You never thought it would come to this.

Sitting quietly in the crowded church, your heart pounded in your chest, watching Dean at the altar in his black suit, standing tall with that confident smirk you’ve come to know so well. He looked good—handsome, even—and the sight of him next to his bride-to-be felt like a knife twisting in your gut. For years, you’d buried your feelings, telling yourself you didn’t want to ruin the friendship, that Dean was better off not knowing.

But now, as he stood there, ready to vow his life to someone else, the weight of what you’d never said felt suffocating.

The ceremony droned on, words slipping in and out of your consciousness. You couldn’t focus on them, too busy drowning in the what-ifs. What if you’d told him sooner? What if you had said something before it was too late? Would anything have changed? You couldn’t know for sure. But you did know one thing—you loved him, and you’d never told him. Not once.

Then, the moment came. The priest, standing between Dean and his bride, looked out into the crowd and spoke those words you’d been dreading since the moment you got the invitation.

“If anyone here has reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Your heart stopped.

Everything around you went silent. You could barely hear the soft breathing of the guests beside you, the rustle of fabric as they shifted in their seats. For a brief, impossible moment, you imagined yourself standing up, walking to the front of the room, and telling him. You could picture it clearly—Dean turning, surprise flickering across his face as you told him everything you’d been holding back for years. Maybe he’d stop the wedding. Maybe he’d tell you he felt the same. Just Maybe..?