The bus swayed gently as the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a golden glow on the cityscape. The silence between Kaelan and Seren was soft and oddly comforting-until Seren broke it.
Seren:
"Kaelan... actually... hmm... are you just flirting for fun, or are you serious about all this?"
Kaelan glanced down at their hands, still gently linked. Then he slowly turned his hand, softly wrapping his fingers around hers.
Kaelan (smiling faintly):
"If I said I was serious... would you believe my words? Or would you rather feel the truth for yourself?"
Seren tilted her head slightly, as if observing his soul through his eyes. Then she leaned her head gently on his shoulder, her voice a whisper:
Seren:
"Mr. Dummy... let's see where this goes. For now, let's just be friends. We only met today. If everything happens the way it's supposed to... maybe then I'll think about it."
Kaelan (teasing):
"So until the goddess decides, the worshipper has to worship her every single day?"
Seren (laughs softly):
"No, dummy. I just mean... let's be ourselves. I want to know who you really are-beyond a few smiles and flirty words. It's better to discover someone's truth than rush into a moment that fades too quickly."
Kaelan sighed, his expression softening.
Kaelan:
"So... as your friend, can I still flirt with you? Maybe hold your hand? Hug you if I'm feeling especially brave?"
Seren pretended to think for a second, then gave him a mock glare.
Seren:
"Hmph, okay. But if I ever feel like I don't want to, you better not act stubborn. No pouting or guilt tripping. Got it?"
Kaelan:
"Yes, ma'am. Worshipper's honor."
Seren (playfully):
"Then let's start with this-"
She gently pulled her hand away from his.
Seren (smirking):
"Now that you asked, maybe I shouldn't give you the chance to get used to holding it too much."
Kaelan gave an exaggerated pout, scratching the back of his head with a dramatic sigh.
Kaelan:
"Okay... I guess I got ahead of myself."
The bus slowed.
Bus Driver (loudly):
"Final stop! All passengers please disembark. The bus will return to depot after this."
Seren (confused):
"Huh? Final stop already? Wait... did we even stop anywhere along the way?"
Kaelan (grinning):
"Guess the goddess was too into me to notice."
He leaned in with a mischievous look, crossing his arms behind his head.
Seren (flustered):
"W What?! N No way! I was just... thinking!"
Kaelan (laughing):
"Sure, sure. It's okay to admit it."
Seren (grumbling):
"Hmph. Let's just get off already."
They both stood up-just as the bus jerked forward unexpectedly.
Seren stumbled, nearly falling, but Kaelan reached out quickly, catching her around the waist and pulling her close. Their eyes locked for a heartbeat.
Seren (blushing):
"...Thanks."
Kaelan (softly):
"Even goddesses need someone to catch them sometimes."
Seren (blushing harder, then hitting him lightly on the head):
"D Don't get too full of yourself!"
She hurried off the bus, her cheeks burning.
Outside, the sky was beginning to darken, with twilight painting everything in a dreamy hue.
Seren:
"So... where to, Mr. Dummy? Please don't tell me you need a map to find your own house."
Kaelan (grinning):
"I'm not that bad... I just have an amazing assistant guiding me with GPS tracking."
Kaelan's inner thoughts:
"Thank you, Remus. Never thought I'd need you to guide me home like a lost puppy."
Kaelan (aloud):
"Shall I hold your hand again? I mean... to keep the goddess from wandering off."
Seren (binding her arm with his):
"Hmph. Like you wouldn't get lost on your own. Just don't drag me around like earlier."
Kaelan (grinning):
"One honest mistake and you'll tease me forever?"
Seren:
"Of course. What are friends for if not to constantly remind you of your dumbest moments?"
They continued walking, the city buzzing quietly around them. As they turned the final corner, a modest neighborhood appeared.
Seren (looking around):
"So... this is your place?"
Kaelan (nodding):
"Yeah... I know it's not much."
Seren (softly):
"It's... cozy. A little old. Is it your family's home?"
Kaelan:
"Nah. We rent it. Just the three of us-small space, but enough to breathe."
Seren:
"It feels... lived in. I like that."
Kaelan (smiling):
"You're saying that like it's a compliment."
Seren:
"It is."
As they reached the doorstep, Seren pointed to Kaelan's headphones still slung around his neck.
Seren:
"By the way, what were you listening to earlier?"
Kaelan:
"Oh, just music..."
Seren (grinning):
"Let me hear it too."
Before he could stop her, Seren yanked a headphone and slipped it into her ear-just as Remus, still secretly on the line, started singing.
Seren (grimacing):
"What... is this? Are your ears okay? Is this... a frog dying?"
Kaelan (laughing):
"Hey! That's my grandpa. He likes to sing... and sends me his 'albums' every other day."
Seren:
"Your grandpa is... unique."
Kaelan (shrugging):
"I used to ignore them until he tricked me once and found out. Now I have to play them."
Seren (laughing):
"Poor Mr. Dummy. You've really got a full time job just being yourself."
Kaelan (opening the door):
"So... want to come in?"
Seren (smiling softly):
"Sure. Let's hang out a bit more."
As we stepped inside the warm glow of Remus son's home, the spark between us quietly flickered and deepened-not with grand declarations or perfect timing, but with quiet understanding and playful affection.
And just like that, "just friends" didn't felt so simple anymore.