I hadn’t really expected her to say yes when I asked her to stay. But she did.

Now, in the dim glow of the single candle, my space felt different. Not crowded—just… warmer. It had been a long time since I shared it with anyone.

She was sitting on my old mattress, arms crossed, watching the candle flicker. Her usual confidence seemed to be missing, replaced by a quiet curiosity, like she was trying to figure something out—maybe me, maybe this whole place.

“You comfortable?” I asked, not really sure why I was suddenly concerned about that.

She glanced at me, then back at the candle, her lips pressing together. “I guess.”

I smirked, watching her take everything in. “If you don’t like it, you can always leave.”

She didn’t respond, but I caught the tiniest edge of a smile in the corner of her mouth, like she didn’t know how to react.

“You don’t usually have people over, do you?” she asked after a while.

I smiled, flopping down onto the mattress beside her. “Nope.” Then, after a pause, I nudged her with my knee. “You should be honored.”

She gave me a look. “Oh, should I?”

“Obviously.”

She huffed, but there was amusement in it.

The candle flickered, making our shadows dance across the walls.

Lilith hesitated before speaking again. “So… this Nation Day. You’ve always celebrated it?”

I nodded. “Since I was little. It’s the only day things feel… lighter.” She stared at the candle’s flame, my voice quieter now. “It’s nice, y’know? Being able to breathe, even if it’s just for one day.”

Lilith watched me, the way her expression softened in the dim light. “You like it that much?”

I turned my head, meeting Lilith’s gaze. “Of course. Don’t you have anything like that? A day that makes things feel better?”

Lilith was quiet for a moment. “No.”

I blinked. “Nothing?”

Lilith shook her head. “Where I’m from, every day is the same. There’s no reason to celebrate.”

I frowned but didn’t push. Instead, I leaned back on my elbows. “Well… maybe you’ll like this one.”

Lilith hummed, not giving a real answer. But something in her expression said she was at least curious.

The candlelight flickered, stretching shadows across the walls. It felt… close. Warmer than Lilith expected.

I let out a slow breath. “You should sleep. Tomorrow’s gonna be long.”

Lilith hesitated before lying down beside me. Not too close, but close enough.

A quiet moment passed. 

“Hey, Lilith?”

Lilith turned her head slightly. “What?”

A pause. Then, I smiled at her. 

“I’m glad you stayed.”

Lilith didn’t answer right away. But after a beat, she closed her eyes, the warmth of the candle still flickering beside us.

Maybe, just for tonight, she was glad too.