The soft light of the setting sun bathed Zane's dorm room in warm hues of amber and gold. Shadows danced gently on the walls as he lounged on his bed, arms behind his head, lost in thought. His body ached slightly from the training with Kaela, but it was a good ache—proof that he was getting stronger.
A familiar knock sounded on the door.
Zane didn't move. "You again?"
The door creaked open, and Sera peeked in with a sheepish smile. "Guilty. I just... couldn't sleep in my dorm. Again."
Zane sat up with a small grin. "At this point, you should just move in. I'll clear out a drawer."
Sera laughed, slipping inside and gently closing the door behind her. "You'd probably just fill it with snacks."
She stood awkwardly for a moment before settling into the soft chair in the corner. Her eyes flicked around the room like they always did—like she was trying to memorize it.
Zane stretched. "You okay?"
"I am," she replied, voice low. "It just feels easier to breathe in here."
Zane looked at her, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You're not just here because you're scared of sleeping alone, are you?"
Sera shrugged, her eyes meeting his. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like the company."
Zane chuckled. "Fair enough."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Nyx, who had been curled in the shadows near the window, lifted her head, gave them a glance, then vanished back into the darkness—giving them space.
Sera stood and wandered over to Zane's bed, sitting beside him, legs crossed. Her shoulder brushed his slightly. "You've changed, you know. Since the Phoenix fight. Since... the Void."
Zane nodded slowly. "Yeah. You've changed too. I'm just glad we're still figuring it out together."
Sera looked down at her hands, then back up at him. "Do you ever wonder why we met?"
Zane blinked. "That's a bit deep for a downtime conversation."
She laughed softly. "Sorry, I just... sometimes I think it's not a coincidence. That the reason I kept ending up near you wasn't luck."
Zane didn't say anything at first. He turned slightly, looking at her fully. The sunset light framed her face perfectly, casting her in a soft glow.
"I don't think it was luck either," he admitted.
Her eyes widened a little, surprised by the honesty in his voice.
There was a pause. Not awkward, not uncomfortable. Just full.
Zane took a breath. "Sera—"
Before he could finish, she leaned in, slowly, unsure, searching his eyes for a sign. He didn't pull away.
Their lips met—gentle at first, soft and unsure. But there was something deeper in it, something they both had been dancing around for far too long. For a moment, the world went quiet. No training, no threats, no secrets. Just the warmth between them.
When they finally parted, Sera smiled nervously. "That wasn't... weird, right?"
Zane let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Not weird. Just... overdue."
Sera's cheeks flushed, and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"Don't think I'm sleeping in my dorm tonight," she murmured.
Zane chuckled, wrapping a shadow around her like a blanket. "Didn't think you were going to."