Wilson quirked his eyebrow at Dakota. “Are you saying I’m too short to reach up and hit the back of your head?” Casually, he raised a hand and rather than smack Dakota, patted his head.

The other trainee pulled him away and he followed, one hand still on Dakota’s shoulder. He lingered on the markers and forgettable names one more time before he nodded his head at his friend. Another big smile. Friend. “Yeah, okay,” he agreed softly before he descended into quiet, awkward laughter. “Hahaha. Um. Yeah. I was staying at Gale’s house with a bunch of others, but during the siege there was uh…” He made vague hand gestures. “There was a giant dragon and just…poof. Gale’s house was gone, so no, I don’t have anywhere to stay.” Wilson might have stared into the distance as he recalled the pitiful sight of the razed towns.

He squeezed Dakota’s shoulder reassuringly. “I’ll always be there when you need me. Always.”