Lander oneshots 🫶🫶

Sparks🎇

The first truly cold night of November always felt like the world holding its breath. The air had that sharp bite that made every exhale look like dragon smoke...or that everyone was addicted to nicotine, and the sky stretched wide and dark, a perfect canvas for the fireworks that would start in a few hours.

Zander  zipped his jacket up to his chin and waited impatiently at  entrance of Maplewood Park, trying to look casual even though his heart absolutely refused to behave with what orders his mind barked at it. He kept checking his phone, checking his watch, looking at other people in the queue to the ticket booth even though he knew—knew— Luke wasn't late. If anything, he was early. Painfully early. "Pathetically," as hamey and Bethany had taunted.

He shoved his gloved hands into his pockets, trying to warm them—though he suspected nerves, not temperature, were the problem.

This... was a date.
A date with Luke. Yes. His Luke.

He thought. Probably. Hopefully.

After a successful band practice in preparation for a competition, Luke had politely asked "Do you wanna go to the bonfire thing together?" with that soft little smile of his, the one with the dimples  that made the pianist's  brain short-circuit. He'd  had said yes very fast. Too fast. He'd tried to play it off like he just really liked fireworks, but he didn't think Luke was stupid.

"Hey."

The word was soft, breathless, warm despite the cold. Zan turned and immediately felt something do a weird fluttering dance in his chest.

Luke  stood there wearing a red scarf and a brown, knitted  beanie, his hair peeking out in fluffy auburn tufts. His cheeks were already pink from the air. He held two lidded paper to go cups, steam curling upward like little question marks.

"I grabbed some drinks before I came " he smiled , handing one over. "Before you freeze into a popsicle."
"Thanks. Didn't know the cold would be personal tonight."
Luke grinned, stepping beside him. "It's always personal with November."

The two  fell into step as they entered the park. Families, couples, and clusters of friends wandered toward the glowing bonfire at the center. The flames towered high, crackling and snapping, tiny golden sparks swirling into the air.
The smell of burning wood mixed with sugar and cinnamon from nearby food stalls. Kids waved sparklers in chaotic zigzags which Zander was sure was a safety hazard, The whole place hummed with something alive and excited.

Zander nudged Luke's  shoulder and sarcastically said. "I like your scarf." He snorted.

Luke glanced down at it as if he'd forgot what he was wearing, his face turning a smidge redder—red, one his aunt knitted for him years ago, and one he. Ever learnt how to properly tie as an exuse for his shorter friend and crush to tie each time winter crawled around. This was his favorite, even if it did look like something a grandma bought from Etsy.
They wandered closer to the bonfire, finding a spot where they weren't in the way but could still feel the heat on their faces. The sparks swirled like tiny fireflies.
Luke's breath fogged in the air. "You okay?"
The shorter  nodded, then shook his head, then realized that was not helpful. "Sorry. Just... nervous."

"Nervous?" He repeated, eyebrows raised. "Why? It's me" he flashed that dimpled grin again.
in response, Zan  kicked lightly at the grass. "I dunno. Tonight. Everything."
A quiet moment passed. Not silent—never silent here, not with the laughter and the crackle of the fire and distant fireworks being tested—but quiet in the way that mattered.

Luke turned slightly, face lit orange by the bonfire. "ARE you nervous because you're here with me?"

Zans lungs decided to malfunction. "Maybe," he whispered, why would you whisper? Stupid brain.
A slow smile grew on the yellow eyed males lips. "Good. Because I'm nervous because I'm here with you."
Alex  blinked. "You're—you're nervous? But you're always so... calm."