Coconut Grove sitting in the back seat smoking a cigarette you thought was gonna be your last

We can keep working on that. To feel normal. He felt the same, even if the man didn't voice it. Perhaps together they could work on finding that inner peace they both seemed to crave. Together, not alone. To walk away from their past and move on to something that had been kept from them for so long; and maybe, with enough effort and patience, they could finally grasp what they desired most without it shattering in their iron grip. A life worth living, full of aspirations and something more than the meaningless pain they were so accustomed to. The pain that made creatures like them so numb to the world around them.

With his question now fluttering in the air, there was no taking it back now. Well, not without any repercussions of its own that would follow by taking such a request back so soon after it was uttered. Would he be angered by rejection? Unlike the last desertion, he couldn't imagine being anything more than just disappointed, understandably so rather than filled with rage and deceit as Tundra had not done the same as the princess did on the cursed island. Still, he thought of all the hateful, venomous words that could change that. The same venomous words uttered by Rhaella in their last meeting. Could he move on again should history repeat itself? He had to have faith that Tundra was more sensible than that. That rejection didn't need to create hate.

But instead of dejection, he was met with celebration. The look on her face was enough to bring him euphoria, in her embrace he felt the heat rise in his face and a feeling of triumph coursing through his veins. Melting into her embrace he felt completely, and utterly at ease. Every muscle unwound and relaxed as he could almost thaw into a puddle on the ground. She said yes, yes! Could this be another delusion, a fantasy created in his own maddened head? The warmth enveloping him where she touched said otherwise, her happiness. Thank you for giving me a chance. And he would not squander it. Despite his lack of words, the man's posture, swinging tail, and complete adoration of the woman who had accepted his proposal was more than enough than words could ever express.

With this, he could prove to himself above all else that he was capable of love. Worthy to be loved and allowed to obtain such a thing that seemed impossible, unattainable for far too long!