The temple bells had quieted, leaving only the soft hum of cicadas outside.
Children's voices still lilted through the air— high, sweet, untamed — as they gathered around Anurak with their slates and songs.
I sat close enough to bear their laughter, but far enough to see him fully.
His smile was small, almost hidden as he corrected a boy's chant.
His hand gently brushed gently against a girl's head as she stumbled over a word.
His patience was a living thing, wrapping the children in warmth.
But his eyes... his eyes were mine.
Every time the children bent their heads, he looked at me— quick, quiet, burning glances that didn't leave when I met them.
It was like being held without touching, as though my body was tethered to him by nothing more than the sheer weight of his gaze.
"Phi Kael," one of the little ones tugged at my sleeve. "You are smiling."
I startled, my lips had indeed curved, unbidden, my chest light in a way I had forgotten was possible.
"Am I?" I asked softly.
The child nodded earnestly. "Like the moon when it sees the sun."
The word pierced me. I turned, and there he was— my Anurak — already looking.
My throat closed.
When the lessons ended, the children scampered away like scattered petals, leaving their giggles echoing against the temple walls.
Sorren darted after them, tail wagging, before returning to collapse at my feet.
Silence fell.
Anurak was still watching me.
Not hiding. Not turning away. Just watching— as if each second was something he starved of, something he had begged the heavens for.
I rose, my steps carrying me forward before my mind caught up.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I whispered.
He didn't move, but his eyes deepened, darker than dark.
"Because... I thought," he said slowly, carefully, "I would never be allowed to look at you again."
The words stole the air from my lungs.
I reached out, trembling, and brushed my fingers against his temple.
He closed his eyes, feeling my touch.
"I missed you Phi. I missed this... thank you for being here... waiting... but... please don't turn away again... hold me whenever you want... don't hold back... not anymore."
His breath shivered.
When he opened his eyes, it was teary, a small smile forming on his lips.
"Kael," he said my name like a prayer. "I was afraid... if I let myself come near you... touch you, I wouldn't be able to stop... and what if... what if fate tore you from me again?"
The ache in me flared.
I pulled him closer, until the space between us was nothing but shared warmth.
"Not anymore Anurak... not this time... I never let any fate touch you again... once we lost each other... but never again... I am not gonna surrender to any more fate again... so whatever it is... don't lock me out of your pain... not anymore."
He laughed slightly... it was mixed with love, and surety.
"Sorry Kael, I promise not anymore... I always thought if I stayed far you will be okay... when you go back... you could go back the way you come here... that's why I always looked away."
He pressed my hand to his heart, where his heart thundered—
"Feel this... it beat for you only... then and now... and I wanted to protect you Kael... even from me..."
Tears blurred my vision, but I smiled and said,
"You are a fool Phi," I said chuckling lightly, "don't you see, you were the only place I was ever safe..."