It was supposed to be a simple night in. The table was set with a home-cooked dinner—Mars had insisted on making Billie's favorite pasta and garlic bread—candles flickered softly in the dim lighting, casting a warm glow over the intimate setting. They were both dressed casually: Billie in a pair of Mars' sweatpants and a tank top, Mars in her usual black tee and checkered pyjama pants combo.

But the atmosphere felt special—almost charged with a kind of quiet anticipation that neither of them acknowledged out loud. It was just the two of them in their shared home, the familiar comfort of each other's presence making the moment feel effortlessly perfect. As they settled into their seats, the clinking of forks and soft music playing in the background seemed to melt away into the background noise.

"Mars, are you even listening?" Billie's voice cut through the comfortable silence, laced with playful exasperation. She narrowed her eyes slightly, noticing the way Mars' gaze had drifted off somewhere, lost in thought.

Mars blinked, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips as she focused back on Billie. "Sorry, ma, just... thinking." She shifted in her seat, pushing back slightly before reaching in under the table. With a sudden, fluid movement, she gently pulled Billie's chair closer to her own, the legs scraping softly against the wooden floor.

"Thinking about what?" Billie asked, raising an eyebrow as Mars took her hand, her touch warm and familiar.

Instead of answering, Mars reached into the pocket of her pants and pulled out a small, delicate ring. Billie's breath hitched, her eyes widening as she took in the simple, beautiful design. It was a silver band, adorned with tiny green and blue stones that seemed to shimmer under the candlelight.

"Mars...?" Billie's voice wavered, a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"Before you say anything—" Mars interrupted gently, holding up the ring between them. "It's not an engagement ring, so don't freak out, okay?" There was a teasing note in her tone, but her expression was serious, her gaze steady as she looked at Billie. "This is a promise. A promise of my love, loyalty, and commitment to you." Mars spoke softly, her voice low and sincere as she slipped the ring onto Billie's ring finger. "I love and cherish you, Bils, and there's no one else I see building a future with other than you."

Billie's eyes were locked on the ring now adorning her finger. The green and blue stones—Mars' eyes, her own eyes—stood out against the smooth silver band, the colors melding together in a way that seemed almost magical. It was so simple, yet so incredibly meaningful, and Billie felt a lump forming in her throat as she glanced back up at Mars.

"Mars..." she whispered, but Mars wasn't done.

"I, Mars Red Tosin-Williams," Mars continued, her voice firm but filled with a tenderness that made Billie's heart skip a beat, "promise to 'love you till the day that I die.'" She quoted softly, the words of Billie's own song slipping easily off her tongue with a low chuckle.

The unexpected reference made Billie let out a soft, breathy giggle, her shoulders shaking slightly as she looked at Mars with a mix of disbelief and adoration. "Did you just quote my song at me?"

Mars shrugged, a grin spreading across her face. "You always say I'm not romantic enough, so I figured I'd give it a try." She looked down at the ring, the smile on her lips softening. "It's not a proposal yet. But I wanted you to have something that shows I'm serious. That I'm yours, and I'm in this for real. Forever, if you'll have me."

Billie swallowed, blinking rapidly to chase away the sudden sting of tears. She glanced down at the ring again, the green and blue stones catching the light and shining brightly against her tattooed hand. "You're such a dork," she murmured, shaking her head slightly, but there was no mistaking the smile that tugged at her lips, or the way her eyes shone with barely contained emotion.

"Yeah, but I'm your dork," Mars murmured back, leaning in slowly. Their lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss—one that was slow and sweet and spoke of every unspoken promise between them. Billie's hand came up to cup Mars' cheek, her thumb brushing softly over her jaw as she leaned closer, deepening the kiss.

When they finally pulled back, Billie's chest felt warm and light, her heart beating a little faster as she stared into Mars' hazel eyes. The weight of the promise ring on her finger felt grounding and surreal all at once, a physical reminder of everything they were and everything they could be.

"Mars, I... I love it. And I love you. So much." She whispered the words softly, as if saying them too loudly would break the spell of the moment. "I'm... I'm honored that you see a future with me."

Mars just smiled, her hand still holding Billie's. "Always have, always will."

Billie leaned in again, brushing her lips over Mars' in a fleeting kiss before pulling back, a mischievous glint suddenly sparking in her blue eyes. "Also," she murmured, her voice dropping to a low, sultry whisper as she leaned in to press her lips against Mars' ear. "You're getting head tonight, babybear."

Mars blinked, her eyebrows shooting up as a slow, wide grin spread across her face. "Really?"

"Mhm." Billie's lips brushed against Mars' earlobe, sending a shiver down her spine. "For being the most romantic dork in the world."

Mars laughed softly, her hands trailing down Billie's sides. "Come," Billie murmured, her lips curving into a smirk as she pulled back slightly, her gaze locking onto Mars'. "Because I'm very, very serious about that promise too." She smiled, her fingers intertwining with Mars', pulling her off the seat.

ngl writing this book is starting to feel unmotivating so yeah
Apologies if its trash or short 🤧