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"Come on dear, we'll be late!" Armin grabs an issue of today's newspaper as they quickly walk past a busy stand.
"You try running in these!" Annie sighs, one hand being pulled by his while the other holding onto her hat. "Besides, it's your fault that we're late!".
They had approximately 2 minutes left before their train departs, and are incredibly relieved to see that it's still there when they reach the platform. They rush into a carriage and occupy the first vacant seats they can find, happy that the train is quiet.
Armin laughs.
"I'm so happy we made it!" He takes her hand in his, playing with her gloved fingers. They sit across from each other, a small coffee table to the side.
"I wasn't going to let you leave the house like that" Annie relaxes into her seat, enjoying the pampering.
"Like what? You didn't like my moustache?" Armin teases, lifting a finger under his nose. This gets a laugh out of Annie.
"It doesn't suit you! Besides, you're too young to be rocking a moustache like that. I prefer a clean shave". Her hand cups his face and he leans in, kissing it.
Things have been like this for a while. Living post war was difficult for the longest time, with Armin being busy all the time and Annie taking care of her father. But over time things settled, and they were able to fully enjoy being with each other.
Armin never knew being in love would be so beautiful. Things weren't always this easy... with a past like theirs. Thankfully, Armin was a very patient man.
But there's one thing he can't be patient about anymore. And that certain thing rests in a little box in his pocket.
Today is the day he would ask Annie to marry him.
A couple of hours later they arrive at their destination, which is a small seaside town not far from where they live.
Armin wanted today to be special, so they visit the local botanical gardens, stroll along the pier, have a nice romantic dinner (and dessert), all ending with a walk on the beach. Of course he would ask her by the ocean.
"It's so beautiful" Annie says, gazing at the strong waves. She gave up on wearing her heels long ago, now hanging from her fingers. She enjoys the coolness of the sand between her toes as they walk along the beach. They had a lovely day, and she feels peaceful.
"Yeah..." Armin responds, gazing at her instead. They're holding hands and Armin's eyes dart between Annie and his pocket. When would be the right time? Maybe now?
"I want to try it" she mutters, catching Armin off guard.
"Try what?" But she's already heading towards the water.
"W-wait!" Armin follows, abandoning his shoes between small sand dunes.
Annie dips a toe into the water, and once she learns it's warm enough, she steps in further. Turning around, she waves at Armin, who was busy rolling up his trousers. "It's warm!"
Armin smiles to himself, but when he stands upright it's already too late. "Annie-!"
SPLASH
"Gah!" She gets hit by an unexpected wave. Although not big, it was strong enough to make her loose her balance and fall to her knees. Her clothes are now completely soaked, her hair undone and her hat floating away somewhere. Armin hears sobbing.
"Oh no" he rushes over, hand reaching out to help her up. "Are you ok?"
She takes his hand, but instead pulls him hard enough for him to fall into the water. "Woah, what was that for?!" Beside being completely soaked, his sunglasses also disappear off somewhere, never to be seen again.
Annie snorts, then starts laughing wholeheartedly. Armin's eyes widen and his heart skips a thousand beats.
He feels so lucky to be here with her, like this. Who would have thought a day would come where they can relax like this, no worries on their minds.
Well, there's one thing Armin is a bit worried about.
"Annie..." Armin reaches for his pocket, nervously.
"Yeah?" She replies between laughs and giggles.
Armin clears his throat, blushing and shifting in the shallow water to kneel before her. He pulls out the small box (now also damp) and slowly opens it, revealing a delicate ring decorated with a blue stone "Will you... marry me?"
Her laughter stops abruptly, so abruptly that she chokes and starts coughing. Her face turns red.
"Are you ok?!" Armin leans over, patting her over the back. This didn't go at all like he had planned.
"YES!!" She shouts a bit too loudly. "Yes" she says again and her arms fly around his shoulders, pulling him in a tight hug.
"Yes to being ok o-or...?" He asks, pulling away to look into her eyes.
"Yes, of course I want to marry you!" She smiles, kissing him deeply.
Armin's heart explodes.