Kien, Lyra and Zen continued their journey, growing closer with every passing day. The bond they shared had deepened, and they laughed, enjoyed the little things, and faced challenges together. Lyra's cheerful and extroverted nature often brought out Zen's quiet side, and in turn, Zen's calm demeanor balanced Lyra's energy. It was a perfect mix, each offering the other something they didn't know they needed.
One evening, as they sat around the campfire, Lyra's younger brother, Kien, suddenly appeared from the woods, walking toward them with a curious look on his face.
"Lyra, you're still here?" Kien raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from Lyra to Zen.
Lyra, who had been teasing Zen a moment earlier, flushed slightly when she noticed Kien's presence. "Kien, you always show up at the most random times!" she said, trying to act casual, but her cheeks were still tinted pink.
Zen, who had been quietly watching the flames, barely looked up. Kien noticed this and smirked. "You know, Lyra, I don't mind you making new friends, but you're acting a little… different. What's going on here?" He teased his sister, walking closer.
Lyra's face turned a deeper shade of red. "Nothing's going on! We're just traveling together, alright?" She gave him a playful shove.
Kien raised an eyebrow again, his teasing gaze still on Zen. "If you say so. You two seem like you're getting along pretty well, though."
Lyra huffed, but couldn't help but laugh. "Kien, stop! You're embarrassing me!"
Zen, still with his calm demeanor, quietly added, "We're just traveling. Nothing more." His voice was soft, but there was a sense of sincerity in it, which made Lyra smile. She felt something warm in her chest as she noticed the way Zen was so composed, so different from her usual chaotic self.
Kien, noticing how Zen was acting, nodded in understanding but gave his sister one last playful look before turning his attention to the fire. "I'll leave you two alone. But just know, I'm watching you, Lyra," he teased with a grin before heading off into the woods again.
Lyra rolled her eyes, though a small laugh escaped her lips. "He's such a pain sometimes. But that's Kien for you."
Zen gave a rare smile, appreciating the small, fleeting moments of normalcy. "He cares about you."
Lyra's expression softened, and she gave a light nod. "Yeah, I know. He just has a funny way of showing it. But it's nice to have someone like that around."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the crackling fire being the only sound in the quiet night. Lyra leaned back against a tree, her eyes on the stars above.
"You know…" Lyra began, her voice thoughtful. "I'm really glad I met you, Zen."
Zen didn't respond at first, but then he turned his head, looking at her for a moment before giving her a small smile. It wasn't much, but it was enough to let her know that he, too, appreciated their friendship.
Lyra leaned her head back, gazing at the stars. "It's been an interesting journey so far. But I have a feeling it's just getting started." She turned to Zen, her eyes shining with determination. "Together, we can get through anything. Don't you think?"
Zen, ever calm, nodded in agreement. Though he didn't say much, his eyes showed that he, too, felt the same way.