Naveen had been mindlessly traversing the grove, the heat of the season urging him to dip into the earth's sanctuary. The sun dared to peek through the branches as Naveen quickly bathed in the lake's chilly water.

Suddenly, Naveen felt a prickling sensation on the back of his neck, as if the sun were no longer the only source of scrutiny. He turned slightly, his heart racing as he locked eyes with a stranger at a distance. The stranger's gaze was intense, nearly piercing.

It was a human.

Naveen's unsettled demeanour faltered, replaced with caution, shifting his wings farther behind his back as if the expanse of his skin could conceal his glory.

"What do you want from me?" The words slid off his tongue like a sharp blade, leaving a metallic taste. Every second intensified his awareness, but the stranger stood motionless, observing Naveen intently with an unsettling interest.

Without warning, the stranger's voice broke through the stillness, snatching his attention.

"You're.. beautiful."

The human's sudden compliment left Naveen reeling, the cogs in his mind churning as he attempted to decipher the meaning behind their words. His face flushed involuntarily upon noticing their figure inching closer, causing Naveen to scurry off, his wings dragging him away hastily.

Naveen was more than thrilled to forget that moment—forget the racing of his heart, yet the stranger stubbornly plagued his mind, not allowing him the chance for rest. Days of torture dragged on, and it became painfully clear that he had, in his vulnerability, fallen hopelessly for the mysterious human.

Mornings were spent waiting along the soft ripples of the lake, curious eyes searching for the one who had stolen his heart. But alas, they made no appearance—unfortunate for his shameful heart.

Soon appeared the sun with Naveen perched on a branch above ground, when somebody slowly approached.

The familiar figure of the human stood before the lake as Naveen scrambled in front of them in a frenzy.

"... Hello," he whispered meekly.