Nando was always a quiet student, often caught up in thoughts deeper than most his age would entertain. He had finished college with a degree in architecture—with high honors, no less—but even as his name echoed through the grand hall during graduation, something inside him felt hollow.

He was surrounded by claps, cheers, and proud parents. His own father, Finn, a successful real estate mogul, beamed with pride as he clapped from the front row. But Nando? He just nodded politely, offering a reserved smile. His heart wasn’t celebrating.

Everyone told him he had it all—brains, a degree, a bright future, even financial stability. But deep down, Nando struggled. He didn’t feel confident or complete. Socially awkward, unsure of himself, and often critical of his appearance, Nando felt like a shadow of the man he wished he could be.

After the ceremony, as students gathered for pictures, a familiar name was called for Highest Honor in Architecture: Bryan Alford.

Tall, charismatic, sharp-jawed, with an effortless smile and calm presence, Bryan walked across the stage to thunderous applause. Nando had seen him around campus. Everyone knew Bryan. People liked him, respected him. He was everything Nando wasn’t—but wished he could be.

Later that afternoon, as the chairs cleared and students began leaving, Bryan approached Nando.

"Hey... Nando, right?"

Nando looked up, startled. "Y-yeah."

Bryan smiled. "You gave a great thesis presentation last month. I remember it. The way you integrated natural elements into urban design—it stuck with me."

Nando blinked. Compliments weren’t common for him. "Thanks... I thought nobody noticed."

Bryan chuckled. "I notice things. You got something special. You just don’t see it yet."

That one sentence hit Nando harder than any award he received. The two sat and talked. What started as a friendly chat became an exchange of ideas, stories, even laughter.

By the end of the day, Bryan had agreed to join Nando and his dad for a small celebratory dinner at their home.

The Mysterious Gift

Earlier that day, Finn (Nando's Dad) had stopped by a boutique perfume store hoping to get something thoughtful for his son. He knew Nando didn’t need much—but maybe a scent, a symbolic gesture, would give him the confidence he lacked.

But the store was nearly empty. No premium bottles left—except one, tucked away under glass:

"Magna Persona: For those ready to become who they’re meant to be."

It shimmered faintly when held to the light. The shopkeeper said it was a “rare blend that reveals one’s truest potential.”

Skeptical but intrigued, Finn bought it and wrapped it in a black velvet box.

At dinner, Finn handed it to Nando with a warm smile. “For the man you’re becoming the best of all. I'm proud of you!”

Nando hesitated but accepted the gift, opening it to find the sleek bottle. Its scent was unlike anything he had smelled before—earthy, warm, nostalgic, and strangely familiar.

“Thanks, Dad,” he said softly.

Transformation Through Connection

That night, Bryan stayed for a sleepover. The two boys (together with Finn) shared laughs in the guest lounge, reflecting on the past, their dreams, and life ahead. Bryan spoke openly about his struggles too, surprising Nando. He wasn’t perfect. But he was genuine.

As the night settled, the boys changed into pajamas. Nando, still moved by his father’s gesture, sprayed a bit of the perfume on his neck, wrists, and even his clothes.

He didn’t know the scent had begun to hum faintly in the air.

The three fell asleep peacefully—Finn in the corner recliner, Bryan and Nando on the guest bed.

Then it happened.

As Nando dreamed—of being better, being brave, of having his father’s wisdom and Bryan’s presence—his body seemed to glow faintly under the moonlight.

Unconsciously, he rolled toward Bryan. A subtle shimmer wrapped around them. Their energies aligned for just a moment, Nando feeling Bryan’s calm, confidence, and charisma filling the parts of him that always felt empty.

Moments later, he rolled again toward his father, and the soft light responded once more. The warmth of Finn’s grounded wisdom and strength met the spark of Bryan’s youthful brilliance inside Nando’s sleeping heart.

A New Morning

The sun peeked through the window. Birds chirped. Nando slowly woke up, groggy but… different.

He sat up. His chest felt broader. His posture straighter. He walked to the mirror and froze.

He looked… like himself, but subtly changed. His features had matured overnight—his eyes held both his father’s steadiness and Bryan’s spark. His skin glowed, his voice deeper, stronger. He still looked like Nando—but Nando, refined.

“Was it a dream…?” he whispered, but deep inside, he knew something magical had happened.

Embracing His True Self

From that day on, Nando lived more freely. He still had moments of doubt—but he remembered the dream, the warmth, the transformation.

He applied for architecture internships with boldness. He volunteered at design workshops, helping younger students. People began to notice his quiet confidence and deep wisdom—a presence that felt older than his years, but entirely his own.

He wasn’t pretending to be Bryan or Finn as his father.

He had become Fernando.

Final Reflection

One dawn, months later, Nando visited the same boutique store. The shopkeeper stood behind the counter as if expecting him.

“I thought I’d see you again,” the man said with a knowing smile.

“Can I ask you something?” Nando said. “That perfume… what was it, really?”

The shopkeeper just nodded toward the shelf—where a single bottle of Magna Persona still rested.

“It’s not magic,” he said softly. “It only works when someone’s ready to grow.”

Nando smiled. He no longer needed answers.

He already had everything he was searching for—within himself.

That Night—In the Dream

Fernardo lay down after his first day exploring his new self: his new confidence, balance, and ease in the world. He had the mind of an architect, the empathy of a leader, and the grounded wisdom of someone who’d lived through many layers of life.

As he drifted into sleep, the dream came naturally.

He found himself standing in a quiet garden. The stars were bright above, and a gentle wind swayed the tall grass around him. In the distance, two figures appeared—walking toward him from opposite directions.

It was Bryan and Finn.

They looked just as they had the night before, smiling softly.

Fernardo’s heart swelled with recognition, and he stepped toward them.

Bryan was the first to speak. “You look good, Nando. Or... should I say Fernardo?”

“I… I don’t know how it happened,” Fernardo said. “I didn’t plan for this. I just wanted to be… better.”

Finn nodded. “You didn’t take from us. You honored us.”

Bryan stepped closer. “We weren’t lost, Nando. We’re still here. With you. We felt your heart—what you truly wanted. To be someone whole. Someone strong. You didn’t want to erase us… you wanted to carry us forward.”

“But do you regret it?” Fernardo asked. “You both had lives—dreams.”

Finn smiled. “I lived much of mine already. But I see now that this was part of my legacy—to live on through you. In a way that matters. In a way that heals.”

Bryan placed a hand on Fernardo’s shoulder. “And I wasn’t finished, but… maybe you are the better version of what I could’ve been. You’ll do more than I ever could—we will. That’s enough for me.”

Fernardo felt emotion tighten in his chest.

“I’ll carry you with me,” he said, voice thick with feeling. “Not as ghosts, not as shadows. As pieces of me. Guiding me.”

They both smiled.

“You already are,” said Finn.

Then the dream began to fade. The garden shimmered away like dew in sunlight, and Fernardo awoke once again to the real world—still whole, still strong, and no longer alone.

After That Night into Morning

Fernardo would go on to do extraordinary things—designing buildings that brought communities together, mentoring young people, living with a sense of purpose.

And every once in a while, when life got quiet… he would feel a hand on his shoulder in his dreams. Or hear a faint laugh from Bryan. Or a quiet “I’m proud of you” from Finn.

He wasn’t living for them.

He was living with them—always.

1) Fantasy

2) Magic focused

3) Not made for kids (no middle grade or younger YA. New Adult and Adult prefered)

4) not set in modern times

Bonus:

5) I’d like gay characters.