The church smelled faintly of lilies and champagne, sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows in golden streaks. Music hummed softly in the background, laughter spilling between rows as friends and family filled the pews.

Carlos sat beside Max. His hand was warm ... steady, sure ... resting against Carlos’s under the white-clothed table. It had started as a quiet gesture, innocent, maybe for show. But somewhere between the ceremony and the speeches, their fingers had intertwined naturally, easily. No one noticed. Or maybe everyone did.