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The waves stretched endlessly into the horizon, breaking softly against the shore in a rhythm as old as time itself. The sunset painted the world in shades of gold, orange, and crimson, the sky a masterpiece fading into deep indigo. Robby Keene walked along the beach, his sneakers in one hand, the other loosely holding Tory Nichols’ hand as they strolled side by side. The scent of saltwater mixed with the faint floral note of her perfume, a combination he would forever associate with her.
“You’ve been quiet all day,” Tory said, breaking the silence. Her voice carried the sharpness he adored, her words blunt but not unkind.
“What’s going on, Rob? And don’t even try telling me it’s nothing.”
He let out a soft chuckle, scratching the back of his neck. “What? I’m not allowed to enjoy a little peace and quiet?”
Tory gave him a look. “Sure, but this isn’t ‘peace and quiet.’ This is you overthinking something. What is it? Work stuff? Family drama?” She paused, her smirk teasing. “Are you trying to figure out how to convince me to watch another one of those awful movies you like?”
“Awful? I have excellent taste in movies,” Robby retorted, though his grin betrayed the effort to keep things light. His heart pounded against his ribs, the small velvet box in his pocket feeling heavier with every step.
“Uh-huh,” she said, eyeing him suspiciously. “Seriously, though. What’s up?”
Robby sighed, his gaze shifting to the horizon. The beach had always been their place. A retreat from the chaos of their lives, the tournaments, the rivalries, the endless battles for respect and survival. This little stretch of sand had seen them at their best and worst, a silent witness to whispered confessions and shared laughter.
And tonight, it would witness something more.
“You remember the first time we came here?” he asked, his voice softer now.
Tory frowned, tilting her head. “Yeah, after the Sekai Taikai. You dragged me out here because you said I needed to ‘clear my head.’ I thought you were insane, by the way.”
Robby laughed, the memory vivid. “You didn’t exactly hold back on telling me that.”
“Because I had just won!” Tory said, her eyes sparking with mock indignation. “I deserved a party, not a therapy session on the beach.”
“And yet, you stayed,” Robby pointed out, his smile widening.
Tory shrugged, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward. “Yeah, well, you’re annoyingly persuasive.”
“Annoying, huh?” he teased, nudging her gently. “I think you mean ‘charmingly persuasive.’”
“Let’s not push it, Keene.”
They fell into a comfortable silence, their footsteps trailing behind them on the damp sand. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows that stretched toward the water. Robby’s grip tightened on her hand, his nerves twisting tighter with each step.
Finally, he stopped, turning to face her. “Tory, there’s something I need to tell you.”
She stopped, too, her brows furrowing as she searched his face. “What is it? You’re being weird.”
“It’s just…” He took a deep breath, the words sticking in his throat. “This place has always been special to us, right? It’s where we’ve had some of our best moments. And I wanted it to be the place where we make one of our biggest memories.”
Her confusion deepened, and she took a small step back. “Robby, you’re kind of freaking me out. What’s going on?”
He reached into his pocket, pulling out the small velvet box and dropping to one knee. Tory’s sharp intake of breath was the only sound besides the waves.
“Tory Nichols,” he began, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart, “you’re the strongest person I’ve ever known. You’ve fought through things most people wouldn’t even survive, and you’ve come out the other side more incredible than ever. You’re passionate, fearless, and loyal to the people you love. You make me better, every single day.”
Her hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.
“I love you,” Robby continued. “And I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you. The fights, the laughter, the quiet moments, the chaos. I want it all. Will you marry me?”
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. The waves paused mid-crash, the breeze stilled, and even the gulls overhead fell silent.
Tory didn’t move, her expression frozen in disbelief. Then, slowly, she took a step back, her hands falling to her sides. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
Robby rose to his feet, slipping the ring back into the box but keeping it in his hand. “It’s okay,” he said gently. “Take your time. I don’t need an answer right this second.”
She shook her head, pressing a hand to her forehead. “No, it’s not that. It’s just… this is a lot, Robby. You know me. I don’t do big. Big things, big feelings. I shut down when things get too much.”
“I know,” he said softly. “And that’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Just know that I’m here, no matter what.”
Tory let out a shaky laugh, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You’re ridiculous, you know that? Proposing on a beach at sunset? Who does that?”
“I do,” Robby said, his grin returning.
“Of course you do”
“Because I love you. And because I want you to have the big things, even if they scare you. Especially if they scare you.”
She stared at him, her walls cracking under the weight of his words. “You’re serious about this.”
“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life,” he said simply.
Tory let out a breath, her gaze dropping to the sand. She stood there for what felt like an eternity, the waves crashing softly in the background.
Was this the best thing to do? For him?
What if she ruins it all? Like she always does?
But what if she doesn’t?
Finally, she looked back at him, her sharp dark green eyes softening.
“You’re really not going to let me run from this, are you?”
“Not a chance,” he said, his voice steady.
A small, almost shy smile curved her lips. “You’re lucky I love you.”
His heart soared. “Is that a yes?”
Tory nodded, her smile widening even as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Yeah, Keene. That’s a yes.”
Robby’s grin was blinding as he slid the ring onto her finger, his hands trembling slightly. It fit perfectly, the diamond catching the last rays of the setting sun. Tory stared at it for a moment, then threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a fierce hug.
“You’re insane,” she murmured against his shoulder, her voice thick with emotion.
“Maybe,” he said, laughing as he held her close. “But it worked, didn’t it?”
She pulled back just enough to look at him, her hands resting on his shoulders. “You know this isn’t going to be easy, right? I’m not exactly the ‘perfect wife’ type.”
“Good,” Robby said, his voice full of warmth. “Because I’m not looking for perfect. I’m looking for you.”
She kissed him then, her lips soft and warm against his, and for a moment, the world around them melted away. The beach, the waves, the sky.
It was just them.
Just him and her.