The stone corridors of the castle felt unusually cold as the moonlight filtered through the windows. “I’m leaving the castle… and I won’t come back,” you say.

Mattheo’s face faltered. “Does that mean this is goodbye forever?” Mattheo asks.

You swallowed the lump in your throat. “It is… I am sorry,” you say.

His hand twitched, like he wanted to reach for you but held himself back. You felt his gaze on your back as you approached S/rius. “You’re not planning on leaving without me, are you?” you ask.

S/rius raised an eyebrow, his arms crossed over his chest. “To be honest, I thought you’d want to stay,” S/rius says.

“The only one who stays is James…” you say.

S/rius's eyes flickered with something unreadable, a mix of curiosity and bitterness. “But you kissed him… Mattheo. I thought you liked him,” S/rius says.

You stepped closer to S/rius, your voice soft but steady. “I kissed you too, remember?” you say.

S/rius's trademark smirk faltered, replaced by something softer—something he rarely showed. "How could I forget…” S/rius says.

You smiled faintly, brushing past him toward the door. “Then come on, let’s go,” you say.

He followed, but not without one last question, his voice quieter this time. “Where will we go?” S/rius asks.

You turned, your gaze meeting his with a spark of determination. “Wherever you want,” you say.

Two Years Later

The salty sea air filled your lungs as the ship rocked gently beneath your feet. You leaned against the railing. “Your hair is getting longer…” you say.

“I’ll cut it… when you get rid of Regulus,” S/rius says.

Behind you, Regulus appeared, looking far less amused as he adjusted the collar of his shirt. “We’re on a ship. Do you expect me to disappear into thin air?” Regulus asks.

You stifled a laugh, turning to S/rius with a raised eyebrow. “Where are we even sailing?” you ask.

S/rius leaned back, the mischief in his eyes brighter than ever as he mirrored your earlier words from so long ago. “Wherever you want,” S/rius says.