4 LOVERS

Morning light slipped softly into the room, brushing against my skin, still warm from Louise's lingering embrace. I was wrapped in blankets, and the familiar scent of his body and the pillow still clung to the air. But when I opened my eyes, Louise was no longer beside me.

My hand reached out for the empty space.

He got up earlier than me?

I stretched a bit, then sat up, rubbing the mess out of my hair. Even though the rain had stopped since early dawn, the soft drip-drop of water from the roof echoed faintly through the window. The air was still damp, a little chilly.

I remembered last night—the thunder, the tight hugs, those whispered promises. Promises that felt… way too warm to ever forget.

I hugged my knees for a moment. Then stood up and wandered out of the room with my hair a mess, still in pajamas.

From the quiet hallway, I caught the faint sound of Louise's laughter downstairs.

Thought he was still asleep.

I headed down the stairs, and the moment I did, I saw him behind the bar counter—hair still a little damp, wearing that loose shirt he uses when he's chill, hands busy drying a glass.

His eyes shot up the second I showed up.

"Mornin', sweetheart," he greeted me in that usual soft, flirty tone—way too sweet for this early.

I scoffed. "Stop calling me that."

"But you are sweet," he said, walking over to me, grabbing my hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it. "Still warm, just like last night."

"Louise…" I snatched my hand back, cheeks heating up.

But before he could reply, we heard it—heavy footsteps coming from the front door.

Thud.

Heavy, steady steps. The kind I recognized. A knight's stride—or maybe… a Maajestik's.

Louise turned quickly. His gaze tightened.

I turned too.

A tall figure stepped through the half-open door—longer hair than last time, dressed in black and blue, sharp eyes like winter hiding a thousand secrets.

"Arven…"

He looked at me for a second. Then walked in silently.

"Morning," he said quietly.

I instinctively bowed my head a little, nervous. "You… came again?"

He gave a slight nod. "Your training's not done."

I bit my lip. "You didn't come for three days… I thought—"

"I needed time," he cut in, calm but firm. "To cool off."

I watched him. His eyes were still cold. But the way he stood, the way he talked… he was holding something back.

Louise stepped closer to me. But Arven got there first.

"Airi," he said, still expressionless. "If you're ready, we can start now."

I glanced at Louise. His jaw was tight.

"Can't it wait a bit?" he asked sharply.

Arven met his stare. "The sooner he learns, the better."

Louise slid beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "But he hasn't even had breakfast."

I choked a little.

Arven's eyes flicked to his hand on me. "I won't let anything happen to him."

"But you've already kissed him," Louise said, voice calm… but icy as hell.

The room froze.

My heart jumped.

Arven didn't flinch. Just bowed his head slightly. "I know… you're the one who'll have him in the end."

I stopped breathing.

Louise said nothing. But his grip tightened.

"I knew it from the start," Arven went on. "I just wanted… to see him grow."

I had no idea what to say.

Then Arven asked quietly, "You ready, Airi?"

I looked at Louise.

Louise leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I'll be right here. If he touches you… even a little… I'll burn that whole backyard."

"LOUISE!"

---

Louise stood in the doorway like a wall. His eyes never left Arven, like he was measuring every move.

I looked at Louise, then back to Arven, who stood patiently, still unreadable.

"Lou…" I called softly, voice nearly drowned in the quiet morning.

He looked at me. His blue eyes, usually warm, looked… dim. Not angry—just reluctant.

"He didn't come for three days," Louise muttered, not even looking at Arven. "Then suddenly shows up. And you… just go with him?"

"I just want to learn, Lou. I need to protect myself too," I answered softly.

Louise closed his eyes briefly. His fists clenched at his sides.

"Then…" he whispered, almost defeated. "Go."

I frowned. "Lou?"

He stared at me deep. This time, no teasing, no smirk. Just… heavy. Like he was letting go of something too precious.

"I trust you, Airi. But that doesn't mean I like you being with him."

I nodded slowly. "I know."

Arven gave a slight gesture for me to follow. But before I could move, Louise grabbed my wrist.

I turned quickly.

His grip was firm, and his eyes turned sharp again. "If he touches you again like before… I won't just watch."

"Louise…"

He reached up and kissed my forehead—warm, long, and sending heat all the way through my chest.

"I'm right here. Always."

I looked down, lips trembling. "Thanks…"

Louise slowly let go, and I walked out with Arven to the backyard. The rain had stopped earlier, but the ground was still damp, grass dewy. The cool air turned my breath into mist.

Arven didn't say a word while we walked.

But once we reached the garden, he paused. Then turned to me.

"Am I… in the way?"

I blinked. "What?"

His cold stare… cracked a little. "He doesn't want me here."

"He's just… worried."

Arven looked up at the sky, sighed. "I knew from the start you'd fall into his arms. Even before I kissed you. I knew."

I stared at him. Shocked.

"How did you…?"

"I'm a Maajestik. Master of old energy. A watcher of fates," he said flatly. "I see a lot before it happens."

I said nothing.

"But knowing doesn't mean it doesn't hurt," he added softly.

Silence.

The wind stirred between us. I wanted to say more, but he turned away first.

"Let's go. You don't have much time before the sun's too high."

I followed. We faced each other, and Arven began.

---

He lifted his right hand slowly. The air around us felt different—calmer, quieter… almost sacred.

"Water isn't just an element," he said, voice low and full of weight. "It holds emotions. Every drop carries memory. And you, Airi… you're too honest to hide from it."

I stared at my hand. It still felt unreal, thinking that I—once just a regular guy from another world—now had some bond with something this powerful.

"Take a deep breath… real deep," Arven said. "Imagine the water flowing from your chest, not your hands. From inside… not outside."

I did as he said. Inhaled deep. Closed my eyes. Tried to feel.

"Calm your heart. Water doesn't like chaos. You can't control it if you don't know where your heart stands."

Those words hit. Hard. Cold. But not painful—just real. Honest.

My heart was a mess. Louise. Arven. The mark on my chest. Fear. Hope. Embarrassment. Longing. All of it swirling.

And somehow, it all… felt like water crashing in my chest.

I opened my eyes. Lifted my hand. And there it was—a single drop of water forming in the air, hanging at my fingertip, glimmering like glass in the morning sun.

"Airi…" Arven stared at me, his golden eyes softening. "You did it."

I was shocked myself. That water… it felt like a part of me. Not summoned. Not forced. Just… there because I wanted it to be.

Arven gave a small smile, still reserved. "Now shape it."

I looked at the droplet, breathed steady. Slowly, it widened. Turned round. Then flat. Then stretched like a thread.

Suddenly—wind rushed in from the direction of the bar.

I turned instinctively. Far away, Louise stood on the second-floor balcony, staring straight at us. His hair blew in the breeze, and even from that distance… I could see the worry in his eyes.

Arven followed my gaze, then said calmly, "He's still watching over you."

I lowered my head. "Yeah… because he promised."

And with two men around me—one cold as a starless night, the other warm like an undying fire—I realized… this training wasn't just about magic.

It was about choices, balance… and understanding my own heart.