It wasn't planned.
That was the thing.
Velithra stood by her gate like she always did, fingers still loosely wrapped around Kai's hand. The street was quiet, washed in late afternoon light, everything slowed as if the world had decided not to interrupt.
Neither of them let go.
Kai shifted slightly, thumb brushing against her knuckles without thinking. Velithra felt it—a small, grounding touch that sent warmth up her arm.
She looked up at him.
He was already looking at her.
There was a question in his eyes.Not urgency.Not expectation.
Just permission.
Velithra's breath caught—not because she was nervous, but because she was aware. Of him. Of herself. Of how far they'd come without forcing a single step.
She nodded once.
That was all it took.
Kai leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to stop. She didn't. She leaned forward too, meeting him halfway.
The kiss was gentle—brief, careful, almost tentative.
Not fireworks.
Something better.
When they pulled back, neither of them spoke right away. Kai rested his forehead lightly against hers, like he had before.
"Okay?" he asked softly.
Velithra smiled. "Yeah. More than okay."
Relief flickered across his face, followed by something warmer.
"I've wanted to do that," he admitted quietly.
She laughed under her breath. "Me too."
They stood there for a moment longer, hands still linked, the kiss settling into something steady instead of overwhelming.
"I should go," Velithra said eventually.
"Yeah," Kai replied, though he didn't move away right away.
She squeezed his hand once before letting go. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'll be here," he said, like it was a promise.
As she walked inside, Velithra touched her lips—not in disbelief, but in quiet acknowledgment.
It hadn't been rushed.It hadn't been dramatic.
It had been right.
And behind her, Kai stood for a second longer than usual before turning away—smiling to himself, certain of one thing:
Whatever this was becoming,it was worth taking slowly.