the city hummed around them, neon signs flickering, distant laughter spilling from open doorways. the summer air was thick but not unbearable, the pavement still warm beneath their steps.

chandler walked beside her, hands tucked into the pockets of his black jacket. it was lightweight but enough to fight off the slight chill of the night. his hair shifted slightly as he looked over at her.

their date had ended a while ago, but neither of them wanted to say goodnight just yet. so instead, they walked, the quiet hum of the city filling the silence between their words.

"chan?" she said, finally snapping him out of the zone-out he had.

he exhaled, almost laughing to himself, before glancing at her. “i’m sort of an overthinker, sorry.”

she turned to him, brows lifting slightly. “no, don’t apologize, i love you!" she said in a rush, but then she realised what had just slipped, so she added. "for- for that. for being that way. um, i love it. i’m like that too.”

his steps slowed just slightly, something flickering behind his eyes. surprise, maybe. or something deeper.

he let out a breathy chuckle, shaking his head. “yeah?”

she nodded.

he glanced away for a moment, then back at her, his lips twitching into something small and real.

“guess that makes two of us,” he murmured.

the city kept moving around them, but right there, in that moment, it felt like the world had shrunk down to just them.