They walked side by side along the boardwalk, the rhythm of the waves below setting an easy pace. Lantern drones drifted lazily overhead, their warm glow reflecting in streaks across the dark water.
Juniper found himself watching the reflections more than the path, quietly mesmerised.
"It's different at night," Daiju said, glancing at him. "Elowen's loud during the day. At night it calms down a lot."
Juniper nodded. "It feels calmer"
They passed open-air cafés built into the cliffside, their terraces layered with glass railings and hanging greenery. Soft conversation and the clink of cutlery floated out into the night air. Eventually, Daiju slowed in front of a restaurant that extended out over the water on a suspended platform.
"This one," he said. "They source everything local."
Inside, the lighting was low and golden, designed to mimic sunset even long after dark. A host greeted Daiju with immediate recognition, though politely professional about it, and led them toward a table near the edge where the glass floor panels revealed the sea below.
Juniper hesitated when he noticed the water moving beneath their feet.
Daiju squeezed his hand. "It's reinforced."
"I know," Juniper murmured, sitting anyway. "Still feels like a little unnerving."
Daiju chuckled slightly amused.
Menus lit up when they touched the surface of the table, projecting dishes in soft holographic displays. Juniper leaned closer, eyes wide as he scrolled through unfamiliar names and images of plated seafood and things he didn't even recognize.
"You pick," Daiju said, watching him instead of the menu. "I've had most of it before."
Juniper blinked. "What if I choose something strange?"
"Then we find out together."
That earned a small smile. Juniper eventually selected a grilled coastal fish wrapped in sea herbs, Daiju ordered a seafood stew rich with shellfish and thick broth.
While they waited, Juniper rested his elbows on the table, looking out past the railing to where the lantern drones hovered low over the water.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Daiju tilted his head. "For dinner?"
"For bringing me here."
Daiju's expression softened, his usual playful edge settling into something warmer. "You don't have to say thank you for that."
Their food arrived in a gentle stream of steam and aroma. Juniper straightened immediately, curiosity looking at the meal. The fish was tender, flaking apart at the lightest touch, the citrus type herbs cutting through the richness in a way that made him pause mid-bite in surprise.
"Okay," he said after swallowing. "That's… actually really good."
They ate slowly, conversation coming in easy waves between bites. Juniper asked about the different regions of Elowen, and Daiju pointed out distant lights along the shoreline — filming districts, old industrial zones converted into creative hubs, quieter residential cliffs where locals actually lived.
By the time they finished, Juniper felt relaxed than he had all day.
When they stepped back out onto the boardwalk, the air had cooled slightly. The tide had risen, waves hitting the cliffside with deeper, steadier rhythm.
Daiju didn't let go of his hand this time.
"Walk a bit more?" he asked.
Juniper nodded. "Yeah. I don't want to go back just yet."
They continued walking until the boardwalk curved toward a quieter stretch of beach below the cliffs. A set of illuminated steps led down to the sand, and Juniper paused at the top.
"Can we?" he asked.
Daiju followed his gaze and nodded. "Yeah. Just watch your footing."
The sand was cool under their shoes, fine and pale under the glow of the overhead drones. Waves rolled in gentle arcs, foam dissolving quietly at the shore before retreating again.
Juniper stepped closer to the water, stopping just short of where it could reach him. He stood there, listening.
Daiju stayed a pace behind, giving him space but not distance.
After a minute, Juniper spoke without turning. "Your family lives here, is it far?"
"Mm." Daiju slipped his hands into his pockets. "We would need to take a boat over but its not too long."
"When are we meeting them?"
Daiju said. "After the shoot is over we will have more down time so in a couple of days we can head over."
Juniper nodded that he understood
Daiju's expression softened at that, something quietly pleased flickering across his face. "I'll message them tomorrow that we will head over."
They fell quiet again, the kind of silence that didn't demand to be filled. A small wave rolled further up the shore than the others, brushing the edge of Juniper's shoe before he stepped back with a surprised laugh.
"It's colder than I thought!"
Daiju laughed under his breath. "Ocean's always colder at night."
Juniper looked down at the dark water, then back at Daiju. "Still worth it."
Daiju held his gaze for a moment, the noise of the world narrowing to just the surf and the wind between them. He reached out, gently taking Juniper's hand again, thumb brushing once across his knuckles.
"C'mon," he said softly. "Let's head back before you freeze."
Juniper didn't argue this time. They walked back to their hotel room.
Daiju shifted closer until their shoulders brushed. "Get some rest," he murmured. "Tomorrow's going to be busy."
Juniper nodded, already feeling the heaviness in his eyelids. The worry from the hospital hadn't disappeared, but here, with the ocean outside and Daiju beside him, it felt quieter.