Under the same moon

The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks as Samuel settled on the beach. He had come to this place all his life, but he had never felt so nervous. It was the first time he shared this corner of the world with someone else.

Gabriel arrived late, as always. With a mischievous smile, he walked barefoot toward Samuel, holding two steaming coffees. The glow of the moon illuminated his face, and Samuel felt the now-familiar tingling in his chest.

"I thought you wouldn't make it," Samuel said, pretending to be annoyed.

"Miss the chance to see you blush? Never," Gabriel joked, handing him the coffee.

They sat in silence, watching the stars reflect their light in the sea. Although they had met just six months ago at a party full of strangers, they felt like they had been connected their whole lives.

"I brought you here because…" Samuel paused, unsure— "because this place has always been special to me. And now you are too."

Gabriel set the coffee aside and looked at Samuel with intensity.

"Do you realize how easy it is to love you?" he whispered, breaking any barrier Samuel tried to maintain.

They both laughed nervously, as if the confession were a secret no one else should hear. Then Gabriel leaned in, and with the tenderness that characterizes first times, kissed him. A kiss that tasted of sea and coffee, but also of promises of new moons and shared sunrises.

That night, while the world slept, under the same moon, Samuel and Gabriel allowed themselves to love each other. Without doubts, without fears.