The school grounds shimmered in warm, paper-light colors.
Lanterns floated above the courtyard, strings of crimson and gold swaying between trees. The Founders' Festival was the biggest event of the year—games, performances, food stalls, and a stage show under the stars.
Leo pulled Kieran through the crowd, hand-in-hand, smiling more than he had in weeks.
"You're tense," Leo said, nudging him.
"I'm always tense."
"Tonight, don't be. Just for now."
Kieran gave him a sideways glance. "You're not afraid something will happen?"
"I'm afraid nothing will happen. So just... live this with me."
Kieran didn't answer. But he didn't let go, either.
---
They watched the fireworks from behind the gym.
Leo leaned his head against Kieran's shoulder, eyes glowing with the reds and greens reflecting off the sky.
"Feels like we're allowed to be normal," he murmured.
Kieran slid his fingers through Leo's hair. "You make me forget the rest of the world."
"For now... let it stay forgotten."
They kissed under the sparks—soft, but sure.
And neither of them noticed the camera lens watching from the shadows.
---
Across the field, Rael stood half-shrouded by a vendor booth.
He didn't smile.
Didn't move.
He just turned and walked away, leaving only the faint trace of his cologne and a message already being sent to the Crimson Vow's next contact:
"I found his weakness. I'll make him choose—us or the boy. And this time, he won't walk away clean."