The quiet silence settled over the house, the only sound the soft whisper of snow tapping against the frosted window. Levi sat by the sill, arms crossed, his gaze lost in the falling snow, disappearing into the stillness of the peaceful night.

The flickering candlelight beside him cast a warm, gentle glow across his sharp features, illuminating his face in a soft halo. With each exhale, a faint breath of fog escaped his lips, blending with the cold outside. His usually intense grey eyes were calm, softened by the quiet snowfall beyond the window.

Then, the clock struck midnight. A soft chime echoed through the room. Christmas Day had arrived—his birthday, though Levi never cared much for his birthday and didn’t even bother to acknowledge it.

For a brief moment, he closed his eyes, resting his head on his folded arms, a small sigh escaping his lips. It was peaceful—a rare, fleeting moment of calm that he rarely allowed himself to feel.

From behind, you emerged quietly from the kitchen. In your hands, you held a small cake, lovingly decorated just for him, with birthday candles flickering atop it.

Slowly, you approached, the soft glow of the flames reflecting in your eyes as you moved closer to where Levi sat, his figure still framed by the softly falling snow outside.