4 LOVERS

The sky had started turning orange as the sun slowly dipped behind the hills far out west. The shadows of the trees in the backyard stretched long, and the air that had once been warm now felt cool and crisp. A gentle breeze brushed through my hair while Arven and I still stood in the middle of the garden, right at the spot where our magic training had gone on all day.

"You pick things up fast," Arven said softly, his eyes fixed on the evening sky. His voice was still flat, but not as sharp as before. There was a softness in it now, like someone who's finally... giving up.

I looked down at my hands, still faintly trembling. The trace of water energy I'd channeled still lingered on my skin. Today, for the first time, I truly understood how magic worked—not through logic or instruction, but through feeling.

"That's because you taught me patiently," I replied honestly. I turned to him, watching his face bathed in the golden light of sunset. Arven always looked strong, untouchable. But now, he looked more human than Maajestik. There was a shadow of exhaustion on his face, and his eyes... looked lonely.

"Not every student absorbs well, even with patience," he said flatly. "But you're different. You're too open. That's a gift... and a curse."

I frowned. "A curse?"

Arven nodded slowly. "When your heart feels too easily... you're easier to break. That's why I stayed away for three days. Not because I was mad. But because I was tired... of feeling."

I stayed quiet.

"Being a Maajestik isn't what people think. They imagine we're full of wisdom, regal, powerful. But truth is? We're vessels—of thousands of memories, of hundreds of fate lines, and burdens of futures we can't change."

He sat down on the grass, his back slouched a bit. I sat next to him.

"You know how I knew you'd end up in Louise's arms?" he asked suddenly.

I nodded slowly. "Because you saw the future."

"Yeah. But seeing doesn't mean accepting. I knew in the end... you wouldn't be mine. But my heart still hoped. It hurts... like wishing on a falling star that already burned out before its light reached the earth."

His words cut deep. I never saw it that way before. I always thought of Arven as someone strong, mysterious, a little intimidating. But now, all I saw was a man trying to make peace with destiny.

"I'm sorry..." I said softly. "Sorry for making you feel that way."

He looked at me. "Don't be. Feelings aren't wrong. Pretending you don't have them is."

Silence. Just the wind and the rustle of leaves around us.

I took a deep breath, then smiled a little. "Then... let me stay by your side. As a friend. I know I can't be the person you hoped would love you. But I can be someone you trust, who'll listen, and who'll stay—even if not as a lover."

Arven looked at me for a long moment. There was surprise, then relief, then a faint smile I rarely saw.

"Friends, huh?" he said quietly.

I nodded. "Friends."

He nodded back. "Then... I can live with that."

We sat there in silence, watching the sky shift colors. And for the first time, Arven... didn't feel intimidating anymore. He was just someone hurting. And I wanted to be someone who helped heal that hurt, even if just by being there.

Today, he opened a small door in his heart. And I... didn't want it to close again. Not even as a lover—but as someone who makes him feel not alone.

As I returned to the front of the bar, the sound of hurried footsteps stopped me.

"AI—!"

Louise appeared from the doorway, and in an instant, I was wrapped in his arms.

"Louise?!"

His arms were tight around my back, like I was something he'd just found again after being lost.

"I'm here," I whispered, hugging him back.

He exhaled into my hair. "You were gone for an hour to train. But it felt like a whole damn day."

I chuckled softly. "Training... got emotional."

Louise pulled back a little, looking into my eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head. "No. He actually... helped me understand something."

Louise frowned but didn't press. Just looked deep into my eyes, like making sure I was really okay.

And this time, I could give him a truthful answer. "I feel calmer now."

His eyes softened. "I know."

I blinked. "You know?"

He nodded slightly. "Somehow... while you two were still out back, I felt something shift. Like a weight lifted from your chest."

I smiled faintly. "Maybe 'cause I don't have to fake being strong anymore."

"And you're not alone," he added.

"'Cause you're here," I whispered.

Louise leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine. "Always."

The night breeze started blowing, bringing a chill from the mountains. But my chest felt warm. I followed Louise inside. The place was quiet, lit only by a small chandelier glowing a warm honey gold.

Louise pulled out a chair for me and placed a cup of hot chocolate he'd somehow already prepared.

"You know I love this," I said with a smile.

"You stole a sip from mine two days ago," he teased.

I laughed. "I think I steal a lot from you."

"You can steal everything," he said, sitting across from me. "As long as you stay."

My cheeks went warm.

I stared at the steaming cup. My reflection shimmered faintly on the surface. But for the first time, I didn't see fear in those eyes. Just... peace.

"Weird, huh," I murmured.

"What?"

"I thought this would all feel like a constant storm. But today... I feel calm."

Louise nodded. "'Cause you made peace. With yourself. With your past. With him."

I looked at him. "You're not mad?"

"I'm jealous," he admitted. "But not mad. 'Cause you came back to me. Not 'cause you had to. But 'cause you wanted to."

I didn't reply. I just got up, walked around the table, and sat on his lap.

He was clearly shocked—but only for a second. His arms immediately wrapped around my waist.

I rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm here 'cause I feel safest with you."

Louise kissed my temple. "And I'll keep making sure you always do."

Outside, the sky had turned a deep violet. No more rain. And tonight felt more peaceful than any night before.

I closed my eyes, listening to his heartbeat slowly sync with mine.

"Tomorrow... take me out again, okay?" I whispered.

"Even if it snows tomorrow, I'll carry you out."

I giggled softly. "You're being way too sweet tonight."

Louise rested his chin on my head. "'Cause tonight... you're mine, and the world's gone quiet."

And just like that, the night passed.

No thunder. No conflict. Just warmth.

And in Louise's arms, I knew...

even if storms return someday, for now—

everything was alright.