Innermost Feeling

Across town, Kael and Damian sat at a small café, sipping on coffee and catching up. Damian had a mischievous grin on his face, the kind Kael recognized all too well.

"So," Damian began, leaning forward, "things with Selene are looking...promising?"

Kael rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. "I don't know if I'd go that far. We're still figuring things out."

"You've been 'figuring things out' for a while now," Damian teased. "Maybe it's time to stop figuring and start acting."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not that simple. There's a lot of history between us."

Damian's expression softened slightly. "I get that, man. But sometimes you just have to take the leap. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you'll miss your chance."

Kael's smile faltered, his thoughts drifting back to Selene. He knew Damian was right. There would never be a perfect moment, but there was something between him and Selene, something worth fighting for.

"And what about you and Lyra?" Kael asked, changing the subject. "You two have been spending a lot of time together."

Damian's grin returned, though this time it was tinged with something softer, more genuine. "Yeah, we have. She's...amazing. I didn't think I'd ever feel like this about anyone, but she's different. I want to take things slow, but at the same time, I don't want to waste any more time."

Kael nodded, understanding the feeling all too well. "Sounds like you've already made your decision."

Damian shrugged, but the smile on his face spoke volumes. "Maybe I have."

---

Later that afternoon, Lyra and Selene met up for a walk through the park, the autumn leaves crunching under their feet. There was a calmness between them, the kind that only years of friendship could bring.

"I've been thinking a lot about Kael," Selene admitted as they strolled along the path. "About everything that's happened between us."

Lyra glanced at her friend, her expression thoughtful. "You really care about him, don't you?"

Selene nodded, her gaze distant. "I do. I always have. But I hurt him so much before, and I'm scared I'll do it again."

Lyra stopped walking, turning to face Selene. "You're not the same person you were back then. Neither of you are. You've both grown, and that's what matters. You don't have to be perfect, Selene. You just have to be willing to try."

Selene looked at her friend, the sincerity in her eyes offering a comfort she hadn't realized she needed. "Do you think we can make it work?"

"I do," Lyra said with a small smile. "But only if you let yourself believe that you can."

Selene took a deep breath, her heart feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Lyra. I needed to hear that."

Lyra grinned, nudging her playfully. "What are best friends for?"

---

Kael found himself standing outside Selene's house, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn't planned on coming here tonight, but after his conversation with Damian, he couldn't stop thinking about her.

Before he could second-guess himself, the door opened, and there she was—Selene, standing in the soft glow of the porch light, looking at him with those familiar eyes that had always had a way of undoing him.

"Kael," she said softly, surprised but not unwelcome.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice a little shaky. "I mean, really talk?"

Selene hesitated for a moment before stepping aside and nodding. "Yeah. I think we need to."

As Kael stepped inside, he knew this conversation would change everything, for better or worse. But for the first time, he wasn't afraid. He was ready to face whatever came next, as long as it was with her.