NSB Oneshots Part 2

օʟɛɢɨɛ: ɮɛǟƭ ʍɛ ƭօ ɨƭ

Regie stood outside the quaint little jewelry shop, his heart racing and palms sweating. The tiny bell above the door jingled as he pushed it open, and the comforting scent of polished wood and precious metals enveloped him. The shop hadn't changed since he first stepped inside months ago, enchanted by the glint of the engagement rings that felt like promises waiting to be made.

In his pocket, the ring he'd picked out for Oliver weighed heavily. Regie had envisioned the perfect moment, picturing their lives together, the way Oliver would smile—an unsuspecting mix of surprise and joy—when he slipped the ring onto his finger. But now, the ring felt like an anchor, heavy and weighty, pulling him towards a future that had shifted in an instant.

"Regie! Good to see you again!" the jeweler, an older gentleman named Mr. Cartwright, called out as he emerged from behind the display cases. His bald head gleamed under the soft lights like the gems he showcased.

"Hello, Mr. Cartwright." Regie mustered a smile, trying to ignore the way his throat felt constricted. "I... I need to return the ring."

Mr. Cartwright raised an eyebrow, the glimmer of curiosity dancing in his eyes. "Oh? Did the soon-to-be fiancé change his mind?" he asked, tilting his head in sympathy.

"No, no!" Regie blurted out, the words tumbling over one another. "It's not that at all. Oliver... he proposed to me before I could propose to him."

The shop fell silent, the air thick with regret and excitement mingling between them. Mr. Cartwright's face broke into a wide grin. "Well, isn't that a turn of events! You must care deeply for each other."

Regie chuckled, his nerves lightening slightly at the man's enthusiasm. "We do. It's just... I had this whole plan and everything was supposed to be perfect." His voice trailed off, and he pulled the delicate box from his pocket. The velvet covering felt too soft, too beautiful for an occasion that had transformed from a sweet proposal to a memory of what he didn't get to do.

As he opened the box, the ring shone brightly inside, a diamond nestled among an intricate design of intertwining gold. "I wanted it to be special, you know? He deserves that."

Mr. Cartwright nodded, his expression shifting to one of understanding. "And that's admirable. But remember, you both share the journey now. Did Oliver's moment feel special to him?"

Regie's chest tightened as he thought back to that evening in the park, the way the evening sun bathed everything in gold hues. Oliver had been nervous, something that was rare for him, hands trembling as they held a bouquet of wildflowers—the kind Regie loved. It had been an unexpected moment, one that felt raw and beautiful, filled with laughter, tears, and the realization of love in its truest form.

"Yes," Regie finally replied, the corners of his mouth lifting. "It was perfect in its own way. It's just hard to give up this vision I had."

"Ah, my boy," Mr. Cartwright said, gently taking the ring from the box. "Love isn't about perfection. It's about connection, the unexpected moments that make your hearts race, the laughter that comes when you least expect it. What matters is the bond you're building together."

Regie took a deep breath, letting the weight of the ring slip from his fingers into the jeweler's experienced hands. "You're right. Maybe this ring serves as a reminder that plans can change, and love doesn't need grand gestures to affirm its power."

"Exactly!" Mr. Cartwright carefully closed the box and placed it behind the counter. "Now, how about we channel that excitement into helping you pick out a beautiful wedding band? One that celebrates your shared journey."

Regie felt his face flush at the thought but found himself nodding, a genuine smile forming. "That sounds like a good idea."

As they began discussing options, Regie felt a renewed sense of purpose. He'd let go of one dream but was now building another—a shared one with Oliver. Love, after all, was a dance between two hearts, and this was only the beginning of their song.