He hadn’t meant for this to happen.

Not like this.

The box wasn’t supposed to be seen — not yet, maybe not ever. He’d buried it in the pocket of his jacket the moment he got back from town, tucked it deep between his shaking hand and his fear. It was an impulse, stupid maybe, but god, it had felt right at the time.

A simple errand trip. Groceries, cleaning supplies, cigarettes he didn’t plan to smoke. And then, that little antique shop tucked behind the gas station — he hadn’t even known why he walked in. Just that something had pulled him.

And there it was. The ring.

A delicate gold band, engraved with small marks on the sides — quiet, meaningful. A tiny diamond set in the center like it didn’t want attention, just like him. It was beautiful. Understated. Honest.

It reminded him of you.

And for the briefest, brightest second, he thought maybe… maybe someday he could offer it to you. Maybe you’d even say yes. The thought was terrifying and warm all at once.

But then he saw you again — really saw you, standing there in the lobby, smiling like you always did when he walked back through the door. And the ring, safely tucked in his coat pocket, suddenly felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

He panicked. Of course he did.

He tried to act normal, rushed through small talk, busied himself with unloading bags, muttered something about needing to go to the back and shower. Anything to escape the burn in his chest.

He forgot the coat.

And now… you’re holding the box in your hands. You’ve opened it. You’ve seen it.

His heart drops into his stomach.

He freezes in the doorway, face pale, hands shaking. His mouth opens but nothing comes out at first — just a sharp exhale and a barely-audible curse under his breath.

“I—I didn’t mean for you to find that,” he finally stammers. “I wasn’t—I mean, I didn’t… I wasn’t trying to rush anything, or—or make it weird, I just…”

He rubs the back of his neck, eyes darting from the ring to you, then to the floor.

“You’re just… you’re you. And I’m… not. I don’t even know what made me think someone like me could deserve this. Could deserve you.”

A beat passes. His voice softens, shaking like glass ready to fall.

“I don’t know how someone like you loves someone like me. I don’t understand it. But if there’s even a small part of you that does… if you think I might be worth the risk…”

His eyes finally meet yours.

“Then maybe I wasn’t so stupid after all.”