The Next Step

Kaelion stared at his reflection in the polished glass of his dorm window. His stoic expression betrayed nothing, but inside, his thoughts circled endlessly. What are we now? Are we… dating? How am I supposed to act? What’s the next step? The uncertainty gnawed at him, a sensation far removed from the structured world of diplomacy and strategy he was used to. For all his training and knowledge, he found himself hopelessly out of his depth.

Frustrated by his confusion, he sought advice from the only people he could trust to help—Noah, Rynar, and J.J. The four of them sat in a secluded corner of the common room, though Kaelion already regretted his decision. Their varied approaches to problem-solving rarely aligned with his own.

“So, what do you think?” Kaelion asked stiffly, keeping his voice low. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees.

Rynar, his ever-loyal zaylaran friend, tilted his head in confusion. “I know nothing of human courtship,” Rynar began, his crest shifting thoughtfully. “But among our people, presenting an impressive specimen—like a prized draya fish—is a deeply meaningful gesture. It symbolizes worth and dedication. Perhaps she might appreciate something of similar significance?”

“That’s not helpful,” Kaelion muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. His patience, normally unshakable, wavered.

J.J., leaning casually against the armrest, grinned mischievously. “Here’s an idea: Sweep her off her feet. You’re a prince! Take her on some crazy, romantic adventure. How about you fly her to the moon? Literally.”

Kaelion’s brow twitched. “No.”

Noah, seated on the couch, chuckled. “Ignore them,” he said, offering Kaelion a sympathetic smile. “Start small. Gestures matter. Like, try holding her hand. Subtle at first. Brush your hand against hers and see how she reacts. If she lets you hold it, that’s a good sign. Slowly work your way closer from there.”

Kaelion nodded, storing the advice away. Small gestures, he thought. I can do that. He pictured himself offering Clara a carefully chosen flower, brushing his fingers against hers while handing her a datapad, or even leaving a note in her bag with a simple yet heartfelt message. The images stirred something within him—an unfamiliar but not unwelcome feeling of anticipation.

Meanwhile, Clara walked to class with a spring in her step. Her heart was light, her thoughts swimming with memories of their recent date. The way Kaelion had looked at her, his subtle gestures, and his quiet sincerity lingered in her mind. She had never felt this happy before. The joy seemed to radiate from her, and even her classmates noticed.

“You’re glowing, Clara,” Lyssara teased as they settled into their seats. “What happened? Did someone confess their love for you?”

Clara’s cheeks flushed. “N-No! I mean… It’s nothing,” she stammered, unable to hide her smile. The teasing only fueled her excitement, making the memories of the date feel even more vivid.

Kaelion entered the lecture hall a few moments later, his expression as composed as ever. But inside, his thoughts were anything but calm. Focus. Try holding her hand. No one will notice if you’re discreet.

The class began: Interspecies Communication: Mastering Non-Verbal Cues and Cultural Contexts, taught by the stern yet wise Professor Vynel. Ironically, this seemed the perfect opportunity for Kaelion to experiment.

Sitting beside Clara, he hesitated. His hand rested on the desk, just inches from hers. Start small, he reminded himself. Summoning every ounce of courage, he let his fingers graze hers briefly. Her hand twitched slightly in surprise, a brief shiver of hesitation running through her fingers, but she didn’t pull away. The faintest flicker of warmth rose in her cheeks, barely noticeable yet undeniably present.

Clara’s thoughts raced. Is he… trying to hold my hand? Her cheeks warmed, and she glanced at Kaelion from the corner of her eye. His face betrayed nothing. How can he look so calm when I’m about to melt?

Encouraged, Kaelion moved again. This time, he let his fingers slide over hers, intertwining them gently. Clara’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t resist. In fact, she squeezed his hand lightly, silently acknowledging the gesture.

Kaelion’s heart soared. She’s letting me hold her hand, he thought, barely able to suppress the triumphant grin threatening to break through his stoic mask. Outwardly, he remained the picture of composure.

The professor’s gaze briefly flicked to their joined hands, his eyes narrowing for a fraction of a second before he resumed his lecture. He masked his reaction well, but a trace of amusement and curiosity lingered in his expression. Perhaps this is a testament to the cultural bridges we aim to build, he mused, though he remained uncertain about the propriety of such developments. He continued without comment, though his thoughts churned.

After class, Clara turned to Kaelion. “We should go to the library. Our project still isn’t finished.”

“Agreed,” Kaelion said. Inside, he wondered how to balance professionalism with the newfound closeness they shared.

The Nexus Library was quiet and vast, its towering shelves filled with ancient texts and glowing data pads. They worked side by side, efficiently tackling their project. Despite their focus, Kaelion found himself sneaking glances at Clara. Her brow furrowed in concentration, her lips pursed slightly as she jotted down notes. She was… radiant.

Clara’s thoughts wandered too. He’s so close. How does he stay so calm? Her heart fluttered when their hands accidentally brushed while reaching for the same book. “Oh, sorry,” she mumbled, pulling back quickly.

As the evening wore on, they finally completed their work. Clara stretched, yawning softly. “We make a good team,” she said, smiling warmly.

“Yes, we do,” Kaelion replied. His voice was steady, but his mind raced. Now or never.

As they packed up, Kaelion leaned over to grab a book on Clara’s other side. The movement brought him close to her—closer than he intended. Their faces were inches apart. Time seemed to freeze.

Clara’s eyes widened. Is he going to…? She barely had time to process before Kaelion leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a soft, hesitant kiss. Shocked, she froze for a moment. Then, as her heart swelled, she kissed him back.

The kiss was brief but left them both flustered. Clara’s cheeks were a deep crimson as she quickly gathered her things. Kaelion’s usual composure cracked; his ears burned, and his mind was a whirlwind of emotion. I kissed her. And she kissed me back.

They walked back to the dorms in silence, their hands finding each other’s naturally. The night air was cool, but neither of them felt it. Inside the dormitory, they paused awkwardly.

“Goodnight,” Clara said, her voice soft.

“Goodnight,” Kaelion replied. On impulse, they exchanged a clumsy hug before parting ways.

As Kaelion lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, a rare smile graced his lips. Today was… perfect. Meanwhile, Clara hugged her pillow, replaying the moment in the library over and over. Both of them fell asleep thinking of each other, their hearts full of anticipation for what the future might hold.

Elsewhere, their friends were already speculating, having noticed the subtle shifts in their interactions. Noah smirked knowingly, J.J. made wild bets about their next steps, and even Rynar, ever the traditionalist, mused about the complexities of human romance. For Kaelion and Clara, though, none of that mattered. Their world had narrowed to just the two of them, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

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