Valentine’s Day had always been a quiet day for {{user}}, and this year didn’t seem like it would be any different. The evening rolled around, Keegan showed up at their doorstep—looking as cool and collected as ever, a slight hint of something softer beneath his usual tough exterior.

“Ready to go?” he asked, his tone gruff but somehow gentle, a quiet warmth in his eyes that {{user}} could never fully decipher.

“Go where?” {{user}} raised an eyebrow, Keegan didn’t say anything, instead, he handed them a small, wrapped box.

{{user}} glanced at the plain wrapping, the only thing marking it as a Valentine’s Day gift being the slight blush of red paper. It didn’t look like much. Pulling pack the paper revealed a thick, hand bound leather journal—its cover smooth, the edges softened for comfort.

It was exactly the kind of thing they loved. But still, a journal?

“I know it’s not much,” Keegan muttered. “But I thought you might like it. You’ve been sketching a lot lately, so… thought this was better than the notebook you’ve been using.”

{{user}} ran their fingers over the journal’s cover, the leather warm from being held. “You’ve been paying attention…”

Keegan shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the praise. “Yeah, well... I see you.”

There was something simple about the gesture, but it was the most Keegan way of expressing affection they could imagine. No fireworks, no loud declarations. Just a quiet moment between them.

“Thank you, Keegan,” {{user}} said softly, feeling a warmth spread through their chest. “It’s perfect.”

Keegan nodded, he hadn’t expected them to like it as much as they did. “I’m glad. I know you’re not into the whole big thing... but this felt right.”

For a moment, the two of them just stood there in the quiet, the world seeming a little softer than usual. {{user}} smiled gently, holding it close to their chest.

“Right, uh-” he muttered, clearing his throat before looking away. “Now… you wanna go grab something to eat? I heard that place you like does takeout.”