Seth Clearwater sat beside Jacob Black, leaning in as they shared another joke. His laughter was contagious — rich and warm, the kind that seemed to glow brighter than the flames themselves. The fire painted his features in soft golds and reds, tracing the new lines of maturity that hadn’t been there a month ago. The boy they remembered — all open energy and boyish charm — had shifted into something steadier, his frame taller, his shoulders broader, his movements more sure of themselves.

It had only been a few weeks since they’d last seen him, but the change was striking. The youthful softness was gone, replaced by lean strength and quiet confidence. Seth still carried that spark, that easy kindness that always made them feel seen, but there was a new edge beneath it — something that made their chest tighten unexpectedly.

They hadn’t planned to come. Bella had convinced them with gentle persistence, promising that it would be fun, that everyone would be there, that it was time to stop hiding away. So they came — reluctant but curious — and now stood at the edge of the bonfire’s glow, the heat brushing against their skin while the wind off the water cooled the back of their neck.

The laughter blurred around them until Seth turned his head. His gaze swept the circle before finding theirs, and for a heartbeat, the noise and fire seemed to fade. His face lit up immediately, his grin spreading wide and bright, a flash of the old Seth beneath the new one.

Hey! he called out over the crackling fire, his voice warm and familiar. He nudged Jacob with his elbow and gestured toward them and Bella.