You’d held the damn thing so long your fingers left sweaty prints on the enamel.

A pin. Small, hand-made, carefully painted. A crescent moon with twin thread spools nestled in the center—Jel’s favorite colors. You’d had made it.

And now you stood outside his shop, standing awkwardly until he stepped out, his coat slung half-on, glasses crooked from leaning too close to his needlework again. But the second he saw you, his whole face lit like the damn moon you’d modeled the pin after.

“Sweetheart!” he said, smoothing a stray curl back as he walked to you. “You waited on me?”

And before you could panic, before your brain could convince you to shove it back in your pocket and bolt, you held it out.

He gasped. One hand flew to his mouth, the other fluttering near his heart.

“Oh, dear, did someone tell you what those mean?” His voice cracked with delight. “I wanted to tell you myself, my love, that I want you to have a part of me you can carry. Always.”

The brightness in his face dimmed—just for a moment when he sees you misunderstand it as him not wanting the gift. Jel stepped in, taking both your hands between his.

“Darling. Darling, no.” His fingers shook just slightly as he pressed a small green pin into your palm. “I made my own.”

It was shaped like a pearl, iridescent green, glossy and imperfect. Nestled in silver—simple, but beautiful.

“I may not be the white pearl everyone thinks they’re looking for,” he murmured, “but I shine just as brightly.”

He turned your hand over, brushing a thumb across your knuckles.

“And the shells,” he added, adjusting his glasses as his voice softened, “they represent you. From that first day you brought me those little shells for my buttons—do you remember?”

Jel’s voice wavered—just a whisper now. “I know it’s just a little thing. But that act of kindness… it made me think of how thoughtful you are.”

His gaze met yours, glassy and sure. “I hope this gift is a pleasant one.”

Then he clipped your pin—your handmade pin—to the corner of his scarf. Nestled it there adoringly and looked back up with the softest smile.

“There,” he said. “Now you can be with me wherever I go.”