"If Theo starts feeding you every day, I'm gonna get jealous." Kael said to Sawyer as they walked to the next class.
"Please, you'd marry a bread roll if it looked at you the right way." Neesa winked, smirking at Kael.
"You say that like its a flaw?" Kael grinned, his arms wrapped around Sawyer.
Renn(without missing a beat):
"Your soulmate is probably gluten."
The group of five laughed, heading to their classes.
***
The group of five is sitting in the hallway, waiting for the teacher to show up. Professor Malen is already fifteen minutes late. Should we declare this class legally abandoned?" Kael asked leaning against the wall and bouncing on his heels. Neesa rolled her eyes, "pretty sure that only applies if you're being hunted by a rogue mage or on fire. Neither of that seems likely."
"Speak for yourself. I'm dying of boredom."
I grinned, eyes lidded with laughter. "You'll survive. Maybe."
"You know, you seem awfully calm for someone who hasn't done the assignment at all." Renn pointed out.
"That implies I intended to." I shrugged. "What's the assignment again?" I asked, watching Renn sketch spell diagrams.
"Map a hypothetical infiltration route through the northern citadel, while justifying this choice based on a offensive layout."
Kael groaned, "Ugh. Can I say that Theo ate my homework? Can I just say we will fly over it?"
"You'd get turned into mage swiss cheese before you even reached the wall, Kael." I scolded, "The architecture is defense focused and without the proper identification, they'll cut you into pieces"
Neesa eyed him, "You say that like you've been to the citadel."
"I just like architecture." I defended.
Kael smirked, seeming to enjoy seeing me in the hot seat. "Okay, now I'm curious. Where do you even live, Sawyer?"
I smiled, dodging the answer. "Somewhere with very boring architecture."
"You say that every time! What's the big secret? Do you live in a big noble estate like Theo? Are you a sewer rat? Do you live in a pineapple? Or a giant tree?"
"Kael... you can't live in a pineapple."
Neesa narrowed her eyes, genuinely curious now. "No ones ever walked you home. And you never talk about your parents. What's the mystery?"
"I'm part of a top secret government baking protection program. My real name is Jelly Bun and I protect all pastries" I laughed, brushing off the curiosity.
Silence stretched out a second too long.
Neesa(not laughing) "...You always dodge the question."
"...You could just say if you don't want to talk about it." Theo spoke in a low voice, watching me closely.
"Some things are better left where they are"
..
"I think Kael does live in a sewer crypt, actually." Renn said, breaking the tension.
"Rude!!! It's a basement with personality!"
Laughter bubbled up again, leaving the tension alone as the moment passes- but Theo doesn't look away from Sawyer for a while.
***
Academy Administrative Hall, Late Afternoon
The hall is cold and quiet after class hours. The walls are stone, high-ceilinged, with tall windows filtering in fading light. A bored receptionist sits behind the desk as Sawyer enters, casual on the surface—just another student checking on something.
But when he spots his older brother waiting at the far end of the room—tall, sharp-jawed, wearing the black coat of the Noctis clan—he stops short. Why is he here? I was just going to tell them my guardian will pay this weekend...
Clerk (without looking up): The receptionist addressed me as I approached the desk.
"Ryle, your tuition's been handled. I was told your guardian would be taking care of the balance today."
Sawyer (flatly):
"Right. That's him."
My brother doesn't even speak to me. He just turns and walks toward the hallway without waiting.
I sighed quietly under my breath, "…Of course."
What else can I do? I followed.