A ribbon of a cloud drifted across the sky. It was relatively low lying, appearing almost as if it would brush the tops of trees and tall buildings. Likely it was much higher in the sky than it appeared but, comparatively, it was still quite low.

The wispy condensation was so translucent Sy could still see the stars through it. Like a thin veil pulled across a woman's face. Or a sheet of barely frosted glass. A nearby planet, glowing red, momentarily dimmed as the cloud drifted between man and planet. Perhaps a classmate was awake, looking up through their window, wondering if the planet was inhabited.

It wasn't. None of the other planets in this solar system were. One had life, but no civilization at this time. No one species that could even show potential for sentience at this time. Merely plants, bacteria, and the most rudimentary creatures that, maybe someday, would become something grand.

But for now? They were nothing.

Sy could recall nearly every life bearing planet in the intergalactic federation. He knew he could name every one that had beings capable of complex thought. Both in the federation and those that had declined but were within the known territories. Most graduating cadets could name the planets that were integrated, and the most influential planets that had declined the alliance. Sy, however, had wanted to-

Everything jerked sideways.

"Zephyr!" Snapping out of his meandering thoughts, Sy clutched tightly to his dozing companion. "Zephyr, wake up!"

The older cadet must have rolled or fallen over in his sleep. His body was no longer on the relatively safe, flat area, but instead had slipped over onto the more steeply pitched portion. Sy's grip on his arm was all that kept him from continuing down the slope and off the edge of the roof. It was a grip that was rapidly deteriorating.

Nothing but dead weight, Zephyr's body was too heavy for Sy to properly readjust his grip on. Letting go even long enough to change the angle at which he was holding the young man could be what sent him over the edge.

This was his fault. This was all Sy's fault. Zephyr had been so good about minding him, keeping him upright and safe while he had dozed. Now when it had been his turn to watch Zephyr, he'd failed. He hadn't been paying attention, hadn't been safe, and now Zephyr was going to pay the price.

"Zephyr!" The shrill tone of panic in Sy's voice finally pierced Zephyr's sleepy haze.

"Huh?" He blinked his eyes open, not yet registering what was going on. "Sy, stop screaming, I'm fine."

Uncomfortable in the precarious angle his body had twisted into, Zephyr shifted his hips to be straighter and more aligned with his shoulders. And also to be further down the sharp decline.

Zephyr slid another couple inches down the roof.

Sy's muscles strained.

"Ah!" Fully awake now, Zephyr reached up to grasp Sy's arm. His feet scraped against the roof tiles as he scrabbled for traction. The morning dew made the clay tiles slippery, and his feet could find no easy perch.

He slid another inch or two down.

Sy tightened his hold on Zephyr. He leaned back as much as he could, trying to counter the weight of the other boy with his own body. He was dangerously close to the edge of the safe, flat part of the roof.

Zephyr chanced a glance in the direction gravity wanted him to go. Sy's grip wasn't about to slip. The young cadet would still be clinging on tightly even if Zephyr pulled him over the edge.

Which was exactly Zephyr's fear as he felt his weight drag them another couple centimeters down.

There had to be something. He couldn't let this kill them both, and Sy wouldn't ever let go of him, not even to save himself. Either they both went, or neither did.

There had to be something. Anything.

"Sy!"

"I got you," The young man gasped in response. "I promise."

"No, I know that. Sy, let go of me."

Sy blinked twice, processing what Zephyr had said. The words weren't sinking in quite right. All he could do was stare at Zephry's wide, blue eyes.

And then he let go.