Born To Die

Luke proposed

Isla's POV

The room is quiet now, the others have dispersed, and all that's left is the soft, ambient glow of the ship's lights filtering through the windows. It feels like it's just the two of us again—Luke and me.

We've been through so much, more than anyone could imagine. And here we are, in this moment, alone in the billiard room, surrounded by nothing but memories of our past and dreams of what's to come.

I watch Luke as he stands a few feet away from me, leaning against the table, his hands resting lightly on the edge. His eyes meet mine, and for a second, all I can see is the depth of everything we've shared—the ups, the downs, the fights, the passion, the loyalty.

"I missed you," Luke says softly, breaking the silence between us. His voice is low, almost a whisper, but it holds so much weight in it.

I smile, a small, tender thing, because I've missed him too—more than I could ever put into words. "I missed you too. It hasn't been the same without you." My voice wavers slightly, betraying me, but I don't care.

He pushes off the table, walking toward me slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. He steps closer until we're standing just inches apart. The air between us feels charged, heavy with the weight of everything unsaid, all the love, all the longing, all the things we didn't have time to say in the chaos of the war and the endless battles.

Luke flicks his wrist casually, and the soft hum of music begins to play from nowhere. The melody drifts into the room like it was always meant to be here, filling the space with a quiet, soothing rhythm. I glance up at him in surprise, and his eyes twinkle with that playful glint I've always loved.

"You know," he says with a smirk, "I thought a little music might help us relax. Plus, it's been so long since we've had a moment like this."

Without thinking, my feet begin to move in sync with the music, my body naturally drawn to his. He holds out his hand, and I take it, the warmth of his touch flooding through me. We begin to sway together, slow and steady, as if the world outside of this room doesn't exist. For once, there's no pressure, no looming threat of war or betrayal. It's just us—just me and Luke, dancing in the quiet of the night.

I close my eyes, resting my head gently against his chest, letting the music wash over me. His heartbeat is steady, rhythmic, and it calms me in ways I didn't know I needed. The world fades away, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm home.

But then, suddenly, the music changes, and so does the moment. Luke's hold on me loosens just slightly, and I look up at him, confused.

He's smiling down at me, that familiar mischievous smile, but there's something else in his eyes—something softer, more serious. My breath catches in my throat, and I can feel my heart race in my chest.

Luke kneels down, and for a split second, everything stops. The music, the world around us, the way my breath stutters in my chest—all of it.

"I love you, Isla," he says, his voice low but steady, the sincerity in it undeniable. "And I know we've had our struggles. But I also know that this—us—is everything. You're the only one who's ever truly understood me. Who's ever stood by me. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I stare down at him, my heart pounding in my chest as he pulls something from his pocket. A small, delicate ring glimmers in the light as he holds it up to me.

"Will you marry me?"

The words hit me like a wave. I wasn't expecting this, wasn't prepared for it, but it feels like everything has led up to this moment—every trial, every hardship, every moment we've spent together.