Silence wrapped around us like a second skin, thick and heavy, broken only by the ticking of the clock on Mr. Francoise's desk. Nico hadn't said a word after his brief slip, just that one line, but it carried so much. "I blamed myself."
That alone was enough to sink a hole through my chest.
I glanced at him. His gaze was distant, almost lost in a storm I couldn't see, but could feel all too well. Whatever happened back then... it was more than just pain. It was something he carried, quietly, like a scar beneath his smile.
Before I could say anything, he cleared his throat. "Anyway…" Nico's voice finally broke the silence, low but steady. "We're not here to talk about the past."
His eyes shifted to Mr. Francoise, a subtle warning wrapped in a faint smile.
"We're here for Nyx. Her transfer. That's what this meeting's supposed to be about, right?"
Mr. Francoise gave a small chuckle, nodding as he leaned back. "Of course. You're right, Nico." But his gaze lingered just a moment longer on Nico's face, soft, understanding, like a man who knew better than to push but still wished he could.
I stayed quiet, watching them.
Even without the full story, the weight of their history spoke volumes. And somehow, I had become part of it.
Mr. Francoise pulled a folder from his desk drawer, placing it carefully in front of him like it held something more than just paperwork. "I've already spoken with the board," he began, voice warm but formal now, "and your transfer has been approved, Nyx."
He slid the folder toward me. "Your records from the old academy were... quite impressive. You'll be placed in the Special Academic Program, accelerated courses, a flexible schedule, and access to faculty mentors. Given your standing, you'll also be exempt from the usual adjustment exams."
I blinked. "That sounds like... a lot."
Nico gave a small smirk beside me. "She's underselling herself. This is her holding back."
I shot him a look, earning a playful shrug in return.
Mr. Francoise chuckled. "Well, we're fortunate to have her, then." He tapped the folder. "There are still a few things left to settle, student ID registration, dormitory assignment, and of course, familiarization with the campus layout."
I nodded slowly, flipping the folder open. Names, numbers, forms… it all looked like the beginning of something I wasn't sure I was ready for, but somehow, with Nico sitting beside me and the quiet weight of his past echoing in the corners of this room, I didn't feel so alone.
"Is it alright if Nico helps me with the campus tour?" I asked, half expecting a rule to get in the way.
Mr. Francoise's smile deepened. "I was hoping you'd ask. There's no one better suited."
I caught Nico glance away, that ghost of a smile still hanging on his lips, like maybe, just maybe, this small moment gave him something to hold onto too.
Just as I was about to say something, Nico's phone buzzed sharply on the desk. He glanced at the screen, tension flickering in his eyes.
"Sorry, I need to take this," he said, standing. "It's my lawyer, maybe something about that lawsuit against your old school."
He gave me a quick nod before stepping out of the office, closing the door softly behind him.
The room fell quieter again, but this time the silence felt less heavy. Mr. Francoise's expression shifted, a mix of gratitude and something more fragile settling into his eyes.
"Nyx," he began, voice low and careful, "you should know... Nico's been through a lot more than most realize. He's carried a burden that nearly broke him."
I swallowed, heart tightening. "I can tell."
He nodded slowly, leaning forward as if the walls themselves needed to keep this conversation safe. "He blames himself for his father's death. It's a weight he's held alone for years."
"But it's not his fault," I whispered, though my voice trembled.
"No," Mr. Francoise said firmly. "He was just a boy. There were things beyond his control. Things that only time and understanding can heal."
He looked at me with a tired smile. "That's why it means so much to see him here, still standing, still fighting. And now, you. You're a light in his darkness, whether he knows it yet or not."
I felt a warmth spread through me, knowing somehow I was part of this fragile, unspoken hope.
"We'll get through this together," I said, more to myself than him.
Mr. Francoise nodded, as if sealing a silent promise.
The campus stretched out before us, ancient brick buildings mingling with sleek modern labs and sprawling green courtyards. The hum of students passing by, laughter, and footsteps filled the air, but there was a calm beneath it all, like the heartbeat of a place that had seen generations come and go.
Nico walked beside me, hands tucked in his pockets, eyes tracing familiar paths. "You know," he began, his voice low, "when I was young, I used to follow my dad around this campus all the time."
I glanced at him, curiosity sparking. "Really? What was he like?"
A faint smile touched his lips. "He was a professor here. Taught robotics." He waved his hand toward one of the larger buildings. "That building there, Robotics and Automation Center. It was his second home."
I nodded, absorbing the information. "Robotics, huh? Like what kind?"
Nico's eyes softened with memory. "Mostly focused on human-robot interaction, how machines can assist people, especially in daily tasks and healthcare. He designed robotic limbs and exoskeletons to help those with disabilities move more freely."
That painted a vivid picture. I imagined his father working late nights, surrounded by circuits, servos, and glowing screens, driven by a passion to make life easier for others.
"Must've been tough," I said quietly, "losing someone so dedicated."
Nico's gaze darkened briefly. "It was. But it also made me want to understand that world better. To carry on something of his."
We reached a quiet bench beneath a towering oak tree. Nico sat, patting the spot beside him. "You'll be spending a lot of time on this campus, Nyx. And not just in classrooms. This place... it's part of who I am."
I sat down, piecing it all together, the weight in his eyes, the way he spoke about his father, the pride and pain mixed into his memories.
"Thanks for sharing that with me," I said softly.
He shrugged, but his smile was genuine. "There's more to tell, but I'm saving the rest for when you're less green about this place."
I laughed. "Looking forward to it."
For the first time since arriving, the future here felt a little less uncertain, because now, I had a glimpse into the past that shaped the man beside me.
Nico leaned back against the bench, head tilted toward the sky peeking through the oak leaves. "You know," he said, voice softer now, "I never thought I'd come back here."
I turned to him, brows lifted.
He let out a breath, not quite a sigh. "But I did. First, because of you. I wanted to make sure your transfer went through without a hitch. Second…" he paused, eyes tracing the shape of a cloud, "I needed to stop running from this place. From what it held."
There was no dramatics in the way he said it. Just truth, plain, steady.
"And third?" I asked.
He gave a small, almost shy laugh. "I'm continuing my father's research. That was part of the reason Mr. Francoise welcomed me back, he gave me access to my dad's old workspace. I'm listed under the faculty's research development team now. Robotics, same as him."
I blinked. "Wait… you're a researcher here?"
"Technically," he said with a smirk. "Don't expect me to wear a lab coat anytime soon."
I stared at him for a second longer, piecing it all together.
The doors that opened for me, the seamless approval, the academic exemption, the quiet nods between him and Mr. Francoise…
"You made a deal," I whispered.
He didn't answer right away. His gaze dropped to his hands. "I wanted to give you something I didn't have back then. A fresh start, without chains."
My throat tightened. "You didn't have to go that far, Nico."
"I know." His eyes finally met mine. "But I wanted to."
And there it was again, that quiet vow he never said out loud. Nico, carrying grief like a second skin… and still choosing to build something better for someone else.
The sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow as Nico and I walked toward the dormitory, a tall, modern building buzzing softly with the energy of students returning from classes and weekend plans.
We stepped inside, the scent of polished floors and fresh paint filling the air. Nico led the way with a calm confidence, his eyes scanning the hallway like he owned every inch of the place.
When we reached my assigned room, the door stood slightly ajar. I pushed it open, stepping inside to see a small, neat space, basic but cozy, with a narrow bed, a desk cluttered with orientation pamphlets, and a window overlooking the leafy quad.
"This will be your room," Nico said, voice steady but firm.
I smiled softly, imagining myself settling in here, starting fresh.
But then his eyes darkened just a bit. "No," he said suddenly, cutting through my thoughts.
I blinked, surprised. "No?"
He shook his head, stepping closer. "You're not staying here, Nyx. Not alone."
My heart skipped. "But----"
"This place…" His voice dropped, almost protective. "It's not for you. Not right now. You're better off somewhere else."
I looked up at him, searching his face. "Where, then?"
Nico's gaze hardened, decisive. "With me."
The weight of his words settled between us like a promise and a challenge.
Without waiting for more, he pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Mr. Francoise?" Nico's tone was clear, no room for argument. "We're at the dorm, but Nyx won't be staying here." There was a brief pause, then he added, "She'll be with me. I'm buying a new place near campus. I'll handle selling the old one. The one Kayla lived in."
There was a silence on the other end, and Nico's expression tightened just slightly, as if anticipating questions. Then, a calm reply came. Nico nodded along, then ended the call.
He looked at me, eyes steady and sure. "We'll sort out the details with your family next. I want their blessing before anything else."
I swallowed, a mix of relief and something warmer spreading through me.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Nico gave a small, rare smile. "Always."
The campus lights flickered on outside as we left the dorm behind, heading toward a new beginning neither of us could have fully planned, but both were ready to face together.
The evening air was cool as Nico and I arrived at my family's home, the house bustling softly with the sounds of daily life, distant laughter, the clinking of dishes, and the steady rhythm of a household at ease.
Inside, my parents greeted us with warm smiles, though a flicker of curiosity passed between them as they noticed the seriousness in Nico's expression.
We settled into the living room, the scent of freshly brewed tea and faint jasmine filling the space. My parents exchanged glances, then turned their attention to Nico.
He took a breath, steady and composed, meeting their eyes. "Mr. and Mrs. Blake, I want to thank you for welcoming me here. I know this might come as a surprise, but I'm here to ask something important."
My mother's brows knitted slightly, but she nodded, encouraging him to continue.
"I've spoken with Mr. Francoise about Nyx's transfer, and about where she'll stay while attending school. I want to be there for her, not just her boyfriend, but as someone who can support her through this big change."
He paused, searching their faces for any sign of hesitation.
"To make that possible, I plan to buy a house near campus so Nyx can live safely and comfortably, and so I can be nearby to help whenever she needs it. But I want your permission. Your blessing."
My father leaned forward, thoughtful but cautious. "Nico, this is a serious commitment. Are you sure this is what Nyx wants? Are you both ready for this step?"
Nico nodded firmly. "I wouldn't ask if I didn't believe it was right. Nyx is strong, but this transition will be challenging. Having someone who understands the campus, the pressures, and who cares deeply for her will make all the difference."
I reached out, taking his hand, silent support.
My mother's expression softened, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. "We appreciate your honesty and care, Nico. This shows a lot of responsibility."
After a moment, my father gave a slow nod. "You have our permission. But promise us you'll always put Nyx's well-being first."
"I promise," Nico said without hesitation.
The weight in the room shifted, replaced by a fragile hope. For the first time, the future felt like something to truly look forward to, for all of us.
The door clicked softly behind Nico as he stepped out of Nyx's home, the cool evening air brushing against his face. His mind was tangled in the day's decisions, promises made, futures realigned. The weight of it settled deep in his chest, but there was a quiet determination beneath it all.
He walked the familiar path to his house, the place that had once been his refuge, and battlefield.
Nico's house was quiet, too quiet for a man used to chaos, but this time it felt like a promise. He moved deliberately, organizing a few things, packing the essentials he needed for the days ahead. Each item folded or placed was like closing a door on the past.
A sudden knock shattered the calm.
Before he could react, the door swung open, Kayla stormed in, eyes wild, lips twisted with fury and disbelief.
"Nico," she spat, voice sharp like broken glass. "You think you can just walk away? After everything? After me?"
He didn't flinch. Didn't raise his voice. Just looked at her with cold clarity.
"I'm not that man anymore," he said quietly, each word measured and heavy. "You crossed every line. Three times. I'm done forgiving you."
Her face contorted with rage. "You think Nyx can replace me? You're a fool if you believe she can."
Nico's gaze hardened. "Nyx deserves better than the mess you made of my life. I'm done living in your shadow."
Kayla took a step closer, eyes blazing with desperation and fury. Without warning, she lunged at him, hands reaching to grab his arm, trying to pull him back into the twisted web she still hoped to trap him in.
But Nico was ready. He caught her wrists firmly, steady and unshaken, his voice low but unyielding.
"Enough, Kayla."
Her breath hitched, wild and ragged, as she struggled for control, but the strength in his hold was undeniable.
"You'll regret this," she hissed through clenched teeth, eyes burning with a furious madness. "You'll come crawling back like always."
Nico's gaze bore into hers, resolute and cold.
"No. This time, I'm standing for something real. For someone real. And that's Nyx."
Her scream cracked the silence like a storm, but he stepped back, releasing her. Just before the door shut, her voice dropped to a venomous whisper, chilling and cruel.
"If you think you're done with me, think again. I'll make sure Nyx regrets ever crossing me."
Nico's hand lingered on the door handle for a moment longer, then closed it firmly, shutting out the past and locking down the future he was determined to protect.
Nico stood still for a moment after Kayla stormed out, the sharp echo of the slammed door lingering in the air like a distant storm. He ran a hand through his hair, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Threats," he thought. "Empty words from someone desperate to cling to a past that's already dead."
He didn't flinch at Kayla's promise to make things difficult for Nyx, didn't see it as a real danger, just another venomous jab from a woman who refused to accept that the life they once shared was over. Nico had fought too hard, lost too much, and healed scars too deep to be rattled by her spite.
"Let her try," he mused quietly. "Nyx is stronger than Kayla ever gave her credit for. And so am I."
There was a calm certainty in Nico's heart, born from years of pain and resolve. He had made his choice, finally, irrevocably, and he was ready to protect what mattered most. Kayla's threats were nothing more than the echoes of her own shattered pride, desperate attempts to claw back control she'd already lost.
Yet beneath that steady confidence, a small flicker of caution simmered, buried deep and silent. Nico knew Kayla's recklessness could stir storms they weren't ready for, and that protecting Nyx might demand more than he'd yet imagined.
But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside. He would face whatever came, head-on, with the fierce devotion that had carried him through every dark hour. No threat, no shadow from the past, would shake him.
Because this time, he wasn't alone. He had Nyx.
And that made all the difference.