love; not wrong (brave)

“You tell me, ‘cause I can't tell.”

Mele held up a small wooden cardigan to her shoulders, tilting her head as she tried to model it in the light. Her pale skin and delicate collarbones caught the soft glow from the overhead lights, the gentle lines of her neck accentuated by the loose neckline of her blouse. Fali shrugged, leaning back against the bench.

“I'm the wrong person to ask. Everything looks good on you.”

She scowled, tilting her head slightly.

“Come on. Just tell me that it's bad.”

He rubbed at the back of his neck, exasperated.

“But it isn't! It's very cute!”

“You say that about everything!” she retorted, crossing her arms.

He sighed, running a hand over his face.

“Honestly, Mele… just choose something. I'll love you no matter what you pick.”

The cardigan rested in her lap as she lifted her arms, hands resting against the tops of the wheels.

“Fine then. I'll try them on.”

A quick flick of her arms sent her rolling forward, dashing toward the changing rooms with her few clothing items held tightly to her chest. Fali hastened after her, juggling his own bundle of clothes, but she was already inside and had locked the door before he could reach her. He sighed, settling onto a nearby bench and waiting, the cloth under his arm brushing against his wrist.

Moments later, the door swung open. Mele stepped out, wearing the woollen cardigan draped over her white blouse. The soft fabric clung just enough to hint at her slender frame, the creamy blouse underneath emphasizing the gentle swell of her chest. She smiled nervously.

“There. Now what do you think?”

He rubbed his chin, careful not to stare too obviously.

“Still very pretty.”

She frowned.

“Nothing else to say?”

He shook his head.

“Nope.”

She sighed in mock frustration.

“Not this one, then.”

She disappeared again, the door closing behind her. Fali realized each outfit she tried on and rejected was one he might never see her wear again. A pang of guilt and admiration hit him simultaneously.

When she returned, this time in a long-sleeved knit turtleneck, he grinned.

“Now that is something.”

She beamed back, eyes sparkling with delight.

“You think so?”

He nodded, and the simple approval seemed to light her up from the inside.

“Okay! Next one then.”

The changing room door closed behind her again, leaving Fali to straighten his bundle of clothes and keep an ear out. A moment later, she rolled out in a sleeveless turtleneck with a cutout above her chest, revealing a tasteful sliver of cleavage. The soft fabric hugged her curves gently, accentuating the fullness of her chest without being overtly provocative. Her long skirt contrasted with the top, grounding the outfit, and her grin suggested she knew the effect she was having.

“What about this one?” she asked, eyes gleaming mischievously.

His heart skipped a beat. His gaze flickered, but he managed to keep it steady.

“I love it.”

The sincerity in his tone made her smile even brighter, and she slipped back into the cubicle without a word.

Fali stuffed his hands into his pockets, trying to calm the rapid beat of his heart. A few whispers behind him made him tense. Glancing back, he saw a group of girls lingering a few meters away, phones raised and cameras ready. Panic clawed at him - he had no idea what Mele would emerge in next, and the thought of her image captured for strangers made his stomach twist.

Before he could react further, the changing room door opened. Mele rolled out, this time in a soft knit off-shoulder top. It was held in place only by the gentle curve of her chest, the exposed skin shining in the artificial light. Her figure was fully visible in a way Fali hadn’t expected; the loose fabric emphasized her bust, far more prominent than any dress or loose clothing she normally wore. But her expression was mischievous, intentional - until she caught sight of the cameras behind him.

Her face fell, eyes wide with fear and embarrassment. She raised her arms instinctively to shield herself, one hand covering her eyes from the sudden flash. Fali didn’t hesitate. He sprang forward, positioning himself between her and the cameras. His eyes blazed at the onlookers, a silent warning that froze even the most confident of strangers. The girls’ phones lowered instantly, and they retreated without a word.

“Can you… please push me back in…?” Mele whispered, voice barely audible.

Without a second thought, he guided her back into the cubicle, closing the door behind them. Relief washed over him, but his legs suddenly felt like lead. Sliding down to sit on the floor outside the door, he buried his face in his hands.

The morning had only just begun, and already, everything felt overwhelming. All he could do now was hope - hope that the girls hadn’t captured anything incriminating, hope that Mele wouldn’t take the incident to heart, and hope that he could always be there to protect her, no matter the cost.

Fali pushed Mele’s wheelchair along the quiet village sidewalk, the high sun casting small shadows on the empty streets. The village seemed almost asleep, aside from the occasional passerby and a few cars drifting slowly past. They had intended to shop for beach equipment, but Fali doubted Mele would want to browse swimsuits. A bag swung gently from the wheelchair’s handle, stuffed with the clothes they’d bought. To his surprise, the last knit top had been included. He’d thought she’d never wear it again, but there it was, along with several others she hadn’t tried on before. She had no bottoms in the bag - which made sense - preferring her long skirts and flowing dresses, modest yet elegant in all seasons.

They moved without a real destination, the quiet lull punctuated only by the soft click of the wheelchair wheels on the pavement, until Mele spoke, her voice almost a whisper.

“I’m an idiot.”

Fali leaned closer, concern knitting his brow.

“Why’s that?”

“You know why. I was stupid to think I could go on a normal date like a normal couple. I was stupid to think that I could just, for once, live like no one cares about who I am.”

A bitter chuckle escaped her, mingling with the warm breeze.

“I hate it all. I want to vanish right now.”

Fali halted the wheelchair immediately, spinning it around in a swift motion and gently pinning her arms to the armrests. His eyes bore into hers, raw and intense.

“No. You’re not stupid, Mele. You’re not stupid at all.”

Tears began to form, glimmering in his eyes.

“How can I show you? How can I show you that you mean so much, not only to me but to everyone around you? How can I show you that there are good things about your fame?”

Mele’s lips trembled as she struggled to find words.

“I… I…”

But Fali wasn’t finished.

“You’re beautiful. Not just in how you look, but inside, too. I don’t know how you manage to hide it all. Please… please treasure yourself more. If you can’t, then I will. I don’t know how, but I can’t just let you think of yourself like that… I love you, Mele, more than you could ever know.”

Her eyes shimmered, tears spilling freely as his voice grew softer, more intimate.

“And if… and if there’s ever anything I can do for you, please just let me know. Anything at all, from a small private favor to… anything public. I’ll do it. So please, Mele… love yourself a little more. For me.”

The tears were unrelenting now, running down both their cheeks. Fali inhaled deeply, releasing her arms carefully. But before he could step back, Mele grabbed his forearms, pulling him close. She froze a mere inch from him, eyes closed, a soft breath escaping her lips.

“Kiss me.”

Her voice was barely audible, but it carried the weight of everything they’d felt.

He hesitated for a heartbeat before leaning in, closing his eyes as their lips met. The kiss was soft at first, then deeper, their breaths mingling as they clung to each other. Tears streaked their faces, but in that moment, nothing else existed. It was their longest kiss yet, lasting nearly ten seconds, a quiet declaration amidst the empty streets.

When they finally parted, they remained close, eyes locked. Mele choked down a sob but smiled through her tear-streaked cheeks, brushing a hand against her face.

“We… we need to kiss without tears one day…”

He laughed, a soft, broken sound, knowing it was the weakest laugh he’d ever uttered.

“Yeah, we really do.”

They lingered for a moment longer before Fali straightened, hands resting on his hips.

“Alright. What do you want to do?”

Mele’s lips curved into a serene smile.

“Let’s go home. We can go to the beach another day.”

He nodded.

“Alright. Let’s hide away for the rest of the day.”

She nodded, folding her hands neatly in her lap as he began to push the wheelchair forward, the small car just a few streets away. The sun glinted off the windows, the world around them muted, private, and perfectly theirs for a little while longer.