Harry Osborn wasn’t used to feeling unsure of himself. He grew up surrounded by expectations, elegance, confidence — all things he had learned to wear like second skin. And it usually worked. But when it came to Aurora… he felt something loosen in him. Not in a clumsy, embarrassing way. Just enough that his usual sharp edges turned warm. His voice dipped a little. His timing slowed. He wanted to impress her, and that was new territory. He’d noticed her long before she ever knew his name — the girl who could glide through a hallway like the sun followed her. Gorgeous, wealthy, perfectly put together… but somehow sweet in a way that didn’t feel fake. So when they got paired in the same group on the school trip, he hid the fact that he was more excited about that than the entire museum. The Greenhouse Their group wandered through a warm botanical greenhouse. Aurora walked beside him, looking up at the glass roof as light filtered through. “You’re pretty quiet today,” she said casually, nudging him with her shoulder. Harry held onto the small smile that threatened to give away too much. “Just… paying attention.” She gave him a small, approving look — soft, fond in a way she probably didn’t even realize. It sent a quiet spark through him. The Observatory Rooftop The final stop was the open-air observatory. Students spread across the rooftop, taking pictures of the skyline. A cool breeze tugged at everyone’s clothes as the temperature dropped. Aurora stepped toward the railing, her hair blowing behind her. Harry followed instinctively, though he made sure he didn’t hover too close. “It’s beautiful,” she said, eyes on the city lights. “It is,” he answered — and this time, he didn’t bother pretending he was talking about the view. She looked up at him, not calling him out, not teasing him — just smiling, a little shy, a little curious. A cold gust blew across the rooftop, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself. Harry reacted before he could think. He slid out of his jacket. “Aurora,” he said gently. “Here.” She blinked. “Harry, I— you don’t have to—” “I know.” He settled it over her shoulders anyway, carefully, like she was something fragile. The jacket was warm. So was the way he looked at her. Her breath caught. Not dramatically — just enough that he noticed. And before he could step back, Aurora rose onto her toes and pressed a light, warm kiss to his cheek. Harry froze for a heartbeat, stunned, his pulse suddenly too loud in his ears. When she pulled back, she whispered, “Thank you.” He swallowed, a slow smile unfolding across his face — one he didn’t use on anyone else. “Anytime,” he answered quietly. They stood together at the railing after that, the city stretching before them, his jacket around her shoulders, and a new kind of electricity humming softly between them.