The early morning sun kissed the peaks of the mountains, casting a golden glow over the misty valley below. Graves had been unusually quiet during the drive, his usual confident demeanor replaced by a rare, thoughtful stillness. You sat beside him in the truck, the hum of the engine and the soft tunes from the radio filling the silence between you.

The two of you had spent countless hours in the field together, navigating the chaos of missions and the harsh realities of your work. Yet, this; being with him here, far from the noise of the world, felt different. More intimate. His hand rested on the gear shift, fingers occasionally brushing against yours, a silent comfort in the quiet moments.

As the road wound higher into the mountains, the air grew cooler, the scent of pine and fresh earth wafting in through the cracked windows. Graves finally spoke, his voice steady but carrying an edge of vulnerability.

“You know,” he began, glancing at you briefly before returning his gaze to the road, “I’ve been thinkin’ about what’s next. What we’re fightin’ for, what we’re buildin’. And I realized somethin’… I don’t wanna do any of it without you.”

Your breath caught as the truck slowed, pulling off to a secluded overlook. He parked, turned to face you fully, and reached into his jacket pocket.

“Life’s unpredictable, especially ours. But if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s you. So, I thought—” He paused, his usual confidence faltering for just a moment as he revealed a small box in his hand. Opening it, he smiled, his blue eyes soft with emotion. “What do you say we make it official? You and me. For as long as we’ve got.”