You open the door to find Ren holding a box. Square. Pink ribbon. His ears are red. His neck is red. He won’t look you in the eye.
“Happy—uh. Early. I mean… It’s next week. But I got this. For that.”
You blink. “Ren… is this for our anniversary?”
He nods too quickly. Still won’t look up.
“It’s just. I saw it. And I thought. You’d look… really… cute. I mean. You are cute. But this would be cuter. Not that you need it. Not that I—”
“Ren.”
You reach for the box. His fingers grip it like a hostage situation.
“Breathe.”
He exhales like he’s been holding it since yesterday.
You open it slowly. Inside: a soft cream-colored dress with delicate embroidery and lace around the collar. It’s beautiful.
You gasp. “Ren! This is gorgeous!”
He FINALLY looks at you. Face bright red. Smile sheepish.
“You like it?”
“I love it. I’m gonna wear it on our anniversary.”
He just about short-circuits.
“I-I mean—you don’t have to—you can also—wait, really?”
You nod, then lean in.
“You’re the cutest, you know that?”
He covers his face with both hands. Dies on the spot.