The early morning sun peeked through the curtains of Zane's dorm, casting golden light across the room. Zane groaned softly, turning over—only to realize he wasn't alone.
Sera lay beside him, still asleep, her silver-blonde hair a perfect mess, drool on her cheek like a battle scar of sleep.
Zane blinked slowly, and before the awkward thoughts could settle in—
"Wakey wakey, Heartthrob."
Zane's eyes snapped wide open. "Nyx..."
Nyx's voice echoed smugly in his head, "Well well well—someone's in loooove."
"I am not—shut up—stop it."
"I literally live in your mind, Zane. You think you can hide feelings from me? I was screaming in there last night, thank you very much."
Zane sat up and rubbed his face. "You scream all the time anyway..."
Just then, Sera groaned and blinked awake. "Mm... morning..."
"Hey," Zane said, voice a little too high.
She gave him a sleepy smile before stretching, then paused, looking around the room with narrowed eyes.
"...Is that little shadow gremlin watching us again?"
Nyx materialized lazily above the bed, lounging in midair like a floating cat made of darkness.
"Gremlin? That's Miss Nyx, the Eternal Watcher of Emotional Turmoil, thank you very much."
Zane sighed. "She's been since sunrise."
Sera blinked. "Only since sunrise?"
"Listen, I give you one little nudge into romance and suddenly I'm the villain? Y'all kissed. Big whoop. Now I have to hear your lovesick thoughts and Zane's doom-filled monologues."
Zane groaned. "Please, stop."
Sera sat up, smirking now. "So... are we going to talk about the kiss?"
Zane tensed. "Uhhh..."
Nyx hovered dramatically between them.
"Ooooh yes, let's. Zane was so stiff I thought his jaw had locked up. And you, Sera—smooth as butter. I was impressed."
Sera chuckled. "Thank you."
Zane muttered, "Traitor."
"I don't pick sides—I just roast both of you equally."
Suddenly, someone knocked loudly on the door. "Hey, Zane! Kaela wants you both. Something about new training."
Sera froze. "Wait... how does he know I'm here?!"
Zane raised an eyebrow. "You literally keep sleeping in my room."
She paused. "Touche."
"Anyway," Nyx floated near the ceiling, "Don't forget to hold hands dramatically on the way there. You know, for character development."
Zane stood up and shook his head. "Only anomalies can see you, and I still feel like I need therapy."
"Awwww." Nyx cooed. "That's just love, baby."