"We here resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain…"
It was something he had heard her whisper once when she came to the memorial stone. It had caused his heart to constrict, both for the guilt he felt almost constantly, and with the love that was slowly drowning out the guilt.
She was perfect for him. She understood the reasons behind his actions. She was the one who had seen him patiently playing extreme hide and go seek with some academy kids, and then she had even seen him buying ice cream when they eventually found him an hour later.
She saw him sneak his tempura onto the floor where Pakkun was more than happy to hide it for him.
She was the one who still let him read his books, though they had to be put away when she was with him out of the apartment.
She was the one who loved him enough to wake up early on mission days and make his favorite breakfast.
She was always ready to heal him, even if it was just a bruise he had received from her when he was making his off color jokes.
She was the one who held him at night, when the memories attempted to overtake his sanity.
She was the one who would show up early just in case he was on time for once, which he never was.
These were the reasons that he loved her more and more after each passing moment. Not just because she was the only one in the village who would tolerate him, but because she loved him with all of her being. Plus she knew he loved her.
He shows his love by buying her flowers, writing 'just because' on the card, by hiding a single sakura blossom among the rest of the wild flowers in the bouquet.
He lets her steal the covers at night, especially because he can then cuddle up even closer to her.
He'll come to the hospital when she's having a bad day, and tell her one of his silly excuses just to see her smile.
He shows his love for her by buying her expensive presents on Valentine's Day and their anniversary, even though she said she didn't want to exchange gifts for the occasion. He would use the excuse that the shop owner cornered him in the street and forced him to pay. She never had to find an excuse for the presents she said she wasn't going to get him.
He shows his love by letting her use all the hot water in the mornings, just so he can hear her singing in the shower.
He shows his love by walking around the apartment without his mask on, just so she would be happy enough to hum while she was cooking.
He does just enough of the house work so that she can relax as soon as she gets home from the hospital, though he says he does it for the smile she gives him.
He loves it when she comes to the memorial with him in the mornings, especially this morning.
He loves the feel of the small box that he has in his pocket.
He loves the shine of the ring when he takes it out of the box and its hit by the sun barely reaching over the trees.
He loves the feel of the question passing through his lips and mask.
He loves the way her eyes dart quickly first to the ring, and then to his eyes.
He loves the way her face lights up when she says yes.
He loves the way the ring slides onto her finger just right, and the way that she quickly tackles him to the ground while covering his face with kisses.
He loves himself when he's with her, because he makes her happy.