THIRD PERSON'S POV.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across Alderan, Orion sat in the back seat of the car, watching the familiar streets flash by. The comforting rush of home enveloped him like a soft blanket. Lee, his loyal bodyguard, had picked him up from the airport, and despite being short on time, he felt an undeniable excitement growing within him. Harro was waiting, blissfully unaware of the special evening Orion had meticulously planned for them.
Orion could hardly contain himself as he rushed into their home, adrenaline pushing him forward. He quickly stashed away the gifts Harro's father had entrusted him to bring back. The thought of Harro's face lighting up at the surprise made him smile as anticipation bubbled within him.
"What am I doing? There's no time to waste." he murmured to himself, unable to suppress his excitement. Dashing upstairs to their bedroom, he felt the thrumming of his heart echoing in his chest.
When Orion entered the room, Harro was seated on their king-sized bed, a book open in his lap. The moment he saw Orion, his face lit up like a thousand suns.
"Babe! You're back!" Harro exclaimed, springing to his feet and enveloping Orion in a tight hug. The warmth of Harro's embrace melted away the last remnants of tension in Orion's heart. He inhaled deeply, allowing Harro's familiar scent to fill his lungs.
"I missed you," Orion replied, pulling back slightly to search Harro's dazzling eyes. The depths of affection shimmering within them made his heart race. "I'm so glad I made it just in time. Are you ready for dinner?"
"Absolutely! Did you bring me something from your trip?" Harro pouted playfully, glancing around as if expecting a hidden treasure.
"I did bring you something, but let's save that for later," Orion said with a teasing grin. He knows Harro would put two and two together once Orion tells him he'd gone to see his father and that will ruin the surprise. "Let me get ready, and then we'll head out for our date, okay?"
With that, Orion stepped into their spacious bathroom. He took a moment to freshen up before slipping into a crisp white shirt and dark pants, aiming to look effortlessly charming for Harro. As he checked his reflection, nerves fluttered in his stomach; he wanted everything to be perfect.
Peeking at his phone, Orion smiled at the picture of their dinner setup that Athena and Azalea had helped him prepare. The sight of flickering candlelight dancing across the elegantly arranged flowers filled him with warmth. The table was laden with fragrant roasted vegetables, tender grilled chicken, and a colorful salad. At the center sat a beautiful cake adorned with their names, waiting to be devoured.
Once ready, Lee drove them to Orion's penthouse, with Harro expressing mild confusion along the way.
"Why here?" he asked, furrowing his brow. "I thought you said you had something fancy planned?"
"This is quite fancy," Orion replied smoothly, hiding his nervousness behind a reassuring smile. "I wanted us to share one last dinner here before selling the place."
Thankfully, Harro accepted the little white lie, eager to see what Orion had planned for them.
Upon entering the penthouse, Orion watched as Harro took in the stunning decor, his face a canvas of curiosity and awe. As they sat down for dinner, Harro savored each bite, his eyes sparkling with delight. The way he appreciated the food reminded Orion of all the reasons he had fallen in love with him—the laughter, the kindness that radiated from him, and the magic he brought to ordinary moments.
After they finished dinner, Orion, heart racing, took Harro's hand and led him to the rooftop garden of the penthouse. The vibrant flowers glistened under the soft glow of decorative lights, creating an ethereal atmosphere. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, making the moment feel almost otherworldly.
"Oh, babe. This is so beautiful," Harro whispered, his wide eyes taking in the splendor around them. "What a perfect way to say goodbye to this place."
Orion smiled, feeling a mix of nostalgia and love. "Thank you, but honestly, it's not the house I care about right now." He paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself, the weight of the moment settling over them like a comforting blanket.
"What do you mean?" Harro asked, tilting his head, genuine curiosity shining in his gaze.
Orion led him to a small, secluded corner of the garden adorned with luminous lanterns that Athena and Azalea had hung earlier. The soft, enchanting glow surrounded them, creating an intimate sanctuary. As he stood there, the gravity of what he was about to say pulled them closer together, an invisible string tying their hearts.
"Harro," he began, his voice steady yet soft, "every moment we've shared has been like a thread woven into the fabric of my life, crafting something truly beautiful. I can't imagine a day without you by my side. You are my everything, my home."
Orion reached into his pocket, feeling the small velvet box he had placed there earlier, anticipation building inside him. Pulling it out, he watched as surprise flickered across Harro's face.
"Babe! What are you doing?" Harro asked, bewilderment intertwining with delight.
With a gentle smile, Orion knelt on one knee, the night air thick with emotion and unspoken promises.
"Harro, from the first moment we met, you saw more in me than what others ever could. You're not just my partner; you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Before you, I didn't believe I was worthy of love. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, through laughter and sorrow. I promise to cherish you, stand by you, and love you until my last breath."
As he opened the velvet box, a luminous ring sparkled in the lantern light, glowing like their dreams. "Will you share this journey with me for the rest of our lives?"
Time seemed to freeze as the words hung in the air, waiting for a response. Harro's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a mixture of shock and profound joy flooding his features.
"Orion… I—" Harro began, overwhelmed, and before he could finish, he knelt before Orion, caught in the beauty of the moment. "Yes! Yes, oh yes! I will marry you!"
In that instant, Orion felt Harro's arms wrap tightly around him, laughter erupting from their lips in pure elation. Relief washed over Orion like a warm wave.
"I was so nervous!" Orion admitted, grinning from ear to ear. The ring felt like a precious promise as he slid it onto Harro's finger, their joy echoing into the night.
"This is beyond anything I ever dreamed of!" Harro exclaimed, still caught in the magic of the moment. "I can't wait to see what our wedding will be like!"
His words made Orion laugh while Athena and Azalea squealed like school girls as they watched the exchange through the security cameras.
Orion and Harro stood side by side on the rooftop with their hands and hearts entwined in joyous anticipation of what would be the beginning of the future they've imagined since they started dating.
Their hearts filled with so much love and the wonder of their newfound commitment underneath the stars that twinkled like the life they're going to build together. Both smiled knowing that this was only the first day of the beginning of the rest of their beautiful lives.
FIN.