The moon hung high in the sky as Ethan sat on the edge of his bed, replaying the day's events in his mind. His conversation with Celeste lingered like a riddle he couldn't solve, and his sparring session with Greystone had left him questioning his abilities.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. The room was quiet except for the faint rustle of curtains from the open window. Before he could drift too far into his thoughts, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Ethan called out.
The door creaked open, and to his surprise, Amelia stepped inside. She was dressed casually, her academy uniform replaced with a soft sweater and fitted pants that gave her a more approachable air.
"You're still awake," she said, closing the door behind her.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "I could say the same about you."
Amelia hesitated before sitting in the chair by his desk. Her usual icy demeanor seemed to have thawed, and for the first time, she looked unsure of herself.
"I wanted to talk," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual. "About earlier… and everything."
Ethan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "What about it?"
Amelia looked at him, her blue eyes searching his face. "You're improving," she said finally. "In combat. In how you handle everything. I can see it."
Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "That's… nice to hear, actually. Thanks."
"I didn't mean to be so harsh with you before," Amelia continued, her tone softening. "It's just… I've always believed in discipline and control. But watching you, I'm starting to realize there's more to being strong than just following the rules."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Ethan could feel the weight of her gaze, and for the first time, he saw vulnerability in her eyes.
"Amelia," he said, breaking the silence, "I don't have everything figured out. But I'm trying. And it helps to know I have people like you to push me."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she glanced away. "You don't need me to push you. You're stronger than you think, Ethan."
The atmosphere in the room shifted, and Ethan felt a strange surge of confidence. He wasn't used to this—seeing Amelia so unguarded, so human.
"Is that why you're here?" he asked, his voice low but steady. "To tell me I'm stronger than I think?"
Amelia's lips curved into a faint smile. "Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to check on you."
Ethan stood, closing the space between them. He wasn't sure what he was doing, but something about the way she looked at him made him want to take the chance.
"You're not as cold as you pretend to be," he said, his voice teasing but gentle.
Amelia's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she tilted her chin up, meeting his gaze head-on. "And you're not as unsure of yourself as you think."
The tension between them crackled like a live wire. Ethan could feel his heart pounding, but for once, he didn't let his nerves hold him back. Slowly, he reached out, brushing a strand of her silvery hair behind her ear.
Amelia stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, her breath hitching.
"You're surprising me, Ethan," she murmured.
"Is that a bad thing?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
She didn't answer with words. Instead, she leaned closer, her lips brushing against his in a hesitant, testing kiss.
Just as the moment deepened, the sound of the door creaking open shattered the quiet.
"Well, well," Lila's voice rang out, playful and amused. "Looks like I came at the perfect time."
Amelia pulled back instantly, her cheeks flushed as she glared at Lila. "Don't you ever knock?"
Lila leaned against the doorframe, her grin wide and mischievous. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, I didn't expect this. You two sure know how to spice up a boring night."
Ethan groaned, running a hand over his face. "Lila, what do you want?"
"I was going to invite you to sneak out for some fresh air," she said, strolling into the room without waiting for permission. "But clearly, you're already having plenty of fun."
Amelia stood abruptly, straightening her sweater and regaining her composure. "I should go," she said stiffly. "Goodnight, Ethan."
She brushed past Lila on her way out, her expression a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
Lila watched her leave before turning back to Ethan with a smirk. "You've got her all flustered. Didn't think you had it in you."
Ethan sighed, flopping back onto his bed. "What do you want, Lila?"
"I'm serious about sneaking out," she said, perching on the edge of his desk. "The moon's bright, the air's crisp, and I know a spot where we won't get caught. Come on, Luminary. You need to loosen up."
Ethan hesitated, but the idea of getting away from the pressure for a while was tempting. "Fine," he said, standing. "Lead the way."
Lila led him through the quiet halls and out into the academy grounds. The night air was cool, and the moon cast a soft glow over the gardens. They walked in silence for a while until they reached a small clearing surrounded by trees.
"This is my favorite spot," Lila said, sitting on the grass and motioning for Ethan to join her.
He sat beside her, leaning back on his hands and looking up at the sky. "It's peaceful."
Lila turned to him, her playful smile replaced by a softer expression. "You know, Ethan, you're not the same guy who walked into this academy a few weeks ago."
He glanced at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"You're more confident," she said, her gaze steady. "More sure of yourself. It's kind of hot, actually."
Ethan felt his face heat up, but before he could respond, Lila leaned closer, her amber eyes glinting in the moonlight.
"I mean it," she whispered, her voice low and teasing. "You're starting to act like the leader they say you're supposed to be. And I like it."
Her words sent a thrill through him, and he felt that same boldness from earlier rise to the surface. "Is that why you're always around me?" he asked, his tone playful.
"Maybe," Lila said, her lips curving into a sly smile. "Or maybe I just like being near you."
The space between them seemed to disappear, and Ethan felt his heartbeat quicken as Lila leaned in, her lips brushing his.