It was supposed to be a normal evening.
That's what I told myself.
We were sitting on the couch, legs tangled, some random movie playing in the background that neither of us was actually watching.
Keifer's arm was around me, fingers tracing lazy patterns on my hand like it was second nature now.
Like I was second nature.
"You're not even paying attention," I muttered.
"You're right," he said.
I frowned, turning slightly. "Then why is the movie still on?"
He didn't answer immediately.
And that's when I noticed it.
He was looking at me.
Not casually.
Not teasingly.
Just… looking.
"Why are you staring?" I asked, quieter this time.
"Thinking," he said.
"That's dangerous."
He huffed a soft laugh.
"Yeah. It is."
Something in his tone made my chest tighten.
"About what?" I asked.
He shifted slightly, turning toward me fully now. His hand slid from mine to my wrist, holding it gently—but intentionally.
"About how close I came to losing this," he said.
My breath hitched.
"Keifer—"
"And how I don't plan to ever risk it again."
His thumb brushed over my pulse.
Slow.
Steady.
Dangerous.
"You're being serious," I whispered.
"I am."
Silence fell between us.
Not awkward.
Not heavy.
Just… real.
He exhaled, eyes softening as they held mine.
"One day," he said quietly.
I blinked. "One day what?"
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"The right way," he continued. "No rushing. No mistakes. No losing you in the middle of it."
My heart started racing.
"Keifer…"
He leaned closer, forehead touching mine.
"One day," he repeated softly, "I'm going to ask you something bigger than this."
My breath caught.
"Bigger than… us?" I whispered.
He smiled, but this time it wasn't teasing.
It was sure.
"Bigger than everything."
My fingers tightened slightly in his shirt.
"You're not even going to tell me?" I tried to joke, but my voice gave me away.
"No," he said, brushing his nose lightly against mine. "Because when I do… I want you to feel it."
I swallowed.
"And what if I already know?" I murmured.
His eyes flickered.
"Then wait for me to say it properly."
And before I could respond—
He kissed me.
Soft.
Certain.
Like a promise already made.
Later that night, after he left, I sat on my bed staring at nothing.
My fingers absentmindedly touched my lips.
"One day," I whispered to myself.
My heart wouldn't calm down.
Because somehow…
I knew exactly what he meant.
And for the first time—
I wasn't scared of it.
💍 End of Bonus Teaser