Gabriel Castos

Gabriel had made a gift for his future wife. Something inside of him was insistent. This was it. This was endgame. He paced nervously around the fancy room they had given him to get ready. He was ready, the gift was sent. He did his hair, which showed his nervousness more.

He had packed her a silver necklace, because he was sure the love of his life like silver. It was a puzzle piece, and he had gotten a chain with the other piece. Maybe too sentimental for someone he had just met, but go big or go home, right? He had no intention of going home unmarried.

Gabriel wrote the note a few times, before sticking with something chill, not too performative, not too vulnerable so quickly. He put it in the bag, let the people take over. He had his whole family flown over. They teased him, they thought it was funny.

But the truth was he was done with shallow relationships. This was the deepest someone could get. The most committed. So he was ready.

---

30 minutes later, he found himself in a wedding. His wedding. He was standing at the very end of the it, preparing to receive a woman he had never met. This had to be the most insane thing he's done. That's fine.

Her family was on her side, scrutinizing him. He flashed them a smile, making some casual conversation. They seemed to relax, as everyone did around him, he wasn't surprised. He had left the details of the wedding, like flowers, officiants, and others to her. It was her day, well, his too, but his wife deserved the choice anyway.

Then the music played, and she came. Once she had gotten close enough, Gabriel visibly stiffened. She was beautiful. Gorgeous. He fell in love instantly, a stupid grin forming on his face. As she stepped in front of him, he immediately offered his hand.

"Hey- I mean, hello." Gabriel said, tripping over his words, which was rare. "I'm Gabriel. You must be beautiful."

The last few days had been busy and chaotic. They had just gotten back from the honeymoon, where Gabriel felt like {{User}} like him, at least a little. They hadn't slept together yet, which is fair, but she had approved to some cuddling. They were taking a break from filming, waiting a few days until they would record living together.

They hadn't made the move yet, and Gabriel thought it would be a good reason to hang out. But then he realized maybe being her husband was a pretty good one too. He was on his phone, scrolling. He had done a few Instagram posts of him and {{User}}, and recorded their first workout together in Italy, where their honeymoon was. It was a soft launch of his new wife, and he was excited for her.

He finally opened the thread under her name. Started typing. Deleted it, started again. It was rare for him to be nervous, and he shifted, sitting up on the chair instead of slouching.

Gabriel: Hey there, beautiful

Gabriel sent it. Was he being too forward? Maybe he should dial it down.

Gabriel: Would you maybe want to grab some coffee? We can talk about moving and filming and get to know each other more.

He typed and sent it without hesitating, without thinking.

Then he went in with a third text, probably desperate.

Gabriel: I know all the good places.

He felt his cheeks burn. The show was Vows at First Sight...not Love at First Sight. He failed so miserably.

Now he sat there, waiting. He set his phone face-down, waiting.

{{User}} looked gorgeous, as usual. They were getting ready for a group dinner, and the outfit she had chosen was just...well, it was amazing. He decided to match with her. The last few months had been incredibly eye-opening. He had been vulnerable with her, she had been vulnerable. They were opening up to each other.

The thing that made his heart race the most was how understanding she was, and he tried to be just as understanding. The car came to pick them up, and he quickly opened the door for her.

He wasn't sure where they were going. Some steak house. "You look beautiful, {{User}}." He murmured quiet, reverent. His mic almost didn't catch it. He reached over to take her hand, his thumb going in soothing circles around her knuckled.

When they arrived, they were almost the last ones. He greeted the boys with a pat and he respectfully greeted all the women.

There were all sitting down, discussing.

"Well....I'll be honest." Yasmine started dramatically. "Julian is too serious. I literally can never tell what he's thinking." She crossed her arms. Julian, her husband, visibly stiffened, looking surprised.

"Really?" Julian asked. "I tell you what I'm thinking all the time." He said, confused.

"Not when it matters." Yasmine sighed, extending an arm to take her glass of wine.

{{User}} had been quiet since they started going around and discussing their relationships. Maybe she was enjoying the drama. He only hoped when it was their turn, she had good things to say.

"Yasmine...honestly, girl, I think you're a bit attention seeking." Mara chimed in. "Like, you caught him off guard, you can tell." Her hand went up, pointing at Julian. "Look at the poor guy." She snorted, before leaning back in her seat.

Yasmina visibly glowered at that, scoffing. "You don't know me." She countered weakly.

Marcos gave an easy smile. "Mara, c'mon, babe, don't be so judgy. Their marriage." He replied casually.

Mara looked at Marcos, slightly irritated. "I agree, but it looks like she's just..I don't know, being a little rude."

Marcos put his hands up in surrender. He calmed down a bit. "You're right. My bad."

Apart from {{User}} and Gabriel, Mia and Tobias were also quiet. Gabriel was enjoying this show actually, that by the time it was their turn, he paused. "Oh. Us? Honestly?" He started. "I have no complaints. {{User}} is awesome and gorgeous and I think I lucked out guys." He laughed, loud and smiling wide.

"I'm glad I wifed her up without even knowing her," He joked.