Saval woke before his alarm. Not unusual—but today felt different. As if his body knew this day held something special, even as he tried convincing himself it was just another outing with Semiel.
He lay in bed a few extra minutes, staring at the ceiling. That familiar mix of calm and nerves simmered in his chest—the kind that came when something important loomed, undefined. Rolling onto his side, he grabbed his phone from the nightstand and reread Semiel's message from last night:
Meet at the station at 3.
He'd replied quickly then, without overthinking. But now, with the day actually here, the overthinking had begun in earnest.
He headed straight to the bathroom. Cold water splashed on his face helped clear the fog. Toweling off, he studied his reflection—more disheveled than usual. He grabbed his comb and did what he could.
—Relax, —he told himself—. Not a date.
Though he wasn't entirely sure.
He picked a simple t-shirt—one he liked because it fit well and wasn't full of holes—and layered a light jacket over it in case the evening turned chilly. Debated changing at least twice before deciding this was fine. Downstairs, he threw together a quick sandwich and orange juice.
As he ate, he mentally rehearsed conversation topics: movies, games, future stream ideas. Didn't know if Semiel planned to discuss anything heavier, but he wouldn't assume. Just... be present. Enjoy the time together. No pressure.
If we just go have fun, nothing needs to happen.
He checked the time—nearly 2 PM. Brushed his teeth, patted his wallet, and stepped out with a quiet buzz of anticipation beneath his skin. The walk to the station wasn't long but felt endless. Hands in pockets, gaze alternating between pavement and sky. The sun shone but didn't scorch.
En route, he thought of their last outing—the movie theater. That moment when their hands had linked. The memory remained vivid. Now though... everything between them felt softer.
He remembered Semiel's hand in the dark theater. How it had felt warm and sure in his. How he hadn't let go until they exited. He hadn't said it aloud—not even to himself—but some part of him clung to that sensation. He liked being with him. Really liked it. And if that meant things might change... he wasn't sure he was ready. But he wasn't sure he wanted to run either.
Rounding the corner to the station, he spotted Semiel from a distance—leaning against a post with his backpack, scrolling through his phone. Saval paused. Couldn't say why, but a small knot formed in his chest. Not fear. Excitement.
He approached at an easy pace. Semiel looked up at the sound of footsteps.
—Hey, —Saval offered a small smile.
Semiel pocketed his phone and smiled back.
—Right on time.
Saval nodded. Studied him for a second. He wore his usual dark jacket—the one with the patched sleeve—and his trusty backpack. But something about his expression seemed different. More awake. More there.
—Let's go, —Semiel said, and Saval fell into step beside him.
As they waited for the bus, neither spoke much. No need. A quiet understanding hummed between them—as if both knew today would bring something new. Maybe they didn't have the words yet. But they felt it. In the air. In their pulse. In the way their footsteps fell in sync without thought.
And for now, that was enough.