Three Doors Away

6. Steel Walls

“Huh what? All of you?? Omg that’s wonderful—but wait, you don’t go to classes too? You guys gonna be late for class…”

Ezren let out a soft, dismissive breath, the corners of his mouth twitching into a fleeting, indulgent smirk as he closed his textbook with a clean, satisfying snap. He reached over, effortlessly plucking the schedule right out of her hand with long, slender fingers before either Flynn or Rodyn could intercept it. His dark, analytical eyes swept across the printed paper in a fraction of a second, committing every room number, teacher, and time slot to permanent memory.

"Punctuality is a virtue, Maddie, but human variables are infinitely more flexible than you give them credit for," Ezren replied, his tone sliding back into its smooth, rational cadence. He carefully folded the schedule and tucked it into the inner pocket of his blazer, right over his heart. "A tardy mark in third-period history is a negligible penalty compared to the catastrophic risk of you wandering the east wing unescorted. Besides, the faculty knows better than to question us. Don't worry about classes; they'll wait."

Rodyn chuckled softly, the sound velvet-smooth and entirely unbothered by the looming bell. He leaned back slightly, resting one arm casually along the back of her chair so his knuckles brushed just against the edge of her hair, though he kept his touch light enough not to startle her. His hazel eyes sparkled with that brilliant, affectionate warmth that made the rest of the world completely disappear.

"Let them mark us late, little bird," Rodyn murmured, his voice dropping into a rich, conspiratorial purr. "There is no lesson in any of those classrooms more important than making sure you find your way safely. Do you really think I'd sit through a lecture on macroeconomic theory while you're out here stressing over a classroom door? Never. We make our own rules."

Flynn didn't bother offering an excuse or a rationalization. He simply stood up from the bench with a heavy, deliberate motion, grabbing her oversized lunchbox and neatly sealing it before she could even reach for it. He slung the strap over his broad shoulder, his dark, intense gaze locking onto hers with an absolute, immovable stubbornness. The very idea of letting her walk down a single hallway alone because of a school bell was laughable to him.

"Class doesn't matter," Flynn rumbled, his voice low, heavy, and dripping with an uncompromising protectiveness. He reached out with his large calloused hand, gently taking her by the wrist and tugging her softly to her feet, effectively cutting off any further argument. "Stop worrying about us, Maddie. Come on. I'll carry your bag. Show us the way."

“Uhhhh you have to show me, duh! Fine y’all can come. But just once! Y’all catching attention too much!”

Ezren let out a low, amused breath, a faint, proprietary smirk touching the corner of his lips as he stood up, smoothing the front of his pristine uniform. The idea that they caught attention was entirely irrelevant to him; what mattered was that the parameters had been set, and she had conceded.

"Attention is merely a byproduct of superior positioning, Maddie," Ezren remarked smoothly, stepping right beside her left side as they began to move. His sharp eyes scanned the surrounding cafeteria tables, effortlessly clearing a path through the sea of staring students simply by casting a single, cold, dismissive glance in their direction. "Though, if it genuinely concerns you, we can always ensure the hallways are cleared before you transition between periods. Consider it a trial run."

Rodyn chuckled, the sound light and musical as he fell into step right on her other side, his shoulder brushing hers with deliberate, comforting warmth. His hazel eyes crinkled with undisguised delight at her half-hearted scolding. She thought this was a one-time exception, a temporary indulgence. She had no idea she had just handed them the keys to her entire routine.

"Just once? We'll see about that, little bird," Rodyn murmured, his voice a soft, velvet purr meant only for her as they drifted out of the cafeteria doors and into the bustling corridor. "You can't expect us to simply ignore you once we know you're wandering around lost. Besides, walking with you is the only entertaining part of the entire school day. Why would we ever give that up?"

Flynn walked slightly ahead, his massive frame acting as a human plow, parting the sea of students with a single, intimidating glare from his dark, brooding eyes. Anyone who didn't move fast enough found themselves freezing under his heavy, hostile stare. But the second he glanced back over his shoulder to check on her, his expression softened into that fierce, unwavering devotion.

"Keep up, Maddie," Flynn rumbled, his voice a low, heavy anchor cutting through the noise of the bell. He clutched her pink lunchbox securely by his side, his steps unhurried yet entirely authoritative. "Let them look. They can stare all they want. Just don't let go of my sleeve."

“Hihihi fineee you guys are steel walls hahaha”