“Roses are red, violets are blue – No no, violets are purple.” You paused in thought. “They are more purple than blue, right Ria?” You were at your desk with Maria stationed inside by the door. Your parents had whisked Natasha away for a fun day out with their future in-law, leaving you tragically behind, but also to deal with any incidents should they arise in their absence. Typical.
You were thinking of writing a poem for Natasha but so far there were more crumpled pages littered around the room as you had tossed them over your shoulder. One of them had bonked Maria on the head. After a few more, Maria had enough.
“Are your doing that on purpose?”
“Meee? Whaat? Noope, never.” Maria gave you a glare. “Riaaaa, help meeee. I have so much love, but I cannot you know,” you gestured from your chest out towards the paper, “That!”
Maria sighed, shaking her head slightly, “You are really a lovesick puppy, aren’t you?”
“I am not a puppy! You forget that I rescued the princess.”
“With my assistance…”
“… With your assistance.” You accepted and slumped in your seat. “Who even came up with this roses are red, violets are blue thing anyway?”
“You did apparently.”
You ignored her and turned back to your desk, speaking aloud, “Roses are red, violets are blue, blue hmmm…” You had a spark of inspiration and decided to write, scribbling in haste. It was short, like very short, but it was okay. You looked out of your window and sure enough the sun was beginning to set, and your parents and Natasha would be back soon.
“Maria! The time, you should’ve warned me!”
“Respectfully, you hadn’t requested that of me.”
“Ugh, Riaaaa!” You hastily began to organise things for a dinner on the balcony that overlooked the beautiful forest-y landscape. A parameter was already established long ago so that the family could go outside without the risk of assassination. So, it was safe.
Once everything was set, you left a bouquet of her favourite flowers on the table, with petals leading from the room to the balcony. Between the flowers, in your scrawl, was a card – ‘To a most wonderful person, open me ;)’
When you heard Natasha approaching the doors, you scrambled to find a place to hide, slinking off into the shadows. When she had arrived and opened the doors, she searched for you, calling your nickname a few times before noticing the trail of petals on the floor. The scene before her was reminiscent of the first time you had both met. Picking up the bouquet, she was met with a strong yet comforting floral aroma. She sighed contently. She then picked up the card nestled within it and chuckled before opening it, laughing even more at your poem.
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
When I see the sun set,
I think of you
“I hope that laugh wasn’t one of mockery my love.” You emerged from your hiding spot and entered the balcony, hugging her from behind. She leant back and allowed you to kiss her. “Welcome back my love.”
“I’m glad to be home.” You swayed the two of you together before letting her go and pulling out a chair for her.
You went back to retrieve a picnic basket from inside the room and said, “I actually made this myself. Dorothy helped me.”
“I’m not so sure I’m hungry now.”
“Um excuse me, I wasn’t all that bad. And this isn’t either, you can ask Dorothy yourself.”
Natasha pretended to think about it, “Can’t be that bad I guess.”
You had prepared all of Natasha’s favourite snacks, food, drinks, and even desserts. Though, you were thinking of another dessert for later that night.
The sunset glowed behind her and had painted a halo around her scarlet tresses. Ethereal is one word you could use to describe this moment. After the food had been enjoyed and eaten, you had taken the furniture back inside the room, opting to drag the couch and a few blankets outside instead so that you could enjoy the sunset together. Before Natasha could get too comfortable though, you left the warm nest and knelt in front of her.
“I have loved you ever since I quite literally had fallen for you. I have thoroughly enjoyed your company and I have enjoyed many laughs with you. You make me so very happy. You are a person dreams are made of. My love for you extends all the realms on this mortal plain, even if I can’t name every single one from the top of my head right now.” Natasha had laughed at that.
“Just tell her already!” Maria yelled from where she was stationed.
“So, Natasha Romanoff, or Natalia Alianovna Romanova, will you marry me?” Opening the box to show her the ring, you finished your proposal.
“I would love nothing more,” she pulled you by the lapels of your collar to press a kiss to your lips, a hand finding purchase on her waist to deepen it. When the call for oxygen beckoned your name, she rested her forehead on yours, “Took you long enough,” she whispered, to which you just hummed.
“May I?” You asked, gentling taking her hand in yours. With a nod, you took the ring from out the box and slipped it onto her finger.
“It’s beautiful,” she admired. The ring was a darkened silver band that resembled the bark of a tree. Three stones laid in the centre. In the middle, was a ruby and to either side of the ruby were smaller emeralds. It was the perfect mix of both of your heritages and a symbol of your union.
