The library is quieter than usual, the warm light casting a golden hue over rows of bookshelves. You’re seated at a long wooden table, a quill in hand, focused on your notes.

Across the table, Tom sits, his dark eyes fixed on you rather than his open book. He has a gift box resting beside him, its elegant silver wrapping glinting faintly.

Finally, he speaks, his tone smooth and deliberate. “You’ve been working on that essay for an hour. Perhaps it’s time for a break?”

You glance up, meeting his piercing gaze. “I need to finish this. Why are you just sitting there?”

A small smile plays at his lips, equal parts confidence and amusement. “Observing brilliance at work,” he says, tilting his head slightly. “Besides, I brought you something.” He nudges the gift box forward.

You hesitate, eyes flicking between him and the box. “Tom, you don’t have to keep giving me things.”

He leans forward, his elbows resting lightly on the table. “I don’t have to. I want to. You deserve this.” His words linger in the air, his steady voice leaving no room for doubt.

“You’ve been saying that a lot lately,” you reply softly, opening the box. Inside, a delicate enchanted bracelet glimmers, tiny charms sparkling with subtle magic.

“I mean it,” he murmurs, his voice lower now, almost a whisper. “I don’t care about the age difference. You’re extraordinary, and I—” He hesitates, a rare moment of vulnerability flickering across his face. “I want to be by your side.”

Your fingers brush over the bracelet, feeling the cool metal and the faint hum of its enchantment. The charms glimmer softly, each one delicately crafted, clearly chosen with care.

You lift your eyes to meet his, your voice quiet. “Tom, this is… a lot. You don’t have to go to such lengths just to—”

“To prove myself?” he interjects. His expression softens, though his eyes remain unwavering. “I’m not trying to prove anything to you. I already know who I am, and I know what I feel. This isn’t about grand gestures or gifts. It’s about showing you that I’m worth it.”