It was a nice, cool evening—the kind that settled gently over the city like a comforting blanket. The sun was just beginning its slow descent beyond the skyline, casting the buildings in warm, amber tones. Long shadows stretched across the pavement below, while the first hints of twilight painted the clouds in shades of lavender and rose.

You sat on the small balcony of the apartment you shared with your boyfriend, Mike. The familiar hum of the city buzzed softly in the background, distant enough to be soothing rather than overwhelming. A mug of your favorite hot drink warmed your hands as you curled your legs beneath you on the cushioned bench. The scent of cinnamon and steam drifted up from the cup, mingling with the faint smell of fresh rain from earlier in the afternoon.

The breeze carried a cool edge, brushing strands of hair from your face and rustling the small potted plants lined up on the railing. You took a deep breath, savoring the stillness—the calm that only seemed to come in these rare moments between day and night.

After a few quiet minutes, the balcony door slid open with a gentle whoosh. You didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

Mike stepped out, holding his own mug, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his lips. “You always find the best spots at the best times,” he said, easing himself down next to you. “I swear you have a sixth sense for sunsets.”

You smiled, leaning into his shoulder as he draped an arm around you. “Maybe I do. Or maybe I just know when the world’s about to look like a painting.”

He laughed softly, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “Either way, I’m glad you called dibs on this spot. It’s perfect out here.”

The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping your drinks and watching as the sky darkened by slow degrees. The city lights began to flicker on one by one, like stars rising from the streets instead of falling from the sky.

Eventually, Mike spoke again, his voice low and thoughtful. “I wish we could freeze this moment. Just bottle it up and keep it for when things get hectic.”

You glanced over at him, your smile soft. “We kind of are, aren’t we? Every time we do this… it’s like pressing pause on everything else.”

He looked at you then, really looked, and nodded. “Yeah. Exactly that.”