All of a sudden, Black sat down on the bed. He looked at me with those sweet eyes, like always. But at that moment, that usual gaze felt something special, something magical.

"Let's go."

"To where?" I asked.

"Just come with me." Black stood up from the bed. He got dressed in the same sweater and walked in front of the mirror. He waved his hand through his slightly unkempt hair, trying to settle those bangs of his hair. It was the first time I saw him caring about his looks.

"Why are you not getting ready sweetheart?" Black said while looking at the mirror.

"First tell me where you're taking me," I complain. He turned and looked at me with an idiotic expression and wide smile. I really couldn't understand what was going through his brainless mind. I had doubts that he really injured his head while fighting with those demons. That really worried me.

"Well, it's not like it will matter. It'll be alright just like this."

My Black walked towards me. He held my hand and forced me to get up.

"Okay okay. I'll get ready." I wanted to make myself at least presentable before going out.

"It's okay. You can't be more beautiful than you already are." I tried to free myself from his grasp but he didn't let go. He held me tight enough. Seeing my useless efforts, I gave up and reluctantly followed him. I was very glad I did not change to my nightdress last night because I was taking care of this idiot.

I expected us to go somewhere out. But he walked through the hall and took me to the backyard. He opened the glass door and walked to the centre of the backyard before letting go of my hand. He stood in front of me, a few steps away.

The surroundings were so quiet, aside from the rustling of leaves and the little chirps from the birds who had woken up before the sun did. The weather was chilly and cold winds repeatedly assaulted my body.

"It's cold here," I said and wrapped my hands around my body. I hoped my Black would let me go inside and wear warmer clothes or at least use his ability to make the surroundings warm.

The assault of cold winds stopped suddenly and I felt the warmth. But after a few seconds, that warmth disappeared.

"I am sorry. I tried but I can not keep it warm. But I won't take much time." Black apologized. I remembered how weary he gets every time he uses that ability and he had just recuperated from his injuries. I sometimes forget that he is very strong but not omnipotent.

"No worry."

Then my Black stepped back a little. He bent down and gracefully sat on both of his knees. His back was straight and his chin was up as he looked right into my eyes. His hands were behind, hiding something. At that moment, everything went silent for me. Everything else disappeared from my sight, just Black remained. Time seemed to have stopped when I thought that he was finally going to say the words I so wanted to hear. 

My heart started fluttering all of a sudden. Those butterflies in my stomach went on a rampage and wrecked my inside emotions in a moment. I was overwhelmed by happiness and joy. The day I was waiting for had finally come. It was all happening too suddenly.

"Why did you kneel down?" I asked, all flustered up.

"Because I'm sorry," Black replied. That was not what I was expecting to hear from him when he knelt down. He could have said that inside. Why did he need to bring me outside in cold just for an apology? I heaved in disappointment. At that moment, I realized why hope is the most poisonous thing in the world.

I did say I will wait for him forever. 

He smiled but just a little. I guess he felt my disappointment even though I let it out only for a short second.

"I've something for you," Back said and from behind, he brought his right hand to the front. Though his hand were still closed.

"Um... what?"

He didn't make me wait and opened his hand. And I saw the red necklace shining as brightly as ever in contrast to his pale skin. The chains holding the red gem were metallic black instead of silvery though. But it looked as magnificent as ever.

"I'm sorry. I made you cry. It was I who made the chain frail and weak so that it broke. It was my fault. I had promised that I won't let tears come in your eyes but I couldn't keep my promise. And so I seek your forgiveness."

"It's..." I didn't know what to say. It was I who failed to take care of his gift. Black went to another world and ended up dead tired while making it and it hurt when I saw his hard work all broken. I should be the one asking for forgiveness. My heart felt this comforting warmth as I heard his innocent apology.

"Do you know?" Back continued, "I've made this chain from Requidust, the hardest material known to me. Now it will never break." He held the necklace with both hands and gave it a sharp snap, using all the force be could muster. But that chain was like an immovable object. It didn't even vibrate.

"See."

"Are you an idiot?" I quickly snatched the necklace from his hand as his grip weakened. I was afraid he might really break it again accidentally. In my hand, I felt the necklace was a bit heavier than before and it appeared more sturdy. My eyes couldn't tell the difference between the original one and this one.

"You're really a magician!" I quickly hung it in my neck. A place that's far safer than his hands.

"Say you forgive me."

"I'm not mad at you. It was not your fault."

"Say you forgive me."

"You're so stubborn."

"Say you forgive me." Black kept repeating his words in the same manner.

In the end, I gave up. He was very stubborn but yet adorable and cute. We both can't be stubborn together or there would be no end to our fights.

"I forgive you... Let's go inside now."

"I've something else too."

He brought his left hand to the front. In his left hand was a four-sided flat gem with the dazzling navy blue colour. It was as small as the pick of a guitar.

"What's this?" I asked curiously while taking it. I wanted to know more about it. When I looked carefully, I could see some strange black symbols, runes floating in the form of a circle inside that gem. It just looked like a mini version of the magic circle that was formed when he descended in my school.

"It's a summoning gemstone. With this, you can forcefully summon me anytime, anywhere."

"I think there is no need for this one." Even though I was denying, it was very tempting. How wonderful it will be when I can make my dear Black come to me whenever I miss him. And I could play a lot of pranks on him too.

"The coming days might be dangerous. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Then I'll take it." Yep. I offered no denial this time. I held that small blue gem and put it in my pocket.

"So. Do you forgive me?" he said.

"Why are you saying it now?"

"For dragging you in this mess and bringing you trouble. Say you forgive me."

"I'm not saying it." He was just too much. The only thing he brought me was love and happiness. Excitement too but it never was trouble. I refused to accept those words from him.

"Say you forgive me." I didn't say the words he wanted me to say. And we both stayed silent for a while.

"I can stand here forever you know," I said but I was ready to step back a little. I didn't want to be outside fighting him for little things. Mum always said that stepping back is better than arguing.

"No! Wait!" Black gave up. He most probably noticed my discomfort in the cold weather. "I've one more thing for you."

I stopped.

"Give me your hand." I walked towards him and did as he said. He held my hand in his right hand as if he was asking me for dance while kneeling. He looked right into my eyes as if he was peeking into my very soul.

"Eve, I still remember that day when I first saw you. You were... so beautiful. You were still small back then but there was this charm you had that my eyes couldn't deny. You were more beautiful than the most amazing sight I've ever seen. There was this strange attraction I felt towards you. And at that moment, I knew my heart didn't belong to me anymore."

"I was very young at that time. I did not understand what weird things I was feeling. And by the time, I understood them, we were separated. Our time together was very short. After that day, I yearned for you all the time, regretting that I never got a chance to express my feelings."

I knew what was coming and this made the butterflies in me bring disaster in my inside world. If there was a kingdom in my heart, these butterflies would have turned it into ruins in a breath. Adrenaline rushed in my body and my heart went on a roller-coaster ride with my mind. But I kept listening to him patiently. I didn't want to startle him.

"As time passed, I realized I didn't deserve you. I tried hard. I tried harder every day to be someone worthy of you and your care but I couldn't be. I broke my promises. I failed... Terribly... When we met again, I was so scared, of who I had become."

"It was my blessing to be in your presence, yet I wanted more. I gave nothing and yet I wanted everything. It was overwhelming and suffocating to keep all of my feelings locked inside my heart, never being able to say them... But do you know... I heard you last night. I heard you when you told me how much you love me and how you'll follow me in the afterlife. And I can not hold back anymore. Even though I am still not worthy of you, I will try my best in the future."

"Eve Riza, I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul. I always have. I fell at first sight and I swear to my life that I can never stop falling deeper."

As he said it, the first rays of the sun fell on us. Behind him, I saw a beautiful scene of the sunrise. But this guy in front of me appeared even more breathtaking under the sunshine. His words reverberated inside my mind as if they were echoing through the colossal mountains.

"Perhaps one day this sun stop rising but I will never stop worshipping you. This moon up there will perhaps refuse to let out moonlight but I will never refuse any of your wishes. I will love you so much that you'll say it's too much."

A ring appeared in his hands. A very simple silver ring. But it was the most priceless thing I had ever seen.

"The lifestream is the witness as I confess. All my word are true to the core. I vow that every morning, I will tell you how much I love you. I vow that no matter how much difficult your wish may be, I will fulfil it. I vow to never let you go. Even if it's fate trying to drive us apart, I'll destroy it. I vow to forever be your friend, companion, family and lover. I vow to not be stubborn and not go for thirty-three..."

He opened up his heart bare in front of me. He was being so truthful and honest and he made his promises. A wide smile made its way on my lips. No one could love me more than he did. That moment was beyond beautiful. I felt like crying as his words echoed again and again into my mind. And I did cry.

Without waiting for my reply, he simply put that ring in my right hand's ring finger. I wanted to speak something but I couldn't. I was too overwhelmed by everything that was happening. My legs gave up and I fell on my knees too. I hugged him tight, as hard as I could, fearing it was all a dream and it might disappear if I didn't hold it tight enough. But it was all true. He patted on my back as my tears fell on his shoulder.

"You're such an idiot. Who says about not being 'stubborn and not trying for thirty-three' kids while making such promises."

"I do," Black replied innocently. "It'll be your call. But I want at least three, okay? Not a single less than that."

"I love you too Black! I love you so much that."

"I love you too honey."

"I love you more."

"I love you more than more."

And just like that, we begin one more sweet fight of whispering 'I love you more' while hugging and fervently kissing each other. This time it was Black who stepped back.

"Oh. I forgot to tell you. My world belongs to you now."