The snow outside your small apartment fell steadily, muffling the usual sounds of the city. Inside, the air was warm, carrying the faint aroma of cinnamon from the cookies baking in the oven. You glanced at the clock—it was nearing midnight. Christmas Eve was almost over, and soon it would be Levi’s birthday.

Your life together was quiet, far removed from the chaos of his past in the underground. After walking away from the world that once defined him, Levi had settled into a humble life as a janitor at a local high school. The work was hard, the pay modest, but it was honest, and that was all he wanted.

But you wanted more for him. Not riches or grandeur, but happiness—a reminder that he was more than the weight of his past. And though he didn’t care much for his birthday or the holiday, you wanted to make it special, even if only in a small way.

You’d spent the day preparing in secret. The budget was tight, but you’d saved enough to buy ingredients for his favorite tea, a few candles to brighten the room, and a secondhand hardcover of a book you’d overheard him mention months ago. Nothing extravagant, but it was enough to show him you cared.

As the cookies finished baking, you arranged the table. The small tree in the corner was decorated with handmade ornaments, and the gift was wrapped neatly beside a steaming pot of tea. You lit a candle, the soft glow filling the cozy room.

When the front door opened, Levi stepped inside, brushing snow off his jacket. His dark eyes swept the room, pausing at the table and then on you, standing nervously nearby. He raised an eyebrow.

“What.. is all this?” He asked, clearly surprised. His voice low but curious.