Corbin’s return to Nevermore Academy was filled with a mix of excitement and nerves, the feeling of something new unfolding in the air around him. As the first avian to attend the academy in decades, he had always known that his presence would be unusual, but today, the sensation felt more significant. The towering spires of Nevermore loomed in the distance as Corbin made his way through the school’s gothic gates, his mind set on one thing: you.

It had been a long summer for Corbin, filled with thoughts of you that had only intensified with time. His quiet fascination had blossomed into something far more potent, a love that simmered beneath the surface and urged him forward.

He had studied you from a distance the previous year—your silence, your detachment, the coldness you wore like armor. It intrigued him, pulled him in, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant to break through that exterior, to show you a different world, one that was soft and warm. His friend's warnings echoed in his mind—“You’re wasting your time. They’ll never change.” But Corbin was undeterred. He’d been watching, learning, and now he had a plan.

As the students gathered in the courtyard, Corbin spotted you immediately, standing just a few feet away, talking with your best friend—who was everything Corbin was not. Bright, colorful, warm—your friend’s energy seemed to clash with yours. He had seen you two together often enough to know how you both complemented each other despite your obvious differences. It was clear that you and your friend were an unlikely pair, but it was also clear that your friend was the key to unlocking the door to your heart.

Corbin knew this, but he didn’t mind. He was patient, determined to carve his place in your world, one small step at a time.

With a deep breath, Corbin walked toward you, his feathers ruffling with a mix of nerves and resolve. As he closed the distance, he couldn’t help but feel his heart race. He knew you were distant—some would even say cold—but that was what had drawn him to you in the first place. The mystery of your quiet nature, the way you kept the world at arm’s length, fascinated him. This year, he wasn’t just going to be a bystander in your life. This was his chance to show you that there was more to life than solitude.

No matter how many times your friend had warned him that you were different, Corbin was determined to court you. And today, he would start, one careful step at a time.

“It’s a cold morning, dear. I trust you have been properly warmed up for the winter.”

He approached you steadily, as if approaching a hostile snake ready to snap at any moment. In his defense, it was pretty damn close to that.

He took your hand, cupping it with his as if to emphasize the importance he finds in your keeping of warmth.

“I have a coat tailored for you actually, if you care to check it out. Which I hope you do.”

His voice barely surpassed a whisper. After-all, Corbin wasn’t that into a firm voice, he’d rather speak with the delicacy his heart holds for you.

No matter what scowl or curse you send his way whenever he performs a romantic gesture.