It wasn't fancy, it wasn't big, and it wasn't planned.
They were lying near the shore of the beach, Claire nearly dozing off before Hope suddenly sat up and turned to her, saying, "Marry me."
That obviously woke her up.
She briefly thought back to the day's events. "Hope, you can't be drunk. You only had one glass of wine and you didn't even drink it all."
"Even if I was drunk, I'd say the same thing," he insisted, fishing a small velvet box out of his pocket. Claire's eyes widened, and she sat up. "I wasn't drunk when I spent nearly half of my life savings on you."
"Hope…" the rosette sputtered, her eyes going back and forth between the box and his eyes. "Are you serious?"
He took a breath before nodding. "I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be with. I mean, technically we've always been together, even way back when, but you get it," she chuckled, yet he continued, "I've never been more serious about anything before. We've been through so much together, from fighting monsters to actually taking down a god. I think it's safe to say I fell head over heels in love with you after the first aster protoflorian we took down."
She watched as hope opened the box, a small ring sitting in the center. Its diamond was cut to resemble a rose.
"I love you, Claire." He said finally, eyes hopeful.
If anyone were to ask Claire what happened next, she would simply tell you that she accepted his proposal and went on with her evening.
If anyone were to ask Hope what happened next, he would tell you in vivid detail how she had flat out tackled him to the ground for the ring, repeating the words "yes" and "I love you" over and over. How radiant her smile had been, toothy and full of absolute happiness— it had been the first time he'd seen her so happy and expressive— and how he was sure she was close to tears.
And when they asked for proof, he showed them the bruises from being tackled.