The past few days had gone pretty well. Not only were you slowly scoping out the newest nicknacks you'd bought earlier, but it was snowing and beautiful outside. It truly was a day to remember.

Black, was all the eye could see across the horizon. It was turning dark at 5 or 6 - so at almost 9, it was imperative that you came home in a rush. It definitely wasn't getting any warmer.

At first you could try to stick it out, but nowadays.. oh, you hate to be around for this devious chill. That's partially the reason you don't understand your self-proclaimed 'Boyfriend'. After all, he'd be waiting for you in what's now considered the deep winter. Never cranky, never late. Always hopeful and full of awe at your mere return.

In car or on foot, no matter the circumstances. The only thing he says to you when you're very late is -- "Is everything okay? " in his deepest worry. Speckled with anger... but not impatience.

Purely out of pity, you've been trying not to make him wait. You wish you could hold onto rebellion and boundaries, but in an odd sense this little experiment has humanized him.

As you trail up on the street, you're much less off-put by his figure guarding the front door. It's all too pitiful to be angry about. The closer home was, the slower you walked. This time, he was nervous and fumbling with his hands. The snow crunched under your heels each step taken forward, especially loud up the slight incline of the lawn. He thought about how cute you looked all curled up in your scarf and coat, hair messy from the wind. Meanwhile, he looked frostbitten to the bone - cheeks deathly un-flushed, the cold having robbed all the colour away. Now he looked like a man.

" [Name]. " He spoke with proposition. There was an attempt to read your face, nerves frying in real time. Unbeknownst to you, obviously - You creeped up until you were face to face with him. Well, more explicitly face to chest. That was what you were at level with.

As a part of the normal daily ritual, you waited patiently for him to burn his inhibitions and spit out whatever flattering drivel he intended to throw on you. Yesterday's was short and sweet, so there was a bit more patience alotted for today. While the time passed for him to gather his confidence, you admired his blue button up sweater. It what he was wearing this morning. It was a soft, powdery shade - going well with his complexion. You studied it while he dropped his hands to his sides.

" I love you. " Lee blurted out, surprising you so badly you flinched. It was deceptively silent thereafter; he might've evaporated after he said it. If only that were the case.. Unfolding half-frozen, balled up hands in an actual attempt at regulating yourself. But said nothing, nothing at all.

He hoped the shock on your face would melt into a wonderful concoction of happiness and relief, but instead you stood frozen. Aloof, even. Then? You began to reanimate in a stiff, unnatural manner. Starting with the mouth and voice;

" B-.. But.. " You stuttered and teetered backward, as if struck right in the nose by a fist. In fact, those three words were what assaulted you so thoroughly. This was not your plan! This shouldn't have happened at all; you were supposed to placate him -- Yes, placate him, for another three months! What was this? Expectation? Intensity?! That was insane, you've had maybe 10 conversations in total.

This was too much. At the attempt to walk inside, you got through him an embarrassingly inadequate amount before being jerked backward. And his face was all the more unfriendly, hardened into that look he gives you whenever you slip up. It was fiery, full of what you could only think was hatred.

It was a terrible, terrible expression. It'd be the only thing that'd make you grateful for his love. He was one of those types that could close in on you no matter where you were. Eyes and brows lowered, jaw twitching. What. Had. You. Done..

" What's wrong? " He demanded, " What's the hesitation? "

" You're.. You're joking! Don't say that! "

" What part of this is a joke to you? I said the three words, and what do you do in return - Stumble backward?!"

" Oh, I- I didn't hear you! But of course, I-.." You couldn't even bring yourself to say the words back. It was impossible... fictitious and vomit-inducing.

" You lied. Now you're lying. " He warned. " You know god hates liars. Why would you stoop so low? " Brows knitted together, he came impossibly closer. So close that each hand nearly caged you in, and each breath that he took was plenty audible.

" Would it be too terrible to say that I wish I didn't love you? "

You shrunk yourself, trying not to make him raise his voice even louder. What a scary fellow he was.. not ever have you met a holyman with such murderous intent permeating off of them.

" Say it! Would it curl your stomach up - to know the devotion is not of my own volition? Because it sure isn't. I'd never love someone so-.. So-!!"

His breath came out in huffs again. My was he a plenty fluster-able person today in particular. Usually you could sass him all week and there would be nothing but submission and despair. One word and he's --" Is it exciting? " -- getting at you.

" Alright, wont you let me alone? I've had enough! " " No, tell me. Do you like it? What does it make you feel like? "

Now his eyes were wide open, round as saucers and sparsely meeting in a blink. " An object. "

Suddenly, he gave you a quick look up and down, as if you were being unreasonably crass." Object?!. "

" Yes, Object! You're not making this easy. And you're being a real pain. "

" Watch your mouth. " He was incredibly salty, crossing his arms and shaking his head in disappointment. " Want to know what's easy? Being faithful - If anything it's in your true nature. I'd know. Lately you're being tempted by those.. women. " As if finally solving an intricate and long-winded puzzle, he stuck an accusing finger at you.

" What?! " At this point you didn't know whether to cower or fight. Like clockwork, his pretentious attitude and nagging habit resurfaced and made your emotions anew. But you'll never forget the circumstances.

" Now, Now, I've heard all of it! I do not like you associating with Shanice, Lorelei or that dog Tamilia! They're all no good, I tell you! Terrible, worldly women they are...! "

" You can't say that! They're great people. And what do they have to do with this? "

Lee's face was warming back up. A fleck of anger and his cheeks are as red as the day he appeared. " They've done no good for you - us! You think I don't know the signs of a woman trying to go easy? "

" You don't know what you're talking about! Those are fine women, we've known them for years.. Without them I have noone! " " You have me. "

Your mouth almost fell open, watching him with the now neutral look on his face. It was annoying, but it definitely beats being face to face with a charging bull. God, that expression should be wiped from your memory.

" Don't be foolish! You're.. You're not a girlfriend. I can't have dinner with you or have you brush my hair or do my makeup, or.. "

" I could. " Now, his brows raised, a small smile accompanying them. Trying to dig yourself out of a hole, you blurted out the first stupid thing that came to mind; " Well.. What kind of man wants to do his girlfriend's makeup?! "

" Kids? " You both turned to the voice of your mother, and the opening of your front door. " Oh, mom. "

" Good afternoon, Mrs. [Last Name]. I don't mean to be impolite. Me and [name] are just.. having a misunderstanding. "

" What's wrong? " She turned her attention to you, but you were too stunned to even properly articulate what.. WAS wrong.

" He doesn't like Lori. I mean, I just don't get it. "

" Well, why don't you come inside and talk about it? Isn't it cold? " Your jaw tightened shut. You could tell the little gnat next to you was all smiles.

" Oh, but please. " He smothered your gloved hand in his cold one and beckoned for you to walk first. Unfortunately you had to take him up on his romantic gesture just to get inside. It was also apparent that he wasn't letting go any time soon.

" Make yourself at home. Would you two like some refreshments? "

Her hospitality was making you go just crazy. The large emotional leap from being exasperated and scared, to angry to polite is a mighty hard deal. Even when she instructed the two of you to sit at the table, and left you alone, you could barely calm yourself.

" It's very polite of her to invite us in. See, your mother is a wonderful woman. "

When he realized you were giving him the stink eye, his smile dipped into a frown.

His voice came out very gently, " You can't be mad forever. You'll be having so much fun with me and my family you might just forget about it. "

Your boyfriend played with your hand in his, then looked up to meet your eyes. For a bit if time it was silent, just the both of you. Like always.. he's always there, damn it.

" We should marry by the middle of the year. My mother just can't wait. She asked me to propose yesterday, and only then did I realize I'd never told you the truth. "

" Sure. " You deadpanned, hoping that this was enough to get him out of your house.

" Really? " It's like he didn't actually expect it to work. Or maybe he was just doubtful, and excited to test the limit to your word. " You will? "

" If things are going better in summer, I don't see why we wouldn't. " They most definitely won't be going better. If all else fails, that's enough time to scram, anyway. Whatever he 'wanted' is dead and buried. Trying to desocialize you, like a misbehaving schoolchild.. Ugh, you were getting sick. He could probably tell how steaming mad you were, and just didn't care.

" Oh, I can't believe it. You're a dream.

I'll make sure everything is proper, I swear. I know you're on the more private side of things, but there's nothing wrong with celebrating matrimony. Even God celebrates it."

" Why wouldn't anyone ever? "

" On some of the islands they had us patrolling, those people do marriage differently. Not my cup of tea -- too young. I waited until we were matured, so there'd be no mistakes. My salary arrives in March. "

" Plenty of time. " you mused, faking a yawn. " You should be going. It's about time for me to sleep. "

" Oh... I see. Well, I'll have to tell my mother the good news. Good-bye, [Name]. "

He stood and pulled you into an embrace, the shortest and sweetest one of all. He just couldn't help throwing you one last smile before he let himself out. But it was necessary to be poised and responsible about it. He thought that for the first time in a considerable amount of time, that he should pray. To wash you of the sin you've done -- it was his fault, after all, and he hadn't meant to provoke you in such a way. It was just so hard to kill the want, that's all. He just wanted you to be his. In the perfect way you already were.

Those girls you hung out with -- Especially Lorelei - were all trouble. Hell, in your suitor's mind, you might as well be hanging with a group of street-workers. That should never be your path. A good woman, yes. Be his good woman and bear him children, letting the days roll on. It felt like death to not hear an 'I love you' back. Truly, distractingly. But the promise of marriage breathed hope into the future. And anyone could toast to that.