Night settled over the city without ceremony.
Not silence exactly. There were still footsteps on stone, distant voices, the low hum of generators and watchfires. But the sharp edge of danger had dulled, just enough for breath to come easier.
Felicity hadn't realized how tightly she'd been holding herself together until she was alone with Damien.
They stood in the small room assigned to them, the door shut, the sounds of Snow Team fading into background life. One lamp burned low on the wall, throwing gold light across concrete and shadowing the scales along Damien's throat.
He hadn't touched her yet.
That was what made it unbearable.
"You don't have to," he said quietly, voice steady but careful, like every word was being weighed. "Not tonight. Not ever."
She stepped closer anyway.
"I know."
