Five Hargreeves

Five rested with his head in his mother's lap. It wasn't common to see him vulnerable, but that night his voice trembled.

"She is... so perfect... and I..."

His mother smiled with that calmness that only mothers who see beyond their children's fear possess. She gently held his face.

"You're brilliant, Five. Strong. And when you let your guard down… you're incredibly sweet. If she chooses you, it won't be by chance. It will be because she sees your worth. "Minutes later, he finds her by the lake. The water reflects the night, and koi swim beneath the surface like living brushstrokes. "It's a koi," he murmurs, standing beside her. "Aww, look… it looks like they shared a little kiss. "Then the koi begin to slowly circle, barely touching, tracing perfect loops. From above , it looks like a tiny universe where only they exist. Five watches as the koi move in sync, one following the other without ever getting lost. "The koi," she says softly , "swim together because they choose each other. Not because the water forces them... but because they want to stay. "There's a pause. The wind gently stirs your hair. Five takes a deep breath, remembering her mother's words. " When they find someone to follow... they stay circling like this, no matter what's around them. "Her fingertips brush yours shyly and gently. She wants to tell you something but doesn't dare. "I... "She pauses briefly, vulnerable. "I wouldn't mind swimming against everything, if in the end I end up with you. " Was that a confession?