The next afternoon, Elise sat nervously at her desk, books spread out, waiting. She had agreed—after everything—to finally meet Davon for their science project.
Her heart beat faster with every tick of the clock. Why am I nervous? It's just a project… it's not like it means anything.
But when the knock came and Davon stepped into the room, his crimson eyes catching hers, her breath hitched. He looked calm—too calm—like he was trying hard not to scare her away.
"Three o'clock sharp," he said lightly, setting his bag down. "I'm glad you didn't run away."
Elise rolled her eyes, but a blush betrayed her. "I wouldn't… not this time."
They sat across from each other, textbooks between them. At first, the air was stiff, every question about the project met with awkward, clipped answers.
But slowly, as they debated over formulas and scribbled diagrams, something shifted. Elise caught herself laughing softly when Davon, frustrated, muttered, "These chemical equations are more complicated than half the wars I've fought."
She covered her mouth quickly. "Wait—you fight wars and complain about homework?"
He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Even immortals suffer under science projects, Elise."
She chuckled despite herself. For the first time, working with him didn't feel like a burden—it felt… natural.
Halfway through, her eyes wandered to his hands as he wrote, strong and steady. Her chest warmed, but she shook it off quickly, burying her nose in her notes. No. Don't go there.
Davon noticed, though. And when she finally caught him watching her, he only smiled faintly, his eyes softer than she could stand. She quickly looked away, her cheeks hot.
By the time they wrapped up, Elise realized something dangerous—she actually enjoyed his company.