you meet him again. different name, same eyes. he smiles like he knows you — he always does. this time, you're a baker, and he's a florist next door. he brings you sunflowers every morning and never asks for a discount.

in another life, you’re a knight. he’s the prince you were sworn to protect. you bleed for him, fight for him, fall harder than any sword could strike. he doesn’t speak of love until the war is over, but his hands always find yours in the dark.

sometimes, you’re the reckless one. a thief, a wanderer. he's steady, careful, a healer with soft hands and tired eyes. you die young in that life, and he waits for you in the next.

once, you find each other as stars — burning across the sky, chasing, orbiting, always almost touching. even light years can’t keep you apart.

you’ve been rebels, farmers, poets, strangers on a rainy train. you’ve lived a hundred lives and loved him in every one. sometimes he remembers first. sometimes it’s you. this time, it's slow — coffee, glances, late walks. you think maybe that’s okay.

because you always find him. and he always loves you back.

this time, he’s riki. and you're already falling.