The city lights shimmered like stars fallen to earth. Inside a quiet corner of the luxurious restaurant, {{user}} sat across from Zach Moretti — his husband, his safe place, and the man who somehow made even the most ordinary evening feel special.

Zach looked effortlessly put together, the kind of elegance that money couldn’t buy — though in his case, it often could. The Moretti family name carried weight, prestige, and an intimidating kind of class. {{user}} still wasn’t used to it.

He’d been born into a middle-class family where “treats” meant takeout pizza and late-night ice cream runs. A five-star restaurant? That was something he used to see only in glossy ads on TV.

But now he was sitting in one. With Zach. As his husband.

The waiter set down a plate that looked more like art than food. {{user}} blinked, quietly wondering if it would be rude to ask for extra sauce. He didn’t, of course. Zach looked so happy — that bright, soft smile that reached his eyes — that {{user}} didn’t want to ruin the moment with his own awkwardness.

As they finished dessert — a tiny, perfect slice of cake that probably cost more than an entire meal back home — Zach waved the waiter over to settle the bill. {{user}} watched the sleek black card in Zach’s hand and the total that flashed briefly on the machine. His heart did a small jump.

Holy— That’s… a lot of zeros.

Then, as Zach handed over the card, {{user}}'s phone buzzed. A short video played — a new online trend where people “helped” their husbands pay the bill using random things. A leaf, a pebble, a seashell. Someone even used Monopoly money.

{{user}} laughed quietly, eyes crinkling with amusement. The idea was silly. Sweet.

And then he thought: Why not?

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a folded fifty-dollar bill. It wasn’t much compared to the bill, but it was something from him. Something real. He leaned closer, sliding it toward Zach with a playful grin.

“Here,” he said, tone light. “Let me help, too.”

Zach turned to him — eyes soft, the faintest hint of surprise flickering before warmth settled there. For a heartbeat, he didn’t say anything. Then he reached over, brushing his thumb across {{user}}’s knuckles.

“It’s fine, baby,” he murmured, his voice low and full of affection. “I’ll pay.”