Ezra followed Aida silently to the courtyard, where she settled herself at the base of the willow tree where they had first met. It wasn’t as far of a walk as the Lake, yet it still afforded them privacy: nobody could easily see them from the dormitory windows due to the willow’s coverage, they could see if anybody approached from the other side of the courtyard, and it was open enough that they could sense if anybody approached. Aida kept up a constant sweep; more to give herself something to focus on, instead of allowing her thoughts and fears to run amok.

Hesitantly, Ezra joined her, sitting an arm’s length away. Aida kept her head lowered, her feelings mixed about the distance.

Could be good, could also be bad…but what’s good?

“I’m glad you’re safe,” Ezra said quietly, his voice throwing her trance-like thoughts into disarray.

“Ah…yeah.”

After another long, awkward pause, Ezra exhaled. “About what we discussed last star cycle…”

“Yes.” Aida unconsciously pulled her knees to her chest, tucking her chin. “Listen—“

“I spoke with my family.”

Aida paused, peeking over at him. He sounded restrained, cautious - but hopeful? His back was ramrod-straight, chin lifted, jaw set, as he looked straight ahead at nothing. Seeing him be so upright and regal made her realize just how frumpy and unsuitable she was for him, slumped over her knees.

“It’s complicated.”

Aida’s heart fell. “…of course.”

“I want us to be together.”

Aida’s heart expanded, but she scrabbled at the strings so that she didn’t lose control of it. “...but?”

“…but the complications are related to the future.”

Her heart in her throat, Aida turned her entire body towards him. His eyes were hooded, despite his strong facade. “Just say it.”

He took a deep breath. Held it. Aida held her breath with him; it seemed her heart also ceased beating in anticipation of his answer.

The next words came in a rush. “I see two outcomes. If you agree to be with me now, my parents may force us to part later.”

Aida’s heart punctured, her body unwillingly slumping again.

“If we both decide to go against their wishes, I would be all but guaranteed to be disowned from the Riolt clan.”

The blood thrummed in Aida’s ears as she caught the hypothetical. “…’we?’”

Ezra nodded, his jaw tight. “I already know what I want.”

Aida stared at him for a long moment, before her vision blurred. Sue’s cracked whisper floated through her mind. Don’t hold yourself back. Don’t think.

The logical side warred with the emotional side. The Annie who had a brief taste of happiness a week ago screamed at her to take this second chance. The hurt Annie, the one who took on the burden of recovering from a broken heart by coming up with a strategy, demanded that Aida go through with the plan.

You’re asking to be hurt, you stupid idiot.

Ezra leaned towards Aida, his silver eyes boring into hers. “I don’t care what my family or anyone else thinks. What I care about is what you will think of me.”

“What do you mean?” Aida managed to get out.

“I don’t care if they disown me. I know I can take care of myself, and I know you can take care of yourself. I know we can help each other. We don’t need anyone else.”

Aida blinked, speechless. Ezra continued speaking, leaning closer to Aida with every word.

“I have faith in you, me, and us. What I worry about is how you will see me…us…if I am no longer a Riolt.”

“I don’t care that you’re a Riolt,” Aida said stupidly. But to be fair, I probably don’t even know the extent of the Riolt influence… “But…are you sure you want to do this? Your family really would disown you?”

Ezra’s lip curled. “They’ve made it very clear what my value to the family is.”

Aida stared at him, overwhelmed by the words coming out of his mouth. He was so set on nuking his relationship with his family…just for her?

“I - this is a lot,” Aida said faintly, feeling her head begin to spin. “I’m worried that you’ll regret destroying your relationships with your family…”

“I won’t. If individuals decide to stand by me, then we have no quarrel. If they decide to follow the clan’s edicts, then they were never to be trusted anyway.”

Aida put her head to her hands, her thoughts swimming. She couldn’t imagine the level of distrust Ezra had for his family, that he would be so willing to throw everything away for a girl. If presented with a similar choice, one where she could choose whether to keep life the same, she couldn’t imagine herself abandoning her parents. Another pang shot through her heart as she wondered again what they were doing, if they were getting along fine without her...

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Aida,” Ezra said gently, taking her wrists in his hands. “If you’re feeling pressured because you feel responsible for my relationship with my family…don’t. I’ve made my decision already. Just…make your choice. Don’t worry about me.”

She stared at her hands, held loosely in Ezra’s own. Her fingers were quivering. Compared to Ezra’s own long fingers, her hands looked so small, so helpless. And Ezra had proven, time and again, that he was dependable - he helped her at the beginning of the school year, and continued to help her, when she had nothing to offer him - she still had nothing to offer him in the moment…and yet he had already decided to accept the consequences of leaving his family. For her.

For some inexplicable reason, the Matriarch’s eyes flashed in front of her, overriding her image of her fingernails. Aida convulsed, clenching her hands tightly.

She had come so close to death barely twenty-four hours ago. Life was short, life was delicate, life wasn’t guaranteed. Worrying so much about the future, when she might not get the chance to savor the fruits of her labor - fury and resentment bloomed in her. Why do I try so hard? Why do I deprive myself?

She looked fiercely into Ezra’s silver depths. “Yes.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment, each one daring the other to blink. “…Yes?”

“Yes,” Aida said boldly. “Let’s do it. If we end up breaking up, let’s do it because we decide it’s over, not because someone else says we can’t be together.”

A hint of a smile flickered on Ezra’s serious face. “That’s an ominous pronouncement for our future.”

“Should we put our relationship to a vote then?” Aida challenged him, leaning towards him.

Ezra flipped his grip on her wrist, lacing their fingers together. “No.”

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Aida shut the door behind her with a small smile, her heart full.

She had spent all day with Ezra. As soon as they affirmed their relationship, it was as if an invisible wall neither of them were aware of had come down. They had lapped the Lake several times, aimlessly meandering, sharing minor, useless details about how their lessons and lives had been going ever since they were segregated into their own classes.

Though Ezra was still reserved with his emotions, he seemed much more relaxed; he had a lot to say about the techniques they were being taught in Class 1, and his observations of how his other classmates handled their mana were neverending. Aida couldn’t understand most of what he said, despite being enthralled by the fervor he spoke with. He really is fascinated by the study of magic.

For her part, Aida shared with him more secular details about the skills she learned from Healer Bokar and Kuri, as well as her unasked-for adventure deep in the forests outside of Buddington Town. Ezra didn’t have much to say about her crazy escapades, only looking at her more carefully to make sure she wasn’t exhibiting any signs of trauma.

On the whole, it didn’t really matter what they talked about. They just walked, enjoying each other’s company, their fingers occasionally brushing as they kept pace with each other. It was the first time Aida felt like they weren’t rushed for time; every other occasion she met with him, she had been under pressure to understand or learn something, and he had patiently obliged her desperate pleas for help.

It was nice, being able to hang out for no reason.

Aida opened the door, feeling Sue’s mana vibrating through the heavy wood. With a smile, she let her in without speaking.

“So?” Sue whispered, entering with Lily clinging to her skirt and Vanita a few paces behind at a more demure pace. Aida glanced out into the empty hallway, making sure no one else saw the procession into her room.

Aida hummed, shutting her door again and leaning against it. “It’s nice.”

“So you two are…” Lily asked in a strangled voice, her hands clasped in front of her mouth. Her puppy eyes sparkled at Aida, making her smile in embarrassment.

All three girls celebrated with silent shrieks as Aida nodded, her face hot.

“I knew it!” Sue cheered in a hoarse whisper. She grabbed Aida in a bear hug, crushing the breath out of her. She spun Aida in a circle, making her flail in panic. “I knew you two would make it!”

“It must be so nice to have someone at the end of the day,” Vanita sighed contentedly. She was absentmindedly brushing Lily’s hair, while Lily literally sobbed into her waist. “Have you kissed yet?”

Aida choked, feeling as if Sue had set her on fire.

“No way,” Sue said confidently. “Ezra’s a coward; he wouldn’t do it on the first day. And Aida’s too dense, she probably doesn’t even realize Ezra wants to kiss her.” Sue peered at Aida, smirking. “Am I right, or am I right?”

Aida spluttered, unable to form coherent words.

“You see?” Sue giggled, turning to Lily and Vanita with her hands spread in a flamboyant display. “It didn’t even hit her until I mentioned it just now.”

“Aida, I’m truly very happy for you,” Vanita said in mock disapproval. “But let me remind you that you shouldn’t wait for the boy to make a move if you really want something. You must bring it up first.”

“That’s not—“

“Yeah! Ezra’s really smart and all, but he’s kind of dumb emotionally,” Lily chimed in, sniffing. She wiped her face on her arm before drawing herself up to her full height, joining Vanita and Sue’s pompous lineup as they all gazed down at Aida with identical expressions of disappointment.

“It’s too soon,” Aida said weakly, cowed by the three girls’ unimpressed eyes. “We’re going to take it slow…”

“Yes, slow,” Sue drawled out. “It’s been, what, three moon cycles now, before you two finally kindled your relationship? If you two take any longer, how will the flames of your love be able to withstand graduation and separation due to work? You need time to establish yourselves!” Sue clapped her hands, the loud smack making Aida flinch.

“One moment,” Lily interrupted, sliding in front of Sue. She stared at Aida contemplatively before turning around to gather Vanita and Sue into a small huddle, their backs to Aida.

“What are you guys doing?” Aida asked, feeling a sense of foreboding. She tried to eavesdrop on their discussion, but before she could creep over to decipher their furious whispers, they straightened.

“Nothing,” Sue chirped, smiling at Aida tenderly - though her eyes were gleaming with mischief. “We were just talking about how we’re so happy that you and Ezra finally get together. You’re going to see him tomorrow, right?”

Aida couldn’t help but narrow her eyes at the question. All three of them looked so giddy she couldn’t help but be suspicious. “Yes?”

“Great,” Lily said cheerily, hopping over to squeeze Aida in a tight hug. “See you!”

Vanita smiled warmly at Aida before following Lily out the door, leaving Sue alone in her room.

Sue stepped right up to Aida, smiling deeply into her eyes. “Remember what I told you earlier today? Don’t think, just do whatever you want to do.”

With that, she planted a kiss on Aida’s cheek.