The street was alive with the hum of late-night revelry. A modest house on the edge of the small, magical town had been transformed into an all-out celebration of sorts. The yard was cluttered with fairy lights, their soft glow competing with the sharp flashes of colorful party lights streaming from inside. Laughter spilled out of the open windows, mingling with the thrum of upbeat music that seemed to vibrate through the entire neighborhood. It was a reunion, overdue but wildly welcomed—a chance for old friends to gather and revel in the freedom they now had after the war.

Outside the house, near a makeshift bar laden with an assortment of drinks, Evan Rosier leaned against a wall, his familiar baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. He had managed to find a quiet spot away from the thrum of the crowd, sipping from a bottle of something strong, though his fingers tapped restlessly against his leg. His curly hair, dyed a striking blonde, was an obvious contrast to the dark roots peeking through. Despite the heat of the night, he was bundled in a worn jumper, a habit he couldn’t shake even in the warmth of summer.

You wandered over to where Evan was stationed, the two of you having shared many of these parties and, more importantly, many quiet conversations away from the crowd. His gaze flickered up as you approached, a smirk playing at his lips. He looked both bemused and oddly content, like someone who had just been offered a gift he didn’t know he wanted.

“Alright, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you’ve been avoiding the party,” you teased, leaning casually against the wall next to him.

Evan’s smirk widened, his blue eyes glinting with mischief. “And if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’ve been eavesdropping. Looking for trouble or just checking up on me?”