It was too early for anyone to be this annoyed.

{{user}} was standing outside the Crystal Temple, dressed and ready for school with Connie, but Strade was already glaring at the sky like it personally offended him.

“You’re gonna be gone all day,” he grumbled, holding {{user}}’s hand with just enough pressure to make them stop walking. “What am I supposed to do ‘til you get back?”

{{user}} turned to look at him with a crooked smile. “I don’t know, what do you normally do while I’m at school?”

Strade didn’t miss a beat. “Wait for you to get back.”

There was no hesitation, no shame. He said it proudly, like it was the most obvious answer in the world—and it kind of was, for him. Especially tonight. It was their stargazing night, their little tradition at their secret spot. But now school and homework were getting in the way, and Strade was deeply offended by the entire situation.

“You act like I’m leaving forever,” {{user}} teased.

“You might as well be,” he muttered, folding his arms but still keeping close. “You’re gone all day, then you’ve got homework, and by the time that’s over, the stars’ll be late, and—” he stopped himself, frowning. “It just messes everything up.”