The afternoon was brighter than either of them expected.A thin breeze brushed through the streets, carrying the smell of roasted chestnuts and early autumn.
Velithra met Kai by the old park gate, clutching the strap of her bag tighter than usual. She hadn't realized how nervous she'd be — not until she saw him leaning against the fence, black hoodie, messy hair, phone in hand, the sunlight catching on the edge of his jawline.
He looked up before she could say anything."You came," he said, voice lighter than usual.
Velithra tried to hide her smile. "You sound surprised."
Kai shrugged, shoving his phone in his pocket. "A little."
They started walking. Neither really knew where they were going, but somehow, it didn't matter. The city around them moved in slow motion — people laughing, kids running past, the world buzzing quietly while they walked side by side.
"Why here?" Velithra asked after a while.
Kai glanced at her. "It's quiet. Easier to think."
"You like quiet places?"
He gave a half-smile. "Only when they're not lonely."
Velithra looked at him, but he didn't look back. He just kept walking, hands in his pockets, eyes ahead like he was trying not to give too much away.
They bought ice cream from a street vendor, sat on a bench under a tree, and for a few minutes, everything felt… normal. The kind of normal Velithra hadn't felt in years.
Kai caught her watching him at one point. "What?" he asked, tone teasing.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "You just—look different in daylight."
He raised an eyebrow. "That bad?"
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "No. Just… softer."
He studied her for a second, something unreadable flickering in his gaze."Guess that makes two of us," he said.
Velithra felt her face heat up, and for once, she couldn't find a way to deflect.They fell into silence again — not awkward, just filled with everything they weren't saying.
When the wind picked up, a strand of her hair brushed against her face.Kai reached out instinctively, tucking it behind her ear.
It was such a small gesture, but the world seemed to hold its breath.
Velithra's heartbeat stumbled. Kai froze, realizing what he'd done.
"Sorry," he murmured, looking away. "Didn't mean to—"
"It's okay," she interrupted softly. "You can… leave it."
Their eyes met again, and for a brief, fragile moment, neither of them looked away.
The noise of the city faded. The light dimmed through the trees.And somewhere in that quiet space between words, something unspoken began to bloom — hesitant, real, and a little bit terrifying.