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ENZO HAD NEVER EXPECTED TO HAVE A FIGHT WITH ESMIE.

The day had started like any other. He, Esmie, and Danielle had gone to breakfast together, their usual lighthearted banter filling the air as they laughed and chatted with their friends. Mattheo was, as always, quietly observing the group while indulging in his breakfast, his sharp gaze catching subtle details. He noticed, with a slight frown, that Esmie wasn't really eating. Danielle, sitting beside her, had picked up on it too, her usual quiet demeanour masking her concern.

"I want to know more about you and Mattheo, Gen," Esmie said suddenly, breaking through the usual chatter. The shift in tone caught everyone's attention. Her words were directed at Genevieve, who immediately turned red at the sudden attention. Mattheo's smirk spread across his face as he leaned back, clearly enjoying Genevieve's flustered reaction.

"More? Like what?" Genevieve asked, trying to keep her voice steady as she picked at her breakfast, but her blush betrayed her.

Esmie stirred the pineapple in her yogurt before glancing between Genevieve and Mattheo. "Like how you met, how you got together. You know... all the details." She finally took a bite, her curiosity piqued.

Genevieve hesitated, her eyes flickering toward Mattheo, who gave her an almost imperceptible nod. "Well... we didn't exactly meet at that Slytherin party like everyone thinks," she admitted, her blush deepening. "We actually met in the Forbidden Forest during my fifth year. Mattheo was in his sixth."

Esmie's spoon paused midway to her mouth, her head snapping up to look between them. "Wait... what?" She turned her attention to Enzo, a look of surprise crossing her face. "You told me they met at the Slytherin party."

"I thought they did," Enzo replied, a bewildered shrug lifting his shoulders.

Genevieve let out a nervous chuckle. "No, that's just when we decided to go public. We had been... sneaking around for a while before that."

Esmie's eyes widened as the pieces fell into place. "So you two had a secret relationship, and none of us noticed?" She looked genuinely impressed.

Mattheo smirked, leaning back in his chair with an air of smugness. "We were pretty good at it. Sneaking around made it all the more exciting."

Genevieve rolled her eyes and, without missing a beat, kicked him under the table. He winced, giving her a playful glare, while Esmie laughed, holding out her hand toward Genevieve for a high-five. The two girls shared a victorious grin as their hands slapped together.

Danielle, who had been sitting quietly beside Esmie, finally spoke up, her tone thoughtful. "I'm honestly impressed. You two are better at keeping secrets than I gave you credit for." Her eyes sparkled with quiet amusement as she exchanged a glance with her brother, Mattheo.

Mattheo chuckled. "Full of surprises, Dani. You should know that by now."

Danielle smiled, shaking her head. "Trust me, I do."

The conversation began to shift back to more lighthearted topics, but the mood at the table was disrupted when Hermione joined them. Her expression was serious as she approached, holding a copy of the Daily Prophet in her hands. "Has anyone read the Daily Prophet today?" she asked, her voice lacking its usual warmth.

The group exchanged confused glances. "No?" Esmie responded, finishing another bite of her yogurt. She wiped her hands on her napkin and looked at Hermione with raised eyebrows.

Without saying another word, Hermione handed the newspaper to Esmie, her lips pressed into a thin line. Esmie's heart began to pound in her chest as she reached for the paper, a feeling of unease washing over her. Her hands trembled slightly as her eyes landed on the bold headline.

ESMERALDA GRISKY TO BE SENT TO TRIAL?

The world seemed to stop around her. The sounds of the Great Hall faded into the background as Esmie's mind went blank. The article swam in front of her eyes, her stomach dropping like a stone.

"What the hell?" Genevieve's voice broke through the silence, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Esmie.

"What does it say?" Mattheo asked, his voice tense, his usual smirk replaced by concern.

Esmie's breath came in short gasps as she tried to focus on the words in front of her, but they seemed to blur together. The panic rising in her chest made it impossible to concentrate. Her shaking hands lowered the paper, and she pushed it across the table, unable to look at it anymore.

Genevieve grabbed it immediately, her eyes scanning the article, her expression growing darker with every word. "Esmie is being accused of murdering her parents and Axel," she said, her voice filled with disbelief.

The table fell deathly silent, all eyes snapping to Esmie.

Enzo's face twisted with shock and anger. "What? She was trying to save him!" he shouted, his voice rising in frustration. He slammed his hands down on the table, causing their drinks to tremble.

"According to the article," Genevieve continued, her brows furrowed in disgust, "sources claim they witnessed Grisky hit the second-year boy with the Killing Curse."

"That's a lie!" Enzo's voice cracked with emotion. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. "She wasn't responsible! She was trying to help him!"

Danielle's usually calm face was tight with concern, and she gently touched Esmie's arm. "Esmie, this can't be true, right? You didn't... you wouldn't..." Her voice trailed off, her worry evident.

Esmie's voice broke as she replied, her eyes welling with tears. "I didn't... I didn't do it. I tried to save him, but..." She choked back a sob, her hands trembling as she stood abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "I need to go."

Enzo shot up after her, his hand reaching out to catch her wrist. "Do you want me to come with you, baby?" His voice was soft, pleading.

Esmie shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I just... I need to be alone right now." She pulled her hand away, her movements shaky. Without another glance, she turned and hurried out of the Great Hall.

Danielle exchanged a worried glance with Enzo, who looked torn between running after Esmie and staying to process what had just happened. "Go after her," Danielle urged softly, her voice laced with concern. "She shouldn't be alone right now."

Enzo nodded, but before he could follow, Danielle added, "And be careful. She's going to need you more than ever, Enzo. This... this isn't going to go away easily."

Enzo gave her a small, determined nod and rushed out of the Great Hall, his mind swirling with dread and anger. The bad feeling that had been gnawing at him since breakfast was now consuming him entirely. He had to find Esmie.

Back at the table, Mattheo leaned back, his face unreadable. "This is just the beginning, isn't it?" he muttered under his breath.

Genevieve, still holding the Daily Prophet, nodded grimly. "It looks like it." She glanced at Danielle, who was staring at the doors Esmie had rushed through, her expression filled with worry.

Danielle sighed softly, her voice barely audible. "I don't know what's going to happen next, but Esmie's going to need all of us."

Mattheo exchanged a silent look with his sister, his usual aloof demeanour replaced by a rare moment of seriousness. "She'll have us," he said firmly, and though his voice was quiet, the weight of his words was undeniable.

Esmie had just gone for a walk in the courtyard, never expecting to find herself in such a dire situation.

It had started as a quiet moment of escape, her mind clouded by the weight of recent events. The air was crisp, the sky above her a pale, cloud-streaked blue, and she welcomed the solitude as she wandered through the stone paths, her thoughts swirling. She had needed time to breathe, to clear her head, but what she found instead was far worse.

"The Ministry should have never let you walk free!" a harsh voice suddenly shouted, snapping Esmie out of her thoughts. She barely had time to turn before one of the boys—someone from the year below her—lunged forward and shoved her hard. Her body hit the ground with a sickening thud, her palms scraping against the cold, unforgiving stone. Pain shot through her, but she quickly scrambled to her feet, her breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps as she faced him.

"What are you talking about?" Esmie demanded, trying to steady her voice, even as her heart pounded in her chest.

"My brother is dead because of you!" the boy snarled, his eyes wild with grief and fury. "You should have been thrown in Azkaban, you filthy Death Eater!" He stepped closer, and before Esmie could react, his fist collided with her face. A blinding pain shot through her as blood immediately began to pour from her nose. She stumbled, the force of the punch dazing her, but the boy didn't stop. He shoved her to the ground once more, and this time, the two other boys with him joined in the assault, their boots and fists striking her with brutal force.

Each blow was harder than the last, and Esmie tried to shield her head with her arms, but the pain was too much. Every part of her ached, her vision blurring from the impact of their kicks. She felt herself slipping, her mind growing distant from the violence, and all she could think was that she wasn't sure if she could take much more.

But then, through the haze of pain, she heard it—a voice, sharp and full of fury.

"Get the hell off her!"

Enzo.

Suddenly, the weight of the boys was ripped away, and Esmie heard a scuffle as Enzo charged toward them. He grabbed one of the attackers by the collar and shoved him to the ground with a force that sent him sliding across the courtyard. The other two boys backed off immediately, their eyes widening as Enzo stood protectively in front of Esmie, his posture radiating rage.

"You don't have to protect the bitch!" the first boy spat, pushing himself up from the ground, his face twisted with hatred. "We all know she forced you to take the Dark Mark, Enzo. She's one of them!"

Enzo's chest heaved as he took a step toward him, his fists clenched. "She didn't force me to do anything," he growled, his voice low and dangerous, each word laced with barely controlled anger.

The boy sneered, spitting blood onto the ground. "Move out of the way. She killed my brother—she deserves to die!"

Enzo's face darkened, his entire body tensing with fury. "Touch her again, and I'll kill you," he snarled, his voice so cold that it sent chills down Esmie's spine. She had never heard him sound like this, never seen him this unhinged. Her heart sank into her stomach—he looked terrifyingly like Bellatrix Lestrange in that moment, the resemblance to his mother so strong that it made her shudder.

The boy stepped forward, unfazed. "Yeah? Kill me then," he taunted, his lip curling.

Without hesitation, Enzo raised his wand, his hand steady as he pointed it directly at the boy's chest, the rage burning in his eyes. The atmosphere around them seemed to crackle with tension, the threat of violence hanging heavy in the air.

But before Enzo could cast a spell, Esmie forced herself to her feet, her entire body trembling as she moved between him and the boy. "Enzo, no," she whispered, her voice shaking as she placed herself in front of his wand. "Please, don't do this."

For a moment, Enzo didn't seem to register what was happening. His chest was still heaving, his eyes locked on the boy with a murderous intent Esmie had never seen in him before. But then he blinked, his focus shifting, and he realised that Esmie was standing between him and the boy. Slowly, he lowered his wand, his expression confused.

"Esmie, what are you doing? Are you protecting him?" Enzo asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

Esmie took a step back, her heart racing. She had never felt afraid of Enzo before, but in this moment, with his eyes so dark with anger, she felt a twinge of fear. "You were going to kill them," she whispered, her voice small and trembling.

The three boys, realising they had been spared, didn't wait for another chance. They turned and ran, disappearing around the corner of the courtyard, leaving Esmie and Enzo standing there, alone in the aftermath of the attack.

Esmie turned away from Enzo for a moment, wiping the blood from her nose with the back of her hand, but the tears came just as quickly. She was trembling, both from the pain and from the shock of what had just happened. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, a mixture of adrenaline and fear coursing through her veins.

Enzo took a step toward her, his expression softening, the rage dissipating as concern filled his eyes. "Mie—" he began, but she held up her hand, stopping him in his tracks.

"I don't like this side of you," she said, her voice breaking. "This isn't you. This isn't my Lorenzo." Her words hung heavy in the air, and for a moment, the silence between them was unbearable.

Enzo's face tightened, frustration flaring again. "They were going to kill you, Esmie. What was I supposed to do? Just stand there and let them beat you to death? Am I not supposed to protect you?"

"Not if it turns you into your mother!" Esmie snapped, her words cutting through the air before she could stop herself. The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Her eyes widened in horror, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hand, as if trying to take them back.

The impact of her words was immediate. Enzo's face went blank, but the hurt in his eyes was unmistakable. "How long have you been waiting to throw that one in my face, Esmeralda?" he asked, his voice cold and clipped.

Esmie shook her head, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. "I didn't mean it. I'm sorry, Enzo. I didn't—"

"Save it," he muttered, cutting her off as he turned his back on her. Without another word, he began walking away, his shoulders stiff with anger and hurt.

Tears streamed down Esmie's face as she watched him go, her heart aching with the weight of what had just happened. She stood there for a moment, frozen by her own guilt and regret, before she finally took a shaky breath and started after him.

"Enzo, wait!" she called, her voice desperate, but he didn't stop. He didn't even turn around. He just kept walking, leaving her behind in the courtyard, her heart breaking with every step he took away from her.

Esmie burst into their common room, her breath shallow, and her heart racing. The pain from her bruises throbbed with every step, but it paled in comparison to the turmoil swirling inside her. Mattheo, who had been mid-conversation with Genevieve, immediately turned his attention toward her, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the state she was in.

"Holy hell, Emmy, what happened to your face?" he asked, standing up so quickly his chair scraped against the floor.

"Oh, uh..." Esmie tried to shrug it off, despite the stinging pain that radiated through her face and body. She fought to maintain her composure, not wanting to break down in front of him. "Have you seen Enzo?"

Mattheo frowned, concern etched across his features as he exchanged a quick look with Genevieve before responding. "He was headed toward our dorm room."

Esmie nodded, murmuring a soft "thanks" before she hurried past them, heading straight for the dorm. Her heart pounded louder with each step, the weight of everything that had just happened pressing down on her chest. She barely paused when she reached the door, pushing it open to see Enzo sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.

At the sight of him, Esmie let out a soft sigh, the tension in her shoulders easing ever so slightly, but the moment she saw the deep furrow in his brow and the pain in his expression, guilt flooded her.

"I'm so sorry, Enzo," she began, her voice trembling as she leaned against the door. She tried to steady herself, but the overwhelming wave of emotion made it hard to breathe. "I didn't mean what I said. You're nothing like your mother. I—I'm so sorry I even brought her up. I swear, I don't think you're anything like her."

Enzo didn't immediately respond. His gaze was fixed on the floor, and when he finally looked up, his eyes were filled with hurt and confusion. "Then why did you say it?" he asked, his voice low but filled with pain.

Esmie's bottom lip quivered as she stepped closer to him, her chest tightening. "I don't know... I wasn't thinking. There was a moment back there when you looked so angry—especially when you said you'd kill those boys—and it scared me. I've never seen you like that, Enzo, and I panicked. I'm so sorry for saying it. It was wrong of me. You're nothing like her, and I should have never said something so horrible."

Enzo's expression twisted with frustration as he stood abruptly, his hands clenching into fists by his sides. "They were hurting you, Esmie!" he shouted, his voice louder than she had ever heard it. "They were going to kill you! Am I just supposed to stand there and let that happen?"

The intensity of his words made her flinch, the volume of his voice cutting through her like a blade. She had never seen him this furious, not at her. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as she tried to find the right words.

"Not if it means you could end up in Azkaban!" Esmie cried, her voice cracking as tears welled up in her eyes. "If you had killed those boys, that's exactly where you'd be right now. And then what? We'd never see each other again. That's why I stood in front of your wand—because I couldn't lose you."

Enzo's face contorted in confusion and pain as her words sank in. "You were protecting me?" he asked, his voice softening but still laced with disbelief.

Esmie nodded, her tears now streaming down her cheeks. "Yes. I wasn't protecting them. I knew you wouldn't hurt me. I knew the moment you saw me standing there, you'd stop. That's why I did it."

Enzo stood there, stunned, the anger draining from his face as realisation dawned on him. Slowly, he stepped toward her, his hands falling to his sides. "I didn't understand... I'm sorry, Mie," he whispered, his voice raw with regret. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just—I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, and when I saw them hurting you like that, I lost control."

Esmie let out a shaky breath, her shoulders trembling as he closed the distance between them. When his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight embrace, she flinched at the pressure against her bruised body, but despite the pain, she hugged him back just as fiercely, burying her face in his chest.

"I know," she whispered, her voice muffled against his shirt. "I know you were just trying to protect me. I'm sorry for saying something so awful to you. You're nothing like Bellatrix. You're kind, loving, loyal, and you'd do anything for the people you care about. That's the Enzo I love."

Enzo tightened his hold on her for a moment, his body shaking slightly as he exhaled. "I just couldn't stand seeing them hurt you like that," he murmured, his voice filled with guilt. "But I never should have let my anger take control like that. I didn't mean to make you afraid of me."

Esmie pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "I know, darling. I know you didn't mean it. I'm sorry too." She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, offering him a small, sad smile. "We're okay, right?"

Enzo nodded, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "We're okay, Mie," he whispered, but his lips twisted into a grimace as he tasted the metallic tang of blood still lingering on her skin. His gaze darkened with concern. "We need to get you cleaned up, though. Those cuts look bad."

Esmie gave a weak nod, her gaze dropping to the floor. "What if McGonagall doesn't believe me?" she asked quietly, the weight of the accusation against her hanging over her like a dark cloud.

Enzo frowned, glancing toward the small bathroom they shared with Mattheo. "First things first," he said, stepping toward the ensuite and grabbing the first aid kit. "Sit down on the bed, please."

Esmie did as he asked, watching him as he knelt in front of her and carefully opened the kit. She winced when he began dabbing at the blood on her face, but she didn't pull away. His hands were gentle, his touch soft, but the cuts still stung.

"Is this because of the article?" Enzo asked quietly as he cleaned the dried blood from her cheek.

Esmie swallowed hard, nodding. "They think I hit Axel with the Killing Curse. They're calling me a murderer," she whispered, her voice barely audible as tears welled up again.

Enzo's grip on the cloth tightened, his jaw clenching. "You're not a murderer, Esmie," he said firmly. "You tried to save him. You'd never hurt anyone like that."

Esmie let out a quiet sob, her hand flying to her mouth as she tried to hold back the tears. "I don't want to go to trial, Enzo. I don't want to go to Azkaban. What if—what if they don't believe me?"

Enzo paused, lowering the cloth as he looked into her eyes. "You're not going to Azkaban, baby. I won't let that happen. You didn't do anything wrong."

Esmie's lip trembled, but before she could say anything, Enzo gently dabbed at the most painful cut on her cheek, causing her to flinch.

"I know it hurts, darling," he said softly, his eyes filled with regret. "But I need to clean it."

She nodded, trying to stay still as he continued to carefully clean the wound. When he finished, he pressed a gentle kiss to her bruised cheek, his lips lingering for a moment. "Your face is probably going to bruise," he murmured, his voice full of concern.

Esmie glanced down at her hands, her shoulders sagging. "Oh."

Enzo cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing her cheeks softly. "And yet, you're still the prettiest girl in the world," he whispered, his voice full of affection.

Esmie smiled through her tears, her heart swelling at his words. "Even with bruises?"

"Even with bruises," Enzo replied, his lips curving into a gentle smile as he leaned in to kiss her softly. "You'll always be the prettiest girl to me."

Esmie kissed him back, her heart feeling lighter in his embrace, but when they pulled away, the reality of the situation came crashing back down. "What happens now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What do you mean, baby?" Enzo asked, still holding her close.

"I mean... if I do have to go to trial?" Her voice wavered, the fear she had been holding in spilling over.

Enzo's expression softened, and he pressed his forehead against hers. "We'll get through it together, Princess," he whispered. "And I don't believe you'll have to go to trial. You didn't do anything wrong, and we're going to prove that."

Esmie's tears spilled over again, but this time, they were mixed with hope. "I hope you're right," she whispered.

"I know I'm right," Enzo said, his voice full of certainty. He gently took her hand and helped her to her feet. "Now, come on. We're going to see Professor McGonagall. We're going to make sure she knows exactly what happened."

Esmie nodded, leaning into his side as he wrapped his arm around her. Together, they walked out of the dorm room, stepping into the unknown but facing it hand in hand.

Esmie stood nervously in front of Professor McGonagall's desk, her heart hammering in her chest. She had told the whole story—how the boys had attacked her, the article in the Daily Prophet, and the accusations that haunted her. McGonagall had listened quietly, her sharp eyes betraying no emotion until Esmie had finished speaking. The tension in the room was thick, and Esmie found herself clenching Enzo's hand so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"Thank you, Miss Grisky," Professor McGonagall said at last, her voice calm but laced with authority. She leaned back in her chair, the soft ticking of the clock in the corner the only other sound in the room. "I don't know who is responsible for writing that article, but you should know the Ministry has cleared you of all charges."

Esmie blinked, hardly believing what she was hearing.

"The Death Eater responsible for the deaths of your parents is already in Azkaban," McGonagall continued, her gaze softening slightly as she observed the young woman before her. "As for Axel, your wand was checked thoroughly before the trial. It was confirmed that you did not cast the Killing Curse. You are not responsible for that boy's death."

The weight of those words hit Esmie like a tidal wave. She had been bracing herself for the worst, and now, to hear those words of absolution, her legs almost gave way. "I tried to save him," she whispered, her voice fragile, as though she might break if she said anything louder.

McGonagall's gaze softened further, a rare flicker of empathy in her eyes. "It wasn't your fault, Miss Grisky," she said gently, her usual sternness tempered by kindness. "You did everything you could."

Beside her, Enzo squeezed Esmie's hand tightly, his presence anchoring her. The warmth of his touch reminded her she wasn't alone in this, and she allowed herself to lean on that comfort.

"As for the boys who attacked you," McGonagall continued, her tone growing firm again, "they will be punished severely. I will not tolerate violence at this school, and their actions will have consequences."

Esmie nodded, the relief swelling inside her. "Thank you, Professor," she murmured, her voice still shaky, but steadier than before. With that, McGonagall dismissed them, and the two of them left the office, walking silently through the quiet corridors.

As they reached the empty hallways of the castle, Esmie exhaled deeply, the burden of fear and guilt lifting with each step. She glanced over at Enzo, who was walking beside her, his hand still firmly holding hers. The tension between them from earlier had dissolved, and all she could feel now was the overwhelming love she had for him. Without warning, she stopped walking, pulling him to a halt.

"Mie?" Enzo asked, his brows furrowing in confusion as he turned toward her.

Esmie said nothing at first, just looked up at him, her heart swelling with so much love and gratitude it almost hurt. Then, before he could ask what was wrong, she reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pulled him into a passionate kiss.

Enzo's surprise lasted only a second before he responded, kissing her back just as fervently. His arms slid around her waist, pulling her close as he backed her up against the cold stone wall. The heat between them was undeniable, their kiss full of intensity, love, and relief after everything they had been through. Esmie's heart raced as she pressed against him, her fingers tangling in his hair. She could feel her entire body responding to the closeness, the kiss so deep and consuming that she felt dizzy with emotion.

Finally, Enzo pulled back, his breath ragged as he rested his forehead against hers. His hands were still on her waist, holding her as if he couldn't bear to let her go. "What was that for?" he asked, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Esmie smiled back, her heart full as she looked into his eyes. "Because I love you," she said simply, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "And... to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said what I did earlier. You're nothing like your mother, and I was wrong to even bring her up."

Enzo's smile widened, and he shook his head slightly, his eyes soft as he gazed down at her. "Baby girl, you don't need to keep apologising. I've already forgiven you," he said, his voice gentle. "I know you didn't mean it, and I love you, too."

He leaned down and kissed her again, slower this time, savouring the moment as if he wanted to freeze it in time. Esmie kissed him back, her hands resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her fingertips. When they finally pulled apart, they smiled at each other, and Esmie felt warmth flood her, the kind of warmth that chased away the fear she had been carrying.

They made their way back to the dorms, their fingers intertwined. When they reached the door, Enzo turned toward her, his expression soft but serious. "Promise me we won't fight like that again," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I hate it when we fight. It feels wrong."

Esmie nodded, her eyes shining with affection. "I promise. No more fighting," she said, her voice steady with conviction. She leaned in to kiss him again, pressing her body against his as her hands slid down to the hem of his shirt. Just as she started to lift it slightly, the door to the dorm swung open, and a familiar voice interrupted them.

"I swear to Merlin, if you two start going at it right now, I'll hex the both of you!" Mattheo's voice rang out, his tone exasperated as he stood in the doorway, arms crossed, glaring at the couple.

Esmie and Enzo broke apart instantly, bursting into laughter as they turned to face Mattheo, who looked thoroughly unimpressed. "Seriously," he grumbled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Can't you save that for when I'm not around?"

"Don't worry, Mattheo," Enzo said, still chuckling. "We'll spare you."

Mattheo rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as he walked past them, but there was a faint smirk on his face despite his grumbling. Esmie and Enzo exchanged amused looks before heading into the dorm room.

Once inside, Enzo led Esmie to his bed, where they lay down together, their bodies pressed close as Enzo wrapped his arms around her. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and sighed contentedly.

Enzo kissed the top of her head, his fingers gently tracing patterns on her back. "I never want to fight with you again, Mie," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Me neither," Esmie whispered back, her eyes closing as she snuggled closer to him. "I hate fighting with you."

"We're too good together to waste time fighting," he murmured, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face as he looked down at her. "No more fighting, okay?"

Esmie smiled, her heart swelling with love for him. "Okay. No more fighting."

For a long time, they just lay there together, wrapped in each other's arms, the events of the day fading into the background as they held onto each other. With Enzo beside her, Esmie felt like she could face anything—no trial, no accusation, no attack could break what they had. As long as they had each other, they would get through anything.

And as they lay there, the warmth of their love filling the room, Esmie silently vowed that she would never let anything come between them again. No matter what challenges lay ahead, she knew that together, they would face them and come out stronger.

She pressed a soft kiss to Enzo's chest, and he smiled, pulling her even closer. Wrapped in the safety of his embrace, Esmie closed her eyes and let herself drift, knowing that with Enzo by her side, everything would be okay.

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My poor babies but I'm happy they talked about it and worked it out (I love my non toxic babies 🥺)

Enjoy! Xo

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