Hi all! This was requested by @I-am-Red-Widowand @Tall_and_Angry and uses no prompts supplied. I hope you enjoy! Sorry for the wait, I got busy. I hope this is ok! :)
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(Y/N) Pov
The thrift store used to be like a treasure trove to my mother. Her eyes would light up as she entered it, greeting the volunteers like old friends. After exchanging news with each of them her quest would begin. She would search every rack and shelf not only with herself in mind but our entire extended family. When she found just the gem for somebody she would let out an involuntary gasp of joy and add it to her basket. It was hard for me to be excited about all these hand-me-downs. I'd had them all my life from my older sisters.
Objects of delight and interest claiming my instant attention as Jason and I enter the store; there are quaint twisted candlesticks in the shape of snakes, a teapot fashioned like a china duck, out of whose open beak the tea was supposed to come. And there is a carved sandal-wood box packed tight with aromatic cotton-wool, between the layers of cotton-wool are little brass figures, hump-necked bulls and peacocks and goblins, delightful to see and handle. Jason grasps onto my wrist practically dragging me to where the sofas are located.
My eyes land on an older looking sofa, I let out an involuntary gasp of joy and I understand my mother a little better. The sofa has certainly seen better days. The battered floral design is worn thin in places but not quite to the point of ripping. The soft green fabric around the cushions has the beginnings of fraying. I flop onto the couch and let my head loll back and eyes pull to a close. In only minutes the fabric was warm, homely.
"Are we buying this one?" Jason asks.
"Mmm-hmm" I mumble softly.
"You know that I have enough money to..." He begins.
"Nope. It's vintage, aesthetic and comfy. We're getting this one." I interrupt.
Jason sighs as he allows himself to collapse next to me. I brush a strand of raven hair away from his face. He eagerly wraps his arms around my waist, burying his face into the crook of my neck. I can feel the rise and fall of Jason's chest against my body.
"You're right about it being comfy, doll." Jason murmurs lazily.
We both begin to laugh, gaining confused looks from a staff member near us. I push myself up from the couch, leaving Jason clasping onto one of the worn cushions.
"I'll go and pay. You haul ass to the car. I'll call Kori and get her to help us move the couch out to the car." I say.
"I can do it," Jason replies.
"No, you can't," I laugh.
I clasp onto his hands and attempt to pull him up without landing on my ass. It doesn't take long for me to give up and place my hands on my hips, pretending to be angry at Jason. He suddenly stands up, gently pushing me behind him as he's protecting me from something or someone. I try to step beside him but his arm holds me back. I'm able to catch sight of the familiar glint of a gun and heavy duty armour. Jason's hand wraps around the pistol which is hidden under the leather jacket he's wearing.
"Slade..." Jason growls.
I glance around the area behind me, looking for anything that resembles a weapon. My eyes land on a pipe that runs up the wall, winding through the various objects that lean against the wall it's on. In a flash I dive over the couch we were previously on and make my way to the pipe. I resist the urge to cover my ears as the sound of gunfire echoes throughout the shop. I can hardly hear the sound of the pipe breaking as my foot smashes through it. I quickly pick up the broken metal pipe and run back to Jay.
I allow myself to stop for a moment as my eyes wander over to the staff member behind the counter. She is slumped over the desk, staring off into space, but I can't tell what it is she was looking at before she dies. Her black hair is now discoloured with a red tint and her light brown eyes are beginning to dull. Her once lively skin is now slightly grey. I shake my head and continue my way towards Jason. I duck behind the couch Jason chose to use as a shield of sorts, joining him in his battle.
"What are you doing?!" Jason yells.
"Helping!" I reply.
"No! Find a way to safety, I can handle this!" Jason urges.
"Mama ain't raise no bitch, I'm helping!" I retort.
"Just stay behind me," He mumbles.
He quickly reloads his pistol before firing again. The silence is eerily unnatural, like a dawn devoid of birdsong. We wait for Slade to react, Jason and I glance at each other in confusion as the silence continues. We hear the quiet clicking of a gun which has no ammo and then a string of curses. I have to cover my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. I firmly grasp the pipe and give Jason a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Babe, wait!" He yells as I jump over the couch.
I cross the no man's land which separates Jason from Slade. Slade appears from his hiding place, his sword in hand.
"Let's make this an even fight little lady," Slade announces.
He takes the spare sword from his back and throws it towards me. I weigh the sword in her right hand, slashing it delicately at the air. The handle of the sword is bound with black leather, the hilt decorated yet understated, beautiful in its own way. Slade thrusts his sword forward, only to be met by my own sword. Both swords meet in the air with a resounding 'clang', a sound which was familiar when I was a child. The two blades work in chaotic harmony, both hum low, swift tunes as they are swung through the air. I shoot my right leg out, sweeping him from his feet. An action which certainly took him by surprise. Before he can make another movement I kick the sword from his hand and rest the tip of my sword at his throat.
"You don't have the balls..." He begins.
"Like I told my beautiful boyfriend over there...Mama ain't raise no bitch," I smirk.
"Then do it," He urges.
I sigh before resting a hand on my hip and rolling my eyes. Slade begins to laugh wickedly but is quickly cut short when my heel hits his face. Even in unconsciousness, this guy manages to remain creepy as hell. I glance over at Jason to discover his awestruck face. I giggle and walk over to him placing another kiss on his cheek.
"I'm kinda hungry, do you wanna hit up that cute coffee shop down the road?" I ask.
"Yeah," He breathes out, clearly still in shock.
I glance at the couch I wanted, noticing it had become riddled with bullets during the fight. I frown and look at Jason as he gazes toward the couch.
"I really liked that couch." I pout.
Multiple police cars begin to park outside as the professionals take over the scene. We slip out the back door, managing to escape having to stay around any longer. Jason's places his gun back where it was originally and begins to search his pockets for another item.
"Shit...shit, shit, shit." He mumbles.
"What?" I ask.
"I lost the ring." He replies almost frantically.
"What ring?" I ask curiously.
"I well, um...I was planning on proposing tonight and I must have dropped it." He pouts.
Happiness rushes through me as the words leave his mouth. My grin explodes into a radiant smile that I probably have never worn before, not even as a small girl. Today has been the best day of my life.
"Yes!" I yell as I jump into his arms.
"What?" He asks.
"I will! I'm gonna marry you!" I exclaim.
"Can I try to propose again?" He mumbles.
"Only if it's in a fancy place where we can get free food after," I reply with a giggle.
"How about that cute coffee shop down the road?" He grins.
"I love you!" I say.
"I love you too, babe." He replies.
The sunlight caresses my skin, promising a new dawn, a new beginning. My hair flutters in the wind, my clothes cling to my body but Jason is by my side. He holds my body close to his, his body warming mine as we continue our journey. We are inseparable. Our marriage will be something so beautiful that in that natural world it will be an opening rose, always with radiant petals left to unfurl in a warm sun. Perhaps that is why we give roses to those we love and often have them at our sacred unions.