Holding Kai's hand didn't feel like a sudden change.
It felt like a continuation.
Velithra noticed it in the small things first—how she didn't pull away when someone passed too close, how her thumb brushed his without thinking, how the world felt steadier instead of louder.
They walked like that for a while, hands joined loosely, neither of them in a hurry to speak.
Eventually, Kai stopped near the edge of the courtyard.
"Velithra," he said.
She turned toward him, their hands still connected.
"I don't want to assume anything," he continued. "But I also don't want to keep pretending this is smaller than it is."
Her chest tightened—not with fear, but recognition.
"I feel the same," she said quietly.
Kai searched her face. "I care about you. More than just… being around you. And I've felt that way for a while."
She nodded slowly. "Me too."
The simplicity of it surprised her. No racing thoughts. No urge to retreat.
Just truth.
"I didn't want to say it while you were away," Kai added. "I didn't want you to feel pressured."
"I didn't feel pressured," she replied. "I felt… missed."
His grip on her hand tightened just slightly. "Good."
Velithra took a breath. "I like you, Kai."
There it was.
Not dramatic.Not overwhelming.
Just honest.
Kai smiled—soft and real, like he'd been holding that expression back.
"I like you too," he said. "I want to try this. Slowly. Properly."
She squeezed his hand. "I want that too."
They stood there for a moment, the world moving quietly around them.
Kai leaned closer—not enough to cross anything—but enough that his voice dropped.
"Does this mean I can keep walking you home?"
Velithra smiled. "Yes. It does."
They didn't kiss.They didn't need to.
Because what they'd just shared felt bigger than that.
It felt like choosing each other.
And this time, neither of them wondered if it would last.