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ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕟 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕜𝕠𝕧

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Despite it getting deep into the night the Little Palace was bright. Maybe a little too bright- and that was coming from the guy who could manipulate light. Candles were lit everywhere, lighting every corner of the Little Palace.

The chandeliers above our heads sparkled eye-catching patterns on the walls.

The corridors were thick with nobles, ambassadors and Grisha. The Grisha students had joined in on the festivities that took place during the day but weren't invited to the night party. So as far as I could see, I was the youngest in attendance. Except for Milana, who I passed by earlier talking to a fellow Heartrender.

I'd best shocked to see she'd been laughing. The closest thing to a smile I'd seen her do was a long sneer. Whatever the Heartrender said must've been hilarious, she didn't really seem like the laughing type to me.

But I didn't risk going up to her. I was supposed to find Tony, who'd said he'd be over at the food table when I needed him. But when I reached the table dressed in white cloth and decorated with piles of magnificently structured food, which I didn't want to touch and ruin the aesthetic, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey," I asked a female squaller who had been part of the usual crowd that'd been around Tony. "Have you seen Tony? I'm looking for him."

She gave a low breath. "You and me both. I was going to ask him if he wanted to dance when the time came. Apparently he was last seen here with some Durast boy. Now I can't find him." I quickly stepped away in a desperate attempt to escape as more girls began to gather, also complaining loudly about Tony's absence.

I looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of the familiar muscular Inferni. "How could anyone lose a guy that big?" I mumbled out loud to myself.

I tried pushing through the crowd, but it was growing so thick. I stumbled and almost tripped over a few feet. Luckily, I saw a door and made a quick dash for it. I opened it, sliding in and slamming it shut behind me. "Reagan!" There was a thump as something hit the floor.

I jumped, then realised that I recognised the voice saying my name. I turned in surprise. "Tony? Oh!" I tensed awkwardly. "Sorry, I didn't realise-"

Tony was looking wide-eyed at me, mouth hanging open. His kefta coat was lying on the ground and his face was suddenly pale. In front of him, leaning back on the table, his hands resting on Tony's broad shoulders, was the Durast boy everyone had seen Tony with last. "Ugh..." He waved awkwardly at me, his own purple kefta coat sprawled on the marble floor beside a book that he must've knocked off the table. "Evening," he greeted, cheeks flushing bright red.

"H-hey," I stammered, still a like dazed.

The two boys stood up. They laughed nervously together, almost tripping over one another in an attempt to pick up their keftas. I was still stuck in my state of shock. "Sorry, I didn't realise this room was taken and that you guys were-"

"No, it's fine. It's fine." The boy replied. "I'm Finian." He held out his hand. Finian was older than me, but was small and almost my height. He looked like a pixie beside Tony, with short, messy brown hair, a million freckles and a tiny nose. I took his hand, shook it and backed to the door. "I was just coming to find Tony. But I can go if you want."

Finian shook his head. "No, it's fine." There was no hiding the disappointed look on the boys' faces, but Finian's hand caressed Tony's shoulder gently.

"I'll see you later." He whispered into Tony's ear, standing on his toes to reach it. He then slid past me and out the door, with Tony watching him the whole time with a dreamy expression.

"What?" He asked at my sudden bright smile.

"Oh, nothing," I replied, still grinning. "Guess you're more of a lover than a fighter."

"Who says I can't be both." Tony nudged me, his white teeth blinding as always. But there was a certain glow about him. "So, how long have you two been a couple?"

"Huh? Oh, no. This... We only just..." I'd never seen Tony stumble over his own words before. He always seemed to know just what to say, but not now. "Just a few days." He finally admitted, head hanging the tiniest bit. "Can you not tell anybody?" 

"What? Why not? Tony, I have nothing against you being gay. And I'm sure the others won't mind either. Well, the ladies might be a bit disappointed but-"

"It's not them I'm worried about. It's Milana."

 I craned my neck up at him. "What? Why? Does she not already know?"

"That I'm gay. No, she knows. What I'm saying is that it's no secret that Milana doesn't quite... She doesn't quite fit in with the others." It wasn't a lie. Aside from earlier, I'd yet to see Milana make more than a few seconds of conversation with anyone. "I mean, I tried to help her settle in. I invited her to sit with me and the gang but... I'm all she really has here. It's been like that for a while, ever since our parents died in the line of duty. We've always had each other. I just feel that if I come out that I'm dating Fin, she'll feel more alone."

The room fell quiet. But eventually, I tried putting my arm as far around Tony's shoulders as I could reach and pat him on the back. "Hey, I won't say anything until you're ready. My lips are sealed." I made a motion of sealing my lips and watch a little of his humorous personality light his blue eyes.

"Thanks, man."

"That's what friends are for. We support each other, no matter what."

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⋆☆ Happy Pride Month Everybody! ☆⋆

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