blue (book one) - h.s. ✔️ watty's 2019

chapter 74 - the scavenger hunt - part three (the Milky Way)

My head is hurting. My feet are killing me. My eyes are strained in the darkness. It's been about fifteen minutes since Harry's given me another question to answer about myself. I've come to the conclusion that this isn't some ploy to get me to answer a bunch of questions about myself so that he can feel like he knows me; he seems to already know the answers beforehand. As a matter of fact, at the end of the last two questions he's presented me with actual, physical answers: a white lily and a small handwritten note I'm not allowed to read yet.

I'm almost positive that this is a date of some sorts. So despite my internal agonies, I'm trying to enjoy his little date game; it's actually quite cute. He's been out of my view for the past twenty minutes. He went behind this odd-shaped, egg-like building a little while ago, promising to be back soon. With each passing second, I grow giddy with excitement. I don't know what his next surprise will be, but I have my fingers crossed it's something I can eat. I'm actually very hungry right now.

The moon is at it's zenith tonight. It looks picturesque painted against the night sky: a full moon. Though we are in the middle of nowhere, I feel strangely at peace. I don't fear the darkness of the night nor do I fear the nocturnal animals that surround us. It's oddly serene.

Harry rounds the corner, appearing with a smile plastered on his face. I can't get over the fact that he's mine. . . and I'm his. We both lead two very different lives. It's funny how life decides to bring together opposites.

"Blue," he breathes making me smile at the nickname.

"Close your eyes."

I've learned that tonight is about him showing me how much he knows me. The fact that he took the time to plan all of this for me just makes me fall even more in love with him. Doing as he says, I grasp his hand as he leads me to God knows where.

Along the way, he has to constantly steady me with his hands to ensure I don't hurt myself. I curse myself inwardly for my clumsiness as I nearly fall again; being blind doesn't help my balance whatsoever.

Then, squealing in response, I'm in his arms - bridal style - as he carries me the rest of the way. He constantly reminds me to keep my eyes shut tight as he presses against a panel of buttons that beep in response.

My anxiety is eating me up. I want nothing more than to open my eyes to see what the hell is going on. When he sets me down, he, again, commands me to keep my eyes shut eliciting a small whine of protest.

I hear him chuckle then feel his presence disappear for a second, as he messes with something that beeps even louder than the machine before.

His lips surprise me slightly as they touch my forehead. With my eyes still closed, I focus on the gentle kiss; these types of kisses are for sure my favorite.

"Okay, baby. Open your eyes."

Before my eyes is probably the greatest site I've ever seen. All around us lies the entire galaxy! The spiral shaped Milky Way is incredibly vibrant reaching passed our heads. Several hundred billion stars, including our own sun, light up the dark room. The overhead lights closer to the ground dim down - sort of like in the theatre right before a movie starts. Blues, reds, yellows! So many vibrant clusters of stars - new and old -, planets, comets, and meteorites grace the entirety of the dome-shaped building.

How is this happening?

I look down from staring at the scene before me to a knowing Harry. He looks at me smiling brightly as the reflection of the galaxy paints his pale face.

"Come. There's more," he says lovingly, as he takes my hand in his. He begins guiding us to a darker section of the small building. I trip several times unable to take my eyes off of the display above me. Saturn's rings are on my shoulder!

"This is incredible," I breathe breathlessly. I've never seen anything like this in my life - not even at the local planetarium! This place is unbelievable. Looking closer, I can see that the display is live action. Stars and comets are moving relative to time! The star in the center of the galaxy unmoving.

"Close your eyes," he commands again, but this time I grow disappointed. I don't want to take my eyes from the sight! It's much too breathtaking. Regardless, I do as he says as he saunters into a dark area, his body disappearing into the darkness. Even with my eyes shut, I can sense and see the greatness around me. I wish I could show this to everyone!

I hear him fumbling quietly around me. Despite the intense urge to peek, I hold my ground. Along the way, I stopped breathing. I don't know when or how, but I stopped breathing. I find myself having to gasp ridiculously to fill my lungs to capacity.

"Are you okay?" he asks dreamily. I nod my head unable to speak. I want so badly to open my eyes!

"One second," he announces before walking back, his footsteps clinking loudly against the hard floor. Harry is full of surprises. I don't believe there's ever been a time where I've been bored or uninterested. He's exhilarating in every way possible. Every fiber in my body literally lights up at the thought of being with him anywhere. My reactions are quite incredible: I lose my breath, the hair on my skin rises with anticipation, goosebumps gathering below, my heart beat speeds up rapidly, preparing itself for what's to come. All of this, from his simple existence.

"Blue," he speaks voice distant.

Where is he?

"Open your eyes, baby."

It takes everything in me to stop from fainting.

Harry's down on one knee with a black box in his right hand. Surrounding him is an army of candles lit to blaze fiercely. A small, checker-patterned fluffy quilt lies underneath him and two white pillows directly behind him. On top of the yellow quilt lies a field of white lilies leading to the edge of the blanket. It didn't hit me before, but a strong, vanilla scent infiltrates my nostrils leaving me breathless. He's discarded his black bandana, and instead, has his hair pinned back in a terribly put together bun. His eyes shine with the ghosts of the galaxy dancing around him.

"Harry, I-," I start choked. My words are caught in the back of my throat. I can't feel or hear anything other than the heavy pounding of my heart before he speaks.

"No, this is not a proposal," he chuckles lightly.

"At least not right now," he continues eyebrows scrunched, unsure.

"I'm not like you, blue. I'm no good with words. In some measure, I'm decent. I can't recite you Shakespeare like those dorky guys in those cheesy romance novels you're so fond of. Honestly, I'm relying heavily on my British accent and charm to win you over," he smirks, cheekily. His eyebrows come together before a more serious expression takes over his face.

"I don't know how to be a boyfriend - not to you or anyone else for that matter. I can't promise you that shit will be perfect all the time. I'm not a perfect human. I've fucked up one too many times in my past and in the present. I know you think that I'm this cool, collected, devilishly handsome, incredibly charming, remarkably talented, beautifully pieced, vibrantly radiant, extremely funny, gorgeous man," he breathes smiling softly at his words though his eyes have grown to be somber.

"And sure, if that's how you want to see me, then by all means do. But, also, expect me to fall. Know that there will be times when the silent will become too loud. When I will feel like I'm drowning and there's no way out. It's happened. Trust me, that shits happened. And each time, without knowing, you have lifted me from underneath the water in your gentle hands. I've never been in love before. This is all still so very new to me. I know I can be a bit controlling at times, but it's only because I'm looking out for you. I can work on it; in due time. Teach me how to love you, blue. I know that I said this isn't a proposal, because it's not in the traditional sense. But it is my proposal to always protect you. It's a proposal to always be the one there when you're at your lowest. Fuck. I don't know if this shit will last - what we have, but I pray to God it does. If you'll let me, I'll try to be a boyfriend. All that I can do is try: for you."