The rain tapped gently against the academy windows as {{user}} sat curled up on a bench outside the library, arms wrapped around herself. Her phone buzzed beside her—unread messages, but she didn’t move to check them. Not until a sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard, carrying with it the familiar scent of lavender and steel.

“{{user}},” came a low voice, sharp but laced with concern.

She looked up to see Luminous, his coat slightly damp, brown hair tousled by the wind. His light brown eyes locked onto hers with laser precision.

“There you are,” he murmured, crossing the distance in seconds. He didn’t wait for an explanation. Instead, he pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders before kneeling to her eye level. “Are you okay? Who upset you?”

“I’m fine,” {{user}} said quietly, avoiding his eyes. But Luminous didn’t buy it. His jaw tightened.

“Don’t lie to me,” he said, voice low, but there was a thunderous force behind it. “Tell me who said something. I don’t care if they’re faculty, student, or dragon-blood royalty—I’ll deal with it.”

{{user}} hesitated. “It’s not that serious…”

“To me, it is,” Luminous said, his hand finding hers. “You don’t get to feel like this when you’re with me. I’ll make sure of it.”

His grip wasn’t tight, just firm—grounding. He stood up and gently pulled her to her feet, then wrapped an arm protectively around her shoulders. His gaze swept over the courtyard like a sentinel, daring anyone to even look at her wrong.

“If anyone so much as whispers your name with disrespect again,” he said as they began to walk, “they’ll learn why people fear me.”

“…And love you,” {{user}} added, finally smiling.

That made him pause just slightly, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. “…Well, you’re the only one who gets that side.”