-Finn-
She fits too perfectly against me. Like the space in my arms was carved just for her.
It's dangerous, really-how much I want this. How easy it was to let her feel it all.
The moment I let down that last shield and she felt it - really felt it - I knew there was no going back.
I felt her gasp through the bond. Felt her heart thud against mine like it didn't know what to do with that kind of love. And then she…softened. Melted into me like she'd been holding herself together for too long.
She didn't say anything, didn't need to.
Her fingers curled into my shirt like if she let go, I'd disappear.
She won't lose me. Not ever.
Not after everything.
I shift, resting my chin against her curls, breathing her in. Lavender. Rain. Fire. Her.
And for the first time in what feels like forever, I stop pretending I don't care.
Because I do. Gods, I do.
And now…she knows one hundred percent how I feel.
The bond thrums softly between us, no longer chaotic and frayed-but warm. Steady. Like kindling catching fire.
Then the air shifts.
Not a sound, not a breeze, but something primal in me goes alert.
I open my eyes - and there he is.
Soren.
Standing at the edge of the courtyard, shadowed by torchlight. Watching us.
He doesn't speak. Doesn't move. Just stares.
Alexia stirs in my arms. "Finn?" she murmurs.
I brush her hair back gently. "It's okay. Soren's here."
She stiffens, just slightly. Barely noticeable, but I feel it.
Her head lifts, gaze finding him across the stone path. She doesn't pull away from me - but she's no longer relaxed either.
Figures.
Quiet never lasts long in our world.
"Soren," she says, voice soft but steady.
He takes a step forward, the light catching his face. His expression is unreadable - something between guarded and…hurt?
"I didn't mean to interrupt," he says.
"You didn't," I lie. My arms stay around her. Not to stake a claim, not really - but because I need to hold her a little longer. For both of us.
Soren's gaze drops to where Alexia's hand rests against chest. His jaw flexes, and for a second, I brace for him to lash out - at me, at her, at the world. But he doesn't.
"I was looking for you," he says finally, eyes on her. "You weren't in your room."
"I needed air," she replies, shifting slightly but still not leaving my arms. "And Finn found me."
Soren gives a small nod. "Of course he did."
That one lands a little sharp.
Alexia sits up a bit more. "Soren…"
He exhales, running a hand through his hair like he's trying to keep himself in check. "I'm not here to fight. I just -" His eyes flick to me, then back to her. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm not," she admits. "But I'm working on it."
There's silence again. Not hostile - just…raw. Everything between us feels like open wounds and half-healed bruises.
Soren takes another step forward. "You don't have to explain, Alexia. I'm not angry."
Her eyes flicker, uncertain. "You should be."
"Maybe." His voice is quiet. "But I'm not."
I finally speak. "She's not some prize to be passed between us, you know."
"I know that," Soren replies calmly, meeting my gaze. "Do you?"
I stiffen, but Alexia places her hand over mine, grounding me.
"Soren," she says, "please. Not like this."
He looks at her, really looks, and some of the tension in his shoulders melts. "I meant what I said that night. I'm not walking away from you, Alexia. Even if it's hard. Even if I don't understand everything."
Her breath catches. She leans slightly into me again - like she's afraid to let herself believe that.
"I'm not asking you to fix everything," Soren's voice softens. "Just…let me be here. Even if it's messy."
She nods, and I feel it - her walls lowering just a little more.
This is what she needs. Not more pressure. Not more demands. Just presence. Just honesty.
Soren moves closer and crouches beside us. Not reaching. Not pushing. Just sitting in the quiet.
And for the first time in too long, the three of us sit without fighting.
Not healed.
Not whole.
But maybe…kindling something new.
Alexia's head tips against my shoulder again, lighter this time. Less tense. Her fingers twitch where they're laced with mine, like she's trying to believe that this - this moment of peace - isn't going to vanish if she breathes too loudly.
Soren stays quiet beside us, arms braced on his knees. I can feel him watching her, not me - and for once, I'm glad. Because everything about her tonight feels breakable, and he's finally seeing that too.
The courtyard is still. The torches have burned low, casting more shadow than light now. Somewhere beyond the trees, an owl calls out - lonely and soft. A sound that belongs to the edges of things.
I shift, just slightly, so she's more comfortable. She makes a quiet sound - half sigh, half something else - and I realize she's almost asleep.
"We should get her inside," Soren says after a long silence. His voice is quieter now. No sharp edges.
I nod. "Yeah."
But neither of us moves.
Because maybe this is the first time in weeks where it hasn't felt like the world is ending.
Maybe this is the kind of stillness you don't rush.
Alexia's breathing evens out. She's already drifting.
I look at Soren. He meets my gaze.
For a split second, there's an understanding there - unspoken, reluctant, real.
We'll both carry her. However long it takes.