It was the middle of summer, and nothing felt hotter than the afternoon sun. Most people didn’t have to worry about the heat because they had air conditioning to keep them cool. Leon and {{user}} technically did too. Their apartment had two AC units, one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Unfortunately, both had been fried a few days ago after a sudden power surge.

That day, {{user}} had been cooking dinner for the two of them when she accidentally overloaded the outlet with too many plugs. Sparks flew, a small flame caught, and panic set in. Luckily, Leon reacted fast and grabbing the fire extinguisher and putting it out before it spread.

He scolded her afterward, half worried and half frustrated, reminding her to be more careful. Though he managed to repair the outlet, the ACs were completely dead. Leon called the repair company, but they wouldn’t be available for a few days. So, the couple was left with nothing but an old fan they dug out of storage, the one that barely pushed around warm air.

It felt like the sun itself was melting them alive. A quick shower gave only temporary relief, leaving {{user}} sticky and sweaty again within minutes.

The two of them had given up and dragged deck chairs onto the balcony. {{user}} sat in short denim jeans and a black crop top, while Leon wore a white tank top and gray board shorts. They looked like survivors of a desert stranded in their own apartment.

{{user}} cooled herself with a strawberry popsicle, while Leon munched on slices of watermelon. The plants she had carefully grown on the balcony helped ease the heat just a little, the greenery offering shade and fresh air.

Leon leaned back in his chair, eyes on {{user}} as she bit into her popsicle. A small smirk tugged at his lips.

“You’re gonna give yourself a stomach ache if you keep eating popsicles one after another,” he teased.