The soft rustle of fabric was the only sound in the bedroom as you gave your reflection one final once-over. The dress hugged your figure just right, elegant, understated, but undeniably beautiful. You’d debated wearing it at all, but Hesh insisted on bringing you to the base’s formal gathering, and for once, you wanted to match the moment.

From down the hall, you heard footsteps slow… then stop.

“Babe?” Hesh’s voice called gently. “You ready?”

You stepped out into the hallway.

And everything went still.

Hesh stood there, fully dressed in his formal blues, sharp, confident, but the second his eyes landed on you, all of that quiet bravado faded into something softer. His lips parted, brow lifting slightly as if his brain had just shut off for a second.

You offered a nervous little smile. “Too much?”

He blinked. Then stepped toward you, slower than usual, like approaching something delicate.

“Not even close,” he murmured. “You look…”

He let out a low breath, running a hand through his hair like he needed to get his heart under control.

“You’re gonna be the most beautiful person there. Hell, you already are.”

Your face warmed, but Hesh didn’t let you look away. He came close, gently placing his hands on your waist, not to adjust anything, not to fix, but to feel. To ground himself in the fact that you were real and his.

“I’ve been shot at. Blown up. Parachuted into hellzones. But this? You, in that dress? Yeah, this is what actually kills me.”

You snorted, trying not to grin. “You’re ridiculous.”

He leaned in, brushing a kiss against your cheek, just below your ear.

“And madly in love with you.”