The sun had barely risen above the academy's skyline when Ellee finally stepped out of the hospital wing, her boots tapping softly against the tiled floor. A light breeze greeted her, tousling her dark hair as if to celebrate her return. Though she moved slowly, there was strength in her steps—a quiet determination burning beneath the fatigue lingering in her limbs.
Standing outside the doors were her four new—but oddly familiar—roommates. Their expressions lit up at the sight of her. Viola practically launched herself forward, catching Ellee off-guard with a tight hug.
"Finally! You're out!" Viola exclaimed, eyes glossy with unshed tears. "You scared the hell out of us."
"I'm fine now," Ellee said softly, patting Viola's back awkwardly. She looked up and saw the others—Zion, Xion, and Maya—all wearing matching grins.
"We made a deal, remember? No more overdoing it," Zion said with mock sternness, crossing his arms.
"You barely listened when we told you to rest last time," Maya added. "But this time, you're under strict watch."
"I'm not a child," Ellee replied, a soft smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
"No, but you're our commander and our friend. That means we get to worry," Xion said.
They led her back to their shared dorm—though each had their own rooms, the apartment-like space had a common living area. As the door opened, Ellee was greeted by colorful streamers, a table full of her favorite snacks, and a banner awkwardly strung above the entrance that read: Welcome back, sleepyhead!
"You didn't..." Ellee began.
"We did," Kayla said, popping out from the kitchen with Kate following behind. The twins were rarely in the same dorm, but this was a special occasion.
"We couldn't let you just walk back in like nothing happened," Kate added. "You survived an assassin and a monster attack. You deserve cake."
Ellee shook her head but couldn't suppress the warmth blooming in her chest. It had been a long time since she felt this—cared for, seen, welcomed.
They all gathered in the living area, sharing stories, laughing, and occasionally teasing one another. Someone even turned on music, and Zion started dancing badly on purpose to make everyone laugh.
Ellee leaned back into the couch, a small plate of cake in her hand. She wasn't eating much, but she was there, smiling genuinely for once. Watching everyone around her, she saw more than just comrades or assistants—she saw pieces of home that had somehow returned.
As the night wore on, Xion sat beside her with a cup of tea. "You okay?"
"Yeah... I think so," Ellee replied.
"You've been through a lot. It's okay to lean on us."
She turned to him, slightly startled by the familiarity in his voice—like he had said that before, long ago. Her chest ached with an old memory, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"For now, just rest. The world can wait a bit longer."
And so she did—surrounded by people who felt like strangers yet held her heart like they'd known it for years.
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