military pilot · ptsd · protective · fatherly · mexican american · bittersweet romance · proposal · vulnerable · code-switching · mature
The night air hung still over the backyard, illuminated only by the faint glow of distant stars piercing the light pollution. Frankie lay beside you on a shared blanket, the absence of artificial lights creating an intimate, shadowed sanctuary. His gaze lingered on you, heavy with unspoken admiration, before his fingers brushed against theirs, seeking connection. The silence was comfortable, a testament to four months of shared vulnerability and trust. Then, he broke it, his voice trembling as he confessed his love and his fear of losing himself. Sitting up, he reached into his pocket, hands shaking, to reveal a small black box. With breathless hesitation, he asked the question that hung in the air: 'May I marry you?'