'I can't believe I messed up so badly!'
Drawing his knees up against his chest and crossing his arms over top, Tsukasa buried his face in between them and silently wept as he sat crouched in the furthermost shadowy corner of the same old treehouse he, Senku and Taiju had once lived in during his first few weeks as a new revival in the Stone World.
The sun had long since disappeared from the horizon along with its cheerful colours of vibrant pinks and oranges, and in its place a huge mass of indigo darkness coated the sky which reflected his melancholy heart. All around him shadows crept in from every corner of the treehouse, spilling down from above and shrouding him as though the boogeyman Pitch himself had thrown his clock of darkness over him.
Faint echos of buzzing and growling of jungle predators wafted up to his ears while a cold wind howled across the branches. However Tsukasa paid them no attention; his mind completely consumed with thoughts of you.
You—his one and only true love. Beautiful, sweet, clever, witty and compassionate rare gem of an angel who truly loved and supported him throughout all the good and difficult times of his life.
An angel whose love he felt that he no longer deserved!
"Tsukasa?"
Hearing your sweet voice calling out his name, Tsukasa snapped his head up and almost suffered a heart attack when he saw you lifting up the tarp and enter the treehouse. Catching one look at his tear stained face your eyes grew wide with concern and your hands fell up to mouth to muffle the shocked gasp from escaping your lips. Then slowly crossing the wooden floor you knelt down in front of him and asked. "Tsukasa honey, are you okay?"
Between the sight of your lovely eyes gazing at him with such tenderness and the sound of voice speaking to him so softly; Tsukasa broke down and confessed between sobs. "No;—no I'm not okay! *hiccups* I unjustly took out all my anger and frustration out on Edward. Said such horrible things to him— *hiccups* things I didn't mean and wish that I could take back! And— Oh (Y/N) I'm sorry for scaring you! I didn't mean to— *hiccups* make you feel afraid of me! My only desire and intention was to create the perfect romantic date so that I could ask you to marry but instead only ended up being the perfect messes! Each more disastrous than the last! Than this evening on the beach when I finally though everything would finally be— *hiccups* be perfect I felt so happy! But then the bull happened and I — *hiccups* something inside me imploded— and before I even comprehended what I was doing or saying I—! *hiccups.* I—!" Dissolving into a fresh bout of tears Tsukasa lowered himself face down on the ground in shame before you.
"Shhhh! Oh Tsukasa honey it's alright," you soothed gently gathering him up into your tender embrace and softly rubbing his broad back in a comforting manner. "I know you didn't mean what you said to Edward. Stuff like this happens all the time to everyone; after long periods of nothing, but bad luck and frustration steadily rises over time until sooner or later tempers flare and things accidentally spiral out of control. It's nothing pleasant, but nevertheless it still happens all the same. And that's not even strictly limited to best laid plans being dashed to pieces." Then gently coaxing him to lift his face towards you, you gently kissed away his tears and continued. "Senku and Chrome also explained how during this past month you'd been trying so hard to propose to me, and again while things didn't exactly work out according the way you wanted it to, the fact that you had put so much thought and effort into each proposal plan was super sweet."
"That's because you're the sweetest angel who deserves to be loved, cherished and protected." Said Tsukasa turning his face away as he still felt ashamed with himself. "And I so badly wanted to be the person who would do all of those things for you."
"But Tsukasa you already are; you always have been." Tenderly brushing a stray lock of hair from his face you confessed. "Listen before you came into my life my past dating track record consisted of nothing but rude, self- absorbed, unfaithful and disrespectful jerks! Didn't matter how cautious I was, or where I turned to, instead of finding either the Prince Charming or knight in shining armour type I'd dreamed for, I somehow always ended up being stuck with the obnoxious ones who never cared for me. Eventually over time with each and every bad experience that came, increased my heartache until it finally reached the pointed where I decided to close my heart off to romance in order to protect myself from any more emotional heartache." Then shaking your head as if to dismiss those painful memories you looked back at him and smiled. "But that all of that changed when you came along. You—with your genuine gentleness, kindness and compassion knocked down all my walls and showed me what it was like to truly be loved. Unlike all the men I'd previously known, you always acted like the perfect gentleman towards me; always being very considerate for my well being and making feeling beautiful, loved and protected. Heck you even saved me from a bear attack whereas most men would have either peed themselves or ran for the hills! Not to mention that I've seen how gentle and patient you are with not just me, but to Mirai and everyone else you hold dear to your heart."
Rendered speechless with astonishment at your sweet words, Tsukasa lifts his gaze to see the sincerity shining in your eyes as you gently cupped his cheek. "You're a prince among men Tsukasa as well as the benevolent knight I'd longed for since I was a little girl. Now granted life isn't a fairytale, and we're no doubt still going to be tossed through more crazy ups and downs, however just having the right friends and partner by one's side helps makes it easier to navigate all of life's crazy ups and downs." Then gently caressing his cheek you wrapped up your passionate speech by kissing him on the lips. "So by all means go ahead and ask me what you wanted to darling."
Renewed with hope Tsukasa shifted to one knee, and removed the ring from his pouch. "My dearest (Y/N)," he began, his heart pounding in his chest as he finally asked the question he'd yearned to ask you for so long. "You are the light of my life and I swear to always be your valiant knight and use my strength to protect you and to also always cherish and honour you with the upmost respect, kindness and gentleness as long as I live. Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" You softly replied; your beautiful face aglow with joy and love. "Yes I love to marry you!"
Overjoyed Tsukasa gingerly slid the ring onto your finger before sweeping you up into his gentle, warm embrace while lavishing soft kisses on your face eliciting merry laughter from you. "I love you so much (Y/N)." He softly whispered; his voice completely filled with the upmost tenderness and affection as he held you in his strong, loving arms. "With every beat of my heart."
"I love you too Tsukasa." You replied back, your lovely lips drawn into a dazzling smile. "Or should I say my darling future husband?"
"Darling future husband;" His jubilant heart fluttered like a butterfly. "I love the sound of that; almost as much as calling you my future bride and soon to be Mrs. Shishio Tsukasa."
Chuckling lightly you nuzzled your face against his chiseled chest. "Hmmm; now that most certainly has a lovely ring to it." You said flashing your ring and smiling when you succeeded in making him laugh at your own silly attempt at a pun.
Chuckling heartily Tsukasa gently took your hand and pressed a delicate kiss to the back of your knuckles, his lips almost grazing your engagement ring. "Yes; now I can only hope that we don't experience similar struggles with the wedding plans as I did with all my previous proposal attempts." He mused. "In which case I just might have to take up Ryusui's offer for him to organize our wedding."
"We can leave discussions about wedding preparations until tomorrow dear." You reassured him softly. "For now let's just enjoy this moment together."
"You're right my love, tonight is a time for celebration." As he rose, Tsukasa gently helped you back onto your feet. "Since it's late for a long journey from here to Ishigami Village what's say we dance the rest of the night away and camp out here in the treehouse for tonight? Just the two of us. Mirai's staying over with Suika at Nikki's place for a sleepover so I don't need to pick her up until later on in the morning. In the meantime I can always hunt for food whenever we're hungry and Taiju recently restocked on other supplies here awhile back in the event this treehouse needed to be used for a safe house so we have plenty of blankets to make a blanket fort."
"Sounds like a great plan." You nodded approvingly.
"In that case;" Bending low at the waist Tsukasa extended his hand to you—mimicking the mannerisms of a gentlemanly regency era duke. "May I have this dance my lady?"
Giggling at his antics you slipped your hand into his and played along. "It would be my pleasure good sir."
With one hand delicately grasping your gentle hand, Tsukasa straightened up and gingerly placing his other one respectfully on your lower back, he led you slow dancing across the tree house floor.
As he swept you away in his arms, Tsukasa felt like the happiest man alive; for not only did he finally propose to you, but that you also willingly and truly lovingly accepted to marry him!
Furthermore seeing his engagement ring glimmer like silver on your finger, Tsukasa became positivity convinced that as long as he had you by his side, he would be more than invisible enough to overcome any and all future mishaps that might come crashing into his path like a wrecking ball.