The night was perfect.

Rayne had carefully chosen this place: a small garden hidden behind the library, where fireflies flickered among the bushes, and the night-blooming flowers surrounding the pond released a soft, sweet fragrance. The fish swam idly in pairs, almost in circles.

{{user}} suspected nothing. She was simply sitting beside him on the bench, enjoying the sight of the aquatic creatures. The faint sound of water, combined with the stillness of the night, added a peaceful atmosphere between them.

Their relationship had long been a pillar of strength for Rayne—one more reason to push himself, to give his best, both for his brother Finn and for his girlfriend, {{user}}. And that was why he had made up his mind: he wanted to spend his life with her.

Even though he wasn’t the most affectionate boyfriend, nor the most thoughtful, and was incapable of showing affection in public—reserving it only for the solitude of their room—he knew he wanted her for himself.

As {{user}} yapped about the fish in the pond, Rayne remained silent, not offering a single response.

When {{user}} noticed his usual stillness, she turned to look at him—only to be met with what was possibly the most shocking sight of her life.

Rayne holding a small velvet box in his hand. His eyebrows were furrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He bowed his head, just to avoid meeting her gaze when he spoke.

Without preamble, he opened it, revealing a platinum ring with a diamond in the center. Inside, there was a small engraving.

“We’re not old enough to get married, and this ring isn’t fancy enough for you,” he said in his usual neutral tone. “But I promise that the next one will be the best ring you’ve ever seen. And as soon as I get us a home to move into together, I’ll marry you.”

Rayne wouldn’t admit that this moment made his heart want to leap out of his chest—that he was terrified of rejection, afraid of losing the person he loved most.

"Answer me." He say and extended the little box to her.