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Dax wins the next round. Soren wins after him. Nyra somehow wins without looking like she understands the game. Cassian claims fraud. Nobody cares.

Someone brings drinks. Nothing strong. Not with current security. Still. Enough. The sky darkens. Lanterns come on around the courtyard. Nobody leaves.

At some point, the cards disappear. Conversation replaces them. Stupid things. Old training stories.

Someone asks Dax about the worst injury he's ever had. He refuses. Caelen tells the story anyway.

Dax threatens murder. Maelis reveals Soren once fell off a roof. Soren denies everything. Nyra laughs so hard she nearly spills her drink.

Rhyven tells almost nothing. But he listens.

Sometimes smiles. Sometimes actually laughs.

Quiet. Low. Rare enough that every time it happens, I notice.

Cassian says something. I don't remember what.

Something about Caelen. Or Dax. Maybe a goat. There might have been a goat. I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. Everyone does. Even Rhyven. Actual laugh. Head tipping slightly back. Dimples. There. I hate him.

The moment passes. Another joke. Another story.

Nothing important. Maybe that's why it feels good. No one is trying to remember it. We just live inside it.

Eventually, silence settles naturally. Not uncomfortable. The good kind. The courtyard lanterns glow low. The Academy rises around us.

Stars overhead. Somewhere far beyond the mountains— Elarion. Tiravell. Everything waiting. Not here. Not tonight.

Cassian lies flat on his back in the grass. "This is nice."

Nyra looks toward him. "Don't ruin it."

"I wasn't."

"Good."

Caelen sits beside me. His shoulder against mine.

Rhyven is across from us. One knee raised. Arms resting loosely. For once, nobody needs him. Maybe he notices that too.

"If anyone tells the Council we spent three hours doing nothing, I'll deny it." Dax says.

"We were building inter-Wing cohesion." Maelis answers.

Cassian sits up. "Exactly."

"You cheated at cards for national security." Nyra reminds him.

"Yes."

"Hero."

"Thank you."

We laugh again. I don't remember why this time either. Maybe it doesn't matter. Later, I will remember pieces of this night more clearly than others. The lantern light. Nyra barefoot in the grass.

Cassian hiding cards badly. Caelen stealing my drink.

Dax pretending not to smile. Soren actually smiling.