𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃

35

Song:
daylight- taylor swift
slowed + reverb

LEENA

"Make a wish," Matt says with a playful gesture toward the cake, his voice filled with a sense of anticipation as we all settle down on the blanket.

We're surrounded by the warmth of each other's presence, but the air is noticeably chilly, a crispness that nips at our skin and makes us tug our jackets a little tighter. Despite the cold, I choose not to focus on it.

Instead, I allow myself to be fully present in the moment, letting the laughter and the atmosphere of togetherness warm me far more than the weather ever could. The cake, sitting in the center, seems to glow softly in the dimming light, and the excitement in the air is enough to make me forget about the chill altogether.

Angel gazes down at the red velvet cake, his eyes softening as he takes in the delicate, flickering candles atop the creamy frosting, the candles displaying the number eighteen.

He closes his eyes slowly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as he silently makes a wish, the atmosphere around him becoming still in the brief moment of anticipation.

The only sound is the soft whisper of the slight breeze, and for a few seconds, it feels like time itself has paused.

Finally, with a small exhale, he opens his eyes again and blows out the candles in one smooth motion, the light extinguishing as if his wish is now sealed in the quiet of the moment.

Mitch tilts his head, an inquisitive grin spreading across his face as he leans closer to Angel. "What'd you wish for?" he asks, his voice filled with curiosity.

Almost immediately, Lilith shoots him a disapproving look, narrowing her eyes as she jabs him in the ribs with her elbow. "You're not supposed to ask that," she whispers sharply, her tone filled with mock sternness.

Mitch freezes for a moment, his eyes widening slightly as he processes her words. A sheepish expression spreads across his face, and he immediately looks away, a soft chuckle escaping him as realization settles in.

Angel shakes his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he takes in the moment, amusement dancing in his eyes. He chuckles to himself for a few seconds, clearly finding the situation amusing, before his attention shifts.

His gaze moves down to the gifts we each hold in our hands, the weight of realization hitting him. His eyes widen slightly, and a look of pure awe spreads across his face as he takes in the sight. "Those are for me?" he asks, his voice tinged with disbelief, as if the thought hadn't quite settled in his mind.

A warmth fills my chest, and I can't help but smile at his reaction, the joy of giving him something meaningful blooming inside me.

Matt shoots him a look, raising an eyebrow as if the answer should have been obvious. "I would certainly hope so," he says with a touch of humor in his voice, his tone light but tinged with a bit of sarcasm.

Reyna, clearly unimpressed with his comment, smacks him on the arm with a swift motion, causing Matt to let out a quiet, startled yelp in surprise. "Uh uh," she says firmly, shaking her head, "Now's not the time for your smartass comments." Her voice is playful, but there's a slight edge of mock seriousness to it.

She rolls her eyes dramatically, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips as if to soften the reprimand, making it clear that despite her words, she's enjoying the banter.

After looking around for a few seconds, Angel reaches for the bag Lilith had been holding out for him to grab. He places it into his lap and his hand dips into the bag, pulling out a book with the words splayed across the cover reading, The Night Circus.