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"ok, show me" lizzie smiled up at him, preparing to fly.
"you don't need to fly dear, we are going by boat." Joel grinned, looking at lizzie like she was the prettiest girl in the world (spoiler alert: she was)
he ushered her fowards careful to avoid damaging the concrete lilypads that she had spent so long building. the fake mossy green rubbed againt his feet as a calming texture, the only thing stopping him from running off forever. of course joel didnt actually want to run off, it was just, what if lizzie said no? the reasonable part of him knew they were basically already married, so if there was no chance she said no. but the other part of him thought that maybe she was settling for him, as she was the most perfect thing he'd ever seen, yet he was just joel.
but the continuous lapping of the waves against the side of the boat calmed his heart rate and lizzie told him about all the plans she had for the future. he couldnt look at her, after all if he did he'd never move from where he was. the smell of the sea air burned his nostils, almost cleansing him from everything that wasnt in this boat. jimmy had told joel he could propose and told him that if he did anything mean to lizzie he'd kill joel himself. joel scoffed, knowing full well jimmy could not kill him, while jimmy looked so proud of himself.
the suns rays reflected in lizzies hair perfectly, the mix of pink and gold making her look angelic, and free from any worry. although joel knew this to be false, he hoped maybe he could make her free of worry in the future. he'd fidget with the small plastic case in his pocket, pushing his fingers against every ridge and crack making sure there were no imperfections. afterall anything wrong would not be suitable for his love. soon enough joel drew the boat ride to an almost still speed as the glowing sea lantern peered into view. he truly hoped lizzie would not look up but instead get onto the block with no questions asked. joel was pretty sure she'd look but hopefully she would stay quiet about it, not letting him make a fool of himself. (something joel never did)
carefully he held the boat still as lizzie stepped onto the the safe block. the glow from under her made the sea look truly amazing and joel almost got distracted by its beauty (he would have if lizzie hadnt coughed to get his attention). Joel quickly jumped out of the boat and slowly began keeping himself afloat with some swimming technique he could name.
"lizzie..." he began, cutting himself off by breaking the torch that held up his amazing plan just out of view.
the scaffolding crashed into the water, bouncing up and and hitting joel in the face while he narrowly avoided the concrete that fell beside him. his creation was finally coming together. the best part was, lizzie looked like she loved it her face struck with awe as she watched the scene unfold infront of her. she looked at joel while he struggled to keep himself afloat as the scaffolding disturbed the water.
"lizzie.. would you make me the happiest mezalean king in the world and be my empires wife?"
"yes!" lizzie exhaled pulling the (now damp) joel onto the block and kissing him.
he melted into her touch, letting go of tension in his shoulders he didnt know he had. joel grabbed lizzies hand and pulled her into the boat. Now, lizzie helped him both of them pulling the oars on the boat. things were perfect.