Detention on a Saturday was bad enough.
But detention with Kael?
That was a cosmic prank.
Elior stood outside the old storage wing, eyeing the door with mild dread. Inside were a thousand years of misplaced magical junk, possibly haunted taxidermy, and at least one cursed teapot. Professor Elric handed them a glowing list and a bucket of salt.
"Sort the storage. No spells. Wear gloves."
Elior blinked. "Salt… is for what exactly?"
Kael grinned. "Probably ghosts."
---
The first hour was uneventful, if you didn't count the flying quills and the charmed cloak that whispered compliments to Elior every time he walked by.
"Such graceful hands," it purred.
Elior kicked it into a box.
Kael, meanwhile, was examining a cracked mirror that flickered with someone else's reflection.
"This," he said, "is definitely cursed."
"Then put it down."
"…But it looks cool."
Elior grabbed it and stuffed it into a marked danger bin.
"No haunted fashion accessories."
"You're no fun."
"I am a walking safety manual."
Kael snorted. "I noticed."
---
It was all going tolerably well… until Kael opened the wrong cabinet.
There was a whoosh of cold air, a shimmer of purple light, and then—
Thud.
The door slammed shut.
Elior blinked.
They were in a broom closet.
A very magical, very cramped broom closet.
"No," he said immediately. "Nope. I am not being trapped in here with you."
Kael tested the handle. "It's sealed. I think it was rigged with a spatial trap."
"Oh great."
"Relax," Kael said. "We'll be fine."
"We are locked in a closet surrounded by magical janitorial equipment! That mop is breathing."
Kael leaned casually against the wall. "Could be worse."
"How."
"It could be Jasper."
Elior sighed and slid to the floor.
---
Ten minutes passed.
Then fifteen.
Kael stretched his legs out, knee knocking lightly against Elior's. Neither of them moved away.
"So," Kael said eventually, "why did you come to this school?"
Elior stared at the dim ceiling. "Same as everyone else. Hoping I wasn't… too broken for it."
"You're not broken."
Elior glanced sideways. "You say that, but you keep making me explode with emotion spells."
Kael grinned. "That's just a bonus."
They both laughed, and it felt surprisingly easy.
Elior fiddled with a loose thread on his sleeve. "You're not what I expected, you know."
"What'd you expect?"
"Loud. Arrogant. Maybe cursed."
"Hey, two out of three."
A pause.
Then Kael added, more quietly, "You're not what I expected either."
Elior raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I figured you'd be delicate. Quiet, polite, top of the class. But you're kind of… sharp. You don't let things slide."
Elior blinked. "Is that a compliment?"
"Dunno. You decide."
They looked at each other.
Just looked.
The moment stretched a little too long.
Then the mop sneezed.
They both jumped.
---
Eventually, Professor Elric opened the door with a muttered spell and a half-smirk.
"Let that be a lesson," he said. "Some things in this school bite back."
Kael dusted himself off. "So… do we get extra credit for surviving a sentient broom closet?"
"No."
"Worth a shot."
---
Later that night, back in their tower hallway, Kael hesitated outside his room.
"Hey," he said suddenly, "you… okay?"
Elior turned. "Yeah. Why?"
Kael scratched the back of his neck. "You just… seemed quiet. In the closet."
Elior shrugged. "Sometimes I think too much when I can't move."
Kael hesitated. Then said, "Well, if you ever want a less cursed broom closet to hide in, mine's usually open."
"…Are you flirting?"
"Not yet."
Elior smirked. "Keep it that way."
Kael grinned. "No promises."