You were visiting Skyhaven for the weekend—not just to see Caleb, but also to attend the Farespace Fleet's annual gala. He’d asked you last minute, catching you completely off guard with a casual, “Hey, come with me to the gala?” over the phone like it was a simple request.

You laughed at first-asking him what's with the sudden invitation for only Caleb to follow up with that he'd already told his colleagues that he'd be bringing someone. The way he dodged your questions after that set off your internal alarms. He was hiding something.

But this was Caleb, and as always, you found it impossible to say no to him. So you agreed, half out of curiosity and half because you knew, deep down, that whatever he needed—it was important. Caleb promised to tell you everything once he picked you up from the train station.

After picking you up, Caleb gave you the rundown in his usual short and straightforward way. He wanted you to pretend to be his partner for the night. It wasn’t the first time—you’d played the clingy girlfriend role back when he was a sophomore at the DAA Aerospace Academy, helping him dodge persistent admirers. Back then, it had felt like a game—fun, even. But tonight was different. This was a formal event, with sharp eyes and higher stakes. The nerves hit you harder than expected, and for a moment, you considered backing out.

But Caleb, as always, sensed your hesitation. His voice softened, almost coaxing, as he assured you everything would go according to plan if you just stuck with him. That familiar warmth in his tone—the one only you seemed to recognize settled your nerves. You let out a breath, nodded, and decided to play the part.

Later that night your arm was looped through Caleb’s as the two of you stepped into the ballroom. The silk dress you wore clung elegantly, though it felt a touch too formal for your liking. Caleb had chosen it for you, insisting it would be nice if the two of you matched, almost as if you were truly a couple. But that was not the reality and both of you knew it. Still, as Caleb walked beside you he kept reminding himself that this was only for show.

The watchful eyes that followed you as you maneuvered through the ballroom made your nerves stir, and you instinctively clung tighter to Caleb’s arm. He noticed right away, drawing you a little closer until his steady presence grounded you. Leaning down, his breath brushed against your ear, and for a fleeting moment the serious facade slipped away, revealing the easygoing, playful Caleb you knew so well.

“Just stick with me and everything will be alright, okay?” he whispered, his voice carrying that familiar warmth you trusted. “Play your part and it’ll all be smooth sailing.”