Hey everyone, here's a quick little one-shot, I hope you enjoy!
Constructive criticism is welcomed!
Down on One Knee
Alex smelt him before she saw him, as the smell of pine aftershave hit her nose, the familiar scent making the sides of her lips quirk just the tiniest bit. She entered the arena, seeing her handsome boyfriend already warming up. To no one's surprise Kaiden had been invited back as an apprentice at his graduation the previous year. Alex was never excited for Karter's attitude, but the friends she'd made in epsilon combat never failed to make her love the class. Kaiden's eyes met hers, as if he could feel them watching him. The brightest smile crossed his face, making Alex's heart flutter. Although, anything Kaiden did made her heart flutter. She was only eighteen, but Alex was sure she loved him… she would never be the first to say it though. He met her halfway across the arena, pulling her up into his arms. Alex inhaled softly, breathing in his scent.
"Alex, I want my hoodie back," Served as the first thing Kaiden told her.
She laughed, shaking her head, "Not a chance, that thing is so soft, I'll only be giving it back so you can make it smell like you again."
He smirked, tilting his head, but before he could make fun of her she quickly went on her tiptoes, pressing a quick, sweet kiss onto his lips. When she pulled away she could see the humour in his eyes.
"Alex 1, Kaiden 0," She said in triumph, ignoring the snickers that came from the other boys in the room.
"Alex, how many times do I have to tell you to double knot your laces?" Kaiden said exasperated, sounding way too much like her mother for Alex's liking.
He bent down on one knee, tying up the shoelace that Alex had left loose just for this reason, she loved annoying him.
…
"I have reached the end, mi amor," Alex sighed, ignoring the fact that her boyfriend had no clue about the Spanish language, "This is my life now. I have climbed this hill and now I will die upon it!"
Kaiden chuckled, his blue eyes sparkling electrically, "Babe, I know it's hot and everything but we've only been walking for twenty minutes."
"Twenty minutes too much," Alex muttered, promptly ignoring the louder laugh that came out of Jeera's mouth.
"She can complete six gates of hell in a completely different world, but can't complete a hike in her original one," Blake stage-whispered to the group.
Alex frowned, picking up a rock and throwing it at him. This caused the young adults to laugh. D.C had practically begged Alex to take them exploring in Freya, and after all they had been through Alex had thought it was their safest adventure yet.
Of course there was that time in Target when Jordan had shouted, "Alex! What's a car, and why do babies need seats in them?" gaining weird looks from those around them.
Or when Bear had seen a chemistry set for 13 year-olds and had gotten into an argument with the worker, asking why elements that hadn't even been discovered in Freya weren't in the set.
It had become a bit of a culture shock, but the little group had gotten used to it. They were hiking in an area just near Alex's birth town, but Alex was lazy. Kaiden approached her, his eyes twinkling, and she had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he did. Then he paused, looking down and then meeting her eyes glaring. Not even saying anything, he knelt down on one knee and tied her shoelace. She blushed as registered the laughs coming from the group, but before she could say anything she was being flung over Kaiden's shoulder as he continued walking up the hill.
Yes, Alex definitely loved this man.
...
"Babe, it's time to wake up now," A soft voice interrupted her dreams.
Alex groaned, "One more minute."
A soft chuckle registered in her head before she felt two strong arms pick her up, the arms were comfortable, familiar. She snuggled into Kaiden's neck, opening her eyes to kiss him softly on the neck, before closing her eyes again. He chuckled quietly. It was Kaldoras break, the two were staying at the James' house for Kaldoras eve before they would all be meeting with Alex's parents and Jordan's family the next day. Kaiden slowly put her onto her feet and she groaned, leaning against his chest. A soft hand touched her chin, lifting it so she could meet his gaze.
"Everyday I get to wake up next to you I'm reminded of how lucky I truly am," He whispered softly, his eyes as serious as his words.
Alex felt her cheeks heat before, in her tired daze, three words slipped out of her mouth, "I love you."
Kaiden's eyes widened, as it seemed, for once, he was taken aback, "You what?"
"I- I love you?" Alex stuttered, and it came out as more of a question.
A broad smile entered Kaiden's face before he picked her up and spun her around the room, the laughter of the two could be heard down the hall and into the kitchen where Neisha and Jeera sat, smiling at each other.
"I love you too," Kaiden said, pressing a kiss to her lips, "I have since the day I saw you."
A small tear fell down Alex's face, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a slow kiss to his mouth. His hand automatically found her waist, pulling her closer to his body. She opened her mouth and Kaiden took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, pulling her back to the bed and pulling her on top of him. Alex broke the kiss, her eyes sparkling.
"As much as I'd love to do this all day, we have to get ready," She said, hopping off the bed, wide awake.
Kaiden groaned, falling back onto the pillows, "Five minutes won't hurt."
But his dear girlfriend just laughed, shaking her head whilst sorting through her clothes.
The two were almost ready to leave, having joined the rest of the James family. Jeera looked at Alex knowingly, and Alex poked out her tongue. Jeera and her stupid intuition. Alex felt something fiddling with her foot, she looked down, and there he was. Kaiden James, down on one knee, tying up her shoelace.
...
"Need coffee," Alex groaned, sounding a lot like a zombie.
"Look at that! We're just arriving at a coffee shop. Do you think they'll have any?" Kaiden asked innocently.
Alex shoved him, muttering something about morning people, making him laugh brightly. Kaiden wrapped his arms around her waist, whispering in her ear, "Go get a booth, I'll order our food."
She nodded, knowing she couldn't win a battle over who was paying that early in the morning.
"Watch out, dinner time, I'm paying."
He didn't even answer, and she pouted, going to find a free booth. Alex sat on the soft, maroon seat and not long after Kaiden returned with table number '12'.
"I got you a caramel cappuccino, double shot, is that okay?" He asked, almost nervously as he slid into his seat next to her.
Alex smiled, resting her head on his shoulder, "Babe, that is just what I needed to brighten my day."
"You know what would brighten my day?" He asked cheekily.
Alex turned to meet his eyes questioningly.
"If for once you would do your shoelaces," Kaiden responded, before dragging her out of her seat so he could do them for her.
...
Alex was unsure as to why Xiraxus wanted her. It was night time, and she was a little bit stressed because she hadn't heard from Kaiden. After the two had both graduated from their apprentice years they had decided to move in together, and while the two both had lives outside of each other, they always made sure to update one another on their safety. Surviving a war together had easily made them both paranoid. When Alex told Xira this he'd responded with a chuckle, 'maybe I can help with that'.
So there she was, on the large draekon's back. Alex always enjoyed flying with him, she felt free, it had always been an escape for her. A safe space. Alex smiled when she saw where the draekon was taking her. Her most favourite island on Draekora. It was covered in flowers, glitter floating everywhere. Her smile widened when she saw Kaiden standing there. She looked at Xira, "What are you hiding from me?"
But he didn't answer, merely landing on the island and telling her to get off. He flew away, winking at her with one large, golden eye. She ran and embraced Kaiden in a hug.
"Kaiden, what are you doing?" She asked, glancing at the beautiful picnic full of Alex's favourite foods sitting behind him.
"Alex, your shoelace," Kaiden responded exasperated.
Alex wanted to tell him that it didn't matter, that how dare he just go off and not tell her, even if it had been for the cutest date of her life. Then something occurred to her.
"Kaiden, my shoes don't have lace-"
Looking down, there he was. Kaiden James, down on one knee, holding out a small box. He opened it, revealing a small ring with a diamond much bigger than Alex would have ever expected.
"Alexandra Jennings, I love you. I've loved you since the day I saw you, and I grow to love you more as each day passes. I love your courage, your determination. I love how you'd do anything for your loved ones. I even love how you totally hang the toilet paper the wrong way."
Tears were now streaming down Alex's face as she let out a choked laugh.
"Alex, will you marry me?"
Alex stared into his blue eyes, in them she saw all of their memories together. From their first kiss in Tia Auras, to their arguments about who got to control their music in their house, right back to him carrying a high on dilly-berry juice Alex back to her dorm room all those years ago. And in that moment, she knew she would never want to be with anyone else.
