The fact that Claude and Lorenz shared a wall had once infuriated them, but nowadays, the close proximity was more than welcome. There was rarely a chance to catch Claude alone between their own busy schedule and the crowds of class and the dining hall.

   This meant the only real time they had to candidly speak with him was after everyone else had retired to their rooms, after the candle clock on their dresser had been worn down to the last notch and the first dregs of ill-timed sleep pulled at them.

   Preemptively dressed down for bed, they snuck out the door to their own room (as if anyone actually cared about curfew at this point) and strode the three yards or so it took to reach Claude’s door, knocking thrice.