We finish studying and head toward the cafeteria together. The halls feel different in the evening. Softer. Slower. No one is rushing anymore. People drift instead of hurry, conversations stretching out instead of snapping short.

  The light coming through the tall windows has shifted. It is warm now, low and orange. It spills across the wooden floors and makes them look like they are glowing from within, as if the building itself is holding onto the day a little longer. Even the stone walls seem gentler in this light.

  Kai and I talk as we walk. Nothing heavy. Bits and pieces from the tome we were studying. He points out a passage that stuck with him. I counter with a half formed thought that probably needs more time than I gave it. I know I am not stupid, but my attention drifts when magic turns too abstract, which is inconvenient given how often magic insists on being exactly that.

  It will settle later. It usually does. Cultivating tonight will pull everything back into place.

  The cafeteria is loud when we step inside. Much louder than it was this morning. Nearly every table is full. Voices overlap. Laughter rolls across the room. Someone shouts as another student steals food from their tray and takes off running, both of them laughing hard enough to draw a few cheers.

  No one looks upset.

  We don’t really have bullies here. That kind of behavior doesn’t last long. Everyone in this place is dangerous in their own way. We might be young, but we are the most promising of this generation, and everyone knows it. There is a quiet pride in that.

  Kai and I grab our food. Pizza today. Actual pizza. Not something pretending to be healthier.

  I grin. “This should be mandatory.”

  Kai huffs softly, which is as close as he gets to agreeing out loud.

  There are healthier options available, lined up neatly along the counter. We ignore them completely. We find a place to sit and settle in, shoulders brushing as we lean over our trays. We eat in easy silence for a few minutes, the kind that does not need filling.

  That is when I notice someone standing across from us.

  Two someones.

  I look up and recognize them right away. The pair from staff class. The ones who tore through drills like weather made flesh.

  They are standing side by side, relaxed and patient, waiting for us to notice them.

  Finn is on the right. He is compact and dense with muscle, built like everything he has is ready to spring into motion. His hair is light blond, almost white, curling messily around his head. His skin is tanned, and his green eyes are bright with unmistakable warmth.

  When he sees me looking, his face lights up.

  He grins, wide and genuine, like he is actually glad to see us.

  To his left is Banks.

  He is holding Finn’s hand without any hesitation, fingers laced together easily. Banks is thinner, whip lean, all long lines and quiet strength. Not bulky, but clearly fit. The short vest outlines muscle without showing off. His expression is calm and observant, eyes steady as he looks between Kai and me.

  He is devastatingly handsome in a way that feels unintentional.

  Not sharp. Not flashy. Just… there.

  He balances Finn perfectly. Where Finn is bright and open, Banks is quiet and grounding. Together, they make sense at a glance.

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  I am not attracted to other guys, but it still takes me a second too long to look away.

  Kai nudges my leg lightly under the table, not even looking at me when he does it. I clear my throat and drop my gaze back to my pizza, suddenly aware of how warm the room feels and how loud everything seems again.

  Across from us, Finn is still smiling.

  Banks is the first one to speak.

  “Hey,” he says softly. “Mind if we sit?”

  His voice catches me off guard. It’s quiet and gentle, which is strange coming from someone who looks like he could put most people on the floor without breaking a sweat.

  I’m just about to answer when Kai speaks up.

  “I don’t mind,” he says right away.

  So that’s that.

  They sit across from us. Finn drops into the seat like he’s been invited all along, relaxed and smiling. Banks sits more carefully, still holding Finn’s hand for a second before letting go, resting it on the table between them.

  Finn looks pleased.

  “I’m Finn,” he says, pointing at himself. “This is Banks.”

  Banks gives a small wave. “Hi.”

  “We noticed you guys in staff class,” Finn goes on. “You’re really good. Like, really clean. And you move well together.” His eyebrows lift as his eyes flick to where Kai’s shoulder is pressed against mine. “Kinda like us.”

  I frown at him. “Like… what?”

  Before I can finish the thought, Banks leans forward a little.

  “You know,” he says gently. “Together. Like we are.” He glances at Finn, then back at us. “We were wondering if you’d want to do something like a double study date.”

  There’s a beat.

  Then Kai opens his mouth.

  “Oh,” he says, way too fast. “No. Not like that. I mean, we tried, but it wasn’t that fun and I didn’t like the taste.”

  The world stops.

  My brain shuts off completely.

  “Yeah,” I say instantly, because apparently I’ve decided today is the day I ruin my own life. “I didn’t either.”

  The words hang there.

  Then it hits me.

  I drop my head straight into my hands and let my forehead thunk softly against the table. My face feels like it’s on fire.

  “Oh no,” I groan into the wood.

  Beside me, Kai goes completely stiff. I can feel it through our shoulders. A second later, I know he’s realized it too.

  Across from us, Finn just stares.

  Then he loses it.

  He bursts out laughing, loud and sharp, throwing his head back as one hand slaps the table. He’s laughing so hard he has to lean forward just to breathe.

  Banks lets out a small sound that turns into a giggle, then immediately covers his mouth with his hand. His shoulders shake, eyes wide and very, very embarrassed.

  “Oh my gods,” Banks says, still laughing quietly. “I did not mean it like that.”

  I don’t lift my head.

  I consider staying like this forever.

  Kai shifts beside me, mortified silence radiating off him like heat, when he realizes what he implied. "I meant kissing!" he half shouts.

  A few heads turn to us at the outburst. I try to sink through the table.

  Finn finally manages to get himself under control, wiping at his eyes.

  “Wow,” he says, grinning. “Okay. That is not what we meant. But honestly?” He laughs again. “Respect.”

  I groan one more time.

  This is never going to die.

  I stay right where I am, head buried in my hands. Beside me, Kai is breathing way too fast, his fingers locked around my thigh like he’s anchoring himself to reality. It’s an iron grip. I don’t try to shake him off.

  Eventually, the heat in my face starts to fade. Slowly. Painfully.

  Across the table, Finn clears his throat.

  “Full disclosure,” he says, still sounding way too amused, “I don’t like the taste that much either.”

  I peek through my fingers despite myself.

  “But it’s a ton of fun,” he adds brightly. “And this guy?” He jerks his head toward Banks. “He can really go.”

  There’s a soft grunt as Finn elbows him in the side.

  Banks swats at him halfheartedly, clearly embarrassed. “Finn.”

  I can’t help it. A laugh slips out of me. Small at first. Then another.

  I finally lift my head.

  Kai’s breathing has mostly evened out, though he’s still clinging to me. He leans in and whispers, “I’m sorry.”

  I wave a hand without looking at him. “Don’t worry about it.”

  Finn’s eyes are red from laughing so hard. He looks genuinely delighted, like this just made his whole day.

  “Well,” I say, rubbing my face and then nudging Kai lightly with my shoulder, “that was definitely the most awkward introduction I’ve ever had.”

  Finn grins even wider.

  “I think,” I continue, choosing my words carefully, “I’m fine with a study session. Not a date. Definitely not a date.” I glance at Kai. “It’s not like that.”

  I hesitate, then add, because it feels important to say it clearly, “Kai’s my best friend. I love him. Just not like that.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kai smile a little. His ears turn pink almost immediately.

  He takes a breath and finally speaks up.

  “Um,” he says, voice steadier now. “Would you maybe want to do some group training sometime?”

  Finn’s eyebrows lift. Kai straightens a bit, confidence creeping back in. “Your combat style. It’s really impressive.”

  That finally seems to catch Finn’s full attention.

  “Oh,” he says. “Yeah?”

  Banks looks between us, then nods. “We’d like that.”

  Finn grins again, bright and easy. “Definitely.”

  Just like that, the awkwardness finishes burning itself out, leaving something lighter behind, and we have new sparring partners.