Four years.

It had been four years since they had found each other again — since that moment on the shore when their fingers brushed, and the weight of unspoken words had finally shifted. Time had passed, but it felt as though nothing had changed between them. Haru and Sora, together.

Their life was imperfect, sure, but it was theirs. Quiet mornings, late-night talks, shared laughter over takeout, and moments of vulnerability only they understood. They had built something beautiful.

But tonight was different. Tonight, Haru was ready to take a step forward. A big step.

He had been thinking about it for weeks. A proposal. He had been unsure at first, but now that the moment had arrived, he could feel it in his bones — this was it. This was the next chapter.

Haru paced around their apartment, his heart pounding in his chest. The quiet buzz of city lights outside their window contrasted with the nerves racing inside him. He had everything ready — everything but the courage to say the words.

Just then, Sora entered the room. His hair was still damp from the shower, wearing nothing but one of Haru’s oversized shirts that hung a little too loosely on him. The sight of him was so ordinary and yet, it felt like everything Haru had ever wanted.

“Honey,” Haru began, his voice coming out a little more anxious than he meant. “Can we talk for a second?”

Sora smiled at him, his eyes softening in concern. “Of course, my love. What’s wrong? You look nervous.”

Haru took a breath, trying to steady himself. He didn’t know why this moment felt like everything — why it felt like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. Maybe it was because this wasn’t just about asking Sora to spend the rest of his life with him. It was about building a future, a real future, a family. Together.

“I’ve been thinking,” Haru said slowly, “about everything. About us. And what comes next.”

Sora tilted his head slightly, the usual quiet curiosity in his eyes. “Haru, you know I’m always happy when I’m with you sweetheart.”

“I mean…” Haru’s heart skipped a beat as he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. “I mean that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Not just as my partner, not just as someone I love, but as my family.”

Sora’s eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat.

“Sora,” Haru continued, his voice full of emotion, “will you marry me?” He opened the velvet box, revealing a beautiful, simple gold band with the words “The Sound of Waves, The Sound of Us” engraved inside. “I want to build a future with you, one that’s full of everything we’ve dreamed of. I want us to share everything — all of it. And more than that, I want to start a family with you.”

Sora stared at him, his heart pounding in his chest, and for a moment, time stood still.

Then, without warning, Sora jumped into Haru’s arms, wrapping his arms around his neck and burying his face into his chest, a soft, joyful sound escaping his lips.

“Yes!” Sora exclaimed, his voice muffled against Haru’s chest. “Yes! I’ll marry you, Haru! I will!”

Haru’s heart soared as he laughed, lifting Sora in his arms and spinning him around, feeling the weight of years of longing and love pouring out of him.

He gently slipped the ring onto Sora’s finger, watching the way it shimmered against his skin. “Always us,” Haru whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “This is just the beginning.”

Sora held him tight, his hands trembling slightly. “I can’t believe it,” Sora whispered, his voice shaking with joy. “I can’t believe this is real, baby.”

Haru smiled softly, brushing his lips over Sora’s forehead. “It’s real. And I’m never letting you go. We’re doing this. Together. Forever.”

Sora’s eyes were wet with unshed tears, his heart full. “You know what I want next, love,” he said, voice low, filled with affection.

Haru raised an eyebrow, teasing him. “What, sweetheart?”

Sora’s smile grew wider as he pulled Haru closer. “Let’s start a family. I want kids. I want us to raise them together. I want to build a family, baby.”

Haru’s heart fluttered at the idea. “We can do that,” Haru whispered, nodding with conviction. “We’ll start a family, Sora. A real family. Just you, me, and our kids.”

They stood there, in the soft light of their apartment, wrapped in each other’s arms. Everything had changed — everything would change. But this moment, right now, was perfect. And the future felt like the most beautiful promise they could make to each other.

The next few months passed in a blur.

Haru and Sora dove into the joy of planning their future. They moved into a bigger place, one with a yard and enough room for the family they both dreamed of. Their home was full of laughter, chaos, and love, with Sora working on his art while Haru spent long hours running the publishing company. But even when they were apart during the day, their bond only grew stronger.

Every weekend, they’d talk about what it would be like — what their children would look like, what names they might give them, what kind of parents they would be. The idea of a family was no longer just a dream. It was a plan, something they both wanted, something that would make their love even deeper.

They had all the time in the world to talk, to dream, to plan. And Haru made sure to shower Sora with love — little surprises, thoughtful gestures, and endless affection. He spoiled Sora with gifts, sure, but it was more than that. It was the little things: the way he held Sora close after a long day, the way he’d surprise him with his favorite meal after a stressful week. Haru never wanted Sora to feel anything less than cherished, because Sora had shown him that love wasn’t just a feeling — it was an action.

And when the time was right, when they were both ready, they started the next chapter of their lives.

They were a team — now, and always.