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His mom raised him well. At least, as well as she could. She taught him basic manners but honestly, having no mother does things to young boys like him. It’s why he ended up a criminal, and sure, he was turning his life around but it was hard sometimes.
He wasn’t a particularly damaged man, he thought. He’s seen worse, one of his best friends was proof of that. He was grateful every day it was just his arm, not his whole body. He shuddered at the thought of if Moira laid a hand on him like that.
He was a little hesitant of a new member, as he always was. It’s not like he wasn’t appreciative of an extra pair of hands to mend his wounds, you did so with extra love and care. No, he was hesitant because you honestly captivated him.
It wasn’t love at first sight, he just didn’t like how interested he was in you. You were a stranger, but you drew him in like a moth to flame. A part of him wondered if you were capable of magic, even if it wasn’t real.
He personally thought it was, because cheesy as it was, every moment was magical with you. He was a hopeless romantic, what could he say?
He wanted to change for you at that point. He didn’t like how much he worried you with his dangerous activities, so he calmed it down a little bit. He was still adventurous as always, but he was far more careful.
He would rather die than admit it but before you two started dating, sometimes he’d let the enemies hit him at least once just so you would fix him up.
He still does, just with a demand of a kiss to make it better.
Like said, he was cheesy, but he was happy.
You made him happy.
It’s why he wanted to make you happy, and why he wouldn’t stop adjusting a tie that was so uncomfortable. He didn’t like not being so free, a suit was awkward to him. His shoulders felt too wide, but after hours of preparing, he looked like a man of the first water. His mama raised him to “treat any partner real nice, you better be lookin like a gentleman or you best be on the road.”
“Lookin good, Cole.” He said to no one but the mirror, checking the time, and he rushed out.
When he made it to your place to pick you up (He asked you to stay with a friend. Just to get ready, said it would make the night more special if he got to pick you up.) and when you opened the door, you could almost hear him gulp. He looked so nervous, sweating like a sinner in a church.
“It’s just a date, cowboy.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Because to me, you look like some schoolboy picking up his prom date.”
“Because I am?”
“Uh huh, sure.”
He chuckled, a hand placed around your hip as he gave you a kiss. It was gentle, filled with words unspoken, with a smile on both your faces. His beard tickled a lot against some stubble you were too lazy to shave, appreciating the gruff look it gave you.
“Aren’t the reservations at 8?”
“Yup.”
“It’s 7:47 right now. The restaurant is what, 20 minutes from here?”
“Laws a suggestion, sugar.”
“Please tell me that if we get pulled over.”
“Emphasis on if. Them bull’s won’t catch me if I’m faster.”
“We’re wasting time.”
“No time wasted with y-”
“Go on, get.”
When you two arrived, you thought he was about to trip and fall with how fast he flew out of his side, there is no better word than climbed, leapt, and horribly crashed on your side, and opened the door.
Additionally, you thanked whichever God was listening that you were alive and did not get pulled over.
You reached out to him, thanking him as you wiped down the front of his slightly dirty suit.
“Chivalry isn’t dead.”
He leaned down and kissed your hand as he pulled you out, hooking your arm between his, and that lovable goofy grin of his adorned his face.
You felt like you could suffocate with how much love was in that man's eyes.
“I know a place so high falutin ain’t really our thing but I figured, oh why the hell not? Thought I should treat you right. Lil… payback, of sorts. A real hog-killin time, you know?”
You laughed at how out of place he looked, and leaned into him. He was warm, and you were at least 90% sure he was intentionally heating up his robotic hand. That or maybe it was just running hot, but still.
He opened the door to the restaurant, bowing, “Ladies first.”
“Go on ahead then, princess.”
His shoulders moved up and down from the hearty laugh that escaped him, as he wrapped an arm around your hip once more, as it always does, leading you through the doorway. Even when he was right, this scene really wasn’t your style compared to the dingy bars for horrible karaoke or “caterwauling” as he called it. It didn’t matter much to you that the place wasn’t the nicest, you knew Cole had a rather large reputation, and you found it intimate when you two danced, a little woozy from the alcohol.
That didn't mean you loved when he tried his best to look nice for you, and your eyes crinkled from the joy. You loved this man, and this man really loved you too.
He pulled out the chair for you, even, every gentlemanly thing he could. Honestly, you were sure he was just making it more and more apparent as time went on for the bit.
At some point, you two almost got kicked out for laughing too loud because in the worst posh accent you have ever heard, he said, “Why this food is positively divine.”
You hated to admit it with the price, but the food wasn’t fantastic. It was kind of bland, but the jokes you two shared weren’t. You both found joy and comfort in each other, and Cole couldn’t get enough of it.
Your ribs hurt, and so did his. He appreciated the reason they hurt so bad, he appreciated you. Every moment with you.
It’s why you two didn’t go home after dinner, because what date ever ends just after dinner?
No, no, he was a gentleman, afterall.
“I know a place that got a real nice view right about now, I know, I know, typical, but you know me.”
You knew you thought about his smile far too much, but it was so perfectly smug, and happy, and you just really liked him.
“Cmon, get a wiggle on, now.”
You often blamed falling behind him on just being a little slow, but really, it was hard to think about him and focus on walking up a hill without falling.
He helped you the rest of the way, you almost got lost in thought again at how easily he was able to. Sure, he had a mechanical arm, but also sweet Jesus, his muscles.
“Whatcha think, darlin?”
He asked, running a hand through his hair to undo all the gel he could, because it felt weird slicked back.
He was right, it was a gorgeous view. It felt like the stars never ended, and you guess to be fair they didn’t. Universe being endless and all. You could see the faint purples of the milky way, just blocked by some light pollution. The sky looked so blue without needing any sun, the mini versions doing their best to take its place.
“What a sight.”
“Yeah, it really is.”
If you turned even just a little, you would see he wasn’t looking at what you were. No, he was looking at you.
He hadn’t been so scared and nervous in a real long time. He knew, no matter how bad he got you hurt, you’d always be right there. So he had no fear of doing things that were risky. He was shaking now, though. This felt like the biggest risk he would take, but high risk, high reward as they say.
“Darlin?”
You turned towards him, and your knees nearly buckled to be with him, kneeling on the ground. Except, just like his mama taught him, he was on one knee, hat over his heart. He looked at you earnestly, and tried to calm his nerves.
“I ain’t no saint, you know that. Hoo, sorry, this is, it’s a lot easier to recite something in the mirror than in front of the intended audience.”
He chuckled, blinking back something that burned his eyes with joy.
“You know I wouldn’t put on my best bib and tucker for nothin, listen, darlin. I love you. I love you like the bees love the flowers. I love you like the wolves love the moon. I love you like the sunset loves the mountains. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my doggone life with you. I had more prepared but sorry you look just… so amazing that I forgot the rest of the script. Sorry, I’ve got a wobblin jaw right now-”
He moved the hat, setting it down and replacing it with the little black box of fate, opening it up to a little silver band.
“Would I have the honors of makin you my husband?”
You lost track of how many times you said yes, how many kisses you shared, and how many tears of joy you shed. You just knew that when his arm found it’s way around you hip like that was it’s home, and that little dip, you were madly in love with him.
Cole Cassidy may have not been a perfect man, but you made him one.
He just needed to find the perfect man for him, first.