CHAPTER FOUR

[i’m not needy, you’re just... Always here]

It had been three days since kael last randomly showed up. Three days. No snarky comments. No eye rolls. No casual life-saving. No unsolicited snacks or threats. And riven hated how much he noticed.

He sat at his usual bench on campus, poking at his sandwich like it personally offended him. The weather was nice. His exam had gone well. His landlord hadn’t threatened eviction this week. Still, something felt off. Empty. Quiet.

Like someone had pressed mute on the chaos. His phone buzzed. He yanked it out — no message. Just a school alert. “pathetic,” He muttered, shoving it back.

A group of classmates passed nearby. He heard one girl say, “isn’t that the guy who’s always fighting with that tall scary dude? Like, they totally give off enemies-to-lovers energy.” Riven nearly choked on air. “excuse me?” But they were already walking away.

He stood abruptly. Paced. Sat back down. Then stood again. Where was kael anyway? Busy being broody? Scaring people into paying debts? Hanging out with actual friends instead of bothering one annoying student? Not that riven cared. Obviously. 

But the worst part? He kind of missed the way kael always knew when to show up.

[later that day – the reunion]

Riven was on his way home, earbuds in, trying not to overthink the hole kael had accidentally carved into his daily routine.

Then — from across the street — a familiar figure leaned casually against a lamppost. Black jacket. Arms crossed. Slight smirk. Riven froze mid-step.

Kael looked up. “miss me?” Riven crossed the road too fast and nearly got hit by a scooter, kael sighed in disbelief because of riven being careless. “i don’t miss you,” He said instantly.

Kael nodded like he’d just been proven right. “sure.” “you’re just annoying. And now that i know peace without you? I realized… I hate it.” Kael raised a brow. “you hate peace?” 

“…Yes. I mean. No. I mean—shut up.” Kael chuckled under his breath. “so dramatic.” “maybe i was sick longer than i thought.” They walked side by side in silence for a few steps.

Riven broke it. “so where’ve you been anyway?” Kael shrugged. “busy. Things to break. People to intimidate.”

“oh.”

“…You notice i was gone?” Riven glanced at him. “nope.” Kael smiled. “liar.”