"arielle, no, that's not right."
she looks up at me after crying out the last of her river.
"how is it not right?"
"it's not right because i love you. the things you showed me are amazing, and i love them because they are you, and i love you."
"really?" she says softly.
i nod.
"then prove it."
so i kiss her. this kiss is different than the other one, because i'm not holding back anymore. i pour out all my heart into her watery cosmos like i'm pouring life into her, and she drinks it all up like i've given her the antidote to her brokenness.
i don't know how to prove it in any way but this.
she pulls away to catch her breath, and we both lie down on the sand, gazing at the stars. i hold her hand and she places her head on my shoulder.
"asley's gonna make our lives a living hell," she breathes.
"i don't care," i whisper back.
she places butterfly kisses on my neck and i sigh in contentment.
i finally have my girl.
"i love you, arielle," i say.
"i love you, ryle."
