Epilogue （Hunter）

I 've been planning this for a long time, and the moment we step into the Georgia Aquarium, Ollie's eyes brighten. Every time we come here together, we recreate how we met. And it's my favorite part of this little adventure. I'm hoping he does it again when I prompt it, because this time I have a real purpose. He has no idea about the sapphire and diamond ring I have in my jeans pocket, and I had to forgo the box because it would've been too bulky and quite noticeable. If there's one thing I'm doing right this time around, it's keeping this a surprise.

After an hour of looking around and taking selfies, we finally make it to the whale sharks. Ollie gives me a bright smile and holds my trembling hand, squeezing it lightly. His brows furrow as he looks at me, clearly confused as to why I'm shaking. But I take a deep breath and smile back my brightest smile, and he seems to relax.

I look into his eyes, love expanding my chest in a way that steals my breath away. This is what it's all about—this feeling. It's always been him, and it will always be him. "Your eyes are so blue."

Ollie grins. "And yours are really green."

"I can be Green if you'll be Blue." I brush my knuckles across his cheekbone. " My Blue."

"I'll always be your Blue."

My mouth dries up, but I smile anyway. "For how long?"

My hands are shaking at this point, and Ollie looks at me, confused again. "Forever?"

I drop to one knee, holding onto his hands, and gaze up at him. Ollie gasps, his hands beginning to tremble now too. "Promise?" I ask, and I notice people staring, some taking out their phones to take a video. "Promise me forever? Be mine for the rest of our lives?"

"What are you asking me?" Ollie's voice shakes, and he looks at me expectantly, daring me to say it.

I pull out the engagement ring from my pocket and hold it up between us. His eyes widen when he sees the sapphires and diamonds on the band, and then he looks at me, mouth agape.

"Ollie," I say as my eyes begin to water, and I clear my throat. Except the knot doesn't go away. "It's always been you. From the time I was a little boy looking at whale sharks, and still to this day. And in ten years or twenty—even if you don't want me—it will always still be you. You're the love of my life, and I don't want to do this without you. So please, I'm begging you to give me the chance to prove that we can do this. That I can give you what you deserve." Tears stream down Ollie's face and a lone one trails down my cheek. "Will you marry me, Blue?"

Ollie fishes for something in his pocket, face covered in tears and drops to one knee before me. "I don't know, Hunt." He holds a ring with green stones on it right next to the ring I'm holding. We look at them for a second, and then our eyes snap back up to each other's. "You said everything I had in mind, so all I can say is that I'll give you this chance. I'll always give us a chance. Will you marry me ?"

I begin to laugh because, of course, he would've planned this too. I nod with tears streaming down my face now. I don't even care if I'm seen crying on national television or social media. All that matters is us, Hunt and Ollie, right now. Green and Blue. "Yes, baby." My voice chokes. "I'll marry you."

We put the rings on each other's fingers and then stare into each other's eyes again. There's so much love and trust in his. Is that what mine look like too? Can he see how much I love him? Can he feel that I'd literally give my life for his? Ollie cups my face and I cup his, and then our lips meet. It's sweet and slow and perfect. We're perfect—together.

When I pull away to see Ollie smiling at me—that's when I know that forever is not long enough by his side.

No amount of time will ever be long enough.