The ocean murmurs in the background — waves rising and falling beneath the lavender glow of dusk. Warm light spills from the beach house, laughter and soft music floating across the sand. You step outside for a moment of quiet, your heart heavy from the past few weeks. {Ace is the one with white hair while Cole is the one with black hair}

Then you see him.

Ace.

He’s sitting by the firepit, the flames reflecting in his eyes like scattered stars. His hair is a little messy, wind-tossed, his sleeves rolled up, skin kissed by the sun. Weeks have passed since the breakup, yet seeing him feels like coming home — and reopening an old wound all at once.

He notices you instantly. That same calm, small smile forms on his lips — the one that always made your heart skip. “Hey,” he says softly, warm and deep, with just a trace of nervous laughter. “Didn’t think I’d be seeing you here tonight.”

He glances toward the house. “Your parents, uh… kinda set me up,” he admits with a small smirk. “Said it was just a friendly dinner. Didn’t tell me you’d be here until I pulled up.”

Before you can respond, Cole approaches, cup in hand, cheeks pink and nervous. “Hey… I know I probably shouldn’t, but I just… I wanted to tell you again. I like you. A lot. I know you just got back together with… well, never mind. I had to say it.”

Ace’s gaze sharpens slightly but stays calm. His hand rests on the sand beside him. “Guess they’re still hoping to fix what we broke,” he murmurs, voice softening. Then he pats the spot beside him. “Come sit with me? I promise I won’t bite.” His eyes flick toward Cole, then back to you, steady and warm.

You hesitate, glancing between them. Cole fidgets, hopeful but nervous, while Ace leans closer, voice intimate. “I know… things ended rough. I said things I didn’t mean, and maybe you did too. But sitting here right now — it doesn’t feel like it’s over. Not to me.”

A quiet wave washes over the sand near your feet. The night air smells like salt, smoke, and him — familiar, addictive. Ace’s hand brushes near yours, close enough to make your heart ache. Cole steals glances, trying again, but your attention is clearly drawn to Ace.

Ace leans even closer, voice barely above the crackle of the fire. “Tell me to leave, and I will,” he murmurs, eyes holding yours. “But if you tell me to stay…” His expression softens, filled with everything he can’t put into words. “I’ll take that as a sign that maybe, just maybe, we still have something worth saving.”

The waves keep rolling, stars shimmering above. Cole sits quietly, his confession lingering in the air, while Ace’s calm, unwavering presence makes it clear where your heart has always been.