Susan #73 (Timeskip 09) - Proposal

The moment has finally arrived! \o/

Part of me always wonders if some entries could've used with a bit more buildup around it, including this one. It has always been a delicate balance of wanting to flesh these characters out more with advancing the plot (and also making the images engaging). There is probably a handful of set-ups for those in the past entries where I proceeded to never follow up on them. Like I wanted to have more scenes building up Nathan's dependency on fake pregs (which would've turned out to be something Susan made herself believe) or his insecurities being so... well-shapen. Susan could share a few mental tips since hers is quite more noticeable and sympathize with him. A more notable example would probably be Becca, her aunt, which made an appearance in #39 but hasn't been around much after. However this was more due to a pivot change in Susan's story.

Well, that was such a tangent... So what I basically wanted to add to this was that I originally had in mind that he'd propose to her during a celebration of his graduation. Them and the family would all go out to a restaurant and he'd drop the knee. Buuut... that doesn't really fit them, does it? They're both introverted still. As much as Susan has grown as a person, neither of them really wants to be put on the spot in public. I also had a version written where it was just at their home with the parents, but again it just didn't seem to fit. And I ultimately ended up on just the two of them in their home (does save time on creating the environment) and the actual proposal ended up not being as traditional, as the render might suggest. But I shall hush now.

Google drive of all angles

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12th of March 2017 - (5 days after #72)

The sturdy front door’s slam echoed through the living room, finally Susan and Nathan had their moment of peace. Their parents visiting them to see the finished apartment was fine to them, but socializing for hours on end was quite the drain for the two introverts.

Susan was the first to walk back into the living room and lounge on the couch with her arms around the back cushions, however still making sure she didn’t scare Lucky off with her wide motions.

“Who knew having visitors would be so draining…” She said, staring at the ceiling.

“I mean, we had a pretty busy week moving everything over. Not to mention working as well.”

“Yeah…” After a short rest she pulled herself up again. “I think I’m going to grab a shower before I go crash on the bed.”

Nathan’s heart skipped a beat. “U-uhm ho-hold on.”

“Huh? Do you want to join in? I don’t think I’m in the mo-”

“Ah nono, it’s not that. Just… stay there for a second.”

Susan narrowed her eyes. “...Oookay.”

He quickly darted into the bathroom. He grabbed the small box on one of the shelves that was rather hard to reach. With the box tucked away behind his back, he walked back to Susan. Nathan never knew he could sweat so profoundly in a heartbeat.

His grip on the box tightened, he had trouble looking at Susan who grew more and more curious by the second. Doubts started to fill his mind.

No… it’s late and it’s been such an intense week, now is not really the time.

“Hah… You… you know what? Nevermind, this can wait until tomorrow.”

“Whaat! Come on Nathan, now I want to know. You can’t just act suspiciously and...”

Susan moved in closer during her sentence, increasing the pace as Nathan took a step back. Her bust squished against his chest as her arms wrapped around his back, frantically reaching for whatever he had behind his back.

Nathan being such a nervous wreck, he couldn’t wring himself out in time and Susan managed to get a hold of the box.

“Aahah!” She pulled back, distancing herself from him. He lifted his leg to take it back, but hesitated. She took that brief moment to open it up before he could retaliate. Immediately her eyes sprung wide open.

“Oh my god… ...N-Nathan? Is… is this...?”

He cleared his throat. “Y-yeah. I had meant to do it earlier but I couldn’t… there was never really a right time for it, and like…”

Before Nathan could mutter out a complete sentence, she embraced him tightly. With a big peck on his lips, Susan had the biggest smile on her face. “Yes! Whatever you wanted to ask me, I say yes! I.. I want to marry you!”

His lungs were emptied by the weight pressing on his chest, Susan tightening her grip around him and shaking him around. Nathan could only gasp out of relief.

“Ah! Sorry!” She pecked him one more time before loosening her grip, reaching for his arms. She handed him the box back, looked into his eyes and smiled brightly.

Nathan reopened the box and carefully took out the ring, it sparkled brightly with the ceiling light right above them.

He brought her hand higher up, feeling her soft palm and fingers. She spread them out and Nathan carefully slid the ring onto her ring finger until it sat snugly around the finger’s base.

Susan lifted it up, taking a closer look at the ring despite her hands shaking of adrenaline.

“It… it looks so beautiful… I… I love it so much!”

“I wanted to make sure I did it right… I’m glad you like it.” He chuckled lightly.

“Aah Nathan…” She moved her hand to hold his again. “I didn’t expect it to be this soon but… my mind had been made up for a while now a-and like… why not right?”

“Right? I mean there’s no rush to it, you know? I wanted to show you how much you mean to me, but that doesn’t mean we have to get married right away.” Nathan said after kissing her on the cheek.

“Yeah! We can wait for a better moment when our lives aren't so hectic. Like right now.”

“Hence why I was so… hesitant just before.”

Susan chuckled, bringing her hand across his brown hair. “I see… well that makes sense. So… when would be a good time, do you think?”

“Well… after I graduate maybe?” Nathan suggested, as he was close to starting his final semester. “They say June is the month of the weddings.”

“Hehe, I’d love that! But whew… I just… I just need to let this all sink in…”

“Same here… I can’t believe you said yes.”

“Aw come on!” Susan giggled. “You know I love you to bits!”

“Haha you’re right, I knew. I suppose my mind likes to play tricks on me.”

They shared a few moments in each other’s embrace, really letting the realization sink in.

“So…” Nathan started. “How about that shower, my fiance?”

“Hehe, I’d love to!”