Noé stared into the window, looking down at the tiny ring on display. It was silver with diamond at the center. It was so clean, almost looking white, a big contrast to the dark hair of the young man's lover. It would go so perfectly with her.
"Yoo hoo! Noé!", called out Vanitas as he waved a hand in front of his friend's face. Noé shook his head and snapped back to reality. He scratched the back of his head and chuckled in embarrassment. "Sorry about that." Vanitas looked into the window, spotting the ring his companion was staring at. He made an impressed whistle. "That is quite the ring. I bet any lady would be lucky to have it." "Yeah." "Jeanne would as well, but I would like to give her a ring that contrasts that beautiful white hair of hers. Maybe a golden one to go with her eyes." "I was thinking the same thing!", exclaimed Noé enthusiastically. "Oh? So you plan on marrying Dominique then?"
Noé went quiet. A red hue started forming on his face. "Don't feel embarrassed. If anything, some people have actually mistaken the two of you being a married couple. I mean, you are a couple, just not married", said Vanitas. Noé looked back at the ring. "I would love nothing more than to make Dominique my wife. But something like that is quite a big step. It might be too much for her." "Too much? For her? For someone who has been romantically involved with her, you sure don't know her well, do you? Don't you remember the masquerade ball? She was quite the fighter that time." "I remember", said Noé, staring into the air in reminiscence. "Yet you're worried about her handling marriage."
Noé smiled awkwardly. Vanitas reached into his pocket and took out some money, handing it over to the white haired vampire. "Take it." "What?" "In case you ever decide to finally ask the big question to your beloved, you'll at least have the ring prepared." "I-I can't accept this." "And I cannot accept your rejection of this. Take it." The money was being poked against Noé's cheek, until he finally gave in. "At least let me pay you back." "Oh please, there isn't any need for that. I barely use this much money anyway."
Noé practically had tears in his eyes as he lunged forward and hugged Vanitas. "Thank you!" "Hey! Let me go, you idiot! You're causing a scene!"
. . .
Noé had arrived on the doorstep of his home, where he saw a familiar face having come home as well. "Isn't this convenient timing", chuckled the young man. "Why? Do you have plans?", asked Dominique with a teasing smile. "Ones that involve me?" "N-no! I just meant it's such a strange coincidence that we've both arrived home at the same time!", said a flustered Noé. Dominique giggled and placed a kiss on her lover's cheek. "Why do you always act so cute?" Noé smiled at her, giving her forehead a kiss. "Why do you always look so beautiful?" Dominique smiled and rubbed her nose against his.
"I see your flirting is getting better." "You think so?" "There you go being cute again." A light laughter was shared between the two, until they decided to finally go into their home.
The moment the couple walked through the door, Dominique stretched her arms over her head and let out a yawn. "Tired?", asked Noé. "It is rather late. I suppose it is time to tuck in." Dominique smiled and snuggled her head into her lover's chest. "That means I get to snuggle with you." "It sure does."
The loving couple set course for their bedroom, where they undressed themselves for sleep. Noé put on his pajamas, while Dominique her negligee. They both crawled under the covers rested closely across each other, looking at each other's faces. "Good night, mon chéri." "Good night, Domi." The young woman closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, while Noé was still awake, his mind full of thoughts.
Ever since his conversation with Vanitas about marriage, he looked back on every moment he had with Dominique. They were special. Beautiful. He didn't want want them to end. Ever. He wanted the beautiful woman all to himself, and he wanted everyone in the world to see that she was his. All these thoughts made Noé come to a conclusion: he wanted to marry Dominique.
. . .
"Are we there yet?", asked Dominique with closed eyes. "Almost there", said Noé, who was holding her hand and guiding her.
He stopped upon arriving at their destination. "Okay, now open." Dominique's eyes opened up, and her hands flew to her mouth at the mesmerizing sight that was in front of her.
It was nice open spot in a forest, perfect for a picnic. The smile on the young woman's face made Noé's heart melt. It also reminded him why they were there. He made his lover face him, then pressed his lips against hers. "Where did that come from?", asked Dominique. "Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered, but still."
"I couldn't resist. Your smile was just too beautiful. I want nothing more than to see it every day." Dominique grew a little concerned. From the way Noé was speaking, it sounded like he was confessing his feelings. But they were already together, so it had to be something else.
"Seeing you smile...", continued the silver haired man. "It makes me really happy, you know." Dominique blushed at the comment. "And not just your smile. Your voice, your personality, and everything else about you is enough to make me smile until my cheeks break. I don't mean to be selfish, but I want you all to myself." Dominique smiled and kissed Noé's cheek. "It's not selfish. It's rather cute, actually. But where is this all coming from?"
Noé laughed bashfully. "I brought us here because it seemed like it fit the mood." He got down on one knee and reached into his pocket. Dominique realized what was happening, and her hand slapped onto her mouth. "Dominique, will you make me happy once more, and allow me to make you smile, by being my wife?" Dominique couldn't speak. The only thing she could do was nod. Repeatedly nod while tears of joy left her eyes.
"Domi?", asked Noé, quite confused by his lover's reaction. "I'm saying yes, you dummy!", exclaimed Dominique. "O-oh!", stammered the male vampire. His lover enthusiastically offered out her hand so that he could slip the ring on her finger. Once that was done, Noé was knocked onto the ground and smothered in kisses, not getting a chance to breath, or even speak. But that wasn't to say he hated this.
After all, he wanted to make her happy. And he will do that until his final breath.
