We dispersed quietly from the council room, leaving plans and worries temporarily behind. Claire looped an arm casually around mine as we walked down the corridor, the tension from before melting slowly into something softer, lighter.
"Hey," Claire whispered softly, nudging me slightly. "You okay?"
I turned my head, meeting her violet eyes that were softened now, almost delicate in their openness. "Just thinking about tomorrow."
She squeezed my arm gently. "I know. But let's save tomorrow's worries for tomorrow."
"You make it sound so easy."
Claire grinned, leaning closer until her hair brushed softly against my shoulder. "Because sometimes it is, when you're with the right people."
I felt myself flush at the sincerity in her voice, at how effortlessly she said those words.
We stepped out into the open air, the evening breeze brushing past us. The sky was painted in soft pastels now, twilight settling over the academy grounds, bathing everything in a gentle glow. The gardens stretched out quietly in front of us, flowers catching the last flickers of daylight, their colors softening with dusk.
Claire paused, tugging my hand. "Walk with me a little longer?"
I nodded quietly. "Of course."
We strolled slowly along the winding stone paths, the fragrance of flowers in full bloom drifting around us. She didn't speak immediately, and I realized Claire was being unusually quiet.
"What's on your mind?" I finally asked.
She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "It's funny how easily you read me."
"You're usually louder," I teased gently.
Claire nudged my side, mock offense in her eyes. "Hey! I can be subtle too!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Claire Clovis? Subtle?"
She sighed dramatically. "Fine, you got me."
She stopped walking, pulling me gently until we were both standing still under a canopy of hanging flowers. They swayed gently above us, their soft petals brushing past our shoulders like delicate caresses. Claire turned fully to face me, her expression softening again.
"I know there's a lot happening right now," she began quietly. "A lot we don't control. And...maybe it's weird timing, but I need you to know something."
My heartbeat quickened slightly. "What is it?"
She took a deep breath, her voice gentle yet resolute. "I don't want you to think of me as just the chaotic one, or just comic relief. And not just a friend either. I want you to see me clearly—like how I see you."
I swallowed gently, my breath soft. "Claire…"
"I'm serious," she whispered. Her violet eyes shimmered earnestly in the twilight. "I know Diana, Lillian, Camille, and Tessa—they're incredible. They each have their ways of telling you how they feel. And I...well, I joke around, maybe too much."
My heart tightened in my chest. "You don't have to—"
"I do," she said softly, stepping closer. "I do have to say this, because tomorrow, things might get complicated again, and I don't want to regret never saying how much you mean to me."
My voice was barely a whisper. "Tell me."
Claire's eyes softened completely, free from her usual playful armor. "I'm in love with you, Sera. Not just a crush, not just a fleeting feeling. I really love you. And I don't need you to choose anything or change anything. I just…needed you to know."
My chest felt full to bursting, warmth radiating through my body as her words sank in, gentle and powerful at once.
"I know I'm a mess sometimes," she continued softly. "But I promise, I'll always be here, no matter what. Even if you don't choose me."
I reached out, catching her hand gently. "Claire, you've always mattered. You don't have to apologize for being you—I wouldn't want you any other way."
Her smile wobbled slightly, vulnerable in the twilight. "Good, because I wouldn't know how to be someone else."
I laughed softly, stepping closer. She wrapped her arms around me without hesitation, pulling me into a tight, comforting embrace. Her warmth enveloped me, the familiar scent of fresh flowers and sunshine filling my senses.
We stood like that for a moment, quiet and peaceful beneath the blooming flowers. My head rested against her shoulder, eyes closing gently as I allowed myself to simply feel.
"Thank you," she murmured softly against my hair.
"For what?"
"For letting me love you," Claire whispered. "Even if it gets complicated, even if it scares you."
I squeezed her gently. "It's worth it."
And in that quiet, twilight embrace, I knew it was true.
Tomorrow could wait.
For now, this moment belonged only to us.
The quiet lingered around us, softening everything into something gentle and precious. Eventually, Claire eased back just enough to brush the hair gently from my eyes, her fingertips tracing my cheek softly, featherlight yet intentional.
"Promise me something?" she whispered, her voice low but steady.
I met her gaze, breath shallow. "Anything."
"Promise me that even if things get scary tomorrow, you'll remember this—how it feels to just be here, right now, with someone who loves you."
My heart trembled at her words. It wasn't that Claire was serious—she often was, in her own chaotic way—but this felt deeper, more vulnerable than I'd ever seen her. There was no playful smirk, no teasing glint. Just Claire, earnest and unguarded, her violet eyes full of gentle insistence.
"I promise," I said softly, squeezing her hand again. "I won't forget this."
She exhaled slowly, the tension easing from her shoulders as her smile returned, softer but more radiant than ever. "Good. Because if you forget, I'll just have to remind you again and again."
I laughed quietly. "I'd let you."
Claire's smile widened into something bright and mischievous, like sunshine breaking through clouds. She took my hand and spun me around once beneath the swaying blooms, giggling softly as she pulled me back into another gentle hug. "You'd better."
We lingered a little longer, reluctant to break the calm that had wrapped around us. Eventually, though, Claire squeezed my hand and sighed dramatically, stepping back.
"I guess we should get some rest," she said, glancing toward the darkening sky. "I'd love to stay here all night, but Diana would definitely lecture me about being irresponsible tomorrow morning."
"Probably," I said with a faint grin. "She enjoys that, doesn't she?"
Claire rolled her eyes playfully. "Way too much."
We began walking slowly back toward the dormitories, fingers still gently intertwined. The academy grounds were quiet now, the paths illuminated softly by charm lights casting warm, golden pools of light along the stone walkways.
As we approached the main hall, Claire hesitated, turning back to face me once more.
"I meant every word I said tonight," she murmured, her voice softening again. "But I won't make you feel pressured. Just…remember, okay?"
I squeezed her hand gently, stepping forward to press a soft, shy kiss to her cheek—just a whisper of touch, warm and fleeting.
"Trust me," I said softly, pulling back to see her stunned, happy expression. "I won't forget."
Claire stood there blinking for a moment, her smile slowly turning into an adorably goofy grin. "Goodnight, Sera," she said warmly, backing away with a little wave, cheeks flushed bright pink. "See you bright and early!"
I watched her until she disappeared through the dormitory doors, heart still fluttering lightly.
Returning to my own room felt surreal after everything. I closed the door softly behind me, leaning against it for a moment and letting out a slow breath. My gaze drifted toward my desk, to the small tokens gathered there—silent proof of each quiet, precious confession.
A moonflower from Tessa.
The enchanted lantern from Diana.
Camille's crystal roses.
The pressed lavender petals from Lillian.
And now, the fresh, gentle memory of Claire's words.
Each piece felt like a promise, each quiet reminder tugging gently at my heart.
I knew tomorrow would be difficult.
I knew uncertainty waited beyond the comforting shadows of tonight.
But tonight, right now, my heart felt whole.
Sleep found me gently that night, the warmth of Claire's words still wrapped softly around my heart. Even my dreams felt lighter, carrying quiet echoes of laughter, whispered promises, and tender moments.
But the night passed all too quickly.
Morning arrived softly, the horizon painted in shades of pink and gold. I rose early, anticipation and anxiety both twisting softly within me as I prepared myself quietly in the dim glow of dawn.
Just as I finished fastening my uniform jacket, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Sera? You awake?" It was Lillian, her voice gentle, as though not wishing to disturb me even as she summoned me.
"Yes," I answered quickly, opening the door to find her standing there, poised and elegant as ever—even in the soft early-morning light. Her pink hair cascaded in gentle waves over her shoulders, and her emerald eyes met mine warmly.
"We're ready to depart soon," she said quietly, her tone softening into a gentle reassurance. "But there's still time. Would you like to join me outside for a moment?"
I nodded without hesitation, following her into the quiet morning air. The gardens around us were just waking, still dew-kissed and soft. The world seemed hushed, holding its breath before the dawn truly broke.
She led me quietly to the stone bench beneath the trellis—her favorite spot. For a moment, neither of us spoke; we simply sat side by side, shoulders gently brushing. The silence wasn't uncomfortable. With Lillian, it never was.
"You seem calmer today," she finally said, breaking the stillness softly.
"I think I'm learning to trust myself a little more," I replied quietly, a small smile playing on my lips. "And the people around me."
Lillian looked at me, eyes soft and knowing. "I'm glad to hear that."
I hesitated, then glanced at her softly. "You've always trusted me, even when I couldn't trust myself. Why?"
She smiled gently, turning slightly so we faced each other fully. Her gaze was open, honest, filled with quiet sincerity. "Because I saw who you were beneath all your doubts and worries. I saw strength and kindness—even when you couldn't."
My heart clenched softly, but I held her gaze steadily, warmth rising gently in my chest. "You always knew, didn't you? Even from the beginning."
She reached out slowly, brushing a soft lock of hair behind my ear, her fingertips grazing my cheek gently. "I knew you were someone special," she murmured softly. "But it was your kindness, your strength, your willingness to keep growing… that's what made me love you."
I felt myself blush at her words, heart trembling with tenderness. "Lillian…"
"I don't say this to overwhelm you," she said softly, her thumb brushing lightly across my cheek. "I say it because I want you to understand that you deserve every ounce of love we give you—mine, Claire's, Diana's, Tessa's, Camille's. It's yours. Because you're you."
I swallowed softly, breathless at the intensity and sincerity of her words. "It's a lot. I don't want to hurt anyone."
"You won't," she reassured gently. "We all know the risks. We chose to be here, to love you openly. And it's a choice none of us regret."
I blinked softly, feeling the warmth pooling gently in my eyes. "How can you be so sure?"
Her smile deepened gently, her eyes filled with infinite warmth and affection. "Because when someone is worth loving, every risk is worth taking."
A silence stretched gently between us, filled only with the distant calls of birds waking and the soft rustle of leaves overhead.
Finally, I took a slow, gentle breath. "Thank you, Lillian."
"For what?"
"For seeing me. For believing in me." My voice grew soft. "For loving me."
She leaned closer, her expression softening even more. "It's an easy choice to make."
Before I could think to speak, she pressed a soft, tender kiss to my forehead, gentle and comforting. The warmth of her lips lingered even after she pulled away.
"Now," she whispered, smiling gently as she rose and offered me her hand, "shall we go? The others will be waiting."
I took her hand, feeling the gentle strength in her touch.
Together, we walked forward, toward whatever the new day would bring.
Because whatever it was, I knew now I could face it—with them beside me.