The Answer is Yes
Cress, oblivious to the apricot and nectar infused breeze, sat behind the barn in which a lovely ceremony between two of her friends was held. She tugged at her short golden curls, reminiscing the meters of hair that had not long ago whispered saccharine lullabies as she walked around in circles in her crammed and isolated satellite.
"What are you doing here all alone?" Thorne interrupted Cress's deep thoughts as he grinned, his aquatic eyes glimmering with delight.
"Just thinking," Cress replied as she looked up to meet his gaze.
"You seem to be doing that a lot lately," Thorne murmured. Cress rested her head on her lightly scraped knees in exhaustion. Thorne stood beside her and admired her silently. Her golden strands that intertwined in spirals. Her eyes of benitoite that reflected years of pain and isolation, even when she formed her soft yet plump lips into a genuine smile of honey.
"I just realized," Thorne began, "that I never actually said the words back to you." Cress lifted her head up in surprise. She swiftly drifted her gaze away from Thorne.
"Captain, you don't have to," Cress murmured shyly. She recalled feeling anxious in the Rampion whenever he had stared lovingly at her. A rush of heat touched her soft cheeks the same way it did weeks ago when Thorne couldn't keep his eyes off of her.
"It's strange how much has changed in just a few months," Thorne chuckled. Cress nodded. She knew exactly what he meant. Initially, she had been the helpless girl living in a miniscule satellite in love with a man she never expected to meet.
"So much has changed," Cress whispered. Thorne sat down beside her, on the crisp green grass newly coated with dew.
"Lovely ceremony, huh?" Thorne said as he gave Cress his usual charming smirk. Cress nodded in agreement.
"They are perfect for each other." He rested his arm around her fragile shoulders, brushing his thumb on her arms which were lightly sprinkled with freckles.
Thorne kissed Cress softly on her flushed cheeks. She jumped in surprise and Thorne grinned as he gained her attention.
"You do know I love you, right?" Thorne chuckled. Cress shyly turned her head and hid her honeyed smile.
"I know," She giggled.
"Look, I may not have a ring on me right now and I am trying to improve my swiping habits," Thorne started and Cress gaped at him, "But, I do want to marry you someday, you know, after our adventures and travels," Thorne murmured. Cress chuckled at his flushed cheeks, which she rarely ever saw. Cress reached out her hand as she stood up.
"We'd better get back to the others," she suggested. Thorne's grin shifted in confusion.
"Is that a yes?" He laughed nervously. Cress simply pressed a kiss on his pink cheeks in response.
