Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound emanated from my door, pulling me out of my dream I'd already forgotten. My right eye was glued shut, and I could barely peel my left one open into a narrow squint.
What...?
The knocks came again, louder. Insistent.
"Mmgh... who is it?" I managed to grumble into my pillow.
"It's me"
"Who's me?"
A pause. Then, an exasperated sigh. "Victoria. Stop being difficult and open the door."
Victoria. Should've known. No one else would have the nerve to bother me at this hour.
I untangled myself from the sheets and trudged to the door, brain still half-asleep and begging to get back to whatever dream I was having.
The moment it swung open, a cold draft swept in—and there she was, frozen mid-knock, eyes wide. Color rushed to her cheeks as she quickly looked away, mumbling something I didn't catch.
I rubbed at the weariness in my eyes. "What? Here for a night visit? Should I be excited?"
"Gods, Luna! Get inside!" she hissed, shoving past me and slamming the door.
Her gaze darted frantically around the room, ignoring me completely.
"What are ya looking for?" I asked, completely bewildered.
"Looking for something—anything—for you to put on!" she snapped, her eyes everywhere but on me.
My eyes fell to the floor. Underwear. Just underwear. Heat crept up my face.
Oh. Right.
At last, her eyes landed on the dresser. She rummaged through it, retrieving a long-sleeved nightgown. She shoved it against my chest, face turned away. "Put it on! Anyone could've seen you!"
As she stepped back, her arm brushed my shoulder. Her gaze finally met mine. "And your hair is still wet?! Are you always this messy?"
I pulled the silky fabric over my head. "Alright, Alright, I'm dressed. Happy?"
She didn't answer—just dragged me into the washroom and plopped me onto the stool before my vanity.
"Vic, why are you here?" I glanced at her through the mirror.
She threw a dry towel over my head and started rubbing. "What did he want, Luna?"
"Mmm, Vi... you're... really rough," I murmured, mostly amused.
She froze, hands in my hair, eyes wide. "Rough? I—well, I'm trying. This isn't something I... I don't do this."
So cute. I can't help it. I have to tease her.
I chuckled, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyebrows furrowed with effort, a hint of color still on her face. "Huhhh, even the perfect Victoria has things she can't do. I'm shocked."
"I just—" She muttered but stopped, going back to tugging at my hair with the towel. "I don't want you to get sick before the finals. You're our wildcard."
I tried to turn and face her but she gripped my head. Tight. "Sit still."
"Do you... do you do this for anyone else?" I asked, pouting.
"No. And don't get used to it," she said, voice softening just slightly. She searched around for something, and I realized she was looking for a brush.
"Over there," I mumbled, pointing to a nearby drawer.
She grabbed it, and slowly, awkwardly, began to brush out my hair. Tense at first, but then her fingers eased, stroking softly.
"Lucian?" she asked quietly. "What did he want?"
I shrugged. "He just wanted to congratulate me."
She exhaled slowly as she brushed out another knot. "You... You hide a lot, don't you?"
I hummed. "Maybe. Depends on who's asking."
She snorted, doubting, but didn't press. I sat quietly, letting her fingers work. I realized she'd stopped worrying about the towel, the mess, my hair. She was just... here. Helping me.
I leaned back into her, stealing her warmth. "You know, you're not half bad at this."
She pulled the towel over my face and kept brushing without a word.
By the time she finished drying and brushing, the small amount of energy I'd recovered was already running empty.
I yawned and stretched. She was already here, invested, caring—I couldn't waste that.
I thought up a plan.
I'll just persuade her a little. Tired. Helpless. Irresistibly convincing.
Step one: Feign sleep. Cute. Pitiful.
Step two: Let her do the work. Rescue me.
Step three: Attack. Win.
"Vi..." I mumbled, barely audible.
I went slack and let my weight carry me backwards into Victoria's chest, eyes closed.
"Luna? Hey—wake up," she murmured, shaking my shoulder lightly.
I let out a soft breath, the selling point. My body was completely loose, forcing Victoria to hold me up.
She gave me another shake. "Seriously... you're heavy." Her voice softened, reluctant. She sighed, accepting defeat. "Fine."
Victory!
She slid her arms under me with a grunt. "Ugh, you're a giant, needy kid," she muttered under her breath, struggling to get a hold of me. My height made the whole thing an awkward shuffle, but she eventually wrangled me into a princess carry.
We moved, and she stumbled over something, tightening her grip. She stopped, and instead of gently placing me down, she unceremoniously tossed me onto the mattress.
"Ugh, there."
I cracked an eye open, spotting her turning toward the door. This was my chance.
I giggled, lunging off the bed and wrapping my arms around her waist. "Wait! You're not allowed to leave!"
Her startled yelp was exactly what I was hoping for. "Wha—"
I snatched her back.
"Ngh—!" she choked as she hit the mattress, nearly tumbling off the other side of the bed.
Before she could escape, I pressed my cheek against her back, sliding my arms up to her torso. "Yep... you're officially my pillow now."
"Luna! Let go!" She twisted, trying to pry my arms off, but I just squeezed tighter.
She wriggled, trying to sit up but I kept dragging her back down. "You're unbelievable—get off me!"
"Nope," I hummed, snuggling into her back.
"Dammit, Luna! I'm serious—let go." She tried to turn and pry me off with both hands but only managed to give me the softer side of the human pillow.
"Never." I held firm, locking her in an unrelenting front hug.
Her protest grew softer as she tried to squirm free one last time. Slowly, reluctantly, she stopped struggling, no more fight left in her.
"Haaah.... Fine... fine. Whatever," she muttered, patting my head in resignation.
Then, in a quieter, defeated voice, "At least let go so I can get us under the blanket. It's cold."
I tilted my head up, catching her flushed face in the dim light, and narrowed my eyes. "Try to run, and I'll hate you forever."
"I won't," she muttered, "just... let go for a second."
I loosened my hold just enough for her to shift. She reached down, pulled the thick cover up over both of us, and then settled back down, facing away from me now.
"Aw... front was better, though. Comfy." I re-established my hold, cuddling up to her back again. She trembled and let out a groan but didn't protest this time.
"Okay. Pillow secured."
I nuzzled against her back, letting the warmth sink in. My hands found their place, resting lightly on her sides, holding her close without letting go. The mischievous thrill of victory still buzzed through me. After a few minutes of silence, the quiet started to feel... different. Less awkward.
Victoria didn't move. Didn't push me off. I could feel her tension slowly melting, the earlier stiffness giving way to something softer.
"Hey, Vicky..." I whispered through her hair.
"Hmm?"
"What's your family like?"
She breathed in deeply and out slowly.
"Formal," she said flatly. "My two older brothers serve the Kingdom of Galvaes as a Royal Knight Commander and Court Mage. And my father... was the Knight Grandmaster."
Wow. No wonder she's so stiff all the time. Sounds more like a competition than family.
"You?" she asked, almost hesitant.
"Just Elara, I suppose. I don't remember where I came from." I admitted. There was a minute of silence. My brief moment of connection soured as I thought about the future. My voice took on a sarcastic, bitter edge. "So you and Kael graduate, become big-shot officers, and I get stuck here all alone for another year?"
Victoria turned over until I could see her face. The blush gone, replaced by the usual expression, steady and stern.
"We're just graduating, Luna. Not disappearing," she said in a low voice. "You can't get rid of me that easily. Who else is gonna babysit you?"
"Hmph." I twisted away pouting. "Babysit me?"
She sat up, catching my shoulder and rolling me over to face her. "Yes," she said, holding my gaze fast with her silver eyes. "And you could at least try to make one friend in your classes, can't you? You're not completely alone here."
"Nuh uh, the others are all weak, they just avoid me like I have the plague. They're not anything like you."
Victoria's eyes eased just a bit, though she didn't look away.
"Luna. Just because they keep a distance doesn't mean you have to be alone. It's your attitude that keeps them away. They don't see the same cute Luna that I do."
I let out a soft sigh, pressing my cheek into her shoulder. "Okay, I'll try to be different. Maybe."
After a bit, the words slipped out on their own. "There's something I haven't told you. About me. About what I'm trying to figure out."
She didn't interrupt, just waited, quiet.
"It's complicated," I said, using my hair to shield my face. "I'm not ready to tell you. Not yet. I just wanted you to know. I trust you."
Victoria nodded, her hair tickling my forehead. "Alright," she said softly. "When you're ready. I'll be here to listen."
That simple answer made something loosen inside me. I chuckled but it came out more like a snort. "Promise?"
"Promise."
The room went still again—just the slow, steady rhythm of breathing and the faint symphony of the night. For once, I didn't feel the usual edge in my chest. I just let it all go, and somewhere in that calm, sleep finally caught up.