so well last time he had flown with her. "I really was just kidding, you know. I didn't mean to make you upset or anything. Sorry..." She looked a little downcast, not having meant to insult Raphael.


Ryujin, whom had by not fallen asleep, unconsciously growled, his breathing even and deep in the dragon's slumber. He didn't even realize that he had fallen asleep, as he had intended to fetch Amaterasu and Niji from Ryugu-Jo, but he was more tired than he thought, especially after the adrenaline dump and having summoned and controlled as much water as he had. It was taxing.

Raphael picked up Otohime and held her to his chest, and then looked down at Chiba. "You stay now, okay? Mama and I have to go run some errands, and we'll be back." he said, petting the pup on the head before taking off into the air.

"It's okay, Hime... I was just a little embarrassed, I'm over it now." he said, smiling at her. "So, where do you want to go to eat?"

"Um, I don't know...You said that we should try somewhere other than McDonald's and that's the only place that I know, so you pick." She wriggled a bit in his arms happily, "And we've got to study. I can't be failing those exams, now can I?" She said it as if she had the slightest clue about anything in any of their classes.

"Okay, sounds like a plan! Let's go!" She changed to a baby dragon, hopping on his shoulders, then nibbling at his shoulder for him to hold on to her, which he hadn't done so well last time he had flown with her. "I really was just kidding, you know. I didn't mean to make you upset or anything. Sorry..." She looked a little downcast, not having meant to insult Raphael.


Ryujin, whom had by not fallen asleep, unconsciously growled, his breathing even and deep in the dragon's slumber. He didn't even realize that he had fallen asleep, as he had intended to fetch Amaterasu and Niji from Ryugu-Jo, but he was more tired than he thought, especially after the adrenaline dump and having summoned and controlled as much water as he had. It was taxing.

As soon as Lux lie against Ryujin, their wings folded around their svelte, airy form, acting as a blanket for the exhausted Archangel. They then fell to their side and curled against Ryujin's side, drying in the thick warmth of the late-summer evening. For once in Lux's life, all was quiet and unreadable. The Angel was resting in silence, his glow very faint but at-ease. Even as he was unconscious, he still managed to fill the area around him with a softening, peaceful sensation.

Chiba, having been abandoned, snuggled up next to Lux, his first person, and wagged his tail happily even whilst sleeping. Ryujin, meanwhile, moved his wings over the archangel and puppy, offering some shade to them, before dozing off again, exhausted.

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

Raphael picked up Otohime and held her to his chest, and then looked down at Chiba. "You stay now, okay? Mama and I have to go run some errands, and we'll be back." he said, petting the pup on the head before taking off into the air.

"It's okay, Hime... I was just a little embarrassed, I'm over it now." he said, smiling at her. "So, where do you want to go to eat?"

"Um, I don't know...You said that we should try somewhere other than McDonald's and that's the only place that I know, so you pick." She wriggled a bit in his arms happily, "And we've got to study. I can't be failing those exams, now can I?" She said it as if she had the slightest clue about anything in any of their classes.

As soon as Lux lie against Ryujin, their wings folded around their svelte, airy form, acting as a blanket for the exhausted Archangel. They then fell to their side and curled against Ryujin's side, drying in the thick warmth of the late-summer evening. For once in Lux's life, all was quiet and unreadable. The Angel was resting in silence, his glow very faint but at-ease. Even as he was unconscious, he still managed to fill the area around him with a softening, peaceful sensation.

Chiba, having been abandoned, snuggled up next to Lux, his first person, and wagged his tail happily even whilst sleeping. Ryujin, meanwhile, moved his wings over the archangel and puppy, offering some shade to them, before dozing off again, exhausted.

"Okay, uhm... Uh... We're going to shop in New Jersey, so... Let's get pizza." Raphael said, smiling down at Otohime. "And we'll study when we get back, okaaaayyy?"

He seemed as if he was brought down a little by the mention of school.

[Luminesa]

Raphael picked up Otohime and held her to his chest, and then looked down at Chiba. "You stay now, okay? Mama and I have to go run some errands, and we'll be back." he said, petting the pup on the head before taking off into the air.

"It's okay, Hime... I was just a little embarrassed, I'm over it now." he said, smiling at her. "So, where do you want to go to eat?"

"Um, I don't know...You said that we should try somewhere other than McDonald's and that's the only place that I know, so you pick." She wriggled a bit in his arms happily, "And we've got to study. I can't be failing those exams, now can I?" She said it as if she had the slightest clue about anything in any of their classes.

As soon as Lux lie against Ryujin, their wings folded around their svelte, airy form, acting as a blanket for the exhausted Archangel. They then fell to their side and curled against Ryujin's side, drying in the thick warmth of the late-summer evening. For once in Lux's life, all was quiet and unreadable. The Angel was resting in silence, his glow very faint but at-ease. Even as he was unconscious, he still managed to fill the area around him with a softening, peaceful sensation.

Chiba, having been abandoned, snuggled up next to Lux, his first person, and wagged his tail happily even whilst sleeping. Ryujin, meanwhile, moved his wings over the archangel and puppy, offering some shade to them, before dozing off again, exhausted.

Lux felt Chiba snuggling in his arms, and he smiled slightly as he felt the tiny puppy's warm fur. He held him close to him, and then got comfortable as Ryujin held a wing delicately over both of them. After all, Ryujin's wings were big and thick enough that they could crush both of them, if the Dragon King wasn't careful. Now, then, Lux fell back to sleep, happy to have their fluffy little puppy-companion nearby.

[Sky-TheLandOfNekos]

Lance

Dark energy gathered around the school, focusing on one single point to create an orb no larger than a dime. It radiated the evil power of Hell, showing a signature unique to one Demon. Of course, some may have still mistaken it for an attack.

Seconds later, it quickly expanded and changed shape. A portal between dimensions opened. It was a gateway between the spiritual and the physical realms.

Lance stepped through and took a deep breath, relieved to be inhaling something other than Sulfur Dioxide. Some time has passed since he had been there. Hopefully, not much has changed...

[Syrixces]

Hyperion nodded curtly to the appearing friends, smiling broadly. Then, turning to Nyx, he grabbed her, smiled, said something along the lines of finding out, before pulling in Nyx after him, pulling them both into a pulsing rainbow quasar. Light strikes and shone around them, like a song done in color. In the center of this swirling, resonating cloud, sat a single glowing white ball. Blue and black lightning crackled across it, as sounds like the birth of a child echoed across the empty air, perceptible only to those natural of this vacuumed domain.

"Now, we watch."

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Icarus noticed something odd. A figure of darkness, a daemon, had ripped it's way from hell, appearing before all of them, and no one seemed even remotely alarmed. Stepping forward, he grimaced, the black and gold binary worms squirming on his arms.

"And you would be?"

[Castle Crashers]

Lance

Dark energy gathered around the school, focusing on one single point to create an orb no larger than a dime. It radiated the evil power of Hell, showing a signature unique to one Demon. Of course, some may have still mistaken it for an attack.

Seconds later, it quickly expanded and changed shape. A portal between dimensions opened. It was a gateway between the spiritual and the physical realms.

Lance stepped through and took a deep breath, relieved to be inhaling something other than Sulfur Dioxide. Some time has passed since he had been there. Hopefully, not much has changed...

Luna, having been left unattended by Nyx after being sucked into the portal with Hyperion, yipped happily as she spotted the familiar face. She raced across the distance between the both of them until she'd reached his feet. When she did, she continued to yip in a happy manner, pawing at his calves as she looked up at him. It was fairly obvious that she still recognized him, even after such time.

Hyperion nodded curtly to the appearing friends, smiling broadly. Then, turning to Nyx, he grabbed her, smiled, said something along the lines of finding out, before pulling in Nyx after him, pulling them both into a pulsing rainbow quasar. Light strikes and shone around them, like a song done in color. In the center of this swirling, resonating cloud, sat a single glowing white ball. Blue and black lightning crackled across it, as sounds like the birth of a child echoed across the empty air, perceptible only to those natural of this vacuumed domain.

"Now, we watch."

Meanwhile, back on Earth, Icarus noticed something odd. A figure of darkness, a daemon, had ripped it's way from hell, appearing before all of them, and no one seemed even remotely alarmed. Stepping forward, he grimaced, the black and gold binary worms squirming on his arms.

"And you would be?"

And she did, watching with piqued interest at the scene unfolding before her. She'd never seen anything quite like this, even if she did own control over the night. The light visible from such a period of time was usually from dead stars, not newly born ones. So, as such, she was seeing such an event for the first time, and honestly, she found it quite beautiful.

[Charlia]

"...I... I just realized," she muttered, clinging a little tighter to him. "I... I never told you, but... there's... I have a lot of scars... that you haven't seen... because of the things that happened to me... they're really horrible, Cade. They're ugly, and I hate them."

She was afraid of how he might react. After all, it was one thing to know about the things she'd been through... but it was an entirely different thing to have constant, physical reminders of how horribly she'd been used, wasn't it?

"...I just realized that... when we're married... you'll see them someday, won't you? And... I don't want you to feel like I tricked you or anything like that... because they're awful, and... I'd understand if you hated them, too. To be unable to look at me without remembering... that I'm not pure... like you deserve... If they're too terrible, I... I get it. I just thought... you should know about them before you make your final decision about whether or not you'll be willing to stay with me forever. I don't want you to feel trapped..."

She looked down, and fell silent, the only sound between them being her muffled weeping.

It was true, he'd never quite thought about that before, not that such a subject had come about anyways before. Regardless, seeing her weep over such a subject made him a little sad. I never thought she'd be so self-conscious around me... He thought, but honestly, he thought it was nice that she cared so very much about impressing him and keeping him happy. It was over the top, sure, but it was still a nice feeling in moderation. Not when it made her cry. He pulled her closer, letting her dry her tears on his shirt. He never minded, as long as he could make her feel better. "I think it's kinda funny that you think a couple of scars would be enough to scare me away..." He said in a gentle but light tone, just to comfort her as he smiled. "I'm in love with you, and I'd still be in love with you if you were four hundred pounds and bald. Really, a few scars are nothing to be worried about around me, no matter how ugly..." He kissed the top of her head as he held her close. "Please don't feel like you have to make everything about you perfect or try to do such a thing...you're perfect the way you are, I promise. I'll love you forever and ever, I proposed to you of course...as long as you're happy, I'm happy. I'd never feel stuck or trapped with you...as long as you don't feel the same of me...I love you for you, and I'll always. That's why I proposed, anyways. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else but you."

I should have known, shouldn't I? she thought wryly to herself. He does so much for me, and he's never been anything but accepting. Why do I doubt him?

It wasn't that she didn't think enough of him to think that he could accept and love everything about her. A part of her always knew that he would be there no matter what.

It was just that the part of her that doubted her own worth, that was afraid she would never be good enough for anyone at all, much less someone as wonderful as Cade... that fear was so powerful that it drowned her reason and knowledge that Cade loved her, even if she couldn't understand why. After all, for so long she'd lived with the feeling of being damaged, broken beyond repair. It was only natural, when Cade offered her hope and love, to be afraid that eventually he would see how unworthy she actually was.

Yet every time she was scared she'd be rejected, he held on tighter and told her just how much he actually valued her. She got the feeling that he would say it over and over again if he had to.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I love you, too, and I want to make you happy. I know it makes you sad when I worry that you won't love me, so I'll try my hardest to stop being afraid of not being good enough. I love you... more than I'll ever be able to say..."

What did I ever do to deserve you?

[Castle Crashers]

It was true, he'd never quite thought about that before, not that such a subject had come about anyways before. Regardless, seeing her weep over such a subject made him a little sad. I never thought she'd be so self-conscious around me... He thought, but honestly, he thought it was nice that she cared so very much about impressing him and keeping him happy. It was over the top, sure, but it was still a nice feeling in moderation. Not when it made her cry. He pulled her closer, letting her dry her tears on his shirt. He never minded, as long as he could make her feel better. "I think it's kinda funny that you think a couple of scars would be enough to scare me away..." He said in a gentle but light tone, just to comfort her as he smiled. "I'm in love with you, and I'd still be in love with you if you were four hundred pounds and bald. Really, a few scars are nothing to be worried about around me, no matter how ugly..." He kissed the top of her head as he held her close. "Please don't feel like you have to make everything about you perfect or try to do such a thing...you're perfect the way you are, I promise. I'll love you forever and ever, I proposed to you of course...as long as you're happy, I'm happy. I'd never feel stuck or trapped with you...as long as you don't feel the same of me...I love you for you, and I'll always. That's why I proposed, anyways. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else but you."

I should have known, shouldn't I? she thought wryly to herself. He does so much for me, and he's never been anything but accepting. Why do I doubt him?

It wasn't that she didn't think enough of him to think that he could accept and love everything about her. A part of her always knew that he would be there no matter what.

It was just that the part of her that doubted her own worth, that was afraid she would never be good enough for anyone at all, much less someone as wonderful as Cade... that fear was so powerful that it drowned her reason and knowledge that Cade loved her, even if she couldn't understand why. After all, for so long she'd lived with the feeling of being damaged, broken beyond repair. It was only natural, when Cade offered her hope and love, to be afraid that eventually he would see how unworthy she actually was.

Yet every time she was scared she'd be rejected, he held on tighter and told her just how much he actually valued her. She got the feeling that he would say it over and over again if he had to.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I love you, too, and I want to make you happy. I know it makes you sad when I worry that you won't love me, so I'll try my hardest to stop being afraid of not being good enough. I love you... more than I'll ever be able to say..."

What did I ever do to deserve you?

His smile broadened a little as he held her close. "I love you too, always..." He said, kissing the top of her head again. Suddenly though, he seemed to remember something as he reached into his pocket. "Oh yeah," he said, pulling out a small ring. "I meant to give you this, I made it a little while ago, before all this happened. I've been meaning to give it to you since you don't have a ring quite yet." The small ring was definitely homemade, seeing as it looked nothing like a traditional engagement ring. Though it was obviously made by his hand, it was intricately done, little details in the what seemed to be steel ring carved to be as perfect as he could manage. The ring was not a perfect circle, but it was close, as he'd had few resources to make such a thing. It was obvious he'd tried his best though, as it was very close to being perfect. The steel ring was topped with a small but beautiful diamond, one that couldn't have been much larger than the head of a pen. "I...really didn't have any way to create one bigger than that..." He blushed slightly, a little embarrassed that he didn't have the money to buy her a real engagement ring. "We don't live near a diamond reserve, after all...or a coal reserve, for that matter..."

[Charlia]

I should have known, shouldn't I? she thought wryly to herself. He does so much for me, and he's never been anything but accepting. Why do I doubt him?

It wasn't that she didn't think enough of him to think that he could accept and love everything about her. A part of her always knew that he would be there no matter what.

It was just that the part of her that doubted her own worth, that was afraid she would never be good enough for anyone at all, much less someone as wonderful as Cade... that fear was so powerful that it drowned her reason and knowledge that Cade loved her, even if she couldn't understand why. After all, for so long she'd lived with the feeling of being damaged, broken beyond repair. It was only natural, when Cade offered her hope and love, to be afraid that eventually he would see how unworthy she actually was.

Yet every time she was scared she'd be rejected, he held on tighter and told her just how much he actually valued her. She got the feeling that he would say it over and over again if he had to.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I love you, too, and I want to make you happy. I know it makes you sad when I worry that you won't love me, so I'll try my hardest to stop being afraid of not being good enough. I love you... more than I'll ever be able to say..."

What did I ever do to deserve you?

His smile broadened a little as he held her close. "I love you too, always..." He said, kissing the top of her head again. Suddenly though, he seemed to remember something as he reached into his pocket. "Oh yeah," he said, pulling out a small ring. "I meant to give you this, I made it a little while ago, before all this happened. I've been meaning to give it to you since you don't have a ring quite yet." The small ring was definitely homemade, seeing as it looked nothing like a traditional engagement ring. Though it was obviously made by his hand, it was intricately done, little details in the what seemed to be steel ring carved to be as perfect as he could manage. The ring was not a perfect circle, but it was close, as he'd had few resources to make such a thing. It was obvious he'd tried his best though, as it was very close to being perfect. The steel ring was topped with a small but beautiful diamond, one that couldn't have been much larger than the head of a pen. "I...really didn't have any way to create one bigger than that..." He blushed slightly, a little embarrassed that he didn't have the money to buy her a real engagement ring. "We don't live near a diamond reserve, after all...or a coal reserve, for that matter..."

Her face lit up, her eyes wide and sparkling as she looked at the ring.

"Cade, it's beautiful," she reassured. Other people might have thought it sub-par, but to her, it was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. And Cade had made it for her! He'd spent time thinking about it and creating it, just so she could have it! To her, that meant more than it would have if he had just gone out and bought something. He cared so much that he'd gone to the trouble of making an engagement ring just for her.

She slipped it on her finger, and smiled brightly, noting that it was a perfect fit. "Thank you," she whispered, kissing him quickly. "It's perfect."

[Castle Crashers]

His smile broadened a little as he held her close. "I love you too, always..." He said, kissing the top of her head again. Suddenly though, he seemed to remember something as he reached into his pocket. "Oh yeah," he said, pulling out a small ring. "I meant to give you this, I made it a little while ago, before all this happened. I've been meaning to give it to you since you don't have a ring quite yet." The small ring was definitely homemade, seeing as it looked nothing like a traditional engagement ring. Though it was obviously made by his hand, it was intricately done, little details in the what seemed to be steel ring carved to be as perfect as he could manage. The ring was not a perfect circle, but it was close, as he'd had few resources to make such a thing. It was obvious he'd tried his best though, as it was very close to being perfect. The steel ring was topped with a small but beautiful diamond, one that couldn't have been much larger than the head of a pen. "I...really didn't have any way to create one bigger than that..." He blushed slightly, a little embarrassed that he didn't have the money to buy her a real engagement ring. "We don't live near a diamond reserve, after all...or a coal reserve, for that matter..."

Her face lit up, her eyes wide and sparkling as she looked at the ring.

"Cade, it's beautiful," she reassured. Other people might have thought it sub-par, but to her, it was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. And Cade had made it for her! He'd spent time thinking about it and creating it, just so she could have it! To her, that meant more than it would have if he had just gone out and bought something. He cared so much that he'd gone to the trouble of making an engagement ring just for her.

She slipped it on her finger, and smiled brightly, noting that it was a perfect fit. "Thank you," she whispered, kissing him quickly. "It's perfect."

"You...you think so..?" He responded, blushing a little more from the flattery. He'd been a little scared that such a small ring would've disappointed her as he'd heard and seen on TV that some women felt that way. Of course, he'd never actually had experience with other girls besides his sisters and Charlotte, so he could never really tell whether that was just TV drama or not. "Really, if you don't like it I can find you a better one...I just need time to get money...you don't have to pretend you don't like it, I know it's not the best ring in the world..."

[Charlia]

Her face lit up, her eyes wide and sparkling as she looked at the ring.

"Cade, it's beautiful," she reassured. Other people might have thought it sub-par, but to her, it was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. And Cade had made it for her! He'd spent time thinking about it and creating it, just so she could have it! To her, that meant more than it would have if he had just gone out and bought something. He cared so much that he'd gone to the trouble of making an engagement ring just for her.

She slipped it on her finger, and smiled brightly, noting that it was a perfect fit. "Thank you," she whispered, kissing him quickly. "It's perfect."

"You...you think so..?" He responded, blushing a little more from the flattery. He'd been a little scared that such a small ring would've disappointed her as he'd heard and seen on TV that some women felt that way. Of course, he'd never actually had experience with other girls besides his sisters and Charlotte, so he could never really tell whether that was just TV drama or not. "Really, if you don't like it I can find you a better one...I just need time to get money...you don't have to pretend you don't like it, I know it's not the best ring in the world..."

"No!" she almost shouted. "Don't get any other ones, this is perfect! You made it! You bothered to make a beautiful ring like this for me, you thought about it and you spent time working hard to make it, instead of just going and buying something! This ring means more than any ring you could ever buy, because it shows just how much you care! Oh, Cade, don't you see? I don't care about how much money went into it or how big it is or any of that--I care about the fact that it's from you, and I love you! That's what makes this ring special, that's what makes it valuable, because of the love that went into it. It's the best engagement ring a girl could ever want, because it was made with love." She leaned her head against his chest, sighing happily. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world," she said quietly, "because of all the girls you could have loved, you chose to love me."