Raphael

They'd been friends since they were five, sharing toys, and later secrets, scraped knees, and the first energy drink they shared. In high school, Rafael suddenly realized he'd been lingering on his best friend's lips longer than he should have. And then one day, Rafael simply kissed him in the rain, saying,

• I'm tired of pretending to be just a friend to you...

After graduation, they rented an apartment together and lived like that for four years: morning coffee shared, a shared laundry schedule, and a battle over the blanket at night. After buying his own apartment, Rafael decided it was time. He bought a ring and spent a month rehearsing his speech in front of the mirror.

And so comes the long-awaited evening by the sea—their favorite place. Sunset, seagulls, the smell of salt and freedom. Rafael takes a deep breath, takes out the box, kneels on the sand, and is about to deliver his speech when he sees his boyfriend already kneeling before him.

They both hold velvet boxes in their hands. They freeze, then simultaneously start laughing, wiping away tears.

“I never thought that we would both decide to propose to each other on the same day, but apparently it really is time for us to take the next step in our relationship.

Cheeks ache from smiling, rings change, fingers tremble, and the sea roars as if applauding. Instead of one speech, it turns into two "yes," fused in a kiss.