The California sun beats down on Street and Chris as they reach the peak of Solstice Canyon, not yet as hot as it will be, but hot enough. Water from the different falls that once provided a cool reprieve on their neck and wrists has long dried and been replaced with sweat and the grit of dirt.
Chris looks as beautiful as ever to Street. Despite her being in front, her hand reached back for his at the start of the trail and she hasn't let go except when she's had to, to get over the rocky terrain. Her tan skin glows, and the tattoos over her arms and back, the newest addition of a small '26' just above her wrist bone, are like a map to the future. Every time she glances back to make sure he's still with her, the gold flecks in her eyes grow. He wants to live in them.
"You good?" She asks with a laugh as they finally reach the overlook. Wiping his brow with his freehand and chugging down water, he nods.
"Perfect." Street confirms, hands on his knees. "You do this every Saturday morning?"
"Pretty much. First with Champ, then it was a nice change from the intensity of SWAT. I'm glad you finally got out here with me."
"Me too," he smiles, his heart rate coming down from the hike so he can appreciate the never-ending view of lush greens and blue sky. There's a boulder to the side that Chris props herself on to take it all in. He slides off his backpack, eyeing the front pocket as his pulse picks up again, then takes a deep breath and joins her. She leans into him when he wraps his arm around her shoulder.
"This is beautiful," Street murmurs, eyes locked on Chris. She rolls hers but is betrayed by the soft pink blush that paints over her cheeks. Sitting in the silence with nothing but the gentle breeze and sound of the other's breathing, she finds his free hand and squeezes it.
They sit in the moment until a speck of sand gets caught in her throat and she takes her hand back to cover her cough. Rubbing easy circles on her back, Street leans over and grabs his water bottle to hand to her, his backpack coming with it.
"Ugh, thank you," Chris says, turning to the side to finish clearing her throat.
Certain this might be his only opportunity, Street feels the world stop around him. The air stills, the rustling of the leaves stops, and the only thing he's aware of is his own heartbeat, Chris next to him, and the box in his backpack. Fingers moving of their own volition, he gets the front pocket unzipped and closes his hand around the small blue box.
His blood rushes in his ears as his knee hits the hard, dusty ground, and he dries his palms on his shorts before getting a good hold on the box and opening it. The semicircle of diamonds sparkles in the high sunlight and the gold half shines with a bright reflection of whatever catches it. He sees his hands shaking ever so slightly but makes no effort to still them. His pupils dilate the longer he waits for her to turn around.
After coughing for what feels like an eternity, Chris opens the water bottle and finishes it. Her eyes close as she relishes how it slows her back down and cuts through the heat. Shaking off the last of the attack, she wipes her eyes and the water on her chin, and turns to give Street the bottle back.
"Than—"
"Will you marry me?"
Chris freezes. Street's voice hits her, but the words don't process as she takes in the scene in front of her. He's on one knee, hands stretched out to her with a box, and he's looking at her like hers is the only face he ever wants to see. She knows her mouth is hanging open and her eyes are wide, stunned to silence in a way she's never been before. Slowly, the steadiness of her heart beat resonates through the rest of her as it all clicks into place how right this feels.
Her eyes trace back up his face, his bottom lip now between his teeth as the nerves that were a spark before grow into a wild blaze. He wants to tell her to say something, or to repeat himself in case she didn't hear him, but he doesn't have to as she stands and takes a step towards him, pushed on by some innate knowing, reaching out until their hands brush. It sends the same kind of want through him that it did on the first day they met.
"Yes," Chris says, bringing the world back to its axis for both of them. A bird squawks, and she brings a hand up to block her eyes from the sun as he takes the ring from the box and slides it onto her left ring finger. Her hand takes his before he can drop it as he tucks the box back into his shorts pocket. Standing, Street lets every sensation from the smell of the breeze to the itchiness of tiny gravel stuck in his knee sink in, not wanting to forget a thing.
With her hand, he pulls her in easily and wraps his arms around her back, meeting their lips as her feet leave the ground. She laughs against his lips until he sets her down. Pulling back, arms loose around his neck, she matches his wide smile and gazes at the ring over his shoulder.
"I love you," she repeats as their eyes meet again. Street manages to smile even bigger as his heart slows back down and all the tension drains from his body.
"I love you so much."
He kisses her again and then a third time, Chris just as eager. She brings her newly-adorned hand to cradle his face as he deepens the kiss and moans.
They're breathless when they part, and tears rush to Street's eyes when he sees the ones lining her lash line. She hugs him as close as she physically can and nuzzles into his neck. His heart is beating like a drum in his chest, strong and steady.
"That's why you agreed to hike with me?" Chris teases, needing a lightness to cut through the moment and recenter them. His dimples get deeper and he brushes his thumb over her cheekbone, any air of his usual cockiness traded for pure emotion.
"It is." He chuckles softly. "It's special to you, now it's special to us."
Street looking out over the horizon once more, she keeps her gaze locked on his profile.
"Got a hell of a view." She murmurs, her breath hot on his skin. A shiver runs through him, and he turns back to her, stepping behind her so he can wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her cheek. His chin finds her shoulder, and he grins.
"Got a hell of a girl, too."
hello! thank you so much for reading- i hope you enjoyed reading as much as i enjoyed writing this little piece! it's shorter than what i tend to write, but i want to keep these sweet & simple, and i also wanted to get this posted asap bc i have brainrot. i'm not sure how long this will be, i'm thinking maybe 3-4 unrelated pieces, posted as chapters as opposed to an actual series. if you have any ideas, feel free to drop them below! i'm a firm believer in their proposal being at least semi-private (like this chapter, in a public place but they're alone), but i'm open to bringing to life what people might want to see.
also will be/inspired by paper rings by taylor swift.
comments/kudos appreciated! say hi on tumblr streakyglasses :)
xo, A
