It was such a relief to find out that Kat, who'd be playing Beatrice to his Benedick, was a lesbian. He'd had trouble with co-stars getting crushes on him in the past, and it was nice to know there was no chance of that happening here.

Rehearsals were, for once, a joy. Usually, Ryan hated himself for loving theatre by this point in preparation for a play. But nothing about this production had been a struggle. He and Kat got along terrifically well, so their rapport as the constantly sarcastic Benedick and Beatrice felt genuine. And James White was the least stressful director he'd worked with. Between Kat and James and a deep-running love for Much Ado, Ryan loved this production, and couldn't imagine how good it would be when all was said and done.

No, it didn't feel like anything could take the wind out of Ryan's proverbial sails right now. And a phone call from Chad seemed the perfect way to cap off his day.

"Ah, here's the best part of my perfect life," Ryan said when he answered the phone.

Chad laughed. "Flatterer. So, I take it you had a good day?"

"That, sir, I did. And you?"

"It was good. I have some gossip for you."

"Do tell."

"Thanks for not being super gay and saying 'Dish' just now."

Ryan laughed. "Anytime. Now, tell me!"

"Well, no one knows except me and the two of them, but Troy and Gabriella got engaged today."

"Really? On a random Wednesday afternoon? That's awesome. And ... strange timing."

"It was some picnic lunch and down on one knee and all that crap scenario. I'm happy for them, but damn, can you imagine?"

"Imagine what?' Ryan asked slowly, dreading whatever Chad was about to say.

"Marriage! Dude. That's like, a death sentence. There's no going back from that."

"And what's wrong with that? We've said that we're not ever breaking up."

"Yeah, but the freedom of not being married is part of what makes that so important. Like, we're so devoted we don't need a label. We're just us, not Mr. and Mr. Danforth."

"Who's to say I'd be taking your name?" Ryan joked, attempting to keep his tone lighthearted as his internal organs seemed to fall apart.

"Oh, come on, Ry. We all know I'm the mister in this situation."

Ryan snorted. "I'll remember that next time you bring your own apron to cook dinner and bake cookies in my apartment."

"You haven't told anyone about that, have you?" asked Chad, sounding worried.

"Of course not. I still don't understand why you think marriage is so bad, though."

"It's just ... so binding. Who needs a ring and a new last name, you know?"

"I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree on this one," Ryan said, hoping he didn't sound too down. "I think it's sweet that they're getting married."

"Word on the street is you'll be standing up on Gabriella's side if you say yes."

"That's also sweet. I assume best man for you?"

Chad laughed. "Who else would it be, Jimmy Zara?"

The rest of their conversation took on a lighter tone, but Ryan's stomach was churning. When he got off the phone, he reached into his pocket for his wallet. Taking out the ring, he tossed it from hand to hand. Maybe it didn't matter to Chad, but it mattered to him. Marriage was the right thing to do if you wanted to stay with someone for ... well, forever. And somehow, Ryan would have to convince his boyfriend of that, if he ever wanted a fiancé.

Gabriella called him the next day. Miraculously, rehearsal had ended just as his phone rang, and he spent his subway ride home accepting her offer of bridesman and congratulating her.

"Is it OK if I'm a bitch and turn the focus to me for a second?"

Gabriella laughed, a sound Ryan loved. She was about the sweetest person he'd ever met. Considering some of Chad's past actions, though, she had some competition. "Of course, Ryan. Anytime you need to be a bitch, I'm here for you."

"It's Chad. I actually ... I want to marry him, OK? There. I said it."

Gabriella squealed, a sound that wasn't quite so welcome. Convinced his ears would be ringing for an hour at least, he went on, "But Chad hates the idea of marriage. Probably didn't tell you guys this, but he thinks it's like a death sentence. That it doesn't mean anything."

"Oh. That's a problem, isn't it?"

"That it is."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. I haven't devised a scheme yet. I mean, I have the ring, and between that and my winning smile, how can I not somehow succeed in changing Chad's mind about one of the most important parts of anyone's life?" Chad sighed. "Oh, shit. I don't have a chance."

Gabriella laughed. "You'll be fine, Ryan. I'll brainstorm for you. But I'm sure you'll get him to come around."

Ryan wasn't so sure of that, though. Every day, when he talked to Chad, he found a way to bring up the subject of marriage. And every day, when Chad talked back, he spouted off some dismissive comment or insulted the entire institution. Just when Ryan thought he was making progress, Chad squashed it again. And despite the perfection that was Ryan's life, it was bringing him down.

Of course, he was only brought back up again when Chad came to town. It was a Thursday, the day before Ryan's play was to open. Greeting Chad in the airport had oddly become one of Ryan's favorite parts of their relationship. The grateful fall into each other's arms was something he'd miss when they were together all the time, that sigh of contentment at seeing someone you love for the first time in too long. Absence, Ryan thought as Chad kissed him full on the mouth, really does make the heart grow fonder.

"Always with the PDA," Ryan said, grinning and kissing Chad again.

"Oh, you know you want it," said Chad, winking and grinning back. "When's your next obligation?"

"Rehearsal's in two hours. I'm off work today."

"Does that give us time to—"

"You know it does. I'll race you to the cabs."

For Ryan, it was a lot easier to push Chad's resistance to marriage out of mind when they were kissing and then some. Chad had always been a great kisser, despite his lack of prior experience. Ryan felt put to shame at first, pathetic as he nipped and licked back, but by this point, years along in their relationship, they'd entered into a kind of rhythm. It was wonderful, what those four lips could do together. And if more of their bodies got involved, well, Ryan wouldn't complain.

Ryan was very nearly late for rehearsal, his lips blissfully sore and his fingers intertwined with his boyfriend's. Chad was watching rehearsal, but was only permitted to do so if he left for the final portion of the play—Chad had never seen or read Much Ado, and Ryan wanted to surprise him at least a little.

After introducing Chad around, Ryan threw himself into performing the part of Benedick. He'd grown to love the play and the characters even more through his experience onstage, and couldn't wait to share his passion with an audience. Right now, Chad would suffice. And he reacted all the right ways, laughing and gasping so loudly it seemed prompted by a sign. Eventually, Ryan shooed him away, telling him to run across the street and get himself a latte.

"I like the play," Chad said when Ryan met him at Starbucks—the same Starbucks at which he'd been working earlier that day.

"They didn't make you pay for that, did you?" Ryan asked.

"No, I told them who I was."

"Good. And I'm glad you like it."

"Benedick and Beatrice have an interesting relationship," said Chad, sounding as though he was choosing his words carefully.

"Oh?" Ryan asked, trying as hard as he could to sound casual. "How's that?"

"It's just, they both have this bias against marriage—completely justified, by the way."

"Of course."

"But it's obvious from the first time you see them together that they're gonna be married by the end."

"Well, I won't give it away."

"Exactly." Chad leaned back and crossed his arms. "And it's just kind of, I don't know, ridiculous. You're just wondering who's gonna give in first."

"Maybe neither of them will."

"Or both of them simultaneously? That seems pretty Shakespearean."

"Do you understand why they don't want to get married, though?" Ryan asked. "Honestly. Think about it. The only reason is pride. Once they find out that the other is in love with them, or are led to believe it, they change their minds. Sometimes, you just have to swallow your pride and go with what feels realest. Go with who feels the most right. Be in love."

Both men paused.

"You mean in the play, right?" Chad asked.

"Right. In the play."