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Marriage was always the last thing on Nicole’s mind. She was far too busy with commissions, managing her finances, and making sure The Cunning Hares didn’t actually go bankrupt to focus much on her love life at all.
Not to say she didn’t date. No, she did date quite a lot actually. Mostly in the early stages of her career before she met Billy, when she wasn’t so caught up in finance troubles. There were many partners then that just ended up being nothing more than experiences. Even then they were never serious enough for her to actually think about marrying them.
But then she met Billy. Billy, who never fails to make her fall in love every time he does something, whether it be mundane or extraordinary it makes her heart beat faster and her emotions go haywire.
She looks down at him, where his face rests on her chest, his eyes closed as he sleeps peacefully. His breathing is even as he holds her softly like a teddy bear as they lay in bed. It’s sweet and gentle like all his movements when it comes to her, the strength of metal limbs being suppressed when he comes into contact with her.
The thought of marriage when it comes to him crosses her mind much more often now than before.
She could almost imagine it. Imagine him in a fancy red suit with that stupid little sheriff badge from the starlight knights pinned onto the lapel of it. Imagine herself in an off the shoulder dress with her own stupid badge on the chest of the clothing because he’d see it as the most adorable thing ever.
She could imagine a ring around her finger, around his finger, no matter how expensive or cheap it may be. The delicate jewelry tying them together more than they already are: a promise to stay with each other till they inevitably meet their end.
She could imagine dancing with him, imagine the way he’d be tripping over his own feet even if he’d practiced beforehand. He always seems to get two left feet when he’s distracted, his attention so easily pulled away whenever she does something and he ends up a mess of clumsiness.
She could imagine the way he’d try to lean in and kiss her after their vows, bonking their faces together because he got so happy he forgot he didn’t have a mouth.
She could imagine the way he’d pull her closer when she kissed him where his mouth would be, the way he’d be doing that small jump of joy afterwards.
She could imagine the way he would mourn his inability to eat the cake, staring at the denny and starlight knight themed food enviously. She could practically hear him offer to feed her some, if only to live through her for a moment and she would laugh and nod no matter how ridiculous the question would be.
She could imagine the way he’d start crying at Anby congratulating them with that sweet smile of hers, the way he would be trapping her in a bear hug immediately after as she laughed at her sister’s surprised face.
She could imagine the way he’d happily tell anyone around him that she’s his wife despite it being very clear.
She could imagine the way he would refuse to shut up about it till people get annoyed, happily telling anyone and everyone that they’re married for two weeks straight till eventually he tells everyone he knows more than three times.
She wouldn’t care if the wedding was fancy or not, whether or not they managed to scrape up enough money to afford an extravagant setting she would love it regardless because she loves Billy, everywhere is always better when he’s around.
Maybe they could even adopt Nekomata together, she’s practically their child already with how they act and treat each other– she still remembers the way the demi cat so easily warmed up to them and let them take care of her– it's just nothing legal yet. It could be though, she wants it to be.
She was about to imagine even more sickly sweet scenarios about marriage before Billy stirs from his sleep, causing her to snap out of her daydreaming.
She looks down at him, confusion etched into her face as she wonders why he woke up and her fingers gently scratch at his scalp to lull him back to sleep causing him to lean into her touch eagerly. She can’t help the smile on her face at his reaction and she can feel her heart skip a beat as his eyes are squinted in happiness.
“You’re..” Billy starts before a yawn makes its way out of his throat, his yellow eyes closing for a brief moment before tiredly blinking back open. It’s endearing and has Nicole biting back a yawn of her own.
“You’re thinking too loud, go to sleep with me.” Billy tells her, his voice raspy and gruff with sleep that continues to cling onto him as he draws her closer to him. A breath akin to a chuckle leaves her mouth, the action doing practically nothing since they were already close.
“Alright Billy, I will.” Her voice is soft as silk as she leans down a bit to press a kiss to his forehead, enticing a soft hum of pure content out of him.
God, he makes her so sappy. He takes that rough, hardened, strong demeanor she’s built up over the years and gently tears it down. She’s watched him slowly– ever so slowly, letting her set the pace she’s comfortable with– get her to let down her guards and get her to be as soft and sweet as she wants to be without fear of losing her intimidating reputation.
She loves it though– she loves him and all the care and love he has to share with her. She couldn’t be more happy that it’s him breaking down her walls, couldn’t be more happy that he loves her just as much as she loves him.
She rests her head softly on top of his, his spiky white hair flattening at the contact. Her fingers continue to lightly scratch his scalp lovingly as he curls into her further.
“Love you Nicole.” He mumbles with sleep heavily interwoven in his voice like he’s on the brink of falling asleep again in just a few moments.
“I love you too Billy.” She responds without any hesitation, her heart fluttering as the sounds of soft snoring sounds out into their room. She hugs him tighter but keeps her grip gentle and carefully makes sure it’s not tight enough to hurt as she closes her eyes in content.
Yes, needless to say, marriage has been on the forefront of her mind quite a lot recently.