1. I (believe) I've talked about xenophobia before, so today I want to name a few simple ways you can help combat xenophobia. Obviously it is difficult (if not entirely impossible) for one person to cause global change solely of their own accord, so let's focus on a smaller level. Let's start with the obvious: celebrate other cultures! An easy way to do this is to support local businesses/restaurants owned by immigrants, and maybe try your own hand at cooking dishes from other countries! Another simple action is to call out hate speech when you hear it. Confrontation can be scary, but it's important that we let bigots know that their hateful behavior will not be tolerated. Lastly, if you are financially able, support human rights' organizations that are meant to combat xenophobia/racism/etc., such as UNICEF, the ACLU, Bail for Immigration Detainees (UK organization), and many others! (Information condensed from UNICEF.)

Bonjour vous-autres! I have been back at school for one week and I'm ALREADY tired, lmao. Can you believe there's only three chapters left after this one?! Wow. I hope you enjoy the update!

xXxXxXx

"Callum! We're going to be late!"

Callum couldn't help but roll his eyes at his girlfriend's frantic tone. "We are not going to be late, Rayla. If anything, we're going to be early." Man, where had he put his charcoal? "Give me a second. I'm almost ready to go."

Aha - there it was, hidden behind the cup of pencils on his desk. He grabbed the plastic container and placed it in his satchel, neatly tucking it between his sketchbook and the wall of the bag. Since he was all but certain they would arrive at the airport early, he wanted something to do while they waited.

"Alright, I'm coming." He left his bedroom to find Rayla standing next to the door leading out of his dorm, tapping her foot anxiously as she checked something on her phone. "You ready?"

Rayla rolled her eyes, turning her phone off and shoving it into her pocket. "Obviously. I've been waiting for you for ages."

Callum laughed as she grabbed his hand and began dragging him towards the door. "'Ages,'" he repeated. "Alright, drama queen."

"Don't get sassy with me," she chastised, taking his keys to lock the door behind them before tossing them back at his face, which Callum barely managed to catch. "I don't appreciate that kind of attitude, young man."

God, she sounded like every single jerk of a substitute teacher he'd ever had. "Do forgive me," he said as he unlocked his car and climbed into the driver's seat. He put on his seatbelt after he did so. "It was never my intention to be disrespectful, ma'am."

Rayla snorted as she slid into the passenger seat. "Wow. We sound pretentious as hell."

Callum laughed. He turned the key in the ignition and waited for her to buckle in before he began navigating out of the parking lot. "Yeah, that's a fair assessment." As he turned onto the road, he couldn't help but ask the question that had been needling him all morning. "So… Are you ready to see Runaan and Ethari again?"

Rayla's eyes lit up at his words, which was pretty much an answer in itself. "You have no idea. I've missed them so much since I left! I can't believe that they're going to get to see me play, in person, at the national championship!" She shook her head, almost in disbelief. "These next few days are genuinely going to be the best ones of my life."

Callum found himself smiling at her words. His girlfriend's excitement was definitely contagious. That said, he also couldn't resist the urge to tease her. Just a tad.

He made a tsk noise. "What, are you implying that the Saturday of our super-romantic, straight-out-of-a-movie first kiss after you won the opening game of the season isn't considered one of the best days of your life?"

Rayla made a so-so gesture with her hand. "I was pretty sweaty that night, so that bumps the moment down out of the top three."

Callum burst out laughing. "Oh, my bad. I had no idea 'sweatiness' was part of your criteria."

"Every day's a school day!"

So it seemed. "Anyways," he continued, pressing the conversation forward, "so you're obviously ready to see them, but… Are you ready for them to meet everyone else" - aka his immediate family plus Gren - "at dinner tonight?"

The gist of their plan was to pick Runaan and Ethari up from the airport and take them to the car rental place, which was where he and Rayla would temporarily part ways. That evening, they'd all meet up at the local restaurant Harrow had chosen for dinner.

"Are you ready?" Rayla challenged.

Callum typically would have countered with 'I asked first,' but he decided to let his girlfriend off because of the upcoming championship. Still, he grimaced at her question, sighing. "I mean. I think so." He hoped so. "If everyone is at least polite to each other, I will take that as a win. They can dislike each other all they want" - since that was out of his and Rayla's control - "but they'd better keep it to themselves."

He wasn't particularly worried about his dad. Harrow had always preferred peace above conflict, though apparently he'd had a pretty hotheaded streak as a teen. Ezran, of course, was one of the most non-confrontational people Callum had ever known. No problems there. Aunt Amaya…

She'd improved both at recognizing her own anti-Xadian prejudices and at stopping herself from acting upon them, it was true. Apparently she'd recently become a pen pal with someone from the Sunfire clan in order to learn more about aspects of Xadian culture that media outlets didn't report on, which he was undeniably proud of her for. But to err on the side of caution… he'd just tell Gren not to translate anything she said that might come off as aggressive.

And Gren himself? He was the nicest guy in the world. Callum was pretty sure Gren had once apologized to someone who had punched him in the face.

"Agreed," Rayla mused. "I mean, I want them to all get along, of course. Ethari is sociable and a generally warm person, so I'm not too worried about him. Runaan, on the other hand…"

"Is less warm?" Callum finished, fighting back a grin. It seemed like Aunt Amaya was to him what Runaan was to her.

Rayla laughed. "Right. 'Less warm.' That is word for word how I'd describe it."

"Hey. Not all of us are English majors, you know."

"Mm. Yes. I am reminded every time you speak."

Callum snorted. "Wow. Low blow, Rayla. Low blow." He merged onto the interstate that would take him straight to the airport. "But to move away from the topic of my bruised ego." He ignored her snickering. "I'm kind of hoping that being in a restaurant, as in a public vicinity, will help them act more… er, passive. You know. To avoid unnecessary embarrassment for everyone."

Rayla nodded. "Exactly. It should force them all to be on their best behavior!" She paused, frowning. "Wait. Just to check - we don't need to dress super formally or anything for tonight, do we? 'Dressing up' a little is good?"

"That's perfect," Callum affirmed, glancing in his side mirror before changing lanes. "We're going to a nice local diner, so my dad just doesn't want anyone in sweatpants, basically."

"No sweatpants. I can work with that." She laughed. "I don't think Runaan would be caught dead wearing sweatpants in public, anyway, so that works out."

They arrived at the airport before the flight had even landed, exactly as Callum had predicted they would. Which he made sure to jokingly rub in his girlfriend's face before he contented himself with sketching as they waited for Runaan and Ethari to descend into Katolis.

"They should be coming out of the baggage claim any second now!" Rayla exclaimed twenty minutes later, checking her phone every other second as she bounced on her heels. "Callum, they're almost here!" She stilled herself, taking a deep breath, though it was clear the action did little to abate her nervous jitters. "I don't know if you can tell, I'm kind of freaking out right now."

Callum chuckled, methodically putting his sketchbook and charcoal back into his satchel. His anatomy practice could wait. "Maybe a little bit, yes." He snapped his bag shut. "However, since you haven't seen them in months, I think freaking out is an understandable reaction. Not to mention you're playing in the college football championship in - what, three days? And, on top of all that, you're ecstatic that they will get to see you play." He slung his satchel over his shoulder, grinning at her. "So yeah. I'd be freaking out, too."

Rayla gave him a grateful smile. "Aw. I appreciate you rationalizing the scenario for me."

Callum moved next to her, taking her hand that wasn't holding her phone into his own. "It's what I'm here for."

Rayla's phone buzzed, and her eyes lit up as she read whatever message she'd received. "They're out of baggage! Come on!" She began dragging him through the airport, and Callum apologized on behalf of both of them to the numerous people they nearly ran into during their trek. He didn't want to burst his girlfriend's bubble by pointing out that they were dangerously close to being labelled by airport security as 'wreaking havoc.'

She paused about twenty feet - guesstimating, of course, Callum wasn't that good at math - from the baggage claim, spinning around to take in the entire area. "Where are - there!" She let go of his hand to sprint towards a tall couple with hair as white as her own, tackling both of them into a giant hug.

Callum followed, albeit more slowly, and he figured it was wisest for himself to refrain from hugging them.

"I've missed you guys so much!" Rayla exclaimed, her voice muffled by their clothes. "It's so good to see you again."

"We've missed you, too, Rayla," the man Callum recognized as Ethari said. His voice was even kinder in person. "Video calls are lovely, but they aren't the same."

The one who had to be Runaan didn't speak, instead simply tightening his embrace around Rayla.

"I'm so excited that you're finally here!" Rayla gushed when they pulled away. "There's a million things I want to show you before you go back, and we only have a few days to get them all in!"

As she rambled through the different things she wanted them to experience before they returned to Xadia, Callum couldn't help but notice how a few people in the airport kept stopping to stare, as if the family reunion was nothing more than a roadside attraction. He glared at those individuals, which effectively encouraged them to move on.

"Oh! What am I doing?" Rayla grabbed Callum's hand to pull him forward, snapping his attention back to the two men before him. "This is Callum. You've talked to him a few times."

Three times, at this point. The initial disaster, the time without Rayla - which his girlfriend had been miffed about for ten very short seconds before she'd hugged him ecstatically because it had gone so well - and a mere two days ago, where all four of them had reviewed Rayla's itinerary for their trip to Katolis.

"It's nice to officially meet you, Callum," Ethari said with a warm smile, shaking Callum's hand. "Thank you for taking care of our Rayla."

Callum blushed at the praise. "I mean, Rayla can take care of herself. But it's been a multi-person effort since she arrived. Now she's an integral part of our friend group, so there's no going back."

Ethari chuckled. "I'm glad to hear it."

Callum turned to face Runaan. "It's nice to officially meet you, too," he said, offering his hand to him. "Thank you for helping raise Rayla to be the amazing person she is."

Was he laying it on thick? No doubt. But he saw no harm in being a tad extra polite, especially when describing his girlfriend to one of her father figures.

His words caused Runaan to crack a smile, and he shook Callum's hand. "Thank you. I look forward to getting to know you better during my visit."

Callum heard Rayla exhale a quiet sigh of relief. Probably because they'd all exchanged basic greetings without any weird tension. "Thank God we're all on good terms now," she said. "If we weren't, I was going to schedule an hour-long cry in the shower for myself tonight."

Runaan and Ethari appeared concerned about her comment, but Callum laughed. "Well, crying in the shower is arguably the most efficient technique to express sadness," he pointed out, "seeing as your tears will be washed away within seconds."

"Exactly! No cleanup required to hide the fact that you've been sobbing your heart out."

Runaan sighed, shaking his head. "I will never understand the humor of your generation."

Callum really didn't think that type of humor was unique to his generation, but he also didn't want to spark unnecessary disagreement, so he kept his thought to himself.

He was pleased to note, though, that the atmosphere of the new group remained relaxed, with the exception of an occasional awkward silence always filled quickly by Rayla. Really, Rayla was the one who did a majority of the talking, to the point where Callum had to remind her to turn around in her seat a few times because she kept twisting her body to talk to Runaan and Ethari. Eventually he gave up and just made sure to drive extra carefully.

When they were about five minutes away from the car rental, Rayla exclaimed, "Ooh! Callum, can I tell them about the exchange program?!"

"Uh…" He didn't want to jinx his chances of getting accepted, especially with the revelation being only a week or so away, but it was impossible for him to refuse his girlfriend's excited smile. "Sure?"

"Awesome!" She turned around in her seat. Again.

He bit back a sigh. At least she was buckled in.

"Callum applied to the same exchange program I did!" Rayla explained. "Well, in reverse, obviously. When he gets in" - oh, he was so jinxing himself by letting her tell Runaan and Ethari about it, wasn't he? - "he'll attend Xadia University next year. Isn't that amazing?" She shook her head, sighing. "There are so many things I'll be able to show him. Adoraburrs, a moonberry surprise, the fart-flower garden - I can't wait!"

Ethari chuckled. "That sounds very exciting. When are acceptance letters distributed?"

It took Callum a moment to realize the question was directed at him. "Oh! Uh, they're supposed to be emailed out next week, actually. After the championship," he stammered. "A few days into the beginning of February."

"Why did you decide to apply?" Runaan asked after a pause. "Is it presumptuous of me to assume that Rayla was a factor?"

Callum chuckled, hoping his laughter wouldn't betray his anxiety. "No, you're right. I'd be lying if I said Rayla wasn't involved in my decision. I - I really love the idea of spending another year with her. But." He put on his right turn signal to get off the interstate. "I also want to learn about Xadia. As in, more than what some one-off history class could teach me. Experiencing the country in person, and bonus points for having Rayla as a personal guide, is like a dream come true for me."

"I see," Runaan mused. There was a shift to his tone that Callum couldn't quite identify. He hoped it was a good change. "Well, I wish you luck with your application."

Callum offered him a smile via the rearview mirror. "Thank you, sir."

"I don't like how you skimped over the fact that the main reason you applied is because you're hopelessly in love with me," Rayla pointed out. "Very rude of you."

Callum snickered as he pulled into the parking lot of the car rental. "You inflate your importance in my decision-making capabilities."

"Gee, thanks. Love you, too."

Callum laughed again but didn't bother to respond, focusing his attention on backing into a tight spot. Annoying as it was, he knew backing in would be infinitely easier than backing out. "Okay," he said upon succeeding, putting his car into park. "This is where we part ways." He paused. "You're still planning to meet my family and I for dinner, right?"

Ethari nodded. "Yes. I'm excited to meet the people who've raised someone as polite and kind as yourself." He gave Rayla a mock-disapproving look, a teasing glint to his eyes. "Someone I know could pick up a few manners from you."

Callum flushed. "Oh. Er, thank y-"

Rayla snorted. "You can say he's kind and polite right now, sure, but you guys haven't seen him when he's studying. He's like an angry chihuahua. Snapping at anyone who dares come near him."

Callum rolled his eyes. "That's enough slander for today. Get out of my car."

Rayla laughed but complied, and Ethari soon followed. Runaan remained for a few seconds longer.

"I'd like to apologize for treating you so harshly when we first met," he said sincerely, albeit stiffly. "I let my concern and fear for Rayla blind me to the reality that she would not have stayed in Katolis had she been truly miserable. So…" He hesitated. "Thank you, I suppose. For reminding me that there are good people outside of Xadia, too."

Callum blinked, taken aback by the sudden apology. But he turned around in his seat to smile at the man. "You're welcome. And thank you for giving me a chance." While he knew Rayla didn't need anyone's approval regarding who she dated, he was still grateful to have received it from both Runaan and Ethari.

Runaan chuckled. "Don't make me regret it. You won't want to find out what happens if you do."

Callum saw no reason to doubt his ultimatum.

He said his goodbyes to the group, reminding Rayla of the time and place they were meeting for dinner. He also promised to text her the information, too, once he got back to his dorm. He'd originally planned to visit his dad's house, since Aunt Amaya and Gren had arrived that morning while he'd been with Rayla, but he knew he needed to get ahead on his assignments for the upcoming week. After all, he'd be missing school Monday and probably Tuesday, too, for the championship. He didn't understand why the game couldn't be on a Saturday, like every other game of the season had been, but whatever. He couldn't do anything about it except stay prepared.

Time flew by as he worked through physics and chemistry and art, as time often did when he got absorbed into his assignments. He was pretty sure he was the only one among his friends who saw that as a curse and not a blessing. Before Callum knew it, he had to leave within five minutes if he wanted to get to the diner on time. And by 'on time' he obviously meant a few minutes early, since 'fashionably late' did not exist in his personal dictionary.

Surprisingly, his family had beaten him there, though based on how Ezran was only halfway out the car it was clear they, too, had just arrived. Still, the earliness was likely Aunt Amaya's influence.

"Callum!" his aunt signed excitedly as she caught sight of him heading their way. She scooped him up into a tight hug.

Callum laughed as he returned her embrace. "I've missed you, too," he said when she released him, unable to keep a grin off his face. "You should come into town on the regular like this more often."

Amaya sighed. "You have no idea how much I wish I could," she signed. Gren waved at Callum before translating for her. "Someone tried to convince me to push this vacation time to next week, but…" She smirked. "I outrank them."

Callum laughed at the satisfaction on his aunt's face before he turned to address her right-hand man. "It's good to see you, too, Gren. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"Over a year," Gren said with a sigh, shaking his head. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it last time. I really wanted to see you at the art showcase! But Harrow did present me your finished piece earlier today." He smiled. "You are incredibly talented, Callum." Gren then gave him a teasing wink. "I also heard you got yourself a girlfriend. I can't wait to meet her tonight."

Callum flushed at both the praise and the reference to Rayla. His dad had actually hung the charcoal artwork on the wall of the living room so everyone could see it as soon as they walked in. Flattering, but still kind of embarrassing. "Thank you. And Rayla is excited to meet you, too." Or she probably was, at least. He considered Rayla a sociable person.

He then noticed his dad - think of the devil? - and Ezran, the latter now out of the car. They were standing a few feet away and talking to… Soren?

Gren must have noticed where he was staring, as he quietly offered an explanation. "Soren dropped by the house earlier to say hi. When Amaya learned he'd be alone all evening because Viren was taking Claudia out to help him with something for work, she invited him to join us."

"Viren is a terrible father," was all Amaya chose to contribute, a statement Callum was inclined to agree with, even if he felt somewhat bad for thinking it.

"Callum," Harrow called. "Er, actually, all of you." He gestured for them to join him, a request they quickly complied with.

"I know I'm repeating myself for the millionth time today," his dad began, "but I want all of us to be polite and respectful to Rayla's guardians. Both Callum and Rayla have proven that they are in a serious, committed relationship, therefore we need to make good first impressions. Understand?"

There was a collective nod from the group, and Callum resisted the urge to facepalm. At least they were supportive.

"I feel like I'm the only one here who has no clue what's going on," Soren admitted. "Are we having dinner with Rayla's parents or something?"

Everyone turned to face Callum, as if they'd been cued to move at the exact same time. He sighed. "Runaan and Ethari are Rayla's guardians. They were her parents' best friends, and helped raise her since she was little. They only took official custody of her after her parents passed away" - obviously that was the case, ugh, he was overexplaining - "and they're both really good people. Runaan is probably the… colder of the two. But I promise, meeting them is not a huge deal. Just treat it like a normal dinner."

Soren grinned at him. "Got it. I'll just be my usual charming self!"

Callum wondered if he was going to regret agreeing, but… "Yes. Do that. You'll be fine."

He'd maybe be fine. But Callum's phone buzzed, distracting him from Soren. He took it out of his pocket to see that Rayla had texted him. "Okay, they're parking now," he read as he responded with a thumbs up before tucking the device away. "Can we get out of this huddle? We look weird."

Thankfully, they all complied.

"Hi guys!" Rayla called as she walked across the parking lot. Runaan and Ethari followed behind her, hand in hand. "I'd like to introduce you to my second set of parents," she said as the two groups combined. "Callum's family" - she paused, doing a double take - "and Soren, apparently, meet Runaan and Ethari." She pointed to them each respectively as she spoke, and the couple responded with polite nods.

Callum knew it was his turn to proceed with introductions. "Okay," he said, stepping forward and offering Runaan and Ethari what was probably an awkward smile. "This is my dad, Harrow, and my little brother, Ezran." He gestured to the people on his other side. "This my aunt, Amaya, and her KSL translator, Gren. Gren isn't technically related to us, but he's known Aunt Amaya longer than my dad has, so he's basically family."

"I promise I don't do much more than translate for Amaya," Gren said with a chuckle. "Rarely do I manage to come up with subjects worthy of discussion."

Amaya rolled her eyes, aggressively signing, "That is not true. Stop it," earning a laugh from Gren before he translated.

"Last but not least, Soren," Callum concluded. "He's a senior at KSU and the quarterback on the football team. Since he's one of our oldest friends, he can also be considered family."

"He's the one who convinced me to try out for the football team!" Rayla added with a wide grin. "So really, we have him to thank for giving the two of you a reason to fly all the way out here at the end of January."

Ethari chuckled at that. "Then thank you, young man. Rayla speaks quite highly of your leadership with the team."

Soren beamed in response as Rayla groaned, her face reddening in embarrassment. "Don't tell him that, Ethari. You'll inflate his ego so much he'll float away."

"No, no, I don't mind," Soren said with a snicker. "What other nice things has Rayla said to you about me that she wouldn't dare admit to my face?"

Ethari laughed. "How about this? I'll tell you more once we're inside the restaurant." He smiled at the group. "I have a feeling we're all hungry, so why wait? Let's go eat!"

"I second the motion," Harrow agreed, and thus the group was ushered inside.

The restaurant was surprisingly empty for a Friday evening, and there was a sign placed near the door that read: SEAT YOURSELF. Which resulted in Soren and Amaya dragging two tables next to each other so everyone could eat together.

So far, so good, was the only phrase running through Callum's mind as they all sat down. He took the seat next to Rayla to balance out the numbers, and Gren sat at the end of the table so it was easier for him to see Amaya's signing.

Conversation… flowed well, for the most part. Surprisingly, it was Soren who seemed most unbothered by any underlying awkwardness at the table. Or maybe that wasn't a surprise, since Soren neither cared about that type of conflict nor was he particularly perceptive of it, anyways.

The subject that ended up truly breaking the ice amongst the group was none other than the discussion of the football championship.

Callum should have seen that coming.

"I must be honest," Runaan said, speaking for only the second or third time that evening, "I don't really understand all the rules of your version of football. We have something similar in Xadia, but it never interested me much."

"Don't worry!" Ezran said with a cheery grin. "I can explain most of it to you, so if you have any questions, just ask me! Even if it's during the championship."

"You can ask me any questions you may have, too," Amaya signed, Gren translating as she did so. "We'll make sure you get the gist of what happens."

Callum snorted. "I can tell you the gist. Soren throws the ball, Rayla catches it, and KSU wins. Easy peasy."

Was he simplifying the sport? Trivializing it? No doubt. But it was in good fun.

The entire table laughed at his comment. He hadn't thought it was that funny, but he wasn't going to complain. Rarely was he the family comic. Regardless, his words seemed to provide the final moment needed for everyone to truly relax, and soon all of the talking that followed felt like actual, normal conversation. Many things were discussed - the adults' jobs, Soren's plans following graduation, the places Amaya and Gren had travelled, even Runaan and Ethari's flight - but of course one of the main topics just had to be how Callum and Rayla had gotten together.

It was… absolutely mortifying. And that was an understatement. But seeing his friends and family laugh, even if it was partially at his own expense, was worth every second of embarrassment. Based on how Rayla held his hand beneath the table, he was inclined to think she agreed.

The jovial mood was shattered when the waiter arrived.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask a few of you to leave," he said, his thin lips curled upwards in a permanent sneer. "We don't serve… their kind."

Callum's blood turned to ice when the man gestured to Runaan and Ethari.

"Excuse me?" Harrow said incredulously, reacting first. "What do you think you mean by that?"

The waiter sighed. "Come on, Pops. Don't play dumb." He glared at the couple. "They aren't from around here, obviously, and it's even worse that they're together, too."

Harrow stood up abruptly, the silverware clanging on the table as he slammed a hand down onto it. "Then we will all be taking our business elsewhere. Your bigotry is inexcusable and I will be reporting your behavior to the owner of this establishment."

The man looked utterly offended, as if he genuinely didn't understand how he was in the wrong. "No, sir, you don't need to go. Just them. And her." He pointed to Rayla.

Now Callum's blood was boiling. "Hell no," he snapped, also standing. He could feel the eyes of other customers focusing on him, but for once he didn't care about the pressure of being watched. "Who do you think you are? You really think you can - you can get away with treating people so disrespectfully?" At this point he knew he was making a scene, as the diner had gone silent around him, but he didn't give a crap. "We're all leaving."

The man scoffed. "Whatever. If you want to hang out with those lowlifes, that's your problem. But don't be surprised when the cops show up at your doorsteps looking for visas that they don't have."

"Please shut up before I get sent to jail for aggravated assault at the age of 14." Ezran also stood up, gesturing to the restaurant around them. "Literally no one in here agrees with you."

Callum glanced at the other customers, and indeed most of them were glaring at the waiter and shaking their heads.

Soren snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "Dude, you are so not going to have a job after this." He shrugged. "You'll probably never have one again. And don't forget to tell your mother all about it when you go back home to her basement."

For the first time, hesitation flickered in the waiter's eyes. Then his gaze hardened and he glared at them. "Whatever. I stand by what I said. I'm not serving you."

"Then we stand by what we said. We're all leaving," Harrow repeated. "Come on, everyone. We don't have to put up with this."

As the group got to their feet, Amaya walked around the table to confront the waiter face-to-face. Her expression was intimidating enough, and being several inches taller than the man only made her more imposing. The waiter flinched beneath her stare.

"You are a sad, sad man, consumed by hatred and bigotry," she signed. "Your life is only miserable because you have made it so. I hope you are aware that you are the human equivalent of a landfill, full of garbage and…"

Gren trailed off, and Amaya turned to look at him expectantly. "I can't translate that in front of Ezran!" he protested. "Paraphrase."

Amaya rolled her eyes before giving the waiter a sign that didn't require translation - the middle finger.

"Don't you think she would get along with Janai?" Callum heard Runaan mutter, followed by Ethari hissing, "Not the time, Runaan."

"I am so sorry about that," Harrow apologized when they'd all stepped outside into the parking lot. "I never would have suggested we eat there if I'd known they hire people with such backwards views."

"I'm already looking up other restaurants we can go to," Soren added, giving them a thumbs up with one hand and scrolling through his phone with the other. Ezran was standing on his tiptoes to look with him.

Rayla sighed tiredly, slipping her hand into Callum's and saying nothing as she leaned her head against his. He responded by giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

"Don't worry about it," Ethari reassured Harrow. "I'm more touched by your willingness to jump to our defense than I am affected by that waiter's bigotry. So thank you."

Runaan nodded in agreement, giving Harrow the warmest smile Callum had ever seen on his face. "There is hope for peaceful relations between our countries yet."

Harrow shrugged modestly. "It wasn't a big deal. Besides - I can… sympathize with your situation. It's not easy being the only Black man who heads a college within one conference." He sighed, and the sound was edged with exhaustion. "So I have plenty of experience in dealing with assholes."

Runaan nodded again. An understanding appeared to pass between them.

"I agree with Runaan," Amaya signed after a brief pause. "Gren and I plan to involve ourselves in more Katolis-Xadia diplomacy as soon as we are able."

"Oh, I think I found a place!" Soren exclaimed, interrupting the adults' conversation and reminding Callum of the original purpose they'd all had for meeting up - dinner.

"Oh, thank God," Ezran said, relieved, as he fell back onto his heels. "My stomach was starting to eat itself."

Callum couldn't be sure if that was sarcasm or not.

As Soren began reading off the restaurant's description, Rayla pulled Callum aside. He started to ask her if she was okay, but before he could get more than a word out, she cut him off with a searing kiss.

It took him a good five seconds to collect himself after she'd pulled away. "What was that for?" he managed to say. "I mean. Not that I'm complaining. We should do it more often."

Rayla laughed. "I'm just… happy." She smiled at him. "The evening has somehow managed to go both way worse and way better than I ever expected. And it's only been thirty minutes so far!"

Callum chuckled. "You're not wrong."

"I never am." She winked at him before her expression grew serious again, and she turned to look at the group of their friends and family, who were now animatedly discussing two different restaurant options. "And honestly… I don't think I'd change any of it."

Callum couldn't help but smile. "Me neither." He slipped her hand back into hers, and she didn't hesitate to intertwine their fingers. "What do you say we go put our two cents in that debate?"

Rayla laughed again, and she nodded. "Right. Before they end up choosing a terrible compromise, like fast food."

And as they immersed themselves into the fray, warmth and delight and hope coursed through Callum's veins, energizing him in a way nothing else ever had. Because as long as they had each other's backs…

He knew there was no challenge they couldn't take on.

xXxXxXx

It's always nice when reunions go (mostly) well, isn't it? I honestly don't have much else to say, lmao, so I'll keep it short - thank you for reading and see you next week! Au revoir!