Beyond Love

And

And;

Is when you know—it's not the end.

____________________________

"Marry me?"

The words filled his ears, and Chip swore he could feel his heart right there—loud, and very clear indeed. He was trembling; from shock or from the weight of the other's words, he did not know.

But there was one thing he did know—and that was of the beautiful present he resided in.

Strangely, it did not feel like a dream, no.

What he felt was something different, as if he was entirely aware of where, how, and why he stood in front of a kneeling Xander at that very moment.

And as the words reached in to touch his heart, the young man could not help but let slip a teary smile of sincere happiness that he hadn't felt for a very long time.

For there was a tiny velvet box before his eyes in which the one he so loved had opened—to reveal the sparkling ring that he had spoken of before.

But did the ring really matter to Chip?

Really, now—the reason why he was smiling wasn't because he had been proposed to.

The reason why his eyes couldn't seem to focus behind the flowing tears wasn't because of the beauty of such a tiny object like a ring.

But perhaps; it was really—

"W-We're in public, silly..." The small frame wiped his wet eyes with the back of his sleeve, sniffling with a blush as his gaze darted round the station.

Xander laughed, taking his hand. "Is that a yes?"

"You're so mean! You...you just wanted to embarrass me didn't you? Such a...a..."

There wasn't room for another word; for the space was filled with a very warm feeling that Chip hadn't felt in a very long time.

It wasn't far away, out of his grasp like it was before—but right here, beside him.

He could feel it;

As Xander slipped the ring onto his trembling fourth finger.

Xander's angel wondered if his other could feel the strong beat of his heart; hear it race with a start—

"Shit, my heart's beating so fast," The tall figure rose with a single nervous laugh, pulling his angel towards him for a warm embrace.

"That's...that's because this isn't good for the heart," Chip protested into Xander's chest, as he felt it shake from the low laughter.

"Really?"

"Un."

"Well then, I guess you'll be having a bad heart forever."