Page 93 of The Price of Loyalty
Hans sat at the small table, watching him pour two cups. “I’m so glad you’re home,” he said. “I didn’t do well without you.”
Adrik smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I was thinking about something. I’m not the most romantic guy.”
Hans smiled. “Of course you are.”
“I don’t know how to present what I want to say.”
“Say it in English then,” Hans teased gently.
Adrik took a breath, eyes steady on him. “I want to marry you. Would you marry me?”
Hans didn’t even feel the tears coming—they were just suddenly there, hot and overwhelming. “Let’s do it before we move,” he said, voice cracking.
Adrik stood so fast his chair scraped the floor. He pulled Hans up out of his seat, hands warm on his arms. “Is that a yes? You want to marry me?”
Hans cupped his face, unable to stop smiling. “I love you, Adrik. We can’t be separated ever again.”
“So… it’s a yes?”
“Yes,” Hans said, laughing through tears. “It’s a yes.”
They fell into each other’s arms, the kind of embrace that felt like a promise all on its own. Adrik kissed him—slow, sure, full of everything he never said out loud.
“I love you so much, Hans,” he whispered against his lips.
Hans held him tighter, heart full to the brim. “I love you too.”
The End
