The park was quieter than usual. Maybe it was the time of day, or maybe the weather — a bit cold, but with faint rays of sun. A strange mix, like the feeling left behind after a half-finished conversation.
Saval and Semiel walked along the path, the one that bordered a pond with sleeping ducks and stone benches. Semiel held a bottle of water in his hand, and Saval had a vanilla ice cream cone melting faster than he could eat it.
—Remember that stream where you accidentally fell asleep with your mic on? said Semiel, wearing that smile that was half teasing, half nostalgic.
Saval snorted and looked down.
—It wasn't funny at the time. I almost died of embarrassment when I woke up and the comments were still coming in.
—You said the weirdest stuff in your sleep. I think someone made a whole Twitter thread with your quotes.
—I don't even want to know.
—One of them was like… Semiel squinted, searching his memory. Don't touch my pencils, I'm building the army.
Saval burst out laughing, despite himself.
—Why do you even remember that?
—I heard it live. I had my headphones on while I was editing photos. I thought it was part of a bit.
They kept walking. Saval licked the ice cream in small movements, trying to keep it from spilling out the bottom. The silence between them wasn't awkward — it was the kind that settles in when there's no rush to fill the air with words.
—I think I miss streaming, he said suddenly.
—Why'd you stop?
Saval shrugged.
—I don't know. Felt like I didn't have anything new to give. Everything started feeling kind of automatic. Then the whole thing with Antonella happened… and then everything else. I felt kind of hollow. But I'll be back soon… I just need some time.
Semiel nodded slightly. He didn't say anything, but his...
Semiel nodded slightly. He didn't say anything, but his expression changed. It was the same face he made when listening to sad music on the bus — eyes a bit downcast, eyebrows relaxed, body still.
You were good at it, he murmured. Not because of the views or the followers. It was obvious you enjoyed doing it. And that was contagious.
Saval glanced at him sideways. His fingers gripped the cone a little tighter than necessary.
Thanks.
They turned onto a narrower path, lined with shrubs and a couple of large trees. An older man was walking his dog up ahead, and the voices of a group of kids talking drifted from a nearby bench. That's when they saw him.
Xavier.
Leaning against a lamppost, like he'd been waiting for them. He wore a dark, unbuttoned jacket, hands in his pockets. His face looked less mocking than usual, but he still had that I know something you don't vibe.
Well, well, he said, not moving. Just the two I wanted to find.
Saval stopped walking. Semiel, a few steps behind, caught up and stood beside him.
Following us now? he asked, with no irritation in his voice, but no friendliness either.
Don't be paranoid, said Xavier, barely smiling. Let's just say… I happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Saval tilted his head.
—What do you want, Xavier?
—Nothing. Just… a little free advice. You two should be more careful. Things aren't as calm as you think.
He looked at both of them, saying nothing else. The pause was intentional. He was waiting for them to ask. To take the bait.
But this time, neither of them did.
Semiel was the first to walk away, like the game wasn't worth playing anymore. Saval hesitated a moment, then followed. They passed by Xavier without looking at him.
—Don't say I didn't warn you —said the other, raising his voice slightly—. Some things are starting to move again.
—Things are always moving —replied Saval, without turning his head.
—Yeah, but this time it might hurt.
They kept walking.
They didn't talk about it for the next five minutes. Or the ten after that. Not because they didn't care, but because they weren't sure how to take it. It could have been a threat, a warning, or just a provocation. With Xavier, you never really knew.
The sun was starting to set. Shadows stretched across the grass, and the air turned a little colder. Semiel rubbed his hands together and looked at Saval.
—Wanna go?
—A little longer. I don't want to drop my ice cream.
And just then, as if the universe decided to mess with his sense of timing, a big drop of ice cream slid down the side of the cone, making Saval let out a sound and try to adjust his grip with both hands. He nearly dropped it.
But Semiel was quicker. He reached out and grabbed him by the hand, steadying his hold.
Saval looked up. Semiel did too.
They stayed like that, looking at each other. Hands still, ice cream tilted but intact. It was a long second, maybe two. The kind of moment that doesn't need words. The kind you don't forget.
—Thanks —said Saval quietly.
Semiel didn't answer. He just lowered his hand slowly, like the contact had lasted a bit too long.
They walked a little more. The ice cream kept melting, but it didn't matter as much anymore. The park was starting to empty out. The man with the dog was gone, and the group of kids had left. Everything felt like it was on pause.
—Would you like to stream together again? —asked Saval, suddenly.
Semiel looked at him, surprised.
—Seriously?
—Yeah. Could be fun.
Semiel smiled.
—Then ask me again when your mouth isn't full of ice cream.
Saval laughed. He gave the cone one last lick before tossing the wrapper into a nearby bin.
—Alright. I mean it, it's easier to do things with you.
—Things like what?
—I don't know. Just… being the two of us.
They kept walking. They didn't say much else. But the silence, this time, had a different tone.
As if, despite Xavier and everything else, something had shifted in a slightly clearer direction. Softer.
As if, for a little while, things hurt a little less.