Y is for Yes

"Look, I really like you, and I think we were meant for each other!"

Those words — reminiscent to those spoken to him by the Avatar — had spewed from the young firebender's lips all too quickly; all too unwillingly. His arm was extended out before him, hand holding a small, velvet box that he — of course — had forgotten to open during his nervous outburst. His face contorted into several different variants of embarrassment, nervousness, and confusion, all of which were accompanied by a bright shade of red he was certain had made its way down his neck by now.

His golden eyes were glued to those big, blue ones that belonged to the young woman before him. They had gone wide the moment the words she remembered speaking to him just a few years ago left his lips. He hadn't a clue if her reaction — let alone the fact that she had been left speechless — was that of good or bad. He certainly had made a fool of himself. Instead of the usual drop to one knee, open the ring box, and speak the words, will you marry me, he had taken it upon himself to propose to the love of his life after dinner while he stood at the sink, cleaning the dishes with her help. It certainly wasn't the most romantic setting; however, he couldn't bear the anxiety he had felt all through dinner, which only grew worse when she would ask him if he was okay. He had decided that, the quicker he got the question asked, the quicker he got an answer, and the quicker he could rid himself of his anxiety and fears and celebrate, or rid himself of his anxiety and fears and crawl in his bed, alone, depressed, and devastated.

How could she say no to him, though? He loved her. She loved him. It was as simple as that. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, yet he hadn't a clue if she shared the same want — the same need. After being in a relationship for five years and living together for four, he assumed she would want to make the same commitment to him as he did to her. So why hadn't she answered yet?

He hadn't asked a question. That's why.

"I — uh — l-let me do this over!" he stammered, anxiously shuffling the velvet box between his hands. He clumsily dropped to his knees, only remembering after the fact that it's one knee, not two. After fixing his mistake, he gazed up at the young woman staring at him in wonder and confusion, and, as calmly as possible, spoke, "That didn't come out how I planned, but — uh — I meant what I said. I love you, Korra, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to make you my wife, Korra."

His right hand shook as he moved to open the velvet box in his left, revealing the beautiful yet simple diamond engagement ring.

"Will you marry me?"

It felt like forever as he awaited an answer. However, the way her eyes brightened and her lips formed that grin of hers, he knew the answer to his question.

"Yes."

Second-to-last chapter for this series. Sad, I know! I really do hope you all enjoyed it, though. I enjoyed writing it :) Please don't forget to review! Thanks for reading! See you for the next — and last — update!