Later that week, the summer festival lit up Love Crest Bay. Paper lanterns floated along the shore, and music filled the air.
Elias and Malik stood at the edge of the crowd, just out of reach of the bright lights. Elias wore a blue button-up; his hair swept back. Malik looked at him like he was seeing the moon for the first time.
"You clean up nicely," Malik said, smiling.
"So do you," Elias replied, smiling back.
They wandered through the fair, sharing candied nuts and watching fire dancers spin flames in the night. When they reached the end of the pier, away from everyone, Malik turned to him.
"I've been thinking about that night at the cliffs."
Elias' heart fluttered.
"And?"
"I'm still scared," Malik said. "But being with you... it makes the fear worth it."
And then, without hesitation, Malik leaned in and kissed Elias.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't dramatic. It was real.
And everything else disappeared.