— The Stranger in the Archive
Rain tapped against the tall windows as Elion knelt beside the collapsed stranger.
"You shouldn't be here" Elion whispered, half to themself.
Caelis opened their eyes slowly. Violet light flickered—and then dimmed when Elion didn't step back.
"I know" Caelis said hoarsely. "I tried not to be."
Elion hesitated, then removed their cloak and wrapped it around Caelis's shoulders.
"You're hurt."
Caelis laughed weakly. "That's… normal."
"Stay still" Elion said. "I'm not calling the guards."
Caelis froze. "Why?"
Elion met their gaze. "Because you look like someone who's tired of running."
For the first time that night, the magic around Caelis softened.
— Learning Each Other
Late evening. Candles glowed softly between towering shelves of maps.
Caelis traced a faded ink line on a parchment.
"This road doesn't exist anymore."
Elion smiled faintly. "It does. The Crown just pretends it doesn't."
Caelis looked at them. "You do that too?"
Elion stiffened. "Do what?"
"Hide things because the world doesn't like them."
Silence lingered.
"…Yes" Elion admitted.
Caelis hesitated before asking, "Does it ever get easier?"
Elion glanced at their hands. "I don't know. But it gets quieter when someone listens."
Caelis reached out—slow, careful—and their fingers brushed Elion's.
"I'm listening" Caelis said.
The violet glow warmed instead of flaring.
— The First Confession
They sat on the archive roof, both moons rising.
"I've never stayed anywhere this long, Caelis said.
Elion smiled. "It's been three weeks."
Caelis chuckled. "A record."
Then, softer: "I'm scared."
"Of the Crown?"
Caelis shook their head. "Of wanting this."
Elion's heart pounded. "Wanting… us?"
"Yes."
Elion inhaled slowly. "Then stay scared. I will too."
Caelis leaned closer. Their foreheads touched.
"May I?" Caelis asked quietly.
Elion nodded.
Their first kiss was gentle—brief, trembling, real.
Then…
Guards shouted below. Magic surged violently.
"I can't control it!" Caelis cried. "I'll hurt you—"
"You won't" Elion said, stepping forward.
"Move!"
"No."
Caelis stared. "Why aren't you afraid?"
Elion swallowed. "I am. But I choose you anyway."
The moons aligned.
Light poured down, wrapping them both.
Caelis gasped. "It's… stable."
Elion smiled through tears. "You're not broken."
The guards fell back, shielding their eyes.
And the Crown's lie shattered.