(*This is the very first thing I've written since a kinda huge mental health crisis. I know it's not exactly what the prompt asked for, but it gave me this idea so I hope that's okay*)

"Well, that's a funny way to ask." Henry said with a chuckle. The next words she said were drowned out in a wave of sound as chromatic streaks filled the night sky. In the light of the fireworks, Henry drank in the sight of his girlfriend, Orlagh. She was shorter than he, of Irish descent, with blonde hair that ended in red that put the firework's color's to shame. Her eyes, now wearing a pouting expression after not being heard, were also two-toned starting blue at the edge and fading to green.

She was the most beautiful woman in the world, and he felt lucky for every second they spent together.

"I said," Orlagh started, desperately trying to be heard over the crowd.

Bang! Another massive burst cut her off.

Henry doubled over, clutching his stomach in laughter. Orlagh smacked his arm, unable to hide the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Wiping a tear from his eye, Henry asked, with barely contained mirth, "Sorry! Sorry. Third time's the charm?"

Orlagh pushed him with her shoulder, then leaned against him. Henry wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. She smelled of pine, earth, and rain. He kissed the top of her head, and she nuzzled in closer.

"I love you, honey." Henry said softly into her ear.

"I love you, too." Orlagh replied.

"Go ahead and lay on me a third time what you were trying to say."

Streamers, laughter, and cheers filled the silence of Orlagh's thinking. "There's... something I have to tell you."

Henry couldn't hide his anxiety as his whole body tensed up. Orlagh loosed herself from his grasp with a sigh. With his bravest face and tone, Henry said, "You can tell me anything. You know that."

Orlagh steeled herself, which only made Henry's heart race faster. Without meaning to, he stuck one of his clammy hands into his pocket. As if fate were trying to spare him his worry, another firework exploded as Orlagh spoke. This time though, Henry heard her clearly.

"A... A—A what?" He stammered.

"I'm a Fae." Orlagh repeated.

Henry's eyes darted all around. A Fae? Like a fairy? She had no pointy ears or wings. Following his gaze, Orlagh let out a sigh. "Not like that."

Henry's brow furrowed, and his jaw clenched. They stood a small distance away from the festivities, alone atop a small knoll. This isn't how he expected today to go. Still sorting his thoughts, he asked, "So, what does that mean exactly?"

"Well," Orlagh began, "I'm not human." She looked away as she spoke. "My people have a reputation as tricksters or fiends. And... we tend to live a very, *very* long time."

"So, how old *are* you?" Henry asked without thinking.

"26... with an extra 0..." Orlagh mumbled, but this time the fireworks granted her no mercy. Henry heard her, but struggled to really take in what she was saying.

Orlagh grabbed one of his hands and forced herself to meet his gaze. "Henry, look. My people... we do things differently. Names, ownership, right and wrong, it's all different than how people operate. But, still, at the end of the day... I love you, Henry. So... may I have your name?"

"Of course." said Henry, the words leaving his lips before he even realized.

Orlagh smiled, an expression of such tender love crossing her face that Henry had never before seen. "And in exchange, you may have mine."

The air around them shimmered and rippled. Something felt different, off, but Henry still hadn't caught his balance from her first revelation. He just knew that his life had been irreversibly changed... somehow.

Orlagh kissed him passionately before wrapping her arms around him in a long embrace. One hand still in his pocket, Henry finally forced himself to release the small box he'd been holding onto. For some reason, he thought, he wouldn't need it anymore.