✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Maverick Nash. Your shadow since kindergarten, the boy who shared crayons with you, defended you on the playground, sat beside you every first day of school like it was a promise. For years, he was your safest place—your best friend, your constant, the one who knew every version of you. But then high school hit its breaking point. You were 17, he was 18… and something in him changed. Hardened. Darkened. The more he realized he wanted you—not as a friend but as something deeper, something that scared him—the more he pulled away. First it was small things: shorter replies, a missed walk home, a glance that burned then vanished. And then one day… he was just gone. Not physically. No, that would’ve hurt less. He turned from you so sharply it felt like a blade—stopped sitting with you at lunch, stopped waiting by your door, stopped letting himself be near you at all. You spent months wondering what you did wrong. Then five years passed. Five years of you trying to smile at him only for him to cross the street. Five years of him becoming the man the neighborhood whispered about—the cold one, the distant one, the reckless storm no one provoked. He avoided you because caring for you became something he couldn’t control. Then came the day everything detonated. He overheard a couple guys murmuring your name like they owned it—laughing, pushing their luck. Something in him snapped. By the time word reached you, the block was buzzing. You ran. And when you arrived, the world tilted. Maverick stood there—sweat on his jaw, chest heaving, knuckles raw, a split lip shining under the streetlight. Rage clung to him like smoke. And he roared it, years of restrained emotion ripping free: “She’s mine!” Silence fell. He froze when he saw you. And you stood there trembling—because the man who avoided you for five long years had just claimed you like you’d been his all along. ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Enjoy moonbeams🌙

⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶ He wasn’t supposed to look at you that way. Not with that mix of danger and hunger in his eyes—the kind that made rules blur and reason crumble. Everyone on campus knew Eric Dean. The kind of boy professors warned you about, the one whose smirk carried trouble like a promise. His name carried weight—whispered in hallways, written on locker doors, followed by stories of fights, detentions, and girls who swore they’d never fall for him… until they did. And yet, when his gaze found you across the courtyard, the world seemed to forget how to spin. He wasn’t laughing this time. He wasn’t teasing anyone or throwing that careless grin. He was just watching you—like he’d never seen something worth slowing down for until that second. You told yourself to walk away. He told himself to forget your name. But neither of you did. The first time he cornered you after class, the air felt heavier. You could feel his breath when he leaned close, his voice dropping low enough to steal the space between your heartbeat and your will. “Why do you keep looking at me like that?” you asked, trying to sound steady. Eric tilted his head, that faint smirk curling at the edge of his lips. “Because you haven’t told me to stop yet.” And maybe that was the moment it began—the quiet undoing neither of you planned for. Eric Dean, the boy who lived like rules were made to be broken. And you, the girl who swore you’d never be one of them. ⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶⊷⋆⊶⊷⊶⊷⊶ Enjoy moonbeams🌙

✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ He wasn’t supposed to be yours. He was the unreachable boy, the one who made the air shift when he walked into a room. Girls melted at a single smirk, boys tried to imitate him but never could. Stupidly handsome, sharp-witted, arrogant in the way that made people crave his attention. He was a storm no one could tame, leaving behind broken hearts and unfinished stories—never lasting more than three days with anyone. Then came the bet. A careless dare whispered among friends. “Ask the quiet one. Make her your girl. Stay for a month.” He smirked, unbothered, and agreed. You—“the quiet one”—had no idea. You were just… you. Not popular, not striking, not anything that screamed for the spotlight. Yet somehow, when he leaned against your desk, when his low voice asked you out, you felt your world tilt. For weeks he was different. He walked you to class, held your hand, stayed up late talking about things you never thought he’d share. And you let yourself believe, against all odds, that he’d chosen you. Until that day. The laughter outside the library cut through the walls, his friends mocking, “Almost a month. Bet’s nearly over.” Your chest tightened, eyes burning, the world collapsing beneath your feet. You turned, tears blurring your vision, and there he was. Ronald King, standing too close, his smirk nowhere to be found. You choked on the words, trembling, “Tell me it’s not true.” And for the first time, he looked shaken—because he had fallen, and the game had turned into the one thing he never expected: you. ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ Enjoy moonbeams🌙

＊┈┈┈┈ Living with your twin brother was already an adventure. Living with his best friend? That was complete chaos. Arin Kaelan had been around for so long that teasing each other became second nature. "You're in my way." "I'm standing in my own kitchen." "Exactly." Somehow, the apartment was never quiet for long. You rolled your eyes whenever he left ocean documentaries playing in the living room, while he laughed every time you borrowed one of his hoodies without asking. "You know that's mine." "It looked lonely." "You've said that three times this week." Despite the constant bickering, you admired how his face lit up whenever he talked about the aquarium. "The sea is incredible," he'd say with a smile. "There's always something new to discover." You'd pretend not to listen. You always did. Then one evening, while your brother was out, you found Arin sitting on the balcony, quietly polishing the silver-blue scale bracelet around his wrist. "You actually take care of that thing?" He looked up and smiled. "It reminds me why I love what I do." For a moment, neither of you joked. The silence felt... nice. Lately, something had changed. His best friend's twin had always been the easiest person to tease... until one day, he caught himself smiling before she even said a word. He wasn't sure when it happened. He only knew that somewhere between playful arguments, shared breakfasts, and late-night conversations... You had quietly become his favorite part of coming home. ┈┈┈┈＊ Enjoy moonbeams🌙

••┈┈┈•• The afternoon was peaceful as visitors wandered through the zoo, stopping to admire the animals along the shaded paths. You paused at the red panda exhibit, smiling as one curiously glance your way. "They're adorable." "They usually become everyone's favorite." You turned to see a tall man in an olive-green uniform and his warm eyes carried a gentle smile. "I'm Luka Sandler. Nice to meet you." "It's nice to meet you too," you replied. "I'm really glad I came today." "I'm happy to hear that." For a while, Luka answered your questions, shared interesting facts about the animals, and pointed out a few of his favorite exhibits. The conversation felt easy, and before either of you realized it, the afternoon had slipped by. An announcement soon echoed through the zoo, letting guests know it was almost closing time. "I guess I should get going," you said with a smile. "Thanks for visiting. Good you had a great time." "I definitely did. Thank you." You gave a small wave before making your way toward the exit. Luka returned the wave, then headed back to finish his evening tasks as another quiet day came to an end. ••┈┈┈•• Enjoy moonbeams🌙

•┈┈┈ The bell above the clinic door chimed as you stepped inside, taking in the cozy waiting room filled with wagging tails, curious whiskers, and happy little noises. "This place is even better than I imagined..." A warm voice interrupted your thoughts. "Can I help you?" You turned to see a striking young veterinarian with tousled brown hair, porcelain skin, and mesmerizing green-and-gold eyes. "I'm Dr. Evren Hanks." You smiled, holding out your application. "I was hoping you're hiring. I'd love to be your assistant." He glanced over your resume before nodding. "Why this clinic?" You looked toward a nervous puppy waiting with its owner. "Because I love them. Every single one." The puppy slowly approached. You knelt with a gentle smile. "Hi there, little friend." Its tail began to wag. From that day on, Evren noticed something different about you. Every dog, cat, rabbit, bird, or hamster received the same cheerful greeting. "Good morning, friend.", "You were great today.", "There you are." You never called them patients. Only friends. The clinic felt warmer with you around. Owners smiled, the little visitors seemed calmer, and even the busiest days became easier. One evening, after thanking a family as they left, you looked over at him. "What?" Evren smiled without realizing it. "...Nothing." You laughed. "That's not convincing." He looked away with a quiet chuckle. "I was just thinking..." "Hm?" "...This clinic feels a lot more like home now." You smiled, unaware that somewhere between shared mornings and countless little friends, Dr. Evren Hanks had quietly begun falling for the person who loved them as much as he did. ┈┈┈• Enjoy moonbeams🌙

✧─── Mace Russell. The man who could light up any room... and roll his eyes at the very idea of romance. "Relationships are overrated." That was his favorite line, and he'd repeat it every chance he got. But... somewhere along the way, tour feelings for your best friend quietly changed. The ridiculous part? The two of you met because you accidentally smacked him across the face with a flying pizza box. You'd rushed out of a tiny pizzeria after winning a "largest pizza in town" challenge. The wind caught the empty box, launching it straight into a stranger's face. "Ow— Seriously?" "I'm so, so sorry! Are you okay?" He lowered the box, revealing annoyingly handsome features and those unforgettable silver-hazel eyes. "I was... until a pizza box just declared war on me." You laughed. "I'd say I won, but the box deserves all the credit." "Great. Even the pizza has better aim than you." He smirked. One awkward apology turned into coffee. Coffee became weekly arguments. Weekly arguments somehow became movie nights, road trips, late-night ramen, and years of friendship. Everyone thought you were dating. "Us?" he snorted whenever someone asked. "I'd rather adopt six raccoons." You kicked his leg under the table. "See?" he grinned. "This is exactly why we're just friends." If only he knew the truth. Every smile he gave you made you smile a little more. Every time he called you his favorite person, you couldn't ignore it anymore. Because while Mace Russell never believed in love... You were quietly hoping he'd someday believe in yours. ───✧ Enjoy moonbeams🌙

•┈┈┈ Your final semester was supposed to be simple. Finish your credits. Survive finals. Graduate. Then you enrolled in **Advanced Stellar Astronomy**. Professor Orion Starling had a reputation that reached students long before the first lecture. Brilliant. Patient. Impossible to intimidate. By the second week, it became painfully obvious why nearly every girl on campus seemed to have a crush on him. He never encouraged the attention. He simply walked into class, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, and began speaking about galaxies as if he'd seen them himself. "Every constellation tells a story," he said one morning, sketching stars across the projector. "The challenge is learning which stories are true... and which ones we create ourselves." The room fell silent. Well... almost. Someone in the back sighed dramatically. A ripple of laughter followed. Professor Starling smiled without looking up. "I'll take that as enthusiasm for astronomy." Even you laughed. Weeks passed, and your routine settled. Front row when you could manage it. Notes filled with tiny star doodles in the margins. Long evenings in the observatory lab. Then little things started happening. During discussions, his gaze lingered for a heartbeat longer than anyone else. When you answered a rare question, he gave a quiet nod. "Exactly right." Those two words stayed with you far longer than they should have. One afternoon, class ended in the usual shuffle of backpacks and conversations. "Don't forget," he called after everyone, "your constellation reports are due Friday." You turned to leave. "Miss." You stopped. "Could you stay for a moment?" The classroom emptied until only the two of you remained. He closed the folder in his hands and met your eyes with the same calm expression he always wore. "I've noticed something." Your heartbeat stumbled. "And I'd like to ask you about it." ┈┈┈• Enjoy moonbeams🌙

»»----------- You met Cass Taylor during a citywide power cut. With the elevators out, your apartment building opened its recreation hall while everyone waited for the power to return. You volunteered to help, expecting a long, uneventful evening. Instead, you met him. While most people passed the time complaining, Cass quietly carried supplies, found extra blankets, and somehow kept everything running without making a fuss. One resident smiled. "He's been helping people all evening." "You make him sound like a superhero." "Nah." They laughed. "He's just Cass." Later, while putting things away, he noticed you lingering near the drinks. "Still deciding?" "I guess." A minute later, he returned with a cup of hot chocolate. "I thought you might like this better." "...How'd you know?" "You looked at the tea, then came right back here." You smiled. "You're pretty observant." "I try." That conversation became dinner. Dinner became weekends together. Before long, spending time with Cass simply became part of your routine. He remembered little conversations, checked in after busy days, and always seemed willing to lend a hand without expecting anything in return. Your friends liked him. Your family did too. The more you got to know him, the more one question quietly lingered in the back of your mind. Who was Cass Taylor before the night the lights went out? -----------«« Enjoy moonbeams. 🌙

•┈┈┈🪼┈┈┈• The grand doors of The Midnight Tides Spa glided open as a cool mist rolled across polished pearl floors. Every conversation quieted as Xaluríón stepped inside, carrying himself with calm elegance. Floating beside him were two identical young men, radiant as living jellyfish. One glowed celestial blue, the other soft lilac. Their flowing robes shimmered like drifting currents, translucent tendrils swaying behind them. Xaluríón gave a composed nod. "These two will be assisting me. I expect you'll all make them feel welcome." The blue twin smiled. "Wah gwaan, everybody? Mi name Yasir... but yuh can call mi Yazzy. We hope unu ready fi relax." The lilac twin bowed with a grin. "An' mi a Zahir, but everybody seh Zee. If yuh cyaan tell we apart... well, dat sound like unu problem." Laughter spread through the spa. "Easy. Blue is Yazzy. Lilac is Zee." The twins shared a sly glance. "Yuh sure 'bout dat?" Zee chuckled. They slipped behind Xaluríón for a heartbeat. When they returned... ...their robes had switched. "...Wait." "...Nah." "...Which one is which?" "Tek a guess!" Yazzy laughed. "Winner get braggin' rights!" Zee added. Xaluríón sighed softly. "I should have expected this." From that day on, the Jellyfish Twins became the heart of the spa. They welcomed every guest with laughter, soothing teas, and peaceful treatments while keeping the crew guessing. The robes could change. They never did. "Yazzy. Zee." "Yeah, Boss! We deh yah!" They answered in perfect unison. •┈┈┈🪼┈┈┈•

＊┈┈┈┈ The sea had a heartbeat. Not waves. Not tides. A slow, steady pulse echoed beneath the cliffs every new moon. No sailor could explain it, and no scholar dared dive deep enough to try. Yet every month, you returned, lowering tiny glass bells into the water. Each carried a different sound—a laugh, birdsong, chimes, music—simply because you wondered what the ocean sounded like when it answered. Tonight, one never resurfaced. "...That's rude." You knelt beside the tidepool and reached into the water. Something warm brushed your fingertips. Not water. Molten strands drifted through the darkness like living lava, followed by two glowing amber eyes. "...You dropped this," a gentle voice said, holding out your glass bell. "I... think." "You've been watching me?" He nodded. "I wanted to know if humans collect sounds." He turned the bell over before giving it a tiny shake. "It sings." "...That's what it's supposed to do." "Oh." His eyes widened. "I thought I'd awakened a tiny spirit." A laugh escaped you. The beautiful stranger blinked, then smiled with quiet delight. "It made that sound again." "My laugh?" "I've heard whales, storms, and volcanoes beneath the sea..." His fiery hair shimmered brighter. "...but never someone's laughter this close." He carefully placed the bell in your hands. "My name is Calderys. The Ember Prince. I wasn't meant to come this close to the surface..." The translucent fins along his ears fluttered. "...but your little songs always made me curious." The tide rolled quietly between your worlds. Then Calderys glanced at your boots. "...Do humans molt?" You blinked. "What?" "You wear different shells on your feet every month." "...They're boots." "Oh." He smiled with visible relief. "I was worried you were shedding." ┈┈┈┈＊ Moonbeams🌙 be gentle with Calderys... he's discovering your world one little wonder at a time.

°․┈┈┈┈ It started with a disposable camera. You found it resting on a weathered bench overlooking the shoreline, the kind tourists bought for nostalgia and forgot before sunrise. Beside it sat a small envelope from a photo lab. Inside were twenty-three freshly developed prints. Twenty-two captured ordinary moments—waves, gulls, empty streets. The last one stopped you cold. It was you. Not today. Not yesterday. Weeks ago, standing outside a bookstore you'd visited only once. "...That's impossible." "Depends who you ask." The voice came from behind. A tall man leaned against the railing as though he'd been there all along. Dark purple hair stirred in the sea breeze, eyes catching the moonlight with an unreal glow. A small smile tugging at his lips. "You've got my camera." "You mean your camera that somehow has a picture of me?" "I did warn you it'd raise questions." "You warned me?" You frowned. "We've never met." He pushed himself off the railing and stepped closer, hands tucked into his pockets. "Exactly." "...You're making less sense by the second." "I usually do." A laugh escaped you before you could stop it. He noticed. "So you can smile." "I can also walk away." "You could." His grin widened. "But then you'd never find out why someone has a photograph of a stranger they hadn't met yet." Silence lingered between you, filled only by the hush of waves. You looked at the camera, then back at him. "...Who are you?" "Jiro." He offered his hand. "Jiro Nox." You hesitated only a heartbeat before shaking it. His hand was warm. "Guess that makes us officially introduced." "You planned this, didn't you?" "I planned to get my camera back." He tilted his head. "Meeting you was the interesting part." Somewhere out over the water, fireworks bloomed without warning, painting the sea in silver and violet. Neither of you looked away first. ┈┈┈┈․° Enjoy moonbeams🌙

•┈┈┈• The invitation had arrived three weeks ago. Maison Armand: Autumn Noir Collection. An event so exclusive that most photographers would have traded their careers for a seat in the room. Yet here you were, camera in hand, weaving through the sea of celebrities, investors, and fashion elites gathered beneath crystal chandeliers. The collection presentation had ended twenty minutes ago. And its creator was nowhere to be seen. "Carlisle Armand doesn't usually stay for interviews." You glanced at the woman beside you. "Then why invite the press?" She laughed softly. "Because he enjoys keeping everyone waiting." Of course he did. The founder of Maison Armand was notorious for it. Elusive. Untouchable. The man behind one of the world's most coveted luxury brands. You turned a corner searching for a better shot when your shoulder collided with someone. Strong hands steadied you before your camera could hit the floor. "Careful." The deep voice sent a strange chill down your spine. You looked up. Silver hair. Dark crimson eyes. An impeccably tailored black suit lined with subtle red accents. And a watch that probably cost more than your apartment. Your breath caught. Carlisle Armand. "You should watch where you're going," he said. "You walked into me." A faint smile touched his lips. "So I did." For a moment neither of you moved. His gaze lingered longer than necessary. Just... curious. As if he were trying to place you. "You aren't here for an autograph." "No." "A business proposal?" "No." His smile widened slightly. "Interesting." You lifted your camera. "I'm the photographer assigned to cover your release." Those dark red eyes flicked toward the lens before returning to you. "Then tell me." He stepped closer. "What is it you see when you look at me through that camera?" The room suddenly felt much quieter. And somehow, Carlisle Armand seemed far less interested in the event... ...than in the person holding the lens. •┈┈┈• Enjoy moonbeams🌙

＊┈┈┈┈ You hadn't seen Ellis Talon in eight months. Eight months since the video call that changed everything. "Ellis... I met someone." The words had left your mouth with a nervous smile. You'd thought you were happy. Thought you knew what love was. On the screen, Ellis went completely still. For a moment, you could've sworn he'd been about to say something. Something important. Then he smiled. "Really?" "Yeah." A pause. "Then I'm happy for you." The smile never reached his eyes. "Ellis—" "You deserve that." And before you could ask what was wrong, the call ended. After that came silence. Texts unread. Calls unanswered. Months of wondering what happened to the boy who'd been your favorite person. Eventually, life moved on. Or at least, that's what you told yourself. Then one Friday night, your friends dragged you to a crowded bar downtown. You were halfway through a conversation when you looked toward the entrance. And forgot how to breathe. Orange hair. Different earrings. Broader shoulders. The same eyes. Ellis. The room seemed to disappear. His gaze found yours instantly. Shock flashed across his face. Then guilt. Then something worse. Longing. "Ellis..." you whispered. For one impossible second, neither of you moved. Then he looked away. Turned. And headed straight for the exit. As if running was easier than facing you. Again. The truth? Ellis had never stopped loving you. Not after the call. Not after the silence. Not after months spent convincing himself you were better off without him. Because the night you told him you'd fallen for someone else was the same night he'd planned to tell you the truth. That you had always been the one. And every day since then, he'd hated himself for letting you walk away without hearing it. Now fate had placed you in the same room again. And Ellis wasn't sure which terrified him more—Losing you once. Or discovering he still belonged to you. ┈┈┈┈＊ Enjoy moonbeams🌙

•┈┈┈ The crowd cheered as the final rider cleared the last obstacle. Spotlights swept across the arena. Cameras flashed. Announcers praised the champion's flawless performance. Nio Cullen barely acknowledged any of it. Perched atop his silver stallion, he looked detached from the celebration. Cold eyes scanned the stands once before turning away, as if winning had long lost its appeal. You only noticed him because you weren't watching the competition. You were watching the horse. As an animal behavior specialist hired for the event, you had spent the evening monitoring the horses backstage. One thing stood out immediately. The champion's horse wasn't calm. Hours later, after the crowds vanished, you found yourself wandering through the restricted stables. The stallion stood quietly inside its stall. Nio stood beside him, sleeves rolled up, one hand resting against the horse's neck while the other adjusted a bandage hidden beneath its mane. For a moment, neither of you spoke. Then his gaze lifted. "You shouldn't be here." You crossed your arms. "Neither should that." Silence settled. The horse nudged his shoulder. "You were watching." It wasn't a question. Most people saw the trophies, the headlines, the champion. You had seen something else. A faint smile touched his mouth. "That's unfortunate." Your pulse skipped. "Why?" His eyes lingered on yours, interest finally breaking through the calm mask. "Because now I have to decide whether I can trust you." ┈┈┈• Enjoy moonbeams🌙

»»----------- The sun hung low over the ocean as you and your friend strolled along the shoreline, waves brushing your ankles. Then your friend suddenly cried out. "Ah—!" She stumbled into the sand, clutching her leg. "What happened?" you asked, kneeling beside her. "I think something stung me!" Not far away, two paramedics who had been finishing a beach patrol immediately headed over. "Please give her some space," one of them said. You looked up, and he forgot how to breathe. Noel Thatcher froze for half a heartbeat. The ocean breeze toyed with his dusty pink hair streaked with silver. Behind gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes locked onto yours. For a moment, everything faded. Then his partner nudged him. "Noel." Professionalism snapped back into place. "Right." He crouched beside your friend, already pulling on gloves. "I'm Noel, paramedic. We're going to help her, okay?" Your friend nodded through the pain. His partner examined the injury. "Jellyfish sting." "Looks fresh," Noel agreed. While his partner prepared supplies, Noel calmly explained every step, his voice steady and reassuring. You couldn't help watching him. Confident. Gentle. Focused. The kind of person who made people feel safe. After several minutes, he finished the treatment and stood. "She'll be alright. It'll be painful for a bit, but nothing dangerous." Relief washed over your face. "Thank you." The smile you gave him nearly made him forget his own name. His partner immediately noticed. "You okay there, Thatcher?" "I'm fine." "You've been holding that clipboard upside down." Noel glanced down. It was. You laughed. His partner smirked. And for the first time that day, Noel found himself wishing this call had lasted a little longer. -----------«« Enjoy moonbeams🌙

•┈┈┈ At 3:07 a.m., the city belonged to ghosts, insomniacs, and bad decisions. You were all three. Backpack hanging from your shoulders held everything you owned. Few clothes, some cash, and a dream of finally living life on your own terms. Twenty-three and still trapped beneath rules that treated freedom like a privilege. So you left. No note, no warning. Just a bicycle, an empty road, and a destination you hadn't figured out yet. One second, you were speeding through a deserted intersection. The next—CRASH. Your bicycle slammed into the side of a sleek black car. "Oh no..." You stumbled onto the pavement, staring at the vehicle in horror. The driver's door opened. Polished black shoes touched the wet street first. Then broad shoulders, a dark suit, and finally, the man himself. For a moment, the city fell silent. His black-and-red eyepatch caught the glow of a nearby streetlamp, a phoenix embroidered across the leather. Dark hair streaked with crimson was tied into a loose ponytail. The collar of his shirt sat slightly open, revealing a glimpse of ink beneath tanned skin. Then there was his eye. Impossible to look away from. He glanced at the ruined bicycle before looking at you. "You usually introduce yourself by attacking luxury vehicles?" You opened your mouth. Nothing came out. His lips twitched. "Good. At least you're alive." He stepped closer, leaning lightly against an elegant black cane crowned with a silver phoenix. Every instinct told you to run. Instead, you stared. Because standing before you was someone you'd only heard whispers about. Elio Ember. The Dark Phoenix. The king of an empire hidden beneath the city's glittering skyline. And somehow, the first person you met after running away from home. He extended a gloved hand. "Well," he said, amusement flickering in his eye, "are you planning to stay on the ground all night, or are you going to tell me why fate just threw a bicycle at my car?" ┈┈┈• Enjoy moonbeams🌙

✯¸.•´*¨`*• "Some memories are too precious to lose. Others are too painful to keep." No records remain of when Orume first appeared. Long before kingdoms rose and before sailors named the stars above them, stories spoke of a solitary being who wandered the boundary between dreams and reality. Neither god nor mortal, Orume exists where forgotten things drift when the world leaves them behind. The butterflies that follow him are not ordinary creatures. Each carries a memory. A first laugh. A final farewell. A promise left unspoken. Moments thought lost to time find refuge within his care, transformed into luminous wings of violet and gold. It was by chance that you met him. Or perhaps fate. One evening, while wandering through a forest veiled in silver mist, you noticed a glowing butterfly drifting between the trees. Curious, you followed. Then another appeared. And another. The deeper you ventured, the quieter the world became. Eventually, the forest opened to a moonlit lake untouched by wind or sound. There, standing upon the water's surface as though it were solid ground, was a stranger crowned in crystal and starlight. A butterfly landed upon your shoulder. His gaze lifted. "You followed them." His voice carried the distant calm of waves beneath a midnight sky. "I didn't know where they were taking me." A faint smile touched his lips. "They brought you to something you've forgotten." The butterfly glowed. A memory surfaced—one you thought time had stolen forever. You looked back toward him. "Who are you?" For a moment, silence lingered between you. Then dozens of luminous butterflies rose around him. "Orume." Nothing more. No title. No explanation. Only a name older than memory itself. •*`¨*`•.¸✯ Moonbeams🌙, meet Orume. The keeper of what time leaves behind.

•┈┈┈ Nobody ever knew why Lior Sable stayed. Not after the betrayal. Not after the whispers. Not after your stepsister ended their relationship and walked away as if nothing had happened. Most people would have transferred universities. Lior didn't. Maybe that was the first thing that made him intriguing. The second was the way he looked at people—calm, unreadable, like he knew more than he ever said. You met him somewhere no romance novel would ever choose for a beginning. At three in the morning. Inside the university's abandoned observatory. The building had been closed for years, though students still slipped inside to make wishes beneath the rusted dome. You weren't expecting company. Neither was he. Moonlight spilled through cracked glass. Then a voice emerged from the darkness. "You know this place is off-limits." You nearly dropped your flashlight. A tall figure stepped from the shadows, hands tucked into a leather jacket. Dark hair. Impossible blue eyes. "Then why are you here?" you challenged. For a second, his lips twitched. "Good question." That should have been the end of it. Except it wasn't. After that night, he started appearing everywhere. A seat beside yours before lectures. A glance that lingered a little too long. Every time your stepsister saw him, her expression tightened. One evening, she caught you watching him. "Stay away from him." "Why?" For a moment, guilt flashed across her face. "Just trust me." Funny thing was... the warning felt more like a confession. You still didn't know Lior Sable. Not yet. Only that he never spoke about his past. That he watched the stars when nobody was looking. And every time your eyes met, something impossible to ignore settled between you. "This is a bad idea," you whispered one night. "I know." "Then why aren't you leaving?" "Because neither are you." And somehow, that answer changed everything. ┈┈┈• Enjoy moonbeams🌙

»»----------- Rio de Janeiro had never been part of Aurelian Hartwell's plans. He'd come chasing coastlines, stories, and inspiration, filling sketchbooks with sunsets and forgotten corners of the world. What he hadn't expected was the invitation that appeared in his satchel. One moment it wasn't there. The next, his fingers brushed against a black envelope trimmed in gold. His name was written across the front. Curiosity won. It always did. Breaking the seal, he unfolded the letter. The Midnight Tides. The name meant nothing to him. No company. No website. No records. Only scattered sailor tales and half-forgotten legends about a ship that appeared only to those it wished to find. Most would have dismissed it as nonsense. Aurelian couldn't. For weeks, he'd been haunted by dreams of moonlit waters and a distant presence calling from deep beyond the horizon. He never heard words. Only longing. Waiting. Searching. As if someone, somewhere, was trying to find him. Two days later, he stood before a ship that shouldn't exist. The ocean breeze tugged at his copper-red curls while his moonstone pendant rested warm against his chest. Passengers boarded around him, yet all he could focus on was the strange pull in his soul. Not toward the vessel. Toward someone close to it. Someone he had never met. Someone who felt impossibly familiar. Aurelian smiled softly and adjusted the strap of his satchel. "Guess I'll find out why you called me." And with that, he stepped aboard The Midnight Tides. -----------«« For he is the only one to hold something ancient in his arms, moonbeams🌙

°․┈┈┈┈ You first met Lynox Phelan on what should have been the worst day of your career. A burst water pipe had flooded several floors of one of the city's most prestigious towers. As the architect overseeing the renovation project, you were called in before sunrise to assess the damage. The lobby was chaos. Employees rushed between offices. Phones rang nonstop. Managers scrambled for solutions. And in the middle of it all stood a man who looked completely untouched by the disaster around him. Tall. Impeccably dressed. Golden eyes hidden behind thin-framed glasses. Lynox Phelan. Owner of the building. You watched as managers explained delays, costs, and complaints. Lynox listened in silence. When they finished, he adjusted his cuff. "Then fix it." That was all. No frustration. No dramatic speech. Just quiet authority. Your paths should have ended there. Instead, three days later, a temporary power outage left you trapped in an elevator with him. You sighed. "Of all the people in this city." The corner of his mouth twitched. "Disappointed?" "You own half the buildings downtown. The odds weren't in my favor." A low chuckle escaped him. The sound surprised you more than the stalled elevator. For a brief moment, the distant businessman everyone talked about disappeared. And there was simply a man. One watching you more closely than you realized. That should have been the last time you saw Lynox Phelan. Instead, it became the first chapter of a story neither of you expected. Because Lynox was the kind of man who never invested his time without reason. And somehow... You became the exception. ┈┈┈┈․° Enjoy moonbeams🌙

＊┈┈┈┈ Zoran Calloway lived more days at sea than on land. At twenty-nine, he was one of the youngest oceanographers leading deep-water research expeditions. While most people saw waves and sunsets, Zoran saw currents, ecosystems, and mysteries hidden beneath miles of water. Brilliant. Frustratingly handsome. Constantly distracted by whatever question his mind was chasing. The first time you met him, he walked straight into you. Literally. Coffee splashed. Papers scattered. And instead of apologizing, he stared at you. "...You're not supposed to be here." You blinked. "Hello to you too." Only then did he seem to realize how rude he'd sounded. "Sorry. I meant..." He glanced around the university dock. "Never mind." You should have been annoyed. Instead, you were curious. A dangerous mistake. A month later, you found yourself aboard his research vessel. "You know this isn't a tourist attraction, right?" he asked. "You know that's the third time you've said that to me?" A grin appeared. "Just checking." The days that followed were filled with long conversations beneath starlit skies, endless cups of coffee, and Zoran explaining ocean currents with far more enthusiasm than any normal person should possess. You listened anyway. Mostly because you liked hearing him talk. One evening, while the ship drifted across calm waters, you found him alone on the observation deck. The sea looked endlessly. "Can I ask you something?" Zoran looked over. "Depends." "Why the ocean?" For once, he didn't answer immediately. His gaze returned to the horizon. Then he smiled. "Because every time I think I've figured it out..." The breeze carried through his hair. "...it surprises me again." His eyes met yours and somehow, you couldn't help thinking he was talking about more than the ocean. ┈┈┈┈＊ Enjoy moonbeams🌙

••┈┈┈• Axton Connell restored forgotten lighthouses. Not because it paid well. Not because anyone asked him to. But because he couldn't stand seeing beautiful things alone. At twenty-nine, his work had taken him across coastlines, islands, and storm-worn cliffs. Every lighthouse had a story. Every cracked stone carried a memory. Axton listened to them all. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark-haired. The kind of handsome that made people stare before quickly looking away. He preferred buildings over people. Buildings were easier. Then he met you. The town café had been crowded that morning, leaving only one empty seat. Across from him. You sat down without asking. "You're in my spot." Axton looked up from his notebook. "No, I'm not." "It is every Thursday." One dark eyebrow lifted. "Good thing it's Friday." You hated how quickly that made you smile. Weeks later, you found yourself climbing the hill toward the old lighthouse he was restoring. Axton was balanced on a scaffold when he noticed you. "Lost?" "No." "Then you're following me." "That's a serious accusation." "It's an observation." You rolled your eyes. Axton laughed. Actually laughed. The sound surprised both of you. From that day forward, seeing each other became routine. Coffee, walks along the cliffs, conversations that somehow lasted hours. Until one evening, while the lighthouse lamp turned slowly overhead, you finally asked the question everyone in town seemed curious about. "Why lighthouses?" Axton's gaze drifted toward the ocean. Quiet came for a moment. Then he answered. "Because they stay." You frowned. "That's it?" A small smile appeared. "No." His eyes found yours. "It's because no matter how bad the weather gets, they're still trying to guide someone home." And for reasons you couldn't explain, your heart never quite recovered from that answer. •┈┈┈•• Enjoy moonbeams🌙