Complete

42: Sunflowers

"Gulf, could you go to the shed at the back and get some firewood?" Leah asked. Her hands were full from baking cookies for the children.

"Sure." Gulf laughed at Leah struggling to open a pack of sugar with her flour-covered hands.

After helping Leah, he went to the shed. Only to spot a new...building?

Did Andrew construct something?

(Andrew is Leah's husband. He built all the log cabins etc from scratch, sometimes with the help of the volunteers.)

Walking closer, Gulf realised that it was a green house.

The green house was painted white, making it blend in with the snow.

Yet the glass walls and roofs made the plants visible.

It was as if there was a patch of spring in the middle of winter.

Entering the greenhouse, Gulf was greeted by a warm gust of air.

Gulf wandered around the greenhouse, awed.

What caught Gulf's eyes were the sunflowers.

Their yellow petals radiated a bright, beautiful innocence.

"What are you looking at?" Gulf felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around his waist.

Gulf leaned back against Mew, placing his hands on the arms wrapped around him.

"These sunflowers. They are my favourite flower. They symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity. I wanted my brothers to always live long, especially with their dangerous jobs. I also wanted them to know that I adore them and be loyal to them. So every year, I would give a bouquet of sunflowers to my brothers on their birthdays."

They stood like that for a while, admiring the sunflowers.

"Gulf, will you marry me?"

Gulf's mind went blank.

WHAT?!

Mew turned Gulf around, his hands now resting on the small of Gulf's back.

"Do you know that sunflowers also symbolize unwavering faith and unconditional love?

I have that kind of faith and love.

For you.

I love you Gulf.

I want to spend every morning waking up to you.

Every night sleeping with you in my arms.

I want to be the one you find comfort in during your vulnerable moments.

To be the one you depend on when you want pampering.

To be the one you spend your forever with.

Because I can't imagine mine without you.

Since you are my future."

Mew took out a ring from his pocket, held Gulf's left hand up and slipped it on Gulf's fourth finger.

(A/N: Do you know that the tradition of rings on the fourth finger of the left hand can be traced back to the Ancient Romans. They believed this finger had a vein that ran directly to the heart, the Vena Amoris, meaning 'vein of love'. Writing this book made me have more general knowledge haha.)

"Marry me?"

"Yes yes yes! Fuck a thousand times yes!" Gulf beamed.

Jumping onto Mew, he snaked his arms around Mew's neck and brought him into a passionate kiss.

After they pulled apart for air, Gulf realised something.

"Wait a minute. Why did you put the ring on my finger before I gave my answer?"

Mew groaned internally at the sight of Gulf tilting his head while he still had those swollen lips.

How does he look so innocent yet sinful?

"I know you can't survive without me." Mew proclaimed proudly.

"Confident much?" Gulf smirked.

"Very." Mew laughed, swinging Gulf around happily.