The smell of sizzling meat and fresh-baked buns greeted them as they stepped inside. The burger joint had that loud, joyful atmosphere of a place where people come to be happy for a while. Semiel chose a table by the window while Saval studied the backlit menu above the counter.
—I'll get the usual, —Semiel said, raising a hand halfheartedly.
—Double patty, obviously, —Saval replied with a half-smile—. Think I'll go bacon cheeseburger. Feeling brave today.
—Not brave. Just hungry.
—Doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.
They chuckled softly. Nothing forced. Just the kind of easy banter they'd learned to trade to stay close, even in silence.
They sat across from each other with their trays. Fries crunched under fingertips, melted cheese oozing shamelessly from between buns.
—Any sarcastic remarks about my life choices? —Saval asked, lifting his burger.
—Only that bacon is a commitment. No going back after this.
—We'll see if I survive.
Between bites, they discussed their last stream—how one viewer had gotten stuck on the final boss fight and spammed the chat with frustration emojis.
—Remember that guy who kept backseat gaming? —Semiel asked around a mouthful.
—The one who insisted we go magic build and got us killed in five seconds?
—That's the one. Loved him.
Saval snorted mid-fry.
Semiel watched him a beat too long. Something about this moment filled him up. Like nothing could hurt, like the hard days were behind them. He thought of the gift in his backpack—the bracelet with green stones and delicate engraved flowers. The vendor had said it symbolized unconditional love. He'd liked the idea. But now he wasn't sure if this was the right moment.
Would he think it's cheesy? Is it too much? What if I ruin everything?
Saval licked his fingers clean and wiped them on a napkin.
—Grabbing a Coke. You?
—Same. No ice.
—Such a rebel.
—Just cold-natured.
They went to the counter together. Got their drinks quickly. Saval carried them back like Olympic trophies.
—Cheers, —he said, raising his cup.
—To future streams.
—And to bacon burgers.
They clinked cups in midair without really clinking. The trays were empty now, but neither seemed ready to leave.
—Wanna get ice cream? —Semiel asked, fiddling with his straw.
—Yeah. Let's go.
At the creamery, Semiel ordered his classic: extra-large vanilla, no hesitation.
—You should live dangerously someday, —Saval said, scanning flavors.
—I live dangerously every day just knowing you.
—Then... mango, —Saval decided suddenly—. New experiences.
—Mango is very hardcore.
They took their cones and wandered down a quieter mall corridor—vending machines on one side, benches on the other, just a few hurried strangers in the distance.
They sat side by side, unhurried. The silence between them wasn't empty anymore, but full. Semiel ate his ice cream fast, unfazed by the cold. Saval took slow, exploratory licks, as if tasting some exotic fruit.
Semiel glanced at him. He was comfortable. Happy. But the feeling in his chest wasn't calm—it was vertigo. The gift grew heavier by the minute. He'd brought it with excitement, but now it felt enormous, like carrying a decision that couldn't be made lightly.
—It's good, —Saval said suddenly—. The mango. Tastes... different.
—Different good?
—Yeah. Think so.
Semiel finished first. Wiped his mouth, took a deep breath, and turned slightly toward Saval. His heart pounded, as if it already knew what came next.
—Saval, —he said softly—. Wanted to show you something...