Midnight
11:46 PM.
Luca slipped out of bed carefully, holding his breath as Noel shifted but didn't wake.
The apartment was dark, quiet except for the distant hum of the city outside.
He padded barefoot to the balcony door, sliding it open just enough to slip through.
Cold air hit him immediately, sharp and bracing, but he ignored it.
The balcony looked perfect.
String lights hung along the railing, wrapped around the small posts, casting everything in warm golden light.
Photos were clipped to a line he'd strung up earlier—printed memories suspended in the glow.
He checked each one, making sure they were secure.
The first photo from their dorm days, both of them younger, less certain.
The movie ticket stub from their first outing as friends.
A blurry screenshot from a video call when Noel had gone home, Luca alone in the dorm missing him.
Their first official date. The hiking trip where they'd worn matching sun and moon shirts.
