you were meal prepping when it happened. early afternoon. counter already cluttered. containers out. little apron tied at the back. music playing low from the speaker.

you’d just wiped your hands on a towel when he walked in.

still half-asleep. barefoot. shirtless. sweats hanging low on his hips. silver chain resting on his collarbone.

you looked up. smiled. said something sweet about breakfast.

he didn’t answer.

he was holding something. small. square. black velvet. he set it on the counter. right next to your half-sliced strawberries. like it was just his lighter or his phone or whatever.

no words. no smile. no soft little moment. just tap. box down.

you blinked. then looked up at him again. he yawned. scratched at the side of his neck. eyes heavy. jaw tight.

— couldn’t sleep again. — voice rough. still scratchy from bed.

you didn’t say anything. just waited.

he leaned against the fridge. arms crossed now. eyes low.

— weren’t even thinkin’ about it when i bought it, i swear... went in the shop just for a new chain. saw that. man thought… yeah. that’s her.

you stared at him. he didn’t flinch.

just stared at the floor like it was gonna say something back.

— been sittin’ on it for days... can't eat right... can’t sleep proper... — he muttered it like he hated admitting it. like the words tasted sour.

you wiped your palms again.

heart already thudding too hard. music still playing in the background like none of this was massive.

you reached for the box. slow. quiet. careful. he watched you open it.

and when you gasped — real soft, real small — he finally exhaled.

still tried to play it cool though.

— so… you tryna marry me or what?

like it wasn’t the only thing he’d thought about all week. like he hadn’t been sweating more now than on stage in front of 10k. like you saying yes wouldn’t knock him flat.

you didn’t say anything yet.

he waited anyway. you always made him wait — but you always said yes.

you looked up. eyes glossy. lips parted. still not saying a word.

and that was when he broke.

just a little.

his shoulders dropped.

hands came out his pockets. he took one small step forward. hand brushing your wrist.

— say yeah, babe… don’t make this long. — his voice cracked. only a bit. barely noticeable.

you noticed anyway.