Eternal season

errivale seemed to have woven itself into her being, and every step she took, every word she wrote, carried a weight that was both comforting and terrifying. Kai had become a constant presence

re to herself than to him. Kai's expression softened, and for the first time, she saw something in his eyes that wasn't just curiosity-it was understanding. "You don't have to have it all figured out," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "None of us do. But the important part is trying, even when it feels like you're lost." Aria looked out at the water, her thoughts swirling like the currents below. "I've spent so long trying to control everything. My career, my choices, even the way I feel. But it feels like the harder I try to control it, the further away everything gets." She finally turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with a vulnerability she hadn't intended to show. "Maybe it's just easier to keep everything at arm's length. That way, I can't be hurt." There was a long pause as Kai studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, he spoke softly. "Sometimes, we protect ourselves because we're afraid of what might happen if we let go. But holding onto everything so tightly... it can make you miss out on the beauty that's right in front of you." Aria swallowed hard, her throat tightening. It was as if he was speaking directly to the core of her-of the way she had built walls around her heart, afraid of being vulnerable, afraid of being real. "Do you ever get afraid?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Kai's gaze softened, and for a moment, he seemed to wrestle with the question. "Of course. I think everyone is afraid of something. But fear doesn't have to control you. You just have to decide which moments are worth the risk." She looked down, tracing a pattern in the cobblestones with her fingers. It was hard to admit, even to herself, how much she had built her life around fear. Fear of failure. Fear of being hurt. Fear of being alone. But somewhere in the space between their words, something inside her began to shift. Kai took a step closer, his voice lowering. "You don't have to decide everything right now, Aria. You just have to take the next step. Even if it's small." Aria let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of his