The night air was crisp, and the city lights below twinkled like a sea of fireflies. You barely noticed them, though—your attention was completely on Dylan, who had insisted on driving you to a quiet hilltop outside the city

“I promise you,” he said, his hands gripping the steering wheel“this is worth it. No noise, no distractions… just stars.”

You had been skeptical at first, but now, as you both settled on a blanket spread over the grass, the view took your breath away. Hundreds of stars stretched across the sky, mirrored perfectly in Dylan’s dark eyes

“This is… beautiful,” you whispered

He smiled softly “I thought you’d like it. My grandma used to bring me here when I needed to think. It’s kind of my escape.”

You glanced at him curiously “Your escape, huh? What are you running from?”

He shrugged, pretending to be casual, but you noticed the slight tension in his jaw “Not running… just… processing, I guess. Life, mistakes, the usual.”