The sun was beginning to set as Saval and Semiel left the university. The sky, painted in shades of orange and pink, cast a peaceful glow over the leaf-covered sidewalks. They walked unhurriedly, discussing a broken game mechanic from the day before, when Mia intercepted them at the park entrance.
—Hey, you two —she said with a mischievous smile—. David and I wanted to talk to you for a bit. Nothing weird, I promise.
David approached too, holding a small gift bag. Semiel noticed immediately but said nothing. He just glanced at Saval, who had also caught on.
—We thought we could sit for a while on that bench —Mia suggested, pointing to a comfortable spot in the shade of the trees.
The four of them sat. The cool air brushed against their faces, and the rustling leaves seemed to wrap them in a suspended moment.
—Well, we won't beat around the bush —David began—. We figured out you two are... together. And we wanted to give you something to celebrate that.
—Don't think it wasn't obvious —Mia added, laughing—. It was only a matter of time. We're really happy for you.
Saval lowered his gaze slightly, blushing, while Semiel let out a soft laugh.
—Thanks —said Semiel—. Really. We weren't sure how to bring it up yet.
—You didn't have to say anything —David replied—. We just wanted you to know we're here for you.
Mia handed the small bag to Saval, who took it carefully. Inside was a little box wrapped in matte paper. When he opened it, Saval found a silver key, split into two perfectly interlocking halves.
—It's a symbolic key —Mia explained—. It only works if both halves are together. We thought it was sweet. A little cheesy, I know.
—But meaningful —David added, smiling.
Semiel looked at the key, then at Saval, who offered him one half with a shy smile.
—Thanks —said Saval—. It's... special.
—It is —Semiel murmured.
They spent a little longer talking, joking about who would lose their half first and how they could use it as an excuse to see each other. The mood was light, sincere, filled with the kind of warmth that only comes from being around people who truly care.
When the sky turned violet, David and Mia said their goodbyes.
—See you in class —said Mia, hugging them both.
—Take care, and don't forget the key —David added with a wink.
Saval and Semiel walked in silence for a moment, still holding their key halves. The wind gently stirred their hair, and the streetlights began flickering on.
—That was nice —Semiel said at last—. The key thing.
—Yeah —Saval replied—. It made me think that sometimes, the smallest things mean the most.
—Like streams... or walking together.
—Or holding hands without saying anything.
Semiel chuckled softly.
—You're getting sappier than me.
—Maybe you're rubbing off on me —Saval answered, squeezing his hand a little tighter.
They kept walking toward Saval's place, where they planned to prepare for that night's stream. But in their pockets, each carried half of a key—a silent symbol of shared affection and an unspoken promise to look out for each other. And though they didn't say it aloud, they knew some things didn't need words to feel true.