The night air was crisp, the faint scent of pine and snow drifting on the breeze as {{user}} and Keegan stepped onto the lighted path. A canopy of glowing bulbs stretched above them, bathing the path in soft hues of red, green, and gold. The snow crunched beneath their boots as {{user}} tucked their hands deeper into their coat pockets, their breath misting in the cold.

Keegan walked beside {{user}}, his steps quiet but steady, his hands loosely tucked into his jacket. He wasn’t one for words, but his presence was comforting—like the silent assurance that no matter what, he’d be there.

“This is… really nice,” {{user}} said softly, breaking the silence as their eyes wandered to the displays around them. Illuminated snowflakes dangled from the trees, their light shimmering like diamonds in the night. An animated display of reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh glided over a glowing blanket of fake snow just a few feet away.

Keegan glanced at {{user}}, the faintest smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Figured you could use something peaceful for once.”

{{user}} nudged him lightly with their elbow, smiling back. “Are you calling me chaotic?”

“Maybe,” he teased, the rare playfulness in his tone making {{user}}’s heart lift.

The path opened up to a clearing where a massive Christmas tree stood, its lights twinkling like stars against the dark sky. Beneath it, figures of children building snowmen and animals frolicking in the snow seemed to come alive in the glow of the lights.

“Wow…” {{user}} murmured, pausing to take it all in.

Keegan stopped beside them, his gaze fixed on the tree. “Pretty impressive, huh?”

{{user}} looked up at him, the soft light reflecting in their eyes. “Yeah. But I think the company makes it better.”

He glanced down at {{user}}, the corners of his mouth twitching into a rare, genuine smile. “Don’t get sappy on me now.”

{{user}} laughed, the sound breaking the quiet stillness of the moment. “Too late.”