Velithra didn't notice it at first.
It was Kai who did.
They were walking through the hallway together when a voice called his name—someone from his past classes, someone he hadn't talked to much lately. Kai slowed to respond, and Velithra stopped beside him without thinking.
The pause was brief. Casual.
But Velithra felt it—the way the other person's eyes flicked between them, measuring.
"So," the girl said, folding her arms lightly, "you and Velithra, huh?"
Kai didn't stiffen. He didn't step away.
"Yeah," he said, same calm as always.
"Oh," she replied, clearly surprised. "Didn't expect that."
Velithra felt the familiar tug of doubt try to surface. Not fear—just awareness. The old instinct to retreat, to make space so things wouldn't get complicated.
But before she could take a step back, Kai's hand brushed hers.
Not accidental.
Grounding.
The girl shrugged. "Guess people change."
Kai met Velithra's eyes briefly. "Or they just stop hiding."
The comment wasn't sharp. Just honest.
When the girl walked away, Velithra exhaled slowly.
"You okay?" Kai asked.
She nodded. "Yeah. I just… forget sometimes that being with someone means being seen."
He considered that. "Does that bother you?"
She shook her head. "Not with you. I just need time to get used to it."
"That's fair," he said. "We don't have to perform anything for anyone."
They resumed walking, steps falling back into sync.
Later, when they sat together under the trees near the edge of campus, Velithra spoke again.
"I used to think being noticed meant being judged," she admitted.
"And now?" Kai asked.
"Now it just feels like… existing honestly."
He smiled at that.
"I like that version," he said.
Velithra leaned slightly closer, resting her shoulder against his.
So maybe people would look.Maybe they'd talk.
But what she felt right now—steady, warm, chosen—was stronger than the noise.
And that made being seen feel a lot less scary.