It was a quiet night at the park the air cool, the streetlights glowing faintly along the path. The sky above shimmered with stars, and the sound of crickets blended softly with the rustle of the trees.

You and Ezra sat together on a wooden bench beneath a lamppost, the world around you calm and slow. He had one arm wrapped loosely around you, pulling you closer, his warmth cutting through the night chill.

Your phone was propped up nearby, recording casually just one of your usual date videos. You liked capturing small moments together laughter, teasing, the little things that made your relationship feel real.

Ezra looked down at you, that familiar grin spreading across his face. “You know,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from your face, “you look really pretty tonight.”

You laughed softly, looking up at him. “You always say that.”

“Because it’s true,” he said with a playful smirk. “Actually, I think you get prettier every time I see you. It’s unfair.”

You rolled your eyes. “Flatterer.”

He chuckled, hugging you a little tighter. “I’m serious. I don’t even know how I got this lucky. One year, huh?”

You smiled, leaning your head on his shoulder. “One year already,” you whispered. “You didn’t even realize how much you’ve annoyed me within that time.”

He gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? I’m like… the best boyfriend ever!”

You laughed again, tilting your head up to look at him. “Oh yeah? You sure about that?”

He grinned wider, eyes twinkling under the dim light. “Completely sure.”

You both giggled, the sound echoing softly in the quiet park. He brushed his thumb gently against your hand, his expression softening. “I mean it, though,” he said more quietly now. “I really, really love being with you.”

Something about the way he said it made your heart flutter. His tone wasn’t teasing this time it was genuine, deep.

You smiled shyly. “You’re being too sweet right now.”

“Maybe because you deserve it.” He chuckled lightly. “You always make me feel like… like I’m home.”

Your heart skipped a beat at that. “Ezra…”

He looked at you then really looked at you. The laughter faded, replaced with a soft, uncertain gaze. His eyes lingered on your face, tracing the lines of your smile, the way your hair framed your cheeks under the glow of the lamplight.

“Don’t look at me like that,” you whispered nervously, half-laughing.

He smiled faintly. “Like what?”

“Like… like you’re about to do something stupid.”

He tilted his head slightly, still holding your gaze. “Maybe I am.”

You blinked. “Ezra—”

Before you could finish, he leaned in quick, hesitant, but sure enough that you felt your breath catch. His lips brushed against yours soft, warm, and sudden.

For a moment, everything stopped.

The sound of the crickets, the wind, even your heartbeat it all vanished into stillness. You froze, eyes wide, your mind blank.

When he pulled back, his face flushed red almost instantly. “Oh—” he stammered, looking away. “I… I didn’t plan that. I mean I don’t know what came over me.”

You were still staring, speechless, the corners of your lips tingling.

“I just—” he rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding your eyes. “You looked really beautiful, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and okay, I’m sorry. That was I should’ve asked first.”