Blushing a little as Elizabeth rests her head on his shoulder, Hans can't help but think that this will be a pivoltal day in both of their lives. Listening to Elizabeth address his proposal, he chuckles a bit.<br/>"Aye, I guess you're right about that..."<br/>And it was true he needed some practise kissing. Then again, who could blame him? He had been at sea with only one woman he cared about for his entire life, and it was not until recently that the friendship matured. He smiles, however, thinking that plenty of opportunities would come across  later. It was a deeply gratifying thought that she had taken to his clumsy proposal so well.<br/>"You're not wrong, Liz, it's true. We find ourselves in something of a predicament. But rather than worry about it, I say we do it the pirate way."<br/>He grins at her, a glint in his eyes.<br/>"We say 'to hell with it', do it, and put anyone who complains in their place."<br/>He leans over, giving Elizabeth a quick kiss. Nothing over the top, just enough to confirm what he just daid.<br/>"Take what you will, and damned be those who oppose you. If we want this, we'll have to take it. That's the way we live, no?"<br/>Looking over at the pond, Hans could feel his confidence rising.<br/>"And why not? If we do it - marry, I mean - it'd take the wind out of the sails of those who mock us for the way we're close to one another. And if anyone touches you, I'll be well within my right to defend you, and you'll be well within your right to defend yourself. You'll have a stronger foundation on which to assert your position, and I won't have to worry about the consequences of standing up for you. After all, who can blame a man if he stands up for his wife, hm? The more I think of this, the more sense it makes."<br/>He looks over at her again, smiling.<br/>"There is only one thing I need to know."<br/>He takes a deep breath.<br/>"I'm not asking you to be a run-of-the-mill wife, who does cooking, cleaning, and whatever else wives tend to do. I'm not asking you to be too ladylike either. But..."<br/>He puts a hand on her waist, heart pounding.<br/>"Will you be my companion? As... As a woman?"<br/>He looks at Elizabeth, his heart racing so hard even she might be able to hear it.<br/>"When the time comes?"