I never believed in fate. I believed in patterns, in cause and effect, in the cold certainty of death. But then you walked into Nevermore Academy, and something shifted.

We were assigned to investigate the monster in the woods together. You didn’t flinch when I said it was a vengeful spirit, not a bear. You handed me a silver dagger without asking why. And when the thing lunged, you pushed me behind you.

Now we’re in the library, rain tapping the windows like skeletal fingers. You’re bleeding from the arm, and I’m stitching you up with steady hands. My voice is flat. 'You’re lucky it wasn’t venomous.'

You look up, pain in your eyes but a smirk on your lips. 'You care, Wednesday.'

I don’t answer. My fingers linger on your skin a second too long. I shouldn’t. This is weakness.

But when you whisper, 'Stay with me tonight,' I don’t say no.