It started with a piece of paper.
A formal complaint. Officially filed. Signed and dated. Delivered to the Principal's office with all the proper procedures.
The complaint read:
To: Principal Keifer Watson
From: [Name Redacted], Third Year, Nightthorn Order
Subject: Disrespectful Behavior Toward the Principal
It has come to my attention that student Jay Mariano (Crimson Oath) regularly engages in public arguments with the Principal. She contradicts him. She yells at him. She calls his opinions wrong. This behavior is unbecoming of a student and disrespectful to his position. I request that appropriate disciplinary action be taken.
Signed,
A Concerned Student
Keifer read the complaint three times.
His face didn't change. But his eyes... his eyes were doing something complicated. Something caught between amusement and disbelief.
Lyra burst into his office without knocking. "I HEARD. The whole school heard. Someone filed a complaint about JAY?"
Keifer handed her the paper.
Lyra read it. Her face went through several stages: confusion, disbelief, and finally, pure DELIGHT.
"Someone complained about Jay... for arguing with you?"
"Yes."
"For being 'disrespectful'?"
"Yes."
"To the PRINCIPAL?"
"Yes."
Lyra started laughing. "This is AMAZING. This is the best thing that's ever happened. Someone actually thinks Jay is being disrespectful by acting exactly like herself."
Keifer almost smiled. "I have to handle it officially."
"Handle it HOW?"
"Call her in. Review the complaint. Decide on disciplinary action."
Lyra's eyes sparkled. "Can I watch?"
"No."
"Can I listen outside the door?"
"...Probably."
"GOOD ENOUGH."
Jay was in the common room when the summons came.
A first-year approached nervously. "Miss Mariano? The Principal wants to see you. In his office. Now."
Jay blinked. "The Principal? Keifer?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Why?"
The first-year shrugged. "Didn't say. Just said now."
Jay's stomach flipped. Was something wrong? Was he okay? She grabbed her bag and ran.
She burst into his office without knocking. "Keifer? What's wrong? Are you—"
He was sitting at his desk. Calm. Completely fine. Holding a piece of paper.
"Close the door," he said.
She closed it. "What's going on?"
"Sit down."
"Keifer—"
"Sit."
She sat. Confused. Worried. "You're scaring me."
He handed her the complaint.
She read it.
Her face went from confused to shocked to outraged to... laughing. Actual laughing.
"Someone filed a COMPLAINT? About me? For arguing with you?"
"Yes."
"Someone actually wrote this?"
"Yes."
"And signed it?"
"Yes."
"And you have to... what? Discipline me?"
"That's the procedure."
Jay stared at him. He stared back. Completely serious. Completely calm.
Then she grinned. "So what are you going to do, Principal? Punish me?"
He stood up. Walked around the desk. Leaned against it in front of her.
"I'm supposed to," he said quietly.
"For being disrespectful?"
"For arguing with me in public."
"For telling you you're wrong about coffee?"
"Especially that."
She tilted her head. "And what punishment do you have in mind?"
He reached down. Pulled her up. Close. Too close.
"This," he murmured.
And kissed her.
Deep. Slow. Thorough.
When they broke apart, she was breathless. "That's your punishment?"
"Effective?"
"Very."
"Good." He kissed her again. "Now I have to dismiss the complaint."
"What will you write?"
"The truth."
"Which is?"
He looked at her. Soft. Sure. "That the student in question isn't being disrespectful. She's being herself. And I wouldn't change her for anything."
Jay's heart exploded.
"You can't write THAT."
"It's the truth."
"It's TOO ROMANTIC."
"It's ACCURATE."
She kissed him this time. "I love you."
"I love you too. Even though you're wrong about coffee."
"AM NOT."
"ARE."
"AM NOT."
"ARE."
He kissed her again. The argument could wait.
Outside the door, six faces were pressed against the wood.
"What's happening?" Lyra whispered.
"I can't hear," Adrian hissed. "The door is too thick."
"Did he punish her?"
"I don't know."
"Is it ROMANTIC punishment?"
"DEFINITELY."
Mila shushed them. "Quiet. I think I heard kissing."
"KISSING?" Bella squeaked. "As PUNISHMENT?"
"That's the best punishment ever."
Daniel stood back, arms crossed. "You're all insane."
"You're here too."
"I'm... observing."
"Same thing."
He didn't argue.
The door opened.
Jay stepped out. Pink-faced. Smiling. Hair slightly messy.
Her friends stared.
Lyra grabbed her arm. "WHAT HAPPENED IN THERE?"
"Nothing."
"Your HAIR is messy."
"It's windy."
"There's no wind inside."
"KEIFER happened."
"KEIFER happened? As in—"
"As in he kissed me. A lot. As punishment."
The hallway ERUPTED.
"PUNISHMENT KISSING—" "HE DISCIPLINED HER WITH ROMANCE—" "THAT'S THE BEST COMPLAINT RESPONSE EVER—" "I'M FILING A COMPLAINT NEXT—"
Keifer appeared in the doorway. Calm. Composed. His usual self.
But his ears were slightly pink.
"The complaint has been dismissed," he announced. "For the record, Jay Mariano is not being disrespectful. She's being herself. Which is exactly what she should be."
The hallway went silent.
Then Lyra screamed. "HE DEFENDED HER. OFFICIALLY. IN PUBLIC. THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY."
Adrian was writing furiously. "Official statement: 'She's being herself. Which is exactly what she should be.' Romantic content: MAXIMUM."
Bella was already sketching. "The doorway. The pink ears. The LOVE. I need to capture this."
Mila hugged Jay. "Your boyfriend just publicly declared you perfect."
"He's always doing that."
"He's ALWAYS doing that?"
"Pretty much."
"That's SO romantic."
Jay looked at Keifer. He smiled. That real one.
"It really is," she agreed.
The complaint became legendary.
By dinner, everyone knew.
The Nightthorn who filed it was avoiding eye contact. Deeply regretting life choices.
Other students kept approaching Jay. "Did you really get punished with kisses?" "Is that true?" "Can I file a complaint about you?"
"No," Jay said. "No more complaints."
But she was smiling.
At the Crimson table, Lyra had a new whiteboard.
THE COMPLAINT INCIDENT
Complaint Filed: Yes
Reason: Arguing with Principal
Principal's Response: Kisses (many)
Complaint Status: DISMISSED (romantically)
JAYFER STATUS: ETERNAL (COMPLAINT-PROOF)
Bond Strength: OFFICIALLY UNBREAKABLE
LEARNINGS:
Filing complaints about Jay is useless
Keifer will always defend her
Punishment kisses are now a thing
The Nightthorn regrets everything
Jay read the board. Laughed.
Keifer appeared beside her. Coffee in hand.
"Ready for class?"
"Ready for you."
He kissed her cheek. Quick. Warm.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
"Even though you're wrong about coffee."
"Even though you drink dirt water."
They walked away arguing.
Normal. Perfect. THEIRS.
That night, in his room, Jay lay in his arms.
"Hey Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For today. For defending me."
"You don't need defending."
"I know. But it was nice. Hearing you say that. Officially."
He kissed her hair. "You're perfect. Just as you are. Complaint or no complaint."
She smiled against his chest. "You're soft."
"Only for you."
"Good."
They lay in comfortable silence.
Then: "Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"If anyone else files a complaint... will you punish me again?"
He laughed. Actual laugh. "You want more complaints?"
"I want more punishment."
He pulled her closer. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good."