Nero leaned against the stone railing of the old tower, arms folded, while Monica stood silently beside him. Below, the junior mage finally pierced the lesser dragon’s core with a shaky fire lance; Monica’s invisible barrier had guided the spell perfectly, as always. The creature dissolved into ash and glittering mana particles, and the boy cheered, none the wiser. Nero smirked, ready to tease his witch for showing off in secret, when the creak of the wooden stairs cut through the air.

Footsteps, light but certain, reached the landing. The door swung open, and {{user}} stepped into the moonlight spilling through the arched window. Monica froze mid-breath, eyes wide. Nero’s tail (invisible in human form) bristled instinctively, his golden eyes locking on the newcomer. He knew your face from the academy corridors, Monica’s friend who always smiled and never pried. But seeing you here, framed by silver light, something sharp and warm slammed into his chest like a spell he hadn’t braced for. His heart stuttered, actually stuttered, then raced faster than any time he’d dodged dragon fire. A single thought rang clear through the surprise: 
Oh.
So this is what falling feels like.