Okay so I was being a sap all day with my girlfriend about promise rings cause we're like that and then I thought this out... I think that says a lot about me as a writer lol I can turn any happy thought into an angsty one lol

Anyway! Enjoy this probably sloppy one-shot and have a wonderful rest of your day/night! Much love, mates!

Saving the world always has consequences.

I stepped through the fallen fall leaves as I stuck my hands deep into my jeans while I went under a high metal gate.

Lives are sacrificed. Tears are ineffable.

I took a right on a long path and followed it through as my mind kept racing.

Blood is shed.

I stopped suddenly as I turned my attention toward a familiar sight. A tombstone with a name I never thought I would see etched into so suddenly.

And friends are lost.

"Hey there Tobes." I smiled softly as I crouched down before taking my normal seat in front of Toby's grave. "Dying to see me?" I chuckled poorly as I made a terrible attempt to make myself feel better.

Nope. Doesn't help. Even after all this time.

I swallowed dryly as I ran the numbers in my mind.

We were just eighteen when you died. Now I'm twenty. You would be twenty here soon yourself. Claire's birthday is soon too.

I pulled my hands out of my jeans pockets as I put my right hand into my jumper. My hand grazing over a small box that I pulled out without a second thought.

Which was why I was here now.

"You always helped me with all my plans." I smiled a little as I looked down at the small purple box that was in my hands. "I would have wanted you to help me out with this one too." I opened the box and looked over the small silver ring I had hidden away in it. "And you would have teased me so much about it." I choked a little on a laugh as I closed the box again.

Oh, how you would tease me. About how I should just pop the question instead of giving a promise ring. That I'm an idiot for being nervous or for how you want our first kid to be named after you.

I felt a broken smile reach my lips as I fidgeted with the ring's box.

Now we would have a reason to anyway. Instead of just for jokes.

"You know, I never thought of anyone but you being my right-hand man. Never thought of anyone else who would be my best man, either." I tried to laugh at myself but it came out like a sob as my eyes started to water a little. "I knew I wouldn't even have to ask you. You would just proclaim it for yourself and cut the bullshit." I laughed a little more as I tried to keep myself from crying. "You've always been good at that." I smiled as I looked back up to his tombstone.

But now we'll never have that.

I swallowed hard as my smile fell.

And I won't be able to do the same for you.

"We all miss you, Tobes." I sniffled as I reached up to wipe my eyes with the right cuff of my jumper. "You should have seen Darci. She was in shambles. Claire and I tried our best to comfort her, but she was a mess. She really does love you, buddy." I smiled a little as I looked down at the box again. "She really does." I swallowed dryly as I took a deep breath. "You being gone made me realize even more just how dangerous our life is and I would have done this sooner, but you know how it was with me saving up for that Vespa." I chuckled a little as I continued. "I'm diligent, but it takes me a while." I opened the ring box once more as I looked over the silver little band.

You would have teased me for being a sap. That I was really deep into all of this. Even more than I already was before Claire and I started dating.

"It all made me realize just how soon life can be-." I swallowed dryly as I tried my best to keep my cool. "Can end. That there are so many things I haven't been able to do just yet. Things I knew I wasn't going to have as a half-troll, but now I know even more that I might now have them. I've known it for a little while, but definitely after you-." I coughed as I couldn't bring myself to say the word that was on the tip of my tongue.

After you died.

"Well." I sighed as I tried my best to not shed any more tears than I already have. "I figured I would let you know my plan here. My plan to give Claire a promise ring. So when the world isn't against us that we'll get married one day." I nearly jumped as I heard some leaves being crushed nearby.

"So that's why you wanted a lift here?" I looked over toward Douxie as he moved to take a spot next to me. "Telling Tobes' your big plan?"

"Yeah. Felt weird having you being the only one to know." I gave Douxie a defeated smile as the wizard draped an arm over my shoulders.

"I don't blame you, mate. Zoe honestly teases me for talking to a picture of Archie a lot." I let out a pathetic laugh as I looked over Toby's gravesite once more.

I know I'm not the only one that lost someone they loved in this war. Mom lost Strickler. Douxie lost Archie. I lost Toby. All of us lost someone.

I reached up to wipe my eyes again before looking over toward Douxie with a soft smile.

But if being the Trollhunter taught me anything, all you can do is continue. To stand strong.

Because destiny is a gift.

Douxie and I both suddenly got up onto our feet as I pocked the promise ring once more.

It's a burden pushing down upon our shoulders is actually a sense of purpose that lifts us to greater heights.

I said a quick goodbye to Tobes' tombstone before leaving with Douxie. The both of us walking side by side as we left our mutual friend behind.

And sometimes those greater heights are only after a great loss. But then you can be grateful for the time you were given. Be grateful for all the things that are possible still.

I looked over my shoulder so I could glance back at Toby's grave. One that's not too far from his parents' either.

Because as wise men always say, you never know what you got until it's gone.

I looked back to Douxie as he placed a hand on my shoulder. Much like an older brother trying to give support the best he could.

And only when things are gone, do you realize what you have around you.