Author Note: Well, it's been a minute! But I am back and who is ready for part 2 of the fic! Let's go and I am ready to go as well. Thanks everyone who has followed, favorited, and reviewed, and commented. It greatly means so much to me. Thanks everyone on this site and wattpad! I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 19

A month had slipped by, a whirlwind of battles, camaraderie, and the blossoming of House Harmony's newfound strength. These young men, survivors of a dead world, had sought refuge in learning and revelry, all the while silently bearing the mantle of Holder. Destiny had cast its dice, and their friend, their brother, Aiden, stood poised for elevation on the day of Miorine Rembran's birthday, linking their fates with the echelons of spacian nobility.

In the span of that month, Miorine had immersed herself in the Sons of Harmony's cause, retrieving armaments and relics that anchored them to their lost realm. Thus, House Harmony had metamorphosed into a tempest's eye, a focal point of scrutiny from the academy's corridors to the reaches of the solar system's conglomerates.

During this time, Suletta and Miorine became fixtures in the lives of the Sons. Suletta, especially, had etched herself into their camaraderie, a steadfast companion to Deacon, Oscar, Jack, and Aiden, the harbinger. Shared meals, joint studies, and casual hangouts solidified their bonds, yet within this intricate web of friendship, the connection between Aiden and Suletta burgeoned. A nexus of mutual reliance and burgeoning trust was meticulously woven, hinting at the prospect of a profound friendship, or perhaps, something even more profound.

However, these thoughts were far from the forefront of James 'Deacon' Richardson's mind as he stood there, his chin nestled against his chest, luxuriating in the scarf's comforting embrace. Wrapped within layers against the academy's wintry illusion, he peered skyward, his emerald eyes sweeping the artifice of the overhead sky. The institution's controlled environment, designed to mimic Earth's seasons, had currently draped itself in the mantle of winter, the chill more biting, the ambience festive with the echoes of a bygone Earth Christmas.

Propped against the wall, Deacon overheard his fellow students chatter and banter about the imminent holidays, their mirth and anticipation palpable in the frigid air. Marooned across the cosmos, these spacians had no other option but to embrace the upcoming celebrations, a prospect that included private feasts, revelries, and social gatherings.

Drawing a cigarette from his pocket, Deacon ignited a flame, its glow briefly illuminating his features. He inhaled the biting tendrils of smoke, releasing them through his nostrils in a display that mirrored a charging bull's aggression. Even as his gaze traversed the murky clouds and the edifices now adorned with Christmas trappings by the student committee, Deacon's voice emerged from the haze, wreathed in exhalation.

"Hell," he muttered, the plume of his words intermingling with the smoke. A rosy hue clung to his cheeks, a testament to the frigid air. "Perhaps, another Christmas party is in order."

But his musings disintegrated like dissipating smoke as a figure made its approach, cutting through the wintry haze with intent.

Her hand lifted, a swift motion that spun her around to face Deacon. His lips curved into a ready smile as he recognized that distinctive strand of red hair that marked her presence. "Hey there, Deacon," Suletta's voice chimed, ringing with the same vivacity as her fiery tresses.

Winter had unfurled its chill, a fact evident in the heavy slacks that adorned most of her peers. Suletta, too, donned the season's armor, her snug jacket revealing traces of assistance from Miorine. Deacon's eyes noted these nuances as they met hers, a silent exchange between two souls in a cold world.

"Hey, Suletta," he responded, his grin a mirror of hers. Her steps carried her closer, a confident stride that bespoke her intent. "What's on your mind?"

"Can we chat?" she asked, her voice imbued with a sense of purpose.

Deacon's nod was subtle, his exhale releasing a tendril of smoke that intertwined with his words. It danced momentarily, a ghostly wisp between his fingers, as he regarded her. A fleeting observation flickered across her gaze, but he chose to ignore it.

"Y-you know these are cancer sticks, right?" Suletta's admonition followed the trail of smoke, her concern evident.

Deacon offered a rueful smile, the cigarette's ember casting its glow upon his features. "Oh, I'm fully aware, Suletta," he drawled, his arms enfolding himself as she embarked on her disclosure.

The notebook flipped open, its contents unveiled as Suletta passed it to him. His eyes descended to the jumble of letters, only to return to her visage a moment later. "Pilot exam, huh?" he inquired, his gaze fixed on her, his tone almost conspiratorial.

Suletta's nod was accompanied by a tentative smile. "Y-yeah, and I could use some guidance. I wondered if you…"

"A mechanic and a spotter," Deacon's nod was affirmative, his gaze returning to the notebook, his words an accompaniment to his assessment. He handed back the notebook, their connection rekindled as their eyes met. "You'll need those skills for the exam. Haven't you got anyone in your house who could assist?"

"About that…" Suletta's voice wavered, her uncertainty palpable.

Deacon's fingers found his brow, his sigh a manifestation of realization. "Damn, slipped my mind," he muttered almost to himself. "You're not a part of any house."

Suletta leaned against the wall, her posture mirroring his, her gaze lowered to her shoes, her hands clasped at her side. "I'm sorry," her voice trembled, an apology that seemed to carry more weight than met the ear. "I-I really didn't want to trouble you, but I'm desperate, and I need…"

"Don't sweat it, Suletta," Deacon's dismissive wave accompanied a flicker of his gaze to her.

His sigh wrapped around the space between them, a buffer against her tension. "I know some people who can help. You see, House Harmony…well, most of our crew went off for a bit. They're coming back, but we're in a bit of a pickle right now."

Suletta met his gaze, her teal eyes capturing the light. Yet, a tinge of melancholy seemed to veil her expression and movements. "With most of you gone, Harmony House feels strangely quiet," she confided, her words both a statement and a reflection of her feelings.

Deacon's chuckle was a candid note in the air, mingling with the dissipating smoke. "Yeah, it was quiet for a while, and I have to admit, I kinda liked it," he admitted with a wistful smile. His gaze wandered toward a distant point, an enigmatic horizon partially hidden by the line of trees. "Now, though, I'm beginning to understand how much I've missed it."

Suletta's gaze fell to her shoes, her eyes narrowing as her fingers danced in search of a hold. In this exchange, her unease was a palpable presence, casting a spotlight on her endearing awkwardness.

"When are they planning to return?" Suletta's voice sliced through the air, laden with curiosity and concern.

Deacon, in his nonchalant manner, shrugged his shoulders, the noncommittal gesture indicating his lack of exact knowledge. "Aiden, Jack, and the rest," he clarified. "As for their precise ETA, your guess is as good as mine."

Suletta's lips were poised to retort, her intent palpable in her facial contortion. Deacon braced for a spirited exchange, expecting her trademark defiance. Yet, in a surprising twist, she hesitated, leaning a tad more into the wall, an unusual posture for the headstrong woman.

Her voice stumbled forth, marked by an unexpected stutter. Her hands fluttered near her chest, fluttering as though engaged in a secret conversation of their own. This uncharacteristic display caught Deacon off guard, his amusement growing as he witnessed the uncanny dance of her fingers.

"A-Aiden has been absent for eight days," she managed to articulate, her words a delicate assembly that seemed to demand a considerable effort. A rosy hue crept across her cheeks, adding a new dimension to her typically vibrant demeanor.

Deacon's mirth found an outlet in laughter, a genuine resonance that painted his features with a wide smile. Suletta's puzzled gaze locked onto him, caught between bemusement and bewilderment. As he turned his attention toward her, his voice draped in jest, he taunted, "Counting down the days, huh?"

Suletta's response was a mixture of defensive restraint and bashful evasion. Her visage carried a hue akin to her fiery locks as she hastily averted her gaze to the floor, a well-practiced maneuver to dodge embarrassment. However, Deacon's laughter only intensified, pulling forth an even deeper shade of crimson from Suletta's already flushed complexion.

Unperturbed by the crimson spectacle before him, Deacon's gaze remained fixed on her as she queried, her tone shifting toward a more probing edge. "So, you're not the least bit concerned?"

Deacon's initial response was marked by a pause, his contemplation layering his expression with a tinge of seriousness. Suletta's teal eyes bore into his, a mirror of her earnest worry. "I… I just want to make sure he's alright and, well, when he's coming back," her words stumbled forth, each syllable wrapped in uncertainty. "It was so sudden—Aiden, Jack, and the others from Harmony House—they left without much explanation. And Miorine and you… it's been a while since you've heard from them, too."

Deacon's gaze lingered on her, a storm of conflicting emotions roiling within him. Her worry for his housemates, her concern for Aiden—these emotions emanated from her like ripples in a tranquil pond, revealing layers of her character that had previously remained in shadows. He realized his mistake, his omission of this vital information, and felt a pang of guilt.

Miorine, too, was oblivious to this endeavor undertaken by Aiden, Jack, and the others. Deacon harbored the knowledge alone, a heavy secret he shared with his conscience alone. As he gazed into Suletta's earnest teal eyes, the weight of his decision pressed upon him.

He couldn't fathom how Suletta's feelings for Aiden might evolve if she understood the magnitude of the mission he was currently involved in—a mission that carried the potential to shape their world, if not the entire universe.

The silence between them stretched, its fabric woven with unspoken complexities. Suletta's words, when they came, held a soft tremor, each sentence delivered with a measured cadence. "You see, Aiden... he mentioned something to me," she ventured, her gaze now holding Deacon's in an unyielding embrace. "He talked about experiencing snow with me—snowball fights, building snowmen, ambushing Oscar." A tender smile graced her lips, an expression that bestowed upon her an almost childlike innocence.

Deacon couldn't help but mirror that smile, his lips curling into an unwitting response. In her words, he saw the girl he had come to know—an embodiment of wonder and vitality that had woven her way into their world.

Deacon heaved a sigh, his gaze drifting upward to the gathering clouds that cast an ominous shadow across the academy's landscape. A galaxy away, was Aiden lost in similar contemplation?

"Come on, Suletta," he urged, shaking off his reverie. The gesture was an unspoken invitation, a nudge to snap her out of her brooding thoughts. He watched as her attention refocused, her gaze connecting with his as he turned fully towards her.

"Together, we'll find someone who can help you conquer that test," Deacon assured her, his voice a beacon of encouragement. The two of them fell into step, traversing the pathways of the academy, cutting through clusters of peers and instructors.

Nika observed Deacon's approach as he navigated the rough-hewn corridors leading to the Earth House dormitory. The space, a repurposed warehouse, was a far cry from the luxurious accommodations some might have expected for students of their caliber. It was a place granted out of a mixture of pity and pragmatism by the Spacians, designed to challenge rather than pamper its inhabitants. Yet, despite its starkness, Nika seemed to understand its unique charm.

Deacon's advance was marked by a visible unease, a departure from his usual easy confidence that did not escape Nika's perceptive gaze. He donned a smile that appeared more obligatory than genuine as he spoke her name.

"Hey, Nika," he said, pausing as if testing the waters. "It's been a while."

Nika replied with a slow, almost melancholic nod. "Likewise," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. The passage of time had left its mark, and the easy camaraderie they once shared now felt like a distant memory.

Her gaze then shifted to Suletta, the newcomer to this delicate dance of reunions. A warm smile graced Nika's lips as she extended a welcome, her eyes reflecting a genuine curiosity.

"How have you been, Suletta?" Nika inquired, her voice a soothing blend of reassurance and interest.

Suletta, on the other hand, exhibited an unmistakable awkwardness, her discomfort palpable in her fumbling gestures and hesitant speech. "I am doing fine, Nika," she stammered, her words carrying the weight of her unease. Deacon's gentle prodding seemed to be the only force propelling her forward.

Deacon's own discomfort was hard to miss. He met Nika's gaze with an unspoken history hanging between them. Their once effortless conversations, which had been a daily occurrence during their shared classes, had now become an unfamiliar landscape fraught with awkwardness. Deacon's hand wandered to the back of his neck in a habitual gesture, a symbol of the new distance that had formed.

"Suletta needs a bit of help with her assignment," Deacon explained, his words a bridge to reconnect their worlds. Suletta obediently displayed her notebook, its pages a tangible plea for assistance.

Nika's eyes skimmed the contents of the notebook, her brows furrowing slightly as she absorbed the information. Handing it back to Suletta, she voiced her confusion, her gaze returning to Deacon.

"Assignment?" Nika echoed, her curiosity evident in her tone. Her eyes bore into Deacon's, the ocean depths hinting at the unspoken story of their disconnect. "Isn't she a member of Harmony House?"

Deacon shook his head, dispelling the misconception with a trace of wryness. "No, Harmony House is an all-male enclave," he clarified, his voice laced with a knowing tone. "I doubt Miorine would approve of admitting Suletta, even if she wanted to join."

Nika's response was marked by a casual shrug, her words delivered with an air of practicality. "She doesn't necessarily need to be a member. Perhaps some of your spotters or mechanics could lend a hand?"

Deacon, however, maintained his solemn stance. He shook his head once more, his hand now finding solace at his temple. "Many of the guys from Harmony House are away on a trip, and those who remained aren't equipped for what Suletta requires," he sighed, the weight of his thoughts evident in his weary demeanor. "I was hoping Earth House could step in. After all, I know you and Suletta are friends."

Nika's gaze briefly flitted over to Suletta, but a heavy sigh escaped her lips, carrying with it a hint of reluctance. "Perhaps," she murmured softly. Yet, Deacon could sense the hesitation in her posture, the way her fingers fidgeted restlessly.

"Suletta, I really appreciate you," Nika began, her words prompting a warm, grateful smile to grace Suletta's features. "Thank you, Nika," Suletta stammered in response. "I appreciate you too."

But beneath the surface of their pleasantries, Deacon detected an unspoken apprehension. He watched as Nika averted her eyes and continued speaking. "I want you to know that I still care about you. However, I don't believe it would be wise for Earth House to involve itself in assisting you."

Suletta's expression soured, and Deacon sighed, his attention shifting back to Nika. "Is there a specific reason?" he inquired, wrapping his arms around himself in a display of nervous tension.

Nika's gaze drifted away as she explained further. "My housemates are already subjected to a fair amount of bullying and harassment," she began, her voice tinged with resignation. "If we assist Suletta, it could make us a target as well. Considering how Aiden has been with her, many of my housemates might..."

"They have nothing to worry about," Deacon interjected firmly. "Aiden would never harm anyone who..."

"It's great that you're helping Suletta, Deacon, but my friendship with her isn't going to change how my housemates feel," Nika stated firmly. "Many of them want to stay out of the race for the Holder position, and they're especially hesitant when it comes to someone the Holder clearly cherishes."

Deacon sighed and nodded, resigned to the situation. As they turned to walk away, Nika stopped her with a question. "Suletta, are we still... good?" she asked tentatively.

Suletta's eyes widened at Nika's query. "Of course, why wouldn't we be?" she replied.

Nika let out a relieved sigh, her hand reaching for her forehead. "No reason," she said, watching as Deacon and Suletta walked away.

As they left, Nika's attention was drawn to a figure leaning against the doorframe behind her. It was Chu Chu, Earth House's ace pilot, known for her distinctive style that stood in stark contrast to the standard uniform. She exuded an air of nonchalance and wore a vibrant shade of pink. The unexpected presence of the Spacian boy had clearly piqued her interest.

Her gaze bore into Nika's back before shifting to the retreating figures of the two Spacians. "I can't fathom why you even entertained their words, especially that boy," she remarked with a tinge of scorn.

Nika remained silent for a moment, her hands clasped together, her eyes still fixed on Suletta, then drifting briefly to Deacon. Chu Chu moved closer, the echo of her footsteps clattering on the ground before she came to a halt beside Nika.

"We've got no interest in meddling with the Holder or Harmony House's machinations," Chu Chu spat out her words like venom.

Yet Nika continued to hold her silence, her cheeks flushed and glistening as her gaze continued to linger on Deacon. "It just... it didn't feel that way when Deacon and Suletta were asking for help."

"Yeah, well, they can seek help elsewhere, maybe another Spacian house will lend them a hand," Chu Chu retorted with a shrug, a heavy sigh escaping Nika's lips, further irking Chu Chu.

"Do you understand that Earth House should stay out of this?" Chu Chu pressed.

Nika nodded in agreement. "I care about Suletta, but Earth House is my home," she said, turning to her friend. "Harmony House is the one in the spotlight, and I don't want the other houses to think we're trying to curry favor with the Holder by aiding his lover."

Chu Chu couldn't help but chuckle with a touch of bitterness, her voice dripping with scorn. "The Holder's lover," she repeated softly. "These Spacians seem to have nothing to worry about, don't they, Nika?"

Nika remained silent, simply watching. "It's nice, though, that Deacon is still helping Suletta," she remarked.

Chu Chu's annoyance became evident, and she let out a tired sigh. She slowly began to grasp that beneath the surface, there was more to Nika's lingering gaze on Deacon. Maybe the wounds of the heart were still fresh, but there was also a sense of unfinished business between the two.

Meanwhile, Deacon had taken Suletta to the center of the campus. He left her sitting on the edge of a fountain as he stepped aside to take a call. He hoped to communicate with his house for more information on when Aiden and the others would return to assist Suletta.

His mind was scattered, contemplating reaching out to some of their less skilled members to lend Suletta a hand. They might not be the best, but they were something, and hopefully, that would suffice to help Suletta earn a passing grade.

So, he was taken aback when he returned to find Elan, the ace of Peil House, in conversation with Suletta. "Is there an issue, Suletta?" Deacon's voice cut through their conversation, his gaze locking with Elan's as he wrapped his arms around himself. "Do you need something?" he asked, his tone laced with a touch of suspicion.

Elan looked up at Deacon with a peculiar gaze. His eyes held an unsettling quality, a weightiness that set Deacon on edge. They were unlike Aiden's intense stare, Jack's observant hazel eyes, Oscar's lively blue ones, Suletta's cheerful yet anxious gaze, or Miorine's unyielding steel-like seriousness. Elan's eyes lacked the usual human depth, and it made Deacon uneasy.

As a leader, Deacon had a knack for reading people, and to him, the eyes were windows to the soul. Elan's nonchalant demeanor, like he couldn't care less about being out of bed, grated on Deacon's nerves.

"Suletta mentioned her struggle in finding a house to sponsor her," Elan replied with indifference, drawing Deacon's attention to Suletta, who nodded in agreement.

"Really?" Deacon inquired, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Elan nodded. "She explained her difficulties with finding assistance for her assignment. She can come to our house, and we'll support her."

Deacon arched an eyebrow. "Support her? What's the catch?"

Elan raised his hand defensively. "No catch."

"Nothing's ever free," Deacon retorted, wariness gnawing at him.

Footsteps echoed, and a voice chimed in, echoing Deacon's sentiment. "Nothing's ever free." The voice drew their attention, revealing Miorine, striding confidently toward them.

Miorine rested her hand on her hip, the other extending toward Elan's chest. Her tone was accusatory. "What do you want, and why is Peil House so eager to recruit Suletta?"

Deacon winced at the sudden confrontation from Miorine. He had intended to address it, but he had hoped to downplay the situation. Now, it seemed Miorine was in no mood for that.

Elan raised both hands, his expression remaining unsettlingly neutral. Deacon couldn't help but feel that something was amiss. There was no joy, no sadness, no emotion of any kind; Elan seemed almost robotic.

"I offered her a solution after she told me about her situation," Elan replied.

Miorine shook her head skeptically. "You obviously sought her out for some reason, and I can think of a few motives..."

She began walking away, then paused and turned her gaze back to the seated Suletta and the standing Deacon. "Are you coming?" she snapped.

Suletta quickly scrambled to her feet and rushed to Miorine's side. Deacon shot Elan one last distrustful glance before hurrying to join Miorine on the other side. In that moment, Deacon decided he didn't like Elan, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously amiss with him.

During this peculiar interlude, Deacon and Suletta found themselves in a position of explanation. As they elucidated Suletta's predicament, Miorine took charge, leading them to her room. Her keys unlocked the door with a soft click.

"This used to be my father's old office, but he isn't using it anymore, so I took it over," Miorine explained, her voice echoing in the once utilitarian space. It had previously been adorned with harsh fluorescent lights and drab metal walls, but now, a noticeable touch of care had transformed the room.

It was a two-story affair, complete with an upper level holding Miorine's bed, a desk, and a cabinet brimming with clothing. Rings of plants created a lush, artificial greenhouse-like atmosphere, reminiscent of Miorine's own greenhouse.

Deacon's eyes narrowed as he took in the room, his gaze becoming a sharp blade. "This place is disgusting!" he snapped, whirling around to face Miorine.

Her cheeks flushed red in response. Deacon continued his tirade, pointing at the floor and desk. "This place is filthy. Get a broom or something."

The floor was littered with empty microwave trays, cup ramen noodle containers, and soda cans, all scattered around empty garbage bags and an overturned trash can. Deacon winced at the sight. The plants, although aesthetically pleasing and fragrant, couldn't mask the overall disarray. While House Harmony might have had messy rooms, this was another level entirely. It was no way for the daughter of a mega-corporation president to live.

"Aiden's job as the Holder is supposed to clean up my room," Miorine countered, but Deacon wasn't having it.

"This is not his job," he retorted firmly. "This is... this is gross."

Miorine winced in annoyance, her face still red, and she turned away from him, storming up the stairs. Suletta hesitated for a moment, caught between following Miorine or staying with Deacon.

"I guess..." Suletta stammered. "M-Miorine is going to help me the rest of the way."

Deacon sighed, a mixture of gratitude and disappointment washing over him. His attempts to secure proper help for Suletta hadn't yielded the results he had hoped for.

"Okay, Suletta," he said, forcing a smile. He waved goodbye as he made his exit. But just as he was leaving, Suletta poked her head back in his direction.

"I'll see you tomorrow. Good luck on your exam!"

With those parting words, Deacon walked away. As the late afternoon hours bled into a dark canvas of stars and twilight, Suletta's predicament continued to weigh on his mind.

Her teal eyes bore faint tendrils of exhaustion, while Miorine's yawn echoed softly in the room. Suletta's gaze briefly wavered but was quickly drawn back to her diligent study, clutching a student notebook in one hand and a pencil in the other.

Miorine's calculated steps could be heard as she rose from her cot, dressed in light blue shorts and a white undershirt. Her long steel hair was tied into a cascading ponytail that brushed against her chest as she rubbed the tiredness from her eyes.

"I told you before that I'll help you with the positions you need, but you must rest before the test," Miorine scolded gently.

Suletta yawned, shaking her head slowly. Her crimson hair flowed freely as she wrapped her jacket around herself like a blanket. Miorine sighed, recognizing the stubborn determination in her friend.

"I... really want to do well," Suletta muttered to herself, her eyes never leaving her notes.

"That's understandable," Miorine replied, taking the seat beside Suletta. "But you can't push yourself too hard. It's easy to burn out."

"I'll just get the basics down," Suletta stammered, turning to face Miorine. "Then... maybe I'll take a nap."

"A nap?" Miorine repeated, sounding skeptical.

"Yes, a quick power nap before the test," Suletta insisted.

Miorine sighed again. Suletta was indeed stubborn, a trait that could be infuriating but also admirable. Beneath it all, she was loyal, attentive, and a true friend.

"Miorine, you've been... staring at me for a while," Suletta noted, her cheeks blushing slightly as she placed her tablet by her side.

They now sat together on the steps. The room was dimly lit, with fluorescent moonlight casting an ethereal glow. Miorine curled into a ball, her hands wrapped around herself as she gazed downward. Suletta followed her gaze, her shock becoming evident.

"What is A-Aiden's jacket doing here?" Suletta's words stumbled into incoherence as her jaw dropped.

Miorine groaned and grimaced. "You have a vivid imagination," she chided, flicking her fingers towards Suletta's forehead, perhaps a bit too harshly.

Suletta winced in pain, rubbing the spot as Miorine sighed. "I had Aiden come up here to fulfill his Holder responsibilities," Miorine clarified.

Suletta's cheeks flushed crimson at the word "responsibilities," her mind entertaining lustful implications between groom and bride.

"What did I say about dirty thoughts," Miorine scolded, poised for another attack on Suletta.

"Sorry!" Suletta quickly apologized, lowering her head.

Miorine, despite her exhaustion, shook her head. "Remember our earlier conversation with Deacon? Aiden's job also includes tidying up my room."

Suletta's gaze darted around the messy room and then settled back on Miorine. "His job?" Suletta feigned innocence.

Miorine let out a mighty groan that silenced Suletta. "Anyway," she waved off. "It's just..."

Miorine's eyes locked onto the jacket. It wasn't the Holder jacket, but rather a deep brown one made of an unknown material. His hoodie was still tucked within it, and it was quite casual for him to come like that.

Her eyes darkened as she turned her attention back to Suletta. "Suletta," Miorine called out.

"Yes," Suletta replied a bit too loudly. She couldn't tell if it was because of the insinuation about her and Aiden or if Miorine was simply in a harsher mood than before. However, Miorine's annoyance seemed to fade, replaced by a somber undertone that Suletta had rarely seen.

"Can I rely on you?" Miorine's sudden words made Suletta's heart skip a beat. "Huh?" she repeated, struggling to comprehend the gravity of what Miorine had just said. Miorine, known for her pride and distance, wasn't one to utter such words.

To Suletta, Miorine had always been a bit of an enigma. Oscar, in private conversations over meals, had mentioned that Miorine probably considered Suletta her friend, despite her pride and apparent tolerance for the Harmony guys.

"She does?" Suletta had asked during one of their private conversations, gazing at her tray of mashed potatoes.

Oscar sat across from her, his eyes slightly reddened from the weed he had smoked earlier. He stared into space, and Suletta saw a lecherous gleam in his eyes as he watched the girls from Jetturk House in the distance.

"She's cute, kinda boyish, but cute," Oscar mumbled.

"Miorine?" Suletta clarified.

Oscar's face contorted with disdain at the suggestion. "God no," he shook his head. "Her," he pointed in the direction of another table, drawing the attention of the girls there. Suletta looked around in embarrassment, realizing they were now staring.

"O-Oscar," she waved him down. "Please don't make a scene." But her silent plea fell on deaf ears as she watched Oscar rise from his seat.

She reached out for him, silently mouthing desperate pleas for him to stop and reconsider. Oscar's bold strides led him directly to the table where Felsi Rollo sat, her golden eyes locked onto him. She rested her elbow on the table, her hand cradling her cheek in annoyance.

Suletta observed this audacious approach from Oscar. They were within viewing distance for her, but the words exchanged between them were muffled, their voices distant whispers in her ears.

In just five minutes, Suletta witnessed a transformation within Felsi. Annoyance turned to anger, and then anger escalated into an explosive outburst. She leaped from her seat, pointing an accusing finger at Oscar, who had uttered not a single word.

Then, something surprising occurred. Oscar's mouth moved, and a few words flowed from his lips. Felsi's golden eyes widened, her annoyance giving way to a rosy blush that colored her features. She replied with a series of words, her own face turning a shade of crimson.

After that, Oscar departed, leaving Felsi still red-faced, hurling curses and insults in his wake. She struggled against the trio of girls who held her back.

"What did you do?" Suletta stammered, her terror evident.

Oscar chuckled as he ripped a piece of bread and began to chew. "Nothing, honestly."

Suletta turned around with wide eyes. "Th-that doesn't look like...nothing," she stuttered.

Oscar waved it off, while Suletta silently feared that this encounter might have sparked the fuse for another duel. "I simply told her she's very beautiful...and then walked away," he explained, grinning as he glanced back at Felsi, further igniting her ire.

"Suletta," Miorine's sharp voice cut through her thoughts, snapping her back to the present.

"Are you listening to me?" Miorine demanded, her words shattering the previous reverie. Suddenly, they were back in the dimness of Miorine's room, her steel eyes piercing Suletta's.

Suletta nodded hesitantly. "Y-you can," she replied softly.

Miorine tensed, her body stiffening as the weight of the moment pressed down on her. She curled herself into a tighter ball.

Suletta reached out as if to touch her but hesitated, letting her hand fall back.

Miorine sighed, her eyes closing. Her lips parted, and the world began to shift and contort for Suletta. Within Miorine's words, an enchanting aura carried her into stories of her moments with Aiden Winters before his departure.

"Well, this is most definitely not what I expected your room to look like," Aiden's words spilled from his lips without a shred of tact or care, his gaze carelessly sweeping across Miorine's room. "The plants are nice, though."

"Though," Miorine snapped, fists clenched, and her face flushing red. Her eyes narrowed as she pointed at his chest. "That's where you come in."

"Me?" Aiden chuckled, thrusting his thumb casually at himself. He paused, twirling his hand in the air with a grin that made Miorine's veins throb. She pressed her fingers so tightly into fists she thought they might draw blood.

To Miorine, Guel was a mindless, bullheaded brute. Mostly, he kept his distance from her unless she was trying to escape his antics. But Aiden had his unique way of getting on her nerves.

He pointed at the trash and litter, throwing his head back in laughter. "The great Miorine Rembran, she can't even clean up her room!" He hugged himself, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

"Stop laughing!" Miorine snapped.

"Christ, Miorine," Aiden said with both eyes closed. "Even Oscar, at most, just has empty food trays in his garbage for a few days longer than normal. Don't you have maids or attendants or anything?"

She sneered, a heavy sigh escaping her. His grin and his laughter got under her skin. Her silver eyes landed on him, the boy stripped out of his academy uniform, dressed in a dark brown jacket, a deep blue hoodie that seemed to match the color of his eyes, a pair of jeans, and white sneakers.

"What's up?" he asked.

Miorine was still reeling from his laughing fit, and his soft gaze, which now focused on her. She couldn't help but wrap her arms around herself, feeling exposed.

She shook the thought from her head. "You're not wearing your uniform?"

Aiden glanced down at himself. "It's after school hours," he replied casually. "I can wear what I want."

"You don't really wear it, in general," Miorine shot back.

"Really?" Aiden feigned surprise. Miorine sighed as she saw that mischievous glint in his eye. "I didn't realize you were looking at me that much."

She shook her head, her eyes narrowing as she felt her teeth grind together in bitter annoyance. "Insufferable man," she snarked, turning her gaze back to Aiden.

"For your information, I am not gazing upon you. It's very easy to realize that you are not wearing your special white and gold clothing that you are affiliated with," she snapped back, her face flushed, and her words coming out breathless.

"Relax," Aiden waved off. "You take my teasing way too far."

She sneered. "Sometimes I feel like your teasing and fantasies go hand in hand."

Aiden shrugged. "Says the girl who invited her fiancé to her room at night."

The realization nearly caused Miorine to snap. He watched as she braced her foot along the metal floor plate, and he drew his gaze down to it. Aiden realized then and there that Miorine had nice legs, with dark black leggings that ran between them. Nice, long, slender legs that for a moment caused Aiden to forget the annoyance and politics surrounding him and Miorine. Maybe Miorine wasn't that bad. She had this rich and beautiful face, and sure, her curves were nothing compared to Suletta's—really nothing—but Aiden was still captivated by her.

"You're horrible, Aiden Winters!" she snapped.

He could only sigh as he traced his hands through his hair. "Why did you even invite me to begin with?" he questioned.

"Finally," she snapped, "enough distractions." She turned, aiming her gaze directly at the mess in front of them, as if preparing to deliver a mighty speech. "You, because you are the Holder."

She paused again, that smug Miorine look gracing her features as Aiden stared. "You have the privilege of cleaning my room and maintaining my greenhouse while I am gone," she declared.

She took his silence as agreement. "You'll also be tasked with taking care of my greenhouse," she added with an air of self-assuredness. "A privilege to serve," she commented, her tone dripping with condescension.

Aiden couldn't believe the audacity. There was nothing said for a moment as he glanced around at the mess. A minute had passed, and he was still reeling from the suddenness of it all. His gaze drifted to Miorine, just staring at her for a moment.

"No," he simply spoke.

Miorine sighed, ready to argue once again. "It's your job as—"

"That's a lie," he cut her off. "There is no way you had Guel cleaning up your room for you while he was the Holder."

He paced back and forth, completely caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events. "You...are you being serious?" Miorine's insistence on this task was sinking in, her face reddening as she realized the weight of what she had just imposed.

"Why did you even invite me here in the first place?" Aiden shot back, a bewildered chuckle escaping him. "I thought this was just some awkward come-on or something. You personally invited me to your room, and I..."

"What?" Miorine's voice filled the room.

"You actually thought I was going to sleep with..." Aiden shrugged, his words lightly laced with banter and playful humor. Yet, for Miorine, they stung like nettles. "I assumed that, being your groom and all," he leered at her, his arms folded, a mischievous grin on his lips. Miorine found her gaze drifting to the unique shade of blue in his eyes, then towards his chest and shoulders. For a moment, her mind wavered, her cheeks burning a deep scarlet.

"Shut up," she muttered, her footsteps stomping toward him. That infuriating smirk still played on his lips. She paused in her stride, realizing she was standing in the middle of the room, facing him.

Aiden watched her, took a deep breath, and stopped the teasing. There was a line where teasing crossed into reality, and as he looked at Miorine...

"Sorry," he offered.

Miorine hesitated upon hearing it. Before she could reply, Aiden picked up a piece of trash. "I'll help you, but only this once, because I feel bad," he said, rising his free hand. "But this is a one-time thing."

So they began cleaning up the greenhouse, fraught with frequent complaints from Miorine, claiming that Aiden wasn't doing it right. Amidst this, Aiden suddenly stopped.

"What are you doing?" she snapped, whirling her head around. "Back to work!"

However, he was staring at something. He turned back to Miorine, extending his hand towards the soil and plants, a surprised grin on his face. "You grow pot?" he blurted out in disbelief.

Miorine's eyes went wide for a moment, then rolled. A groan escaped her as she knelt by the tip of the plant. "It's a plant from Earth," she murmured. "She has many plants within her display."

"I thought this was your mom's greenhouse?" Aiden inquired, genuine curiosity in his eyes.

Miorine nonchalantly shrugged. "Like I said, my mom was a scientist. She enjoyed experimenting with plants, mostly from Earth, and I guess marijuana made the list. I doubt my old man and her ever smoked it. I just forgot about it and kept taking care of it."

Aiden couldn't help but grin broadly. "Your mom was like a plant scientist, right?"

Miorine sighed, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Botanical engineer," she corrected.

"Just a fancier way of saying plant scientist," Aiden quipped, fully aware that his words were needling her. "I like mine better."

With a resigned sigh, Miorine asked, "What do you want?"

"To smoke that," he pointed at the remains of the marijuana plant.

Before she could utter a refusal, Aiden was already practically begging, and Miorine groaned. Her thoughts flitted back to their earlier work around the room, how Aiden had helped without complaint. She had been the one grumbling and trying to foist the work onto him.

But Aiden Winters had stuck with it. Before she knew it, she was locked in his gaze. The dimmed lights cast gentle beams of light across the greenhouse, extending into her room and wardrobe. Miorine had changed into more comfortable attire: her hair was tied back in a ponytail, reminiscent of Suletta's, and she wore an oversized hoodie and shorts.

"I don't like the way you're looking at me," Miorine grimaced.

Aiden's pervy smile hadn't disappeared as his eyes traced her form. The pot was gone now, crushed under Aiden's shoe. His eyes, half-narrowed and scarlet red from the smoke, drifted away from Miorine, focusing on the shallow pools some of her plants floated in.

He sighed and placed his hands behind his back. Miorine found herself fixating on his unruly mop of dark hair. "I remember being a kid," he began.

Miorine was about to retort in her usual Miorine fashion, but she stopped when she saw the genuine smile on his face. It wasn't a leering, sly smirk; it was just a smile. "She used to let me wander in here, you know?" He revealed, a touch of nostalgia in his voice.

Miorine watched that smile grow on Aiden's face as his reminiscences flowed. "She taught me everything I know. Not just about plants, but about music too."

His fist pumped, a gesture fueled by passion, sweeping past the verdant flora. Miorine felt a fire kindling within her as she looked at him. "You don't even know it, Miorine," he clicked his lips.

"I don't know what?" she replied, a glint of a smile forming.

"I know you think I'm an amazing musician," he fired back.

Miorine let out a groan. "Here comes the pride again," she sighed, wrapping her arms around herself. Her eyes closed, then narrowed, as she felt Aiden's gaze envelop her. How could she say anything? Her own eyes were drawn to his with a similar intensity.

"...but my mother was better."

The weight of those words was not lost on many, but Miorine could feel its heft. Aiden's gaze expanded to her spacious room, and he directed the joint toward the ceiling. "Why are you so obsessed with going to Earth?"

The question caught her off guard. She turned her grey eyes towards him. He wasn't facing her, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. Miorine wondered for a moment what he was contemplating. Was Aiden, even if just for a fleeting moment, looking past the academy, yearning for the stars?

"That's a bit of a random question," she replied.

"Well, you can..." Aiden's words were swallowed by a fit of coughing. He turned towards her, red-eyed.

Miorine surprisingly chuckled, prompting Aiden's curious gaze.

"You smoke all those cigarettes and can't handle that," she teased, pointing at the joint in his fingers.

Aiden scoffed, waving it off. "Your momma must've known how to party," his eyes a deep scarlet, mouth slightly ajar. Miorine quickly averted her gaze, her eyes lingering on her pale legs.

"Please," she retorted. "She and my old man obviously never smoked."

"So, she just cataloged these then," he mused. Miorine realized he must not have had the strength to argue or respond. A strange silence settled between them for a moment.

"You still didn't tell me what you're planning," Aiden inquired.

Miorine sighed. "You don't give up."

And that trademark smirk danced on Aiden's features. "No, I don't," he replied, the smoke trailing his motion. He had been hitting it repeatedly, and now it was nearly done. "But it does beg the question. Out of all the planets in the solar system, you're heading all the way to Earth?"

"What about it?" Miorine questioned, her gaze fixed on Aiden.

Aiden shrugged casually. "It's usually the other way around. Earthians usually try to head to space, mostly for their children to be born as spacians," he explained, another nonchalant shrug following. "Heck, even with all the ire towards Harmony before and after the war, the IMC and Spacian governments still treated us pretty decently. Earth, that's different."

Miorine shook her head, determination filling her grey eyes. "Maybe that's where I just want to go."

Aiden nodded. "All right then. But you can't be upset at me for asking, at the very least. You are the heir to one of the greatest corporations this universe has ever known. And you are willing to give that all up."

Miroine's features soured, and Aiden realized he might have crossed a line. "The grass isn't greener on the other side, Aiden."

In those few words, Aiden recognized the ignorance of his statement. "I'm sorry," he offered, and Miorine's eyes widened at the unexpected apology.

"You're apologizing?" she questioned.

"Well, it was the right thing to do," Aiden replied.

Miorine scoffed, but her gaze was fixed on the metal floor. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her legs, and her eyes wandered over his features. She looked strangely beautiful, with her petite body and doll-like features, her cold pale skin, and her snow-white hair. Miorine was undeniably one of the most unique individuals he had ever encountered. Aiden took a final drag, finding himself inching closer to Miorine.

Their shoulders brushed for a moment, and a palpable tension filled the air. It was a different kind of tension than when they were in Miorine's main greenhouse. This was distinct, charged with an eerie yet mesmerizing energy. With the low, dim lights and the mystical pools of water that gave life to lush greenery and countless flowers, Aiden's thoughts danced between Miorine's bed and her form.

For a moment, her hand seemed like a key, and he felt himself getting lost in it. His mind drifted to Suletta, but his own desires and lust kept him hovering over Miorine. Just before his hand could make a move toward Miorine's own pale hand, her voice reached his ears.

"B-Because I want to live my life," she stammered, her voice heavy with emotion. The stutter, often accompanied by Suletta, broke through. Her gaze shifted to him, revealing a profound sadness in her eyes.

"Because I want to be free."

And those words, like a thunderclap, struck Aiden's ears. In that moment, Aiden's hand faltered and he withdrew it quickly, as if he'd touched something electrified. Miorine's answer had left her red-faced and vulnerable. Aiden swallowed hard, his gaze returning to the front of the greenhouse.

After a few more pleasantries, they both exchanged their goodbyes. Aiden didn't feel much like checking on his mech right now. "Let me call you a cab or a taxi," Miorine offered against the biting cold of the night. The wind whipped her hair, casting it across her features.

Aiden chuckled at her, waving her off. He pulled his jacket tighter to fend off the gusts of wind. Miorine's features contorted in annoyance as she groaned and shut the door behind him.

"She's pissed," Aiden muttered to himself, a wry smile touching his lips.

The weed was strong, stronger than anything he'd smoked in a long while. His chest felt heavy, and his heart raced. Usually, he'd smoke before making his music, but tonight, he was in more of a video game and sleep mood.

As he walked, he took out his student notebook. Specks of rain started to decorate the screen. He pulled his hood up and zipped up his jacket. The rain and wind had a peaceful quality, and his footsteps seemed to dance to an unusual rhythm on the sidewalk.

Passing by the academy houses and reaching the dirt path of House Harmony, he paused, sensing something amiss.

"What are you doing?" a sudden voice pierced the night.

Aiden's eyes grew wide, his head frozen in place, aimed at a blotch of darkness. The world around him seemed to grow unnaturally dark. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he finally recognized where he was.

"What are you doing here?" he countered, his voice laced with surprise.

Miorine's eyes widened in response, her lips curling into a scowl. "I could ask you the same question," she retorted, tilting her head back at him. Then, Aiden started to realize where he was. They weren't at the mansion; they were back in Miorine's section of the campus, within the garage.

His eyes adjusted further to the darkness, and he made out the silhouette of his mech. But something was different about it.

The cold air touched his bare chest, and he glanced down, only now realizing he was shirtless and shoeless. His toes were caked with mud and dirt from the storm outside. What had he been doing?

His dataknife fell from his hand, and his gaze shifted to the open red paint can next to the scaffolding they were on. His titan was undergoing repairs from the duels, courtesy of their new deal with Miorine. However, it wasn't just repaired; it was tarnished.

"Aiden," Miorine called out, and he turned to her, watching as her eyes took in his frame. His hands were coated in crimson, a deep, unsettling crimson. The way she uttered his name carried Miorine's characteristic attitude, but beneath it, he could discern the worry that tinged her voice.

He sighed, aware that she was seeking an explanation, but he found himself struggling to make sense of it all until he turned to face his titan.

His Monarch-class titan stood before him, fully repaired and enhanced with upgrades. Nothing too extravagant, but the aging plates and archaic components had been replaced with superior parts to enhance its functionality.

Yet, it was the titan's pauldrons and metallic hands that made him realize the significance of the situation.

"I..."

"Speak, Aiden," Miorine commanded, her tone sharp.

Miorine tensed, realizing she might have pushed him too far. Aiden sighed, his red-stained fingers gesturing toward the air.

"The pauldrons," he began, "they bear ancient runes from Harmony. They recount the battles we fought after the fall of Harmony... as well as during our time at the academy."

Miorine sighed, her steel eyes fixed on the shoulders, examining the intricate runes. "I've never seen this language before," she admitted.

"I'd be surprised if you had," Aiden replied dryly. "It's a dead language from old Earth, spoken by Harmony natives. An even deader language now."

Miorine sensed the unfamiliarity in Aiden's tone, a departure from his usual self. He appeared fatigued, and while he might not fully understand the runes, he seemed to grasp their meaning in bits and pieces.

"...and what about the red hands?" Miorine inquired, her gaze shifting to his titan's hands, splattered with crimson paint. She could even see the paint dripping from the ends of his titan's arms. But as Aiden turned to face her, his expression was ghostly, gaunt, sending a shiver down her spine. Her steel eyes remained locked onto him as a single word slipped from his lips.

"Shame..." Aiden whispered.

Everything else fell into place as planned. Suletta and Miorine proceeded with the test under Deacon's watchful eye. The two girls from rival houses not only rigged Suletta's own mech but also targeted Chu Chu's mech from Earth's house.

Suletta, however, broke down in the pilot's chair. Just as the test was about to conclude, chaos erupted. Chu Chu burst in, triggering a massive fight that forced Suletta to intervene. In the heat of the moment, Suletta received a punch to her face. Now, it was midday, and the test had become a chaotic mess, requiring a retake to give both pilots a fair chance.

Deacon, with a bandage ready, applied it to Suletta's injured cheek. She winced from the sting of alcohol. "Stop moving," Deacon softly scolded.

"S-sorry," Suletta muttered.

"It's a good thing we have a chance for a retake," Miorine sighed. "They should've intervened much earlier, though."

The other members of Earth House, including Chu Chu and Nika, were present. Nika watched as Deacon tended to Suletta, her gaze eventually returning to Suletta.

As they began to talk, something caught their attention. Streaking across the artificial sky was a sight that brought joy to Suletta's face. "They're back," she beamed, her teal eyes sparkling with a smile. "Aiden's back," she said softly.

"Yeah, but they're descending too fast," Deacon remarked, his words escaping his lips. His eyes shifted to his humming notebooks, capturing the attention of everyone around.

"Jack, what's..."

His words trailed off, his eyes widening so much that the whites were visible. His heart skipped a beat, and his notebook slipped from his trembling fingers.

"Deacon," Nika called his name slowly, her hand reaching out towards him as he collapsed to his knees. Tears welled in his eyes, slipping down his cheeks. His hands sought to break his fall as sobs wracked his body.

"Oscar... he,"

As Deacon's weary, mournful sobs filled the room, the group gathered around him, gripped by the deep and horrifying loss of a beloved leader. The rapids of life twisted and contorted at the thought of a friend lost.