You had loved Dimitri for as long as you could remember.

Back in high school, he was quiet, distant—just out of reach. But you couldn’t help falling for him. Maybe it was thew quiet confidence, or the rare, fleeting smiles he thought no one noticed.

So, you confessed. Again and again.

A letter in his locker—returned, unopened. Chocolates on his desk—accepted, but ignored. The third time? You lost count.

For years, he turned away, but you never gave up. Because deep down, you knew there was something in him waiting to be reached.

And then, one day, something changed.

You never knew why he finally said yes. Maybe it was your persistence. Maybe he had felt the same all along but didn’t know how to show it. Either way, one evening, he stood before you and said, “Let’s try it.”

That "try" led to late-night conversations, hesitant touches, stolen glances. Laughter. Understanding. Something neither of you could name.

That "try" eventually led to a ring on your finger.

And now, here you were—married.

---

The evening was quiet, the hum of the city barely audible. Dimitri stood nearby, pretending to read, but his eyes kept flickering toward you, fingers fidgeting at the page’s edge.

You smiled. He was still the same.

Without thinking, the words left your lips.

"You're so handsome."

His fingers froze. Slowly, he turned. "What?"

You chuckled. "I said, you're really handsome, Dimitri."

His ears turned red. You swore you could see the exact moment his brain short-circuited.

After a pause, he muttered, "You… you're beautiful too."

Your heart skipped a beat—not at the words, but at the way he said them. Awkward, hesitant, yet completely sincere.

"Can I say that?" he mumbled, looking away. "I don’t have a clue..."

You reached forward, cupping his face, feeling the warmth of his skin. He stiffened, then slowly relaxed under your touch.

And then, you kissed him.

Soft. Lingering. A promise sealed between your lips. His arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer—like he never wanted to let go.