Bloom

5. Coals

"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable."

~Bruce Lee~

•••

     I find peace in the aftermath of a night that I won't soon forget. The soft, downy comforter is on the floor with the sheets. The heavy curtains are closed tight. Rose petals cover the floor, leading to the bathroom. It's quiet, and it's a disaster, but it's peaceful.

I'm on cloud nine.

Never in a million years did I think that I would be able to say that my boyfriend is Sebastian Stan. Never in a million years did I think that I would be able to tell him that I love him, flaws and all, out loud for him to hear. Never in a million years did I think that he'd be the one for me.

The one.

You know, the one.

He's got my heart all tangled up in his, and I don't care what I have to do or who I have to fight, I'm going to marry him.

     It's sudden, and I'm surprised that I'm even thinking about it, but it's true.

I want to marry him.

He's given me a reason not to let heartbreak and anxiety consume me. He's given me the second chance I needed to start over. He's been a guiding star on my journey through the cosmos in search of a purpose.

I smile as Seb steps out of the bathroom, hair wet from the shower, with a towel around his waist. He smiles fondly and walks over to me.

"Hey, handsome," he beams as he gives me a quick kiss.

"Now that we've both showered, we should probably put the room back together," I tell him.

He hums in agreement as he walks over to his suitcase and takes out a T-shirt and a pair of boxers. Much to my dismay, he get dressed in just a few seconds. But, fortunately, he's gorgeous regardless, so I can't even begin to catch my breath.

As I get up from the couch by the window, he turns to me and says, "You know, I was worried for a moment there, when I was in the shower. I thought that maybe it was all just an elaborate dream, that none of it was real. But, then I came out here, and here you are. It's surreal."

I cross the room and take his hands in mine, pulling him close, pressing kisses to the backs of his hands. He blushes when I take his hands and press them to my heart.

"Can you feel my heart?" I ask him.

He nods, "Of course, babe."

I lace our hands together and pull him close as I softly say, "It's cheesy, sappy, and cliche, but it's true — till the end of the line, always and forever, this heart of mine beats for you."

He smiles, little wisps of pink fanning across his cheeks as his nose scrunches and eyes crinkle. It's adorable and makes my heart flip wildly.

"You're so fucking cute," I groan in frustration as I turn away from him.

He laughs and chases after me, bouncing back into view with another goofy smile.

"Chris!" He half-sings, taking my face in his hands.

Sensing my impending loss, I give up. I'm no match for how adorable he's being.