“Maybe I’m the rare kind.

The kind who knows

that truth doesn’t only soothe—

it stings.”

“I see beauty in what burns,

and ache in what’s bright.

I don’t love the light instead of the shadow.

Both of you… exist.”

“Maybe that’s why it hurts.

Maybe that’s why it’s lonely.

But I will stay—

because I have so much love to give.”

The girl blinked.

She had never been seen like that before.

Not as something to fix.

Not as something to hide.

Just… seen.

And for the first time,

the shadow felt

a little less cold.