Jay's POV (At the Beach)
We walked along the shore, the sand soft beneath our feet and the waves brushing gently against us. The sun shone warmly, but it could not compare to the warmth in my chest from just being near him.
Keifer stopped suddenly and turned to face me. His hands found mine, holding them tightly.
"Jay," he said softly, his voice trembling just a little, "there is something I need to tell you. Something I have felt for a long time."
I looked into his eyes, my heart pounding.
"Keifer…" I whispered, unsure what he was about to say.
"I love you, Jay," he said, every word carrying a weight that made my chest ache. "I have loved you for as long as I can remember. Being with you… it makes everything better. You make me happier than I ever thought possible, and I cannot imagine my life without you."
Tears welled up in my eyes. My heart felt so full I thought it might burst.
"Will you… be with me, Jay? Completely? I want to love you and take care of you every day, for the rest of our lives."
I could barely speak, my hands tightening around his. Every word he said felt like it was written for me alone.
"Yes… yes, Keifer," I finally whispered, my voice breaking. "I choose you. Always."
A soft, joyful smile spread across his face. He pulled me close, our foreheads touching, and I could feel the beating of his heart against mine.
Then, slowly, he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.
The world seemed to disappear. The ocean, the waves, the sun—it all faded away. There was only him, and me, and the warmth of this moment.
His arms wrapped around me, holding me close, and I let myself melt into him. It was gentle, full of emotion, full of the promise he had just made.
When we finally pulled back, our foreheads still touching, he whispered softly:
"I love you, Jay."
"I love you too, Keifer," I whispered back, tears sliding down my cheeks.
For the first time, everything felt perfect. Everything felt right.
The sun shone down on us, the waves whispered at our feet, and I knew in my heart that this was only the beginning of our forever.