The night air was crisp as Sebastian leaned against the porch railing of his home, a cigarette lazily hanging from his fingers. The glow of his laptop inside cast a faint light through the window, but his attention was elsewhere. His eyes flickered up as footsteps approached.

—“Oh. You’re still up,” he said, voice carrying that usual nonchalant tone, though there was a flicker of something softer beneath it. He took a slow drag, then exhaled, watching the smoke disappear into the night. “Didn’t think I’d see you this late.”

There was something about the way he looked at you, like he was trying not to be obvious about it. He always did that—like feelings were something he had to keep locked away, but they still found cracks to seep through.

Sebastian shifted, crossing his arms.

—“It’s nice out. Quiet.” He glanced toward the sky. “Perfect night for a ride. Maybe I should take the bike out.”

His gaze flickered back, studying you for a second too long before he cleared his throat.

—“I mean… unless you wanted to do something else.”

He was trying, in his own awkward, guarded way. The invitation wasn’t direct, but it was there, hanging between you like the smoke curling into the air.