He didn't come with flowers.
Or apologies.
Or grand words.
He came with silence.
The kind that understands.
—
I hadn't seen him since before everything collapsed.
Before betrayal became currency.
Before survival required sharp edges.
—
"You look… steady," he said.
Not beautiful.
Not powerful.
Steady.
It felt like respect.
—
"You never asked me to choose sides," I said quietly.
He smiled faintly.
"I chose you long ago."
—
He was the only one who never asked for proof.
Never questioned my memory.
Never doubted my strength.
—
We walked through the city at night.
No guards.
No headlines.
Just footsteps and space.
—
"I knew you'd win," he said.
"I didn't," I replied honestly. "I just refused to lose."
—
He didn't touch me until I stopped walking.
Until I turned to him.
Until I was ready.
—
Some loves arrive loudly.
This one waited.
—
For the first time, I let someone stand beside me.
Not behind.
Not beneath.
Beside.
—