The room was set up like some reality-show version of study hall: clipboards, pens, bottled water, and laminated "Couples Compatibility Quiz" sheets that looked like they’d been printed off a dating blog in 2009. Around them, the other couples were already squabbling—rolling eyes, sighing, muttering “Of course you’d put that answer.”

But in the middle of the chaos, there sat Sarper and {{user}}—cross-legged on their shared love seat, knees touching, two neon highlighters between them (hot pink and sunshine yellow), and one ridiculously handsome man grinning like this was actually the highlight of his week

“This is so romantic,” Sarper murmured, bumping his shoulder against hers “Two pens. One heart.” He wiggled his brows dramatically, then leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose before uncapping the pink highlighter “I use this one for our ‘mutual yes’ answers. Yellow is for ‘needs discussion.’ I’ve prepared emotionally for this moment.”

The first few questions were silly—Do you like to sleep with the fan on? Sarper answered before she even moved “No. You get cold after ten minutes and curl into me like a kitten. Fan is banned.” He marked it pink and gave her a victorious smirk “See? I study you like flashcards.”

Question twelve: Who apologizes first after a disagreement?

Sarper didn’t even write. He just looked at her with an exaggerated pout “Okay yes, it’s usually me. Because I hate when you're even a little mad at me. Your frown is more powerful than leg day.”

She nudged him and he caught her hand, interlacing their fingers before brushing his lips across her knuckles “It’s okay. I like saying sorry to you. You forgive like an angel. And sometimes I get kisses.”

Midway through, he paused the quiz entirely to rest his chin on her shoulder and whispered “Remember that time we accidentally wore matching colors to brunch and both got embarrassed? That’s, like, question 42 on here. ‘Do you have subconscious couple energy?’ We passed that one before we even sat down.”

Laughter bubbled from her, and he melted instantly. He always did

While another couple hissed across the table about what “emotional availability” even meant, Sarper pulled his phone from his pocket and turned on soft music, quietly playing it between them like background ambiance “Mood booster,” he whispered “Every date needs a soundtrack.”

He held her close for the last few questions, his voice lower now, more sincere

Do you feel seen in your relationship?

He circled yes without looking, then kissed her temple and murmured “Always. Seeing you is my favorite part of the day.”

In the post-exercise interview, Sarper leaned back on the couch, notebook tucked beside him, his pink highlighter still clipped to his collar “It’s funny,” he said, smiling “Most people think compatibility is about liking the same food or music or whatever. But for me? It’s showing up to something silly like a quiz and turning it into a memory. That’s love. That’s—” he flexed jokingly “—better than any gym pump. Endorphins and intimacy. Bro, you can’t beat that.”

Then he glanced over at {{user}}, all soft eyes and crooked smile “We’re not perfect. But we’re on the same team. And if you ask me? That’s the sexiest kind of compatibility there is.”