The days that followed their newfound bond were filled with an exhilarating energy, a sense of shared purpose that fueled not just their work but the quiet moments between them. The connection that had begun to blossom was now something deep and undeniable, a foundation they both could stand on. Yet, as much as they cherished their time together, there was an unspoken truth looming on the horizon—a truth that Prometheus could no longer ignore.
He had always known that his role as an astronaut would demand sacrifices. His mission, the one he had been preparing for, was finally ready to begin. It was a step that could change everything—not just for him, but for the future of space exploration. And though it was something he had trained for and dreamed of, it also meant that he had to leave behind the one person who had come to mean more to him than he ever could have imagined.
It was an early morning when he approached Cynthia, who was standing by the windows, her attention focused on the endless expanse of stars above. She looked peaceful, her expression thoughtful, as though lost in the vastness of the universe. The light from the rising sun painted her features in soft hues, making her look even more beautiful than usual.
Prometheus stood there for a moment, just watching her. The weight of what he was about to say hung in the air, and his heart felt heavy in his chest. He had never been one to shy away from difficult decisions, but this one—leaving her behind for the mission—felt different. It was a part of him that had always been tethered to the stars, but now, there was something just as important tethering him here on Earth.
Taking a deep breath, he approached her slowly. "Cynthia," he said gently, his voice breaking the silence. She turned toward him, her eyes meeting his with a softness that made his heart ache.
"Prometheus," she replied, her voice light, but with a hint of concern. She must have noticed the change in his demeanor, the way he was looking at her. "Is everything okay?"
He nodded, but there was an air of finality in the way he stood before her. "I need to go. My mission... it's time. I'm leaving for the moon soon."
Cynthia's breath caught, a flicker of surprise crossing her face, but she quickly composed herself. "The mission," she whispered. "I... I didn't realize it was happening this soon."
Prometheus gave her a soft, bittersweet smile. "It wasn't easy for me to come to terms with it either. But this is something I've always known was coming. The mission has been a part of me for as long as I can remember."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of the moment settling between them like a quiet storm. Cynthia didn't speak at first—she didn't need to. She understood, perhaps more than anyone else, what this meant for him. The journey to the moon was the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and ambition. She admired him for it, even if it meant saying goodbye, if only for a while.
When she spoke again, her voice was steady but filled with a quiet sadness. "How long will you be gone?"
"Six months," Prometheus replied, his tone firm but soft. "It feels like a lifetime, but it's necessary. I'll be back, though. And when I return..." His voice trailed off as he took a step closer to her, his hand reaching out to gently lift her chin, making her meet his gaze.
Cynthia looked up at him, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt, but all she saw was certainty—certainty in the way he looked at her, in the way he held her. His gaze softened as he spoke again, his words coming with an unwavering promise.
"When I come back, Cynthia," he said, his voice low but filled with resolve, "I'm going to ask you to marry me."
The words hit her like a rush of wind, unexpected but not unwelcome. For a moment, she could only stare at him, her mind racing to process the depth of what he was saying. He had already given her so much, his time, his heart, his unwavering support. And now, he was giving her a promise—a future, one that would bring them together no matter the distance or the challenges they faced.
"I'm not just coming back to continue what we started," he continued, his thumb brushing over her cheek gently, "I'm coming back to build a life with you. To make everything we've shared official."
Cynthia's breath hitched in her throat. The promise he made was one she never expected, but now that it was here, it felt like everything was falling into place. She had never imagined she would find love after everything she had been through, but with Prometheus, it felt as if the universe had finally aligned.
"Prometheus..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You're serious?"
"Of course I am," he said softly. "I love you, Cynthia. I've loved you for a long time now, even before I fully understood what it meant. And I know we've been through so much together, but nothing, not even space, will change how I feel about you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life."
Her heart swelled with a rush of affection for him. She reached up, placing her hand over his, holding it there as if to steady herself against the whirlwind of emotions coursing through her.
"I love you too," she replied, her voice filled with warmth and conviction. "I didn't expect this... I didn't expect us. But now that I've found it... I don't ever want to lose it."
Prometheus leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, his arms wrapping around her in a comforting embrace. "I won't let you lose me, Cynthia. I promise. I'll come back, and when I do, I'll be ready to make you mine, officially."
Cynthia smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I'll be waiting for you. No matter how long it takes."
He pulled back slightly, his expression full of love and determination. "Six months. That's all it will take. And when I return, we'll start our life together."
With one last, lingering kiss, Prometheus stepped back, the weight of the moment settling in. He was about to embark on a journey that would take him far from her, but it was only temporary—just a stepping stone in the future they would build together.
"I'll see you soon, Cynthia," he said, his voice filled with both hope and resolve.
And with that, Prometheus turned and walked toward the shuttle that would carry him to the moon. Cynthia stood there, watching him go, her heart full of love and anticipation for the life they would share when he returned. The future, once uncertain, now seemed like a promise—a promise of love, commitment, and a future beyond the stars.
As the shuttle launched, carrying him into the vastness of space, Cynthia knew one thing for certain: no matter where the journey took them, they would always find their way back to each other.
The End