"I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do-"

BONK!

"OW!"

Woodie sighed as he gave Wilson a gentle bump on the head with the end of Lucy's handle.

"Stop saying that. You'll make it worse on your nerves."

Wilson rubbed the top of his head, giving an irritated look.

"But Woodie this is probably one of the bigger things I've attempted to do in all my time of being with everyone! I can lead, sure. I can build things, sure. But… confessing my feelings and not worry about possibly being rejected and then have things be awkward from there on? No-"

BONK!

"Ow!"

"Not with that attitude." Woodie shook his head. "Wilson, seriously, have more faith in yourself. You care about Willow a lot and she cares about you. As I've told you before, I worry for you in this regard because you're denying yourself a chance to take things further with her. With the way you two act you might as well already be courting. You just haven't had the chance to say those lovely magical words."

"Those lovely magical words, as you put it, are some of the most terrifying to say." Wilson shot back, running a hand through his hair, unable to help but tug on it a little.

"You say them all the time. To the queen, to your children. I've even heard you saying it to CHESTER. What's so different?"

"The implications! That's what changes them!"

"Oi, Willow really does have an affect on you. Regardless, Wilson, you need to say it before you have regrets. I mean, you already asked her to join you for a private picnic by the lake so kind of hard to turn back."

Wilson nodded.

"And she made me promise to play my violin for her."

"And asking for a romantic gesture at that!"

"... Wait. You think she already thinks we're…?"

"Wilson, my friend." Woodie brought an arm around him. "This, what you're doing tonight, is quite the romantic gesture. I think she might be harboring some feelings of her own that match yours."

Wilson nodded, thinking back to recent interactions, including the night when they had found Willow's beloved dragonfly.

"And Delphi imprinted on me too. Willow also likes to keep close when she's tired."

"She always likes being with you on expeditions more than anyone else. Whenever night draws near she's closest to you around the fire pit. She talks to you about everything. You've always been there for her during her panic attacks. Plus, you two are rather cuddly for just friends. No girl is that comfortable with just anyone. Lucy taught me that."

"It's true." Lucy said. "The way you two act, you might as well already be a couple."

"Right…" Wilson took a deep breath. "Nothing ventured nothing gained right? Well, I'm going to go out there, be perfectly honest with her - and hope to shadows I don't screw up… Too confident sounding? Oh that sounded cocky."

Woodie gave a flat look before giving him another gentle bump with Lucy.

BONK!

"GAH!'

"You're. Fine. Now." He got behind Wilson, shoving him towards the lake. "Get going! You shouldn't keep a lady waiting!"

"Wah!" Wilson stumbled a bit before regaining his balance, taking a deep breath.

Thaaaaanks Woodie. You're a real pal.

He rubbed his head a bit before smoothing his hair out.

Okay… Here goes.

He headed towards the designated location. A blanket had been set up that had a basket and his violin on it along with a lantern that was brightly lit. He hurried over, taking a seat and picking up his violin, starting to play it.

Just calm your nerves with playing. Though… where is Willow? I thought she would be here before me.

It wasn't too long before Willow showed up… though Wilson felt his jaw dropping a little at the sight of her. She had traded her usual clothes for a simple red dress that made her eyes light up in the moonlight. Her hair was down and curled slightly. Delphi trailed behind her as she grinned at him, waving.

"Hey, Wilson!"

"H-Hey yourself." Wilson couldn't help but blush. "W-Wow…"

"What?" She smiled.

"You… You look beautiful."

Willow blushed a little. She gave a sheepish grin twirling a bit for him.

"Not too much?"

"No. Just right." He got up, going to her. "I only really had this fancy vest and dress pants that Woodie made for me. I hope this is not too little."

"No. It's perfect." Willow smiled, taking one of his hands into hers. "I like this. Not too over the top or not too simple. It's… Wilson."

Wilson smiled, bringing her close to him, his free arm coming around her.

"Good. Well, I have a meal of spicy chili and meatballs waiting for us along with some pie I cooked up. Sound good?"

"Oh, sounds wonderful." Willow giggled, bringing her arm around him as they went back to the picnic blanket. "You spoil me I swear."

"I can't help it. I love seeing you smile."

"Creee!" Delphi settled on the blanket as well, giving a kicked puppy look.

"I know what you want." Wilson chuckled, digging into the basket, pulling out a large bowl of spicy chili. "Just for you, Delphi."

"Creee!" Delphi clapped her claws before digging in. "Onomnomnom."

Willow giggled, grinning as Wilson handed her a bowl for herself.

"Why thank you."

"You're welcome, M'Lady." Wilson dug into his own bowl.

The two ate quietly for a few minutes before they started talking. How the day had been, how personal projects were going. Even talking about past events too.

"It's crazy all that happened then." Wilson said as he set down his plate, having finished his slice of pie. "Both of us running for our lives, not trusting each other at first and now… here we are."

"And I can't imagine a better outcome." Willow set her plate on top of his, letting Delphi finish off the remains of her pie piece. "I never thought I'd actually find someone who likes me the way I am." Or at least another person who does.

"I feel the same way." Wilson rubbed the back of his neck. "I mean, my mother and Uncle Emmett liked me but… I never really had friends or anyone outside my family that liked me. I just came off as annoying to a lot of people because of my personality and ambitions. Least, that's what others kept telling me. Reason I was alone for so long." He lowered his head a little. "You're less likely to get hurt when you're off on your own."

Willow frowned, laying her hand over his shoulder.

"I know how that feels. You think the world can't touch you. That you're able to cut out all the world and not care. Even if it hurts. Right?"

"Yes." Wilson closed his eyes. "You only have to worry about yourself and the only thing that can hurt you is yourself… But then you start to realize that being alone isn't all it's cracked up to be."

"And in the end, it still hurts." Willow moved closer laying her head on his shoulder.

Wilson rested his head against hers, relaxing.

"It does. Coming here and meeting everyone made me realize that. Especially when I met you. I had been fine on my own with Chester but… I didn't know what it was like to live for someone else. It drove me to be better, stronger… I felt… happy, despite the circumstances because I knew that end of the day, there was someone waiting for me to come back. Who was depending on me to do my best."

Willow smiled, closing her eyes.

"I did too. I had a reason to keep fighting. To keep wanting to be better than I was. Someone to talk to, to listen to me and for me to listen to them too. To learn how to exist together. I didn't know how much I needed that or wanted it."

"And with everyone here, I've never felt so alive… but if there is one who really gets me going… it's you."

Willow blushed, nuzzling him a little.

"You think so huh?"

"I know so." Wilson nuzzled her. "Because if anything makes my day, it's when I can make you happy."

Willow smiled, opening her eyes, turning to look at him. He smiled giving, her hand a squeeze.

"That means a lot, Wilson, because anytime you do something that makes me happy, I feel like the luckiest girl alive."

"Willow…"

Willow giggled, leaning in closer, her forehead touching with his.

"I feel… wanted. That I belong… and…" she blushed a little. "And…"

"And…?" Wilson gave a concerned look.

"Oh, I don't know how I want to say it without coming off stupid or cheesy."

"Trust me, I understand that." Wilson gave a sheepish look. "Because stars and atoms I want to say something too but… I…. I just don't know if I can say it."

"Well, how about we start off simple?" Willow offered. "Like…. I love your eyes. Like the night sky."

Wilson turned red in the face, taking a deep breath to calm himself.

"And… I love your laugh. It's just so cute-" He brought a hand over his mouth.

GAAH!

Delphi snickered, covering her own mouth.

Willow reached over, giving Delphi's nose a tap with her finger.

"Don't mock him." She looked back to him, her own face was red. "Do… you really think it's cute?"

"Adorable." Wilson rubbed the back of his neck.

Willow couldn't help it as she giggled. Wilson grinned.

"There it is."

"I can't help it. That makes me so happy! And I love yours. It's charming."

"C-Charming? Me?"

"Yes."

"Heh… No woman has ever told me that in my life. I… Heh…"

Willow brought her arms around him, huddling close.

"Well, I think that about you a lot. You're also warm and kind. Gentle and funny. You can be strict but you don't like having to be."

"No. It's never fun but… I try to do it out of everyone's best interest." Wilson sighed, pulling back a little, his eyes locking with Willow's. "Willow…"

Willow tilted her head a little. "Yeah…?"

Wilson held her hands tightly.

"I… I want you to know that I care for you very deeply and it's… it's more than just… out of the fact that I care for everyone here. This is something… different." JUST SAY IT! "Oh for the love of all that is science! I love you! There! I said it!"

Willow was stunned as she tried to process this… before she threw her arms around him tightly, almost knocking him over.

"I love you too you big dork!"

Wilson turned bright red, a huge grin crossing his face.

"Y-You do?"

Willow had a grin of her own, giving a nod.

"I do. I really do Wilson!"

Wilson was silent for a moment before he laughed, getting to his feet, lifting Willow up and spinning her around.

"Oh, Willow! Hahahaha!"

Willow squealed, laughing as she kept close to him. She ran her hand through his hair.

"Wilson… My Wilson."

"R-Really?"

"Have I ever lied about this kind of thing?"

"No. Not that I recall." He stopped spinning her, resting his forehead against hers, smiling, warmth in his eyes. "M'Lady."

Willow had joy shining in hers.

"M'Lord."

At this moment, nothing could ruin it for them. They had each other and they both knew how the other felt.

It was perfect.

Delphi looked up at them before flying up, shoving Wilson's head hard with her tail.

"Cree!"

Wilson stumbled a bit as his lips collided with Willow's, both of their eyes going wide.

Delphi landed on the ground, clapping her claws, pleased at what she had just caused.

The two stared at each other before parting.

"Um… I… Uh…"

Willow put a finger over his mouth.

"Let's try that again, hm? No dragonfly to make it happen."

Wilson nodded silently as Willow moved her hand away, their lips meeting again, gently this time. Wilson relaxed entirely, bringing his arms around her as his eyes slide shut.

Willow closed her own eyes, leaning into the kiss. They stayed like this for a few moments, savoring the warmth of it before parting gently gazing at each other.

"Much better."