“Here you go, princess.” 

You turn just as Haku hands you the softest looking cotton candy. 

“Thank you.” You reach for your purse. 

His card is already out and ready. “This one’s on me.” 

You pout. “You said that about the yakisoba and the games.” 

“I can’t let my royal highness pay. Besides, I’m the one who invited you.” 

You sigh. “At least let me buy–”

Suddenly, he grabs your wrist and pulls you forward. 

You stumble, face landing softly on his chest. 

“Sorry,” he says, steadying you by the shoulder, “Someone was about to bump into you.” 

“Oh,” you glance behind, the crowd was growing by the second. “It must be because of the fireworks.” 

“I know a good place,” Haku’s fingers slide down to lace with yours. “Don’t let go or you’ll get lost.” 

He weaves through the crowd easily and past the food stalls until you reach a quiet area beside the shrine. You sit down on a worn wooden bench tucked behind a row of old trees– hidden from the rest of the world.

“Wow,” you breathe as you sit, “It’s like a secret hideout.” 

“Bingo,” Haku smiles, but there’s something quieter in his eyes. “I used to come here all the time when I was a kid.”

The sounds of the festival felt distant here. Softer.

“So,” you tilt your head, studying him, “who were you running away from?” 

He blinks, taken aback by your question. Then, he chuckles.

“Scary ghosts.” he says lightly, “And scary adults.” 

The joke doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

You’re not entirely sure what he means by that, and if you ask, he probably won't tell you. But Haku always moves like someone used to bearing all the weight alone. Even today, he’s the one doing everything– paying, leading, protecting. You wonder if there’s anything you could give back. Even something small.

He ruffles your hair, snapping you out of your thoughts. 

“Hey, don’t make that face.” He looks up at the sky. “We’re supposed to only have fun today.”

“But I feel bad,” you admit. “I just leeched off you the entire day.” 

“This again?” He scoffs lightly. “I'm just happy you even accepted my invitation.” 

You look up at him. “Still,” you inch a little closer. “Let me do something for you. Anything.”

He raises a brow. “Careful,” he teases, “That’s a dangerous offer to make.”

“I’m serious.” 

He taps a finger against his chin, pretending to be in deep thought. 

“Hmmm... maybe a kiss? Just ki-”

“Ok.” 

He freezes. It takes a few seconds for him to process your answer. 

He checks to see if you’re joking. But you’re already fully turned toward him, cheeks flushed, eyes closed in determination. 

There’s silence. 

He laughs softly, “You really know how to make a guy’s heart flutter, don’t you?”

Your eyes open slightly. He’s closer than you expected.

He leans in slowly, giving you time to pull away- to change your mind. But you don’t. 

The moment your lips touch, the fireworks explode overhead. 

Color bursts through the night sky, gold and red reflecting against everything- the trees, the ground, his hair, your skin. The boom of each explosion rumbles the ground but even that feels distant.

It's probably beautiful. But all you can see is him.