The house was quiet now.
Most of the guests had gone, the music had slowed down, and the warmth of the birthday surprise still lingered in the air. Dayo was standing near the dining table, picking up empty cups, still smiling to himself. It had been a long night, a happy one, a rare moment where he wasn't thinking about work, training, evidence, or the next move. Just people who cared about him. People celebrating him.
He couldn't remember the last time he felt something like that.
He heard footsteps coming from the hallway and turned.
Luna.
She was standing there again, hands folded in front of her, looking a little unsure, like she didn't want to interrupt him. The soft light behind her made the moment feel unreal. She looked older in the way life matures someone, not in the way it takes something away. Her hair was tied back loosely, and she wore a simple sweater, nothing special, but Dayo felt the familiar hit in his chest.
The same one he always felt when he looked at her.
