You stayed longer than you should have.

It's so unlike you, actually.

The parents had gone, the kids were herded into cars sticky with frosting and dizzy from happiness.

The backyard looked abandoned now... Sagging streamers, half-deflated balloon animals, crumpled and torn present-wrapping paper, and a trail of crushed cake leading to the grass.

You were kneeling by your glitter kit, sorting paint brushes and wipes, when you realized he hadn't left either.

The Magician.

Still in black, still leaning against the fence like he'd never been told it wasn't polite to stare.

The hat was gone, revealing hair damp with a bit of sweat. Even like that though, it still managed to look good. A smooth mix of gold and silver.

His face paint had cracked at the edges.

"You clean up after the show too?" he asked.

You looked up, smiling in that practiced, unshakable way.

"Elara always leaves her kingdom sparkling."

He huffed a quiet laugh, low and deliberate.

"Curious name."

You nodded, tossing a stray sequin into your pouch.

"Moon Princess, Guardian of Bedtime Wishes, Sworn Enemy of the Boogeyman."

"Sounds official."

"It is."

You paused, brushing rainbow glitter from your palm.

"My friend came up with it actually... She's Greek. We searched for names that mean moon and landed on Elara. Jupiter's satellite. Has a nice ring, doesn't it?"

He considered it, rolling the word on his tongue.

"Elara."

Then, "You really do take it seriously."

You glanced at him, unsure if he meant it as mockery or admiration.

"Well, someone has to make the magic real for them. Kids can tell when you're faking. You have to believe it so that they can too."

That seemed to amuse him.

"Magic" he echoed, soft and almost fond. "Funny word, that one."

You stood, dusting off your skirts.

"Says the man who makes things disappear... The literal Magician."

He smiled, or at least, tried a crooked smirk.

"Disappear. Sure."

A moment stretched between you, strange and quiet.

The hum of the air pump still sputtered beside the plastic table, a lonely balloon half-inflated and sighing pathetically.

You tilted your head.

"Why are all your balloons black, anyway?"

He blinked, as if you'd caught him off guard.

"They match the suit."

You waited for something more.

He sighed, leaning down to pick one up from the pile.

Round, shiny, almost blue under sunlight.

"Because they don't scream. Red, yellow, pink, green... those are loud. These stay quiet."

What?

He tugged another, from the inflated ones this time...

A heart-shaped one, glossier but oddly limp in his grip. He looked at it for a moment before offering it to you.

"They sent a new batch" he muttered. "Hearts."

You accepted it, thumb tracing the uneven edge. "Cute."

"Mm. I don't like them" he said, voice low, eyes fixed on the balloon. "They crease too easily. Fizzle out faster. Try too hard to look like something they're not."

A cloud blocked the sun. Somewhere in the yard, a sprinkler started up with a hiss.

You twirled the black string around your finger.

"That's kind of sad."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Creases mean someone smiled... Or laughed. Or maybe stayed out in the sun too long. Doesn't mean they're cheap."

His gaze lingered on you for a beat too long.

Whatever was behind those eyes –calculation, curiosity, loneliness– quieted for a moment.

He exhaled through his nose, the faintest hint of amusement.

"You really are something, Moon Princess."

"Don't be nervous" you teased, echoing his words from earlier.

He chuckled, this time genuine, but brief.

"I'll try not to be."

You tied the balloon string around your wrist like a bracelet.

"Maybe next time, you'll pick brighter colors."

"Maybe next time" he said, voice almost warm, "you'll teach me how."

That night, the heart-shaped balloon floated above your dresser –black, badly wrinkled, but shining under your string of fairy lights.

You watched it drift in the dark until it touched the floor, its shape softening with the hours.

By morning, it had deflated completely.

Thank you for reading!

If you enjoyed this fic & want to support my work, tips are always appreciated! Thank you💜💜

[My PayPal, Ko-fi, Stripe Links]

Divider by @thecutestgrotto.