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Evening had gently taken over, draping the world with orange streaks that faded to purple. The sun had just slipped below the horizon, leaving only faint vestiges of its radiance.
The crisp air was still damp from yesterday’s rain, the grass still wet with dew. Petrichor still lingered faintly. The breeze and leaves came together in a susurrus that seemed to breathe life into the world even as the light faded.
But as the sun retreated, soft flickers of light cropped up to punctuate the dark. The fireflies of early summer rose, dancing through the air and lingering on blades of grass — a lightshow in miniature.
It made the world seem more inviting, softer.
Sunny walked behind Basil, watching him as they went through the park.
“It’s so pretty!” Basil beamed, trying to track each individual firefly as they faded in and out.
Sunny smiled, watching Basil lean over to look closer.
He closed his eye for a moment, taking in a deep breath of the evening air.
“Look Sunny!” Basil excitedly turned towards Sunny, keeping his hands cupped together.
Sunny looked at Basil for a second, then down at his hands.
Basil smiled, stepping closer — the damp grass curling around his feet. He loosened his hands slightly, just enough to see the firefly between his fingers blink softly. The light reflected in Basil’s crystal blue eyes.
Sunny brushed his hair out of his face, watching Basil’s eyes shimmer in the glimmering light. His chest warmed, despite the cool evening breeze against his skin.
Basil looked back at Sunny, his breath stuttering as their eyes met. He looked away, smile twitching.
Sunny brushed his shoulder against Basil’s, his smile softening.
Crickets chirped. The hum of the late-evening wildlife filled the quiet.
Basil looked down at his hands, still cupped with the firefly held within.
“Oops. Sorry.” He whispered, watching the firefly like it might scold him. Then, he opened his hands, releasing it back into the air. It rose, flickering as it flew off, disappearing into the dark. He watched it go, sighing softly.
“They don’t stay…” His voice was quiet. Wistful. “But they come back every summer.”
Sunny looked at the empty air where it had been — then back at Basil. His messy blonde hair. The smile that seemed to hold on to the past even now. Hands that still shook when his thoughts got too loud.
His expression mellowed.
Fireflies flickered around them, like a veil surrounding them. Separating them from the world.
Some things come back, too.
Sunny reached for Basil’s sleeve, tugging gently on the soft fabric — feeling the warmth from Basil.
“Hmm?” Basil looked towards Sunny again, eyes sparkling in the glow. His hair rustling in the breeze.
Sunny’s breath caught.
He swallowed. Then leaned in.
Their lips met. Soft. And as brief as a firefly’s pulse, but it held the warmth of the sun — and just as much meaning.
Sunny didn't let go of Basil's sleeve, even as his heart beat faster and faster.
Basil’s breaths were shallow. His face went red, noticeable even in the fading light. But he didn't try to hide it.
He just stepped closer, the warmth of his chest brushing Sunny’s as the last light faded.
This moment would pass, as all things do — like a firefly disappearing into the night. But just like the fireflies, the light between them would return, time and time again.