The days after their conversation by the lake felt like a dream to Flora. There was a lightness in the air when she walked around Alfea, as though everything was newly infused with possibility. It wasn't that the tension had disappeared entirely—far from it—but there was something comforting about the fact that they were all in this together. The uncertainty hadn't vanished, but the fear had. Still, there were moments when Flora would catch herself looking at Helia, Musa, or Riven, wondering just how deep the feelings between them really went. Each of them had always held a special place in her heart, but now, that space felt larger, more complex. She couldn't ignore the pull she felt toward each of them. They each brought something unique to the table: Helia with his calm and unwavering support, Musa with her infectious energy and deep understanding, and Riven, whose chaotic, unpredictable nature made Flora feel more alive than she cared to admit.She had always been the one who was most attuned to the emotions of others, the one who could read a room with a single glance, but now, her own emotions felt like a swirling storm that she couldn't quite make sense of. It was still early in the week when Musa and Flora found themselves walking to the courtyard for their afternoon break. The sun was high, and the air smelled of fresh flowers and earth. Musa had been unusually quiet for the past hour, her lips pressed in a thoughtful line. Flora knew her best friend well enough to recognize when something was on her mind."Musa, you've been quiet," Flora said, nudging her. "Something's bothering you?"Musa glanced at Flora, then looked away. "It's just... this whole thing with the four of us. I don't know. It feels right, but I also don't know if I'm making it *too* complicated in my head. I don't want things to get weird between us."Flora's heart skipped. It was as if Musa had read her mind. "I know what you mean," Flora admitted, her voice soft. "I've been feeling the same way. I don't want to ruin what we have, but at the same time... everything feels so different now."Musa's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "I guess that's the tricky part, huh? Trying to figure out if we can have *more* without losing the friendship we've built over all these years."Flora nodded. "Exactly. But I don't know how to stop these feelings from growing, either."Musa's smile softened, her eyes full of understanding. "It's scary, but sometimes you just have to take that leap. We can't control our feelings, Flora. And I know you, you're always thinking things through, trying to make sense of it all. But maybe... maybe we just need to let things unfold, even if we don't have all the answers yet."Flora's thoughts swirled, and she glanced at Musa, feeling grateful for her clarity. "You're right. Maybe I need to stop overthinking it."Before either of them could continue, a familiar voice interrupted their conversation."Stop overthinking it? Seriously?" Riven's tone was playful, yet there was a hint of something more serious behind his words. "You two are always talking about overthinking. Can't we just enjoy the moment?"Flora turned to see Riven standing a few feet away, leaning against a nearby pillar with his usual cocky smirk. Musa rolled her eyes, though there was no real annoyance in her expression."Riven, always the one to keep things simple," Musa teased.Riven pushed off from the pillar and stepped closer, his eyes shifting from Musa to Flora. "Well, yeah. I mean, if you're going to spend so much time overthinking, you're going to miss out on what really matters." His gaze lingered on Flora a little longer than usual, a subtle softness in his eyes that wasn't often there.Flora's heart skipped. It wasn't just the teasing; it was the weight in his voice. The sincerity he rarely allowed to show through. Helia appeared next, walking toward them with his usual calm demeanor. His gaze flickered from Musa to Riven, then to Flora, his expression unreadable for a moment before softening. "You three look deep in conversation. What's going on?"Musa raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. "We were just talking about how Riven thinks overthinking is a waste of time. But you know, I think we could use some of that right now."Helia smiled, his eyes gentle. "I think sometimes, we just need to let things play out." He met Flora's gaze, a warmth in his expression that made her heart flutter. "No amount of thinking will change the way we feel. We just have to trust in what's happening between us."Flora swallowed, unsure of how to respond. How could she explain the storm of emotions inside her? Helia's words felt like an anchor, a reassurance, but it didn't make the confusion any easier to navigate. The more time she spent with them, the more it felt like there were layers to each of their feelings that hadn't yet been revealed.The rest of the afternoon passed with a quiet tension hanging over the group. It wasn't awkward, but there was a shift in the air, a palpable sense of anticipation that they couldn't ignore. Every time Flora looked at one of them, her heart seemed to race. She found herself wondering, for the hundredth time, whether it was possible to love all of them in different ways without losing herself in the process.---That evening, as the stars began to twinkle in the sky, Flora found herself walking along the outskirts of the garden, lost in thought. The moon cast a soft glow over the petals of the flowers, and the air was cool, carrying the scent of jasmine and roses.She didn't hear him approach until he was standing beside her."Mind if I join you?" Riven's voice was low, a little rough, but there was a sincerity in it that caught her off guard. His usually cocky demeanor was replaced with something softer, something vulnerable.Flora looked up, startled by his presence, but then a small smile tugged at her lips. "I don't mind."They stood together in silence for a few moments, the only sound the rustle of leaves in the wind. Flora could feel the tension between them, the unspoken words that hovered in the air. She glanced at him, studying his face in the soft moonlight. His expression was unreadable, his usual sarcasm absent."Riven," she said, her voice quieter than she intended. "I've been thinking about... everything. About us. And I just—"Riven turned to face her, his eyes softer than she'd ever seen them. "You don't have to say anything you're not ready to say."Flora's breath caught in her throat. There was something so raw in his eyes, something she didn't know how to respond to. "But I need to know. I need to know if what I'm feeling is... real. If it's worth risking everything for."Riven's gaze didn't waver. "Flora... I don't know what it is yet. I don't know if it's love, or something else. But I do know that when I'm with you, with all of you, everything feels *right*. It's not perfect, and it's not easy, but it's real. And maybe that's enough."Flora's heart hammered in her chest as she looked up at him. His words felt like a revelation, a confirmation that they were all on the same page, even if they didn't fully understand what was happening."I think... I think I feel the same way," she said softly. "And maybe that's enough for now."Riven's smirk returned, but it was softer, more genuine. "Good. Then let's not overthink it. We'll take it one step at a time."Flora smiled, feeling the weight of the uncertainty lift just a little. Maybe she didn't need all the answers right now. Maybe, just maybe, she could embrace the journey ahead with them.And for the first time in a long while, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.---
