Not me coming back to write this chapter two weeks later after coming up with a Cresswell story … and then two months later again. (As I'm publishing this chapter, that one shot - Daydreams in Orbit - is now up!)

A Crown of Thornes: Part Eight

Andromeda Academy, Artemisia

Iko didn't bother sneaking into class since she was already late and the other cadets were in a line at the other end of the training room. Her entire class was staring at her, exchanging glances and suggestive smirks while their commander is glaring.

"Cadet Linh Iko," her superior officer says, turning to face her.

Iko stops in the centre of the training room. Her posture straightens despite knowing she'll get berated in a few seconds. Then the moment they're dismissed, her class will be talking about it until something more potentially scandalous happens … which could be a while since nothing juicy enough has happened since Jacin disappeared and snuck off to Commonwealth. Sometimes, she can still hear whispers about it.

"Your lapels are folded incorrectly."

Iko doesn't bother looking down at her uniform because she knows it's not presentable. It's what she gets for picking up some laundry from the floor of her dorm.

After last night, Iko and Kinney sounded up going back to his dorm. She intended to leave after she was done "taking notes" but she and Kinney ended up sleeping together. His alarm didn't go off but they awoke to the sound of other cadets walking the hallway of their dorm to go to class. Iko made Kinney get ready and leave as he normally would and she had to wait for everyone to clear out before she ran back to her dorm. Like stars, she wanted to be seen leaving Kinney's dorm. If she had a set of uniform in Kinney's dorm, then it would've saved her about ten minutes and maybe she would've made it to class on time.

But also, why would she have one there?

"Cadet Linh Iko, what happened to you?"

Iko almost forgot she was being questioned. "Uh, Sir, late night?"

Out of all the expressions in the class, only Kinney's breaks into a small grin that nobody else catches, not even Jacin who's standing right next to him. Iko has to bite on the inside corner of her mouth to stop herself from laughing and take a deep breath to relax. Stars, Kinney.

"Sir," Kinney clears his throat and takes a step forward, "if I may-"

"I won't have it," their superior responds firmly, "both you and Cadet Linh can run twelve extra laps for every minute she was late. Now get going if you want to finish by lunch."

-o-

Iko ran the laps during class, clearing her mind of her chaotic morning. As she passed her fellow cadets, she didn't focus on them if they were trying to ask her what happened to her this morning. As if she'd say anything anyways. Iko just needed to run and run fast so she could leave soon.

Her body runs countless laps around the track like a robot. Her limbs move as if they have minds of their own. Sentience. She keeps going and going with nothing to stop her. And with her body on autopilot, her mind wanders.

Last night with Kinney. They were just chatting in the courtyard about when they drunkenly made out at the Hashtag Asteroid Belt. That weird conversation turned into a revelation upon learning they both enjoyed themselves when kissing so they did it again. And again and again. Then they were back in his dorm, fumbling to get each other's clothes off before tumbling onto his bed. Aces, nobody saw them, right? Their hands and mouths were all over each other as they worked on creating a tempo that worked. A rhythm they played on a loop. Movements were a blur, playing in her mind like a lagging video.

It wasn't until the track was empty that she paid full attention again. Her fellow cadets must've finished and have gotten dismissed. Her body's autopilot puts her back in control.

She slows her pace, her heart pounding in her ears as she breathes hard. She should stop and take a breather — it's not like their commander would mind since she has an extra twelve laps to run. Her legs burn and she wants to crumple on the track until she passes out, but then she hears someone running up to her from behind. Iko turns around and sees Kinney, remembering that he had to do the extra laps with her.

"I'm kinda offended they'd think we'd take up until lunch," Kinney says.

Iko rolls her eyes at his attempt to start a conversation despite him being right. Her braids stick to her sweaty back and she can't wait to jump into a cold shower when she's done.

"For the record, we're on our third extra lap out of twelve," he continues.

"I thought you would cover for me," Iko states.

When they awoke in a frenzy knowing she would be late for class, Kinney threw on his uniform while Iko made an attempt to find her clothes on the floor of Kinney's dorm. She made him cover for her in class and now they're running twelve extra laps.

"I tried," Kinney defends.

"You couldn't even get a word out when I showed up," Iko argues.

"Just like you last night," Kinney winks before speeding ahead.

Iko narrows her eyes as she speeds ahead. A grin teases her lips that she doesn't care about letting free since he couldn't see it. No way was she going to let him get the last word.

"Next time, we'll use my dorm," she throws at him as she laps him, "just so you'll know how it feels!"

She smiles and takes a few strides backwards just to watch him trip over his feet and fall on the track.

-o-

Lunar Academy, Commonwealth

With the start of a new week, civvies day was in the past and the standard uniform was back. Another is scheduled for next month since it was such a success among the students. The hallways are filled with the dark polos with the crescent moon and star emblem, and pleated pants and skirts with few uniform faults.

The exception is Cinder who's still wearing white sneakers with her uniform.

"You need to change those," Kai says as he opens his locker. He opens his backpack and empties some books out onto the shelf.

Cinder crosses her arms as she leans against the neighbouring locker. "Seriously?"

Kai's smile twitches as she closes his locker and leaves his bag on the ground by their feet. He leans in closer to her, back against the lockers.

"Don't make me turn it into an executive order," Kai whispers to her.

Cinder playfully shrugs. "Do it."

Kai's about to lean in and kiss her but stops when he notices Scarlet and Thorne walking their way. He looks up past Cinder, narrowing his eyes when he sees Scarlet in her red sweatshirt and Thorne in his dark brown pilot bomber jacket. The moment they see Kai and Cinder turns around, they skirt in the other direction.

"You should executive order their spades," Cinder suggests.

"First things first," Kai says before kissing her.

Cinder pauses their kiss. "If this is how you give executive orders, then you'd better rethink your policies."

Kai laughs a little. "Winter can handle them. You're mine."

"I like the sound of that," she pulls him back in.