Coffee and Collaboration

Clara felt the warmth of the sun on her face as she stepped out of the dormitory, the soft morning light a welcome change from the dreary rain of the past few days. Returning to her routine after being sick felt like a small triumph, filling her with relief and a renewed sense of purpose. Her illness had passed, leaving her feeling energized and eager to start her day. Clutching a small notebook, she glanced up as Kaelion exited the dormitory. His silver hair caught the light, and as always, his posture was perfect, exuding calm authority.

Clara waved cheerfully. “Morning, Kaelion!”

Kaelion nodded, his expression as unreadable as ever. “Good morning. You appear recovered.”

“Thanks to you,” Clara replied with a grateful smile. “I really appreciate everything you did while I was sick. Taking care of my workload must’ve been a hassle.”

“It was necessary. You should not strain yourself.” His tone was matter-of-fact, but his gaze lingered briefly on her face as if assessing her health.

Clara laughed lightly. “Still, I owe you. Let me treat you to coffee as a thank-you. There’s this cozy little café nearby that I think you’ll like.”

Kaelion’s brow furrowed slightly. “That isn’t necessary.” His words were deliberate, but a flicker of hesitation crossed his stoic expression. He debated internally—accepting felt frivolous, yet he could sense Clara’s sincerity. He wondered briefly why her insistence felt different from mere politeness, and the thought unsettled him.

“Come on, humor me,” Clara insisted, her tone playful but earnest. “You might even enjoy yourself.”

After a moment of hesitation, Kaelion gave a slight nod. “Very well.”

The walk to the café was pleasant, with Clara leading the way. Kaelion found the dynamic unusual. He was accustomed to being the one in charge, to setting the pace and direction. Allowing someone else to lead left him feeling both unmoored and strangely liberated. Part of him wondered if this shift in control was refreshing because it freed him from his usual vigilance, or if it was unsettling because it exposed how much he relied on that control. Yet, there was something oddly refreshing about letting someone else take the lead. He studied Clara as she chatted about the weather, the café, and various small topics, her voice animated and cheerful. Despite her chatter, she was mindful of his longer strides, adjusting her pace to match his.

When they reached the café, a warm, inviting aroma of coffee and baked goods greeted them. The space was intimate, with soft lighting and an eclectic mix of furniture. Clara chose a corner table near the window, and they sat across from each other.

“What’ll you have?” Clara asked, scanning the menu.

Kaelion glanced at the options. “A simple tea will suffice.”

Clara rolled her eyes playfully. “You’re so predictable. Fine, I’ll order for us.” She walked to the counter, leaving Kaelion alone with his thoughts.

She’s energetic, Kaelion mused, watching her interact with the barista. Her approach to life is… uncomplicated. Yet, she works hard and takes her responsibilities seriously.

When Clara returned with their drinks, she handed Kaelion his tea and set her latte down with a flourish. “Here you go. Now, let’s talk.”

Kaelion’s eyes narrowed slightly. “About what?”

Clara grinned. “About you. I realized I don’t know much about you, aside from the fact that you’re a prince and really good at keeping a straight face.”

Kaelion’s lips quirked in what might have been the ghost of a smile. “What do you wish to know?”

Clara paused, her curiosity undeterred. “Well, do you have hobbies? Do you have anything you like to do in your free time?”

For a moment, Kaelion didn’t respond, his golden eyes fixed on the steam rising from his tea. Finally, he answered, his voice low but steady. “Reading. Training. Occasionally music.”

Clara smiled at the hint of personal detail. “Music? What kind?”

“Instrumental,” he replied curtly, leaving no room for elaboration.

“Of course,” Clara murmured, fighting back a grin at his characteristic brevity.

They continued their conversation, Clara’s questions probing yet lighthearted. Kaelion’s answers were short but honest, his demeanor remaining calm and composed. Yet, Clara’s persistence slowly drew him out, revealing glimpses of his thoughts and experiences.

On the walk back to the dorms, the conversation shifted to the program. Clara spoke animatedly about the challenges and rewards of working with zaylarans, her passion evident. She described her recent projects, her hopes for fostering stronger bonds between humans and zaylarans, and the joy she felt in witnessing small successes.

Kaelion listened, occasionally offering a brief comment or observation. She speaks freely, without hesitation. It is… different, he thought. Despite his reserved nature, he found her enthusiasm oddly compelling. Her dedication reminded him of his own sense of duty, though her approach was far more vibrant and open.

When they reached the dorms, their friends’ reactions were immediate.

“Back already? Let me guess, you two were talking about work the whole time,” J.J. teased, his grin wide.

Clara’s cheeks turned pink. “It wasn’t like that!”

Velira smirked. “Oh? Then what did you talk about?”

Kaelion’s calm voice cut through the chatter. “We discussed the program and related topics.”

Lyssara groaned. “You two need to relax. Spending your free time talking about work defeats the purpose of free time.”

Clara tried to protest, but Velira waved her off. “You’re hopeless. Next time, do something fun.”

Later that evening, Clara and Kaelion were summoned to Professor Marina Hale’s office. The dean greeted them with a warm smile.

“Thank you for coming. I have a special task for you both,” she began. “The university is hosting a sports day to promote collaboration and camaraderie between humans and zaylarans. I need your help organizing it.”

Clara’s eyes lit up. “That sounds amazing! We’d love to help.”

Kaelion inclined his head. “What would you have us do?”

Professor Hale handed them a folder. “You’ll be responsible for planning activities, competitions, and refreshments. Feel free to recruit help, but I trust you two to take the lead.”

After leaving the office, Clara turned to Kaelion. “Let’s start planning tonight. The library is quiet and has all the resources we’ll need.”

Kaelion nodded. “Efficient.”

In the library, the pair worked diligently, pouring over books and jotting down ideas. Clara’s creativity complemented Kaelion’s meticulous organization, and they quickly developed a plan. As Clara leaned over to show him an idea in one of the books, Kaelion shifted closer.

She caught a glimpse of his face, his sharp features, and piercing eyes framed by the soft library light. Her heart skipped a beat. He’s… really handsome, she realized, recalling how she had always thought of him as serious and distant. The realization made her cheeks heat up as it clashed with her earlier impressions.

Kaelion noticed her sudden flustered state. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Clara waved him off, her voice slightly higher than usual. “I’m fine! Let’s keep working.”

Kaelion’s gaze lingered for a moment before he returned to the task at hand. She’s odd. But… competent, he thought.

By the time they returned to the dorms, their plan was complete. When their classmates asked where they’d been, Kaelion’s answer was simple.

“We worked on the sports day preparations.”

“You two are unbelievable,” Lyssara said, throwing her hands up. “Take a break once in a while!”

Clara tried to explain. “It’s an important task, and we wanted a head start.”

Velira sighed. “Next time, let us help. You don’t have to do everything yourselves.” Clara considered Velira’s words, a flicker of realization crossing her face. "Maybe you’re right," she admitted quietly, glancing at Kaelion. "Teamwork could make things easier, and it might even be… fun."

As Clara and Kaelion exchanged a glance, Kaelion’s thoughts lingered on her determination. She does too much… but perhaps that is why she achieves so much.

They both realized, in their own way, that the collaboration was not just about completing tasks—it was shaping them both, pushing them to grow in ways neither had expected.

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