Bixanna Week – Beautiful Soul

Day 7 – Future

And here we are at the end with day 7. Better late than never, right? I'm amazed that I completed all seven prompts in such a short period of time. Writing for a deadline really forces you to write, I suppose. Be forewarned that this last story reached romantic comedy levels of fluffiness.

Their friendship was a strange one. It was clear by the way they always managed to turn heads whenever they were together that the others thought they were an odd pairing. Bixlow couldn't care less about his reputation, but he never quite understood what made Lisanna start talking to him. If he was strange, then Lisanna was labeled strange by association. In that sense, he was just as baffled as the rest of them as to why the youngest Strauss sibling was so interested in his company.

He had never even had a one-on-one conversation with her before her supposed death. Then it was revealed that she wasn't dead, and suddenly everything was different. She was seventeen and not the little girl he vaguely recalled seeing around the guild. Somehow she had grown up and become a young woman in just two short years. And yet this older version of Lisanna was hardly any different from the old one he'd never gotten to know. She fit right in with everyone and he supposed it was only natural because for the first time in two years she was home.

How did they meet? The details faded away with time and he couldn't remember what it was they talked about anymore, but he remembered that she was the one who approached him first. It was obvious by the way she spoke with genuine interest and curiosity that she was still a child at heart. But she was witty and clever, cute and funny, and Bixlow decided that maybe she was worth getting to know. What started out as casual conversations and brief hellos exchanged in passing turned into planned occasions to hang out and long talks about anything and everything.

He hadn't planned on falling for her. It just happened. And as time went on and their friendship deepened he realized he couldn't pinpoint exactly when his feelings for her had turned into something more. It was exciting yet at the same time he wished he'd stopped himself sooner.

When it became clear that she was starting to fall for him, he thought it would mean the end of their friendship. At the time, he could easily see himself returning her feelings, and yet he wasn't sure if either of them would be able to handle the consequences. He didn't know what those might turn out to be, but the last thing Bixlow wanted was for Lisanna to end up hurt by being involved with him. But when he tried to push her away, she refused to let him.

What had she said? Something like, "If you're worried about the others, don't be. I don't care what they think because all that matters to me is how I feel. And I like you a lot."

That conversation made him chuckle in hindsight. She had been so determined and Bixlow realized that she already had him wrapped around her little finger. How could he say no to her when she insisted so strongly about what she wanted?

Lisanna looked at him questioningly. "What's so funny?"

He ruffled her hair, at which she made a face. "Nothing, just remembering something you said."

"Oh, so you're laughing at me. I see how it is," she said.

"You were something else when you were young," he said. He seemed to think better of that statement and said, "Actually, scratch that. You're just the same now as you were back then."

"I'll take that as a compliment," she said. Lisanna looked at him for a moment, then said, "What's up with you today? Getting all lost in memories and stuff is unusual for you."

He shrugged. "Just reliving the good times. Most of them involve you."

"Stop trying to be cute," she said, but her smile gave her away. "We're not that old yet."

"Maybe not," he said. "But I'm getting up there."

She snorted. "Bixlow, you're not even thirty yet."

"Life is short, kids," he said. "Seriously, it'll be over before you know it, Lis. So I figure I better make the most of the moment, yeah?"

She nodded. "Point taken. Although you really are acting weird. Since when do you… Bixlow, what are you doing?"

He had gotten down on one knee in front of her, holding out an open box. A ring was displayed prominently in the center, sparkling for all to see. Bixlow grinned upon seeing Lisanna's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. "Surprised?"

"Uh, yeah," she said, practically frozen in place.

"Good. Cause that's kinda what I was going for," he said, at which she laughed a little. "And I plan on surprising you for the rest of your life if you'll marry me, Lis. I can't imagine not being with you."

He looked up at her and was pleased to see that she was smiling. "Go on," she whispered.

"I love you, Lis," he said. "So whaddya say? Will you marry me?"

Lisanna took the ring from the box and slipped it on her finger. "Yes."

And thus we conclude on a high note with a happy ending. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story, thanks for reading!