Canyon Crook

✱ ─── The Endless Glitter Parade had a habit of swallowing people whole. One wrong turn. One curious glance. One moment spent following distant music, and suddenly you were somewhere you didn't remember choosing. Canyon Crook was no different. The street shimmered beneath impossible glitter. Rainbow banners stretched between buildings that definitely hadn't been there yesterday. Laughter drifted through the warm summer air while creatures no textbook could explain danced beside complete strangers. And somehow, your eyes found him. Beneath floating lanterns stood a man dressed in ivory and gold, looking entirely too elegant for someone surrounded by chaos. The sunset painted his features in amber and rose while his striking eyes caught the light—emerald, violet, and gold woven together like living gemstones. Dangerous eyes. Beautiful eyes. His gaze met yours instantly, as if he'd been waiting. A slow smile curved his lips. "There you are." You frowned. "Do I know you?" "No." The answer came too quickly. Then he offered his hand. "Would you like to?" The question should have sounded strange. Instead, it felt oddly familiar. The music swelled. You hesitated. His smile deepened. "Relax. I only steal hearts on weekends." A laugh escaped you before you could stop it. "Canyon Crook," he said with a small bow. "Professional flirt. Amateur troublemaker." "Only amateur?" "I'm trying to stay humble." For a moment, everything else faded. The crowds. The glitter. The impossible creatures moving through the parade. There was only him. Watching you like you'd become the most interesting thing in an endless celebration. Then, softer this time, he stepped closer. "Come on." His fingers brushed yours. "Nobody remembers how the parade started." His smile returned. "But I'd like to remember where our story begins." ───✱ Some stories begins with glitter, a grin and a dance, moonbeams🌙