Noah stared at his screen, thumbs hovering above his phone keyboard.
Hey Adrian, fireworks tonight. Wanna join?
He hit backspace.
Hey. Free tonight? Got fireworks plan. Join if you want.
Delete.
He sighed.
I know it’s last minute but thought of you. Fireworks at Theo’s café at 9.
Erased again.
Noah ran a hand through his hair, groaning softly. “Why do I sound like a clingy lunatic?”
He started typing again, but before he could finish, a hand snatched the phone from him.
"Theo, no—give it back!" Noah reached for it, panicked.
Theo was already grinning mischievously, thumbs flying over the screen. “You’ve been at it for twenty minutes. You’re embarrassing yourself and the phone.”
With a dramatic tap, he hit send. Then turned the screen around.
Hey, one of my friends bailed. Want to come for fireworks tonight? Just a small gathering. Could use your company.
—Sent.
Noah’s eyes widened in horror. “Theo, I swear—I will kill you.”
Theo leaned back, hands behind his head. “Relax. You sound like you’re inviting your ex to prom.”
“You basically just made me sound like a weirdo!”
Noah snatched the phone back—and froze.
Seen.
Adrian had read it.
The three bouncing dots appeared.
Typing…
…gone.
Nothing.
The room fell quiet.
Then, Noah’s phone rang. Adrian’s name lit up the screen.
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“Oh God no.” Noah tossed the phone like it was on fire. “Tell him I’m not here!”
Theo cackled. “You’re ridiculous.”
He answered. “Hello?”
“...Noah?” Adrian’s voice was quiet. Almost shy.
Theo smirked. “Oh hey, Adrian! This is Theo, Noah’s friend. He’s just in the washroom—oh, wait, nope, here he is! Noah!” He tossed the phone with flair.
Noah caught it mid-air. Shot Theo a look. Mouthed: “Fuck you.”
Theo winked: “You wish.”
Noah pressed the phone to his ear. “Hey, Adrian.”
Adrian’s tone was gentle. “Can we meet? Now?”
Noah’s throat dried. “Y-Yeah. Where?”
“Theo’s café?”
“I’ll see you in fifteen.”
Twelve minutes later, Adrian walked into the café. The bell above the door gave a sharp chime.
Noah was already at a table, half a cup of coffee gone, Theo beside him with his sketchbook open.
Adrian looked different. Not physically—but there was something quieter in his energy. Calmer. Focused. Like a man who knew what he had to do.
He sat down with a soft smile. “I need your help.”
Theo leaned forward, interested.
“I’m proposing to Sarah tonight.”
Noah froze, a flicker of pain rushing through his eyes before he masked it with a forced smile.
“I want to change my look,” Adrian continued. “A new style. A fresh version of me.”
Theo grinned. “Say no more.”
Adrian turned to Noah. “But before that… I want your blessing.”
Noah’s heart clenched.
He swallowed hard, then nodded. “You have it.”
The boutique was tucked behind the café—a narrow room full of half-finished suits, mirrors with gilded frames, and racks of fabric in colors Noah didn’t even know had names.
Adrian sat in the chair, and Theo went to work—snipping, styling, trimming. Hair swept into a cleaner shape. Beard trimmed down. The boyish charm polished into something more... cinematic.
They tried several outfits.
Charcoal grey? Too dull. Burgundy? Too bold. Black? Too predictable.
Then Theo held up a midnight blue suit with a subtle sheen.
“This,” he said like a prophecy.
When Adrian stepped out wearing it, both Theo and Noah went quiet.
Theo whistled low. “Okay. Now I get why you fell for him.”
Adrian smiled awkwardly, adjusting his cufflinks. “Let’s go?”
“To where?” Noah asked.
Adrian looked at his watch. “Fireworks.”
8:30 PM.
They stood in a quiet clearing near the riverbank. The sky above was painted in streaks of gold and violet. Small groups had gathered in patches, laughter floating through the breeze.
Adrian shoved his hands in his pockets. “Why do you think I fell in love with Sarah?” he asked softly.
Noah tilted his head. “Because she’s beautiful?”
Adrian gave a small smile. “No. It was the way she looked at broken things—like she could put them back together. I thought I was one of them.”
The silence between them stretched like string.
Then—
BOOM.
The first firework shattered into the sky—blazing crimson and crackling gold.
Adrian flinched hard. His shoulders tensed. His eyes wide, breath caught.
Noah stepped close, hand on Adrian’s back. “Hey. I didn’t know you were scared of them.”
Adrian exhaled shakily. “I’m not. Just… surprised me.”
He forced a smile. “It’s loud, that’s all.”
They sat on a nearby bench, side by side. The fireworks continued, now gentler—cascades of silver and green falling like meteors.
Neither spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward. It was shared. Safe.
Adrian looked at his watch.
10:00 PM.
He stood.
“I should go.”
But before he could move, Noah reached out and held his hand.
His grip was hesitant. Gentle.
Warm.
“Can you stay a little bit longer?”
His voice was barely above a whisper. His eyes—those gentle, honest eyes—searched Adrian’s.
Adrian hesitated.
Then sat back down.
Just a little bit longer.