The Study
The study was quiet, the dim light from the morning sun casting long shadows across the room. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, disturbed only by the occasional shift of the men as they settled into their respective chairs, the atmosphere heavier than usual. Caelen had disappeared early in the morning, as he often did after a night of turmoil, leaving no trace of where he had gone.
Theo leaned back in his chair, his fingers running over the rim of his glass as he stared thoughtfully at the desk in front of him. Cassian was perched on the edge of a bookshelf, his arms crossed, clearly not in the mood for formality, while Alec stood by the window, his arms folded across his chest as he observed both of his companions with a keen gaze.
Cassian broke the silence first. "So, Ariadne's still here." His voice was light, but there was an undercurrent of something more serious, something that hinted at the exhaustion of everything that had been happening in the last few days.
Theo chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Yeah, and Caelen... well, Caelen's gone. Left early this morning, just like he always does when he needs to brood."
Alec's eyes narrowed, though his expression remained stoic. "He's avoiding her."
"That's Caelen's specialty," Cassian replied, voice tinged with both amusement and frustration. "He runs from everything—especially anything that makes him feel something."
Theo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I warned her. Told her she'd have to fight for it. But I didn't expect her to go in with both barrels like that."
Cassian grinned, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You didn't? Because I sure as hell saw that coming. The girl's got guts. And let's be honest, no one's ever stood up to Caelen like that before."
Alec spoke for the first time in a while, his voice measured and calm. "That's exactly what makes her dangerous."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous? Ariadne's not the one to be afraid of here, Alec."
Alec didn't respond right away. He turned away from the window, his gaze cutting sharply between the two of them. "It's not about her. It's about him. Ariadne's the first person in... what? Centuries? Who doesn't back down when Caelen tries to push them away. And that's the problem."
Theo's expression darkened as he leaned forward, his fingers tapping against the side of his glass. "You're right. He's got walls built up higher than any of us can see, and no one's ever managed to breach them. But Ariadne…" His words trailed off as he shook his head slightly. "She doesn't know how deep those walls go."
"Or maybe she does," Cassian countered, shrugging nonchalantly. "She's persistent, I'll give her that. She won't give up. Caelen's going to have to deal with it sooner or later."
Alec crossed his arms and leaned against the window frame, his gaze narrowing. "She'll either break him... or she'll destroy herself trying."
Theo's lips tightened into a thin line. "Let's hope it's not the latter."
There was a brief, uncomfortable silence before Cassian broke it with a mischievous smirk. "Well, if nothing else, this is going to be entertaining. Watching Caelen try to deal with someone who isn't afraid of him."
Theo snorted softly, though his expression remained serious. "That's the thing, though. He's not ready to let anyone close enough to see the man behind the monster."
"But maybe Ariadne's the one who can change that."
Alec spoke again, his voice carrying a weight that caused both men to pause. "What if she's not? What if, in trying to get close to him, she ends up walking into something far darker than she realizes?"
Theo glanced at Alec, his expression serious. "I'm not sure she knows what she's up against. But I'm not going to stand by and let Caelen destroy her, either. We all have our parts to play in this... however messy it gets."
Cassian leaned back in his seat with a playful grin. "Well, I suppose at least we will all have something to laugh about, right? Caelen... brooding in the corner while Ariadne does whatever it is she's planning to do."
Alec's lips quirked into the faintest of smiles. "Let's hope that's all it is. A bit of a laugh."
They all went silent, lost in their thoughts .
Then—
Knock. Knock.
A sudden sound splintered the quiet. Their heads snapped up.
Ariadne pushed the door open without waiting for a response. All three men turned toward her in surprise, but it was Theo who gave her the softest smile—like he'd expected her, sooner or later.
Alec didn't react much. As always, his gaze was steady, taking in everything and giving nothing away. Cassian, however, raised an eyebrow and grinned.
"Well, well," Cassian said, stretching lazily, "look who we have here."
Theo cleared his throat, shooting Cassian a look, but the amusement in the air was impossible to hide. Ariadne could feel it—a sense of ease, of unspoken welcome. Theo and Cassian were warming to her, even if slowly. But Alec... he was still guarded. Still watching.
"Um... hi," she greeted, a little awkwardly. "I heard your voices while passing by, and then I thought... I'd come in." Her voice was steady, though her nerves were anything but. Alec's gaze unsettled her.
Sensing her discomfort, Theo gestured for her to come sit beside him, flashing his brightest smile.
Ariadne made her way over and settled next to him.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to his cold attitude," Cassian said, nodding toward Alec. "He's a real sweetheart on the inside."
Alec shot him a glare, which only made everyone laugh—including Ariadne. She glanced at Alec. There was something about him she couldn't quite place. Quiet. Calculated. A diplomat in his own right.
It made her think of Caelen.
Where was he?
Her gaze shifted to Theo. "Has he said anything? About me?" she asked, her voice quiet but resolute.
Theo's expression softened as he leaned in slightly. He didn't need her to explain—he already understood. "He's not one to talk about... feelings. And he doesn't want to face what's between you two. But it's there. You've both felt it."
She swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling in her chest like lead. You've both felt it. It wasn't just her. Caelen felt it too.
"He's running from it," she said, her voice almost a whisper now. "And I won't let him keep running."
Alec looked at her then, a hint of surprise in his usually unreadable eyes. "You don't know what you're asking for, Ariadne."
"I don't care," she replied, her voice stronger now, defiant.
"I'm not going anywhere. And I won't let him push me away. He will have to face this. Whatever this is. Together. He doesn't get to keep hiding."
The room was still for a moment. Then Cassian grinned, leaning back with a playful glint in his eyes. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Alec didn't smile, but there was something almost approving in his gaze. " Are you not scared?". He was somewhat surprised by her determination. Most would run from Caelen, But this strange girl was just.. He couldn't quite describe her.
Ariadne met his gaze, steady and unwavering. " No, I'm not scared." She chuckled. At that point she knew she sounded crazy. " I'm more afraid of being alone. Of not ever fitting anywhere. Here, is where i belong and i know I'm not mistaken."
Everyone was silent. Alec didn't say anything, Cassian just looked at her in admiration. She was something.
Theo finally stood, walking over to her with a look of quiet understanding in his eyes. "Just be patient," he said softly. "He's not going to let anyone in easily. But you've got to be ready for whatever comes next."
She nodded, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over her. As hard as this was, as uncertain as everything felt, she wasn't backing down.