A promise for forever

A year had passed since that night. The time spent together had flown by, filled with moments that both Victor and Milo would cherish for the rest of their lives. The once nervous tension between them had transformed into a deep, unwavering bond. They had grown, not just as individuals but as partners, navigating the ups and downs of life side by side. From quiet mornings to passionate nights, every moment seemed to solidify the fact that they were meant to be together.

It was a cool evening, the sun just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a golden hue across the sky. The city was alive with the sounds of people going about their daily lives, but for Milo and Victor, the world felt as if it had slowed down. They were in their favorite spot—a small park near the lake where they had often gone to escape from the world. The place had become special to them over the past year, a place to reflect, laugh, and share their dreams.

Victor stood beside the lake, his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket, looking out at the calm water. Milo, as usual, stood close to him, the soft rustling of the leaves and the distant hum of the city blending together into a peaceful backdrop.

Milo glanced at Victor, sensing something was different about him tonight. There was a certain quiet intensity to Victor's presence, a subtle tension that seemed to linger in the air between them.

"Victor?" Milo asked, his voice soft. "You're awfully quiet tonight."

Victor turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting Milo's with a look that sent a wave of warmth through Milo's chest. For a moment, there was nothing but the silence between them, before Victor finally spoke.

"I've been thinking about us a lot," Victor began, his voice lower than usual, as if weighing each word carefully. "About how far we've come... how much we've been through together."

Milo smiled softly, taking a small step closer. "We've been through a lot. And honestly, I wouldn't have wanted to experience it with anyone else."

Victor's lips curled into a warm smile, but there was something in his gaze—a depth of emotion that made Milo's heart skip a beat.

"I've never been more certain of anything in my life," Victor continued, his tone tender but firm. "That's why I'm here, tonight, with you."

Milo's brow furrowed slightly, unsure of where the conversation was heading. He'd always known that their relationship was special, but the way Victor was looking at him now made his pulse race. There was a feeling that this moment was different, that something monumental was about to happen.

Victor turned to face him fully now, stepping a little closer, his hands reaching out to gently grasp Milo's. His touch was warm, steady, grounding Milo in the moment. The sunset behind them bathed them in a soft, golden glow, as if the universe itself was preparing for what was to come.

"I've never believed in fairy tales," Victor said, his voice a whisper, yet so clear and full of emotion. "But when I met you, I started to understand what they meant. Because every day with you has felt like a dream I never want to wake up from."

Milo's breath caught in his throat. He could feel the weight of Victor's words, each one carefully chosen to express everything Victor had never been able to say before. His heart began to race, and his mind was already running a thousand miles an hour, wondering what Victor meant by all of this.

"Victor…" Milo whispered, his voice trembling ever so slightly. He could feel his palms sweating, and his body was on edge, anticipating what was coming next. "What are you saying?"

Victor smiled, a mixture of tenderness and certainty in his eyes, and took a deep breath before dropping to one knee. The world seemed to stop at that moment—the sounds of the city, the rustling of the leaves, the distant laughter—all fading into the background. There was only the two of them now.

Milo's hand flew to his mouth in shock, his eyes widening as he looked down at Victor. For a moment, he couldn't quite process what was happening. He had always imagined this moment, this dream, but never thought it would actually come true. Victor, on one knee, looking up at him with a gaze that held every ounce of love and devotion.

"Milo," Victor's voice was steady now, full of conviction. "Over this past year, I've come to realize something so simple, yet so profound. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. No matter what happens, no matter where we go, I want to be the one by your side. I want to wake up every day knowing that you're there. I want to laugh with you, cry with you, and grow old with you. Will you marry me?"

Milo stood frozen, his heart racing as he looked down at Victor. He had always dreamed of this moment, but the reality of it was even more beautiful than he could have imagined. There were no words that could fully express what he was feeling in that moment—only the overwhelming, all-consuming love that flowed between them.

"Yes," Milo whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Yes, I will marry you."

Victor's face broke into the brightest, most genuine smile Milo had ever seen. The relief, the joy, the pure happiness radiated from him as he rose from his knee and wrapped his arms around Milo. Milo melted into the embrace, feeling the warmth of Victor's body and the beating of his heart as it echoed in the silence around them.

"I love you," Victor murmured, his lips brushing against Milo's hair. "I love you so much."

Milo closed his eyes, pressing his cheek against Victor's chest, as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "I love you, too," he whispered back. "I love you more than words can say."

Victor pulled back slightly, his hands gently cupping Milo's face as he leaned in for a kiss. It was soft at first, a gentle kiss that spoke of promises and forever. But soon, it deepened, both of them pouring every ounce of emotion they had into that kiss—years of longing, of love, of everything they had been to each other. It was a kiss that sealed their commitment, their bond, and their future.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, smiling as if they had just touched the stars.

Victor held out a small, velvet box in his hand, and Milo's eyes widened in realization. Inside, nestled against the soft fabric, was a beautiful silver ring, its delicate design perfect in its simplicity. It glistened in the fading light, catching the last rays of the sunset as if it were a symbol of everything they had shared.

Milo took the ring from the box, his hands trembling as he slipped it onto his finger. "It's perfect," he whispered, staring at the ring as it settled into place. "Thank you."

Victor smiled, his hand gently resting on Milo's, and together they stood, hand in hand, staring out at the lake as the last light of the day slowly faded into night.

And as the stars began to twinkle above them, they knew that their future was only just beginning.