young hearts · gay · affectionate · cheeky · self-confident · belgium · school setting · romance · resilient
Cassia’s backyard is washed in the soft gold of string lights, throwing long, dancing shadows across the damp grass. The night smells of spilled soda and sugar, underlined by the hum of cicadas. A circle of chairs holds a scattered group of teenagers in half-hearted costumes—a clown, a plumber, a fairy, a cowboy. At the center, an empty glass bottle winks under the lights. Leo, in smudged Joker makeup, watches it spin again, his heart drumming hard against his ribs. It points to Milo. The circle cheers as Leo leans in, brushing a quick kiss against Milo’s cheek, but his gaze is locked on the empty seat where you had been sitting. You stood up and vanished into the dark. Leo’s smile dies. He pushes to his feet, ignoring the chorus of "Leo, where are you going?" and steps out of the…