Eli's POV
Rain.
Of course it was raining.
It always seemed to, whenever something heavy touched his heart.
Eli was at the library steps, books in hand, hoodie up, watching the droplets blur the glass doors.
Then someone tapped him on the shoulder.
A classmate—not close. She held out a folded paper, slightly wet.
> "Hey, um… Riven told me to give this to you. I think he was too much of a coward to do it himself."
She smiled gently and walked away before he could ask anything.
He stared at the note in his hands.
Recognized the handwriting instantly.
Riven.
His fingers hesitated.
Then unfolded it.
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The Letter (Riven's Handwriting)
> Eli,
I don't know how to say this in person.
Every time I try, the words collapse in my throat.
I never learned how to be soft without fearing the fall.
But you… you were the first person who made falling feel like flying.
And I ruined that.
Not because I didn't care.
But because I cared too much and didn't know what to do with it.
I'm scared, Eli.
Of losing my place in my family.
Of not being the "perfect son."
Of loving someone who makes me want to break all those expectations.
But more than anything…
I'm scared of living the rest of my life without you in it.
You changed me.
You made me want to be someone braver.
You made me see colors where I only saw black and white.
I know I've hurt you.
I know you don't owe me anything.
But if there's still a part of you—any part—that believes in us,
I'll be waiting.
Same rooftop.
Midnight.
If you don't come, I'll understand.
And I'll never bother you again.
But if you do…
I swear, this time, I won't run.
—Riven
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Eli stood frozen.
The rain soaked through the page.
His heart pounded.
Because he hadn't realized how much he'd needed to hear those words until they were right in front of him.
His chest ached.
But not with pain.
With possibility.
---
Midnight – Rooftop
Riven stood in the cold, wind biting at his fingers.
He checked his phone.
11:59 PM.
He whispered to himself.
"One more minute. One more chance."
Then footsteps.
Soft. Hesitant. Familiar.
Eli.
He stepped into the moonlight, rain droplets catching on his hair, hoodie still up.
Riven's heart stopped.
Eli didn't speak.
He just walked straight up to Riven.
Looked into his eyes.
And whispered—
> "Don't you ever disappear on me again."
Then—
Eli kissed him.
No words.
No explanations.
Just the truth of everything they couldn't say in the silence.
The kiss was desperate and warm and real.
Riven pulled him in like he'd been drowning and just found air.
And Eli… Eli let him.
Because even though their stars had collided in chaos—
Maybe they weren't so undestined after all.
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