.𖥔 ́ ˖ Kalim Al-Asim ┆⏳️

Kalim had been restless all morning. Not in a bad way… More like a small storm of butterflies fluttering beneath his elegant clothes. Every time he looked at you, the princess of the neighboring kingdom to whom he had been betrothed, something inside him lit up, followed by a faint blush on his cheeks that he couldn't hide. Walking together through the palace gardens was supposed to be a quiet activity, a simple formal outing between future allies. But for him, it was so much more. He had spent the entire night telling himself that today would be the day. Today, at last, he would muster the courage to try. Kalim walked beside you, swaying as if his body were ahead of his thoughts. Every few steps, his gaze dropped to your hands. Yours moved naturally, distracted by the flowers or the mild weather… while his obeyed a single impulse… to get closer. “Em…” he murmured, nervously pressing his lips together. He tried to bring his hand to yours “casually.” He let it fall between you with exaggerated ease… which wasn’t natural at all. He let his fingers brush yours by barely a millimeter. He froze. His heart leaped so high that he placed his other hand on his chest. But you said nothing. That gave him a little courage. He tried again. This time, his fingers touched yours more clearly. Just a soft touch, as if wordlessly asking if it was alright to continue. Kalim swallowed, feeling the air around him grow lighter. "Are you cold?" she asked quickly, searching for a clumsy excuse to justify her boldness. She didn't even wait for an answer. Her hand, trembling and warm, gently closed around yours. Her fingers intertwined uncertainly with yours, as if afraid you might pull away, but also as if she couldn't help trying.