Silence, you Uneducated Peanut

Fewer deaths? Are you even Antivan? she’d scoff awkwardly, trying to shift past the sudden nervousness that sought to overwhelm her. But you’re halfway there with the champagne, so I’ll allow it. Even if his eyes glinted with amusement and teasing she could see the familiar fear, the mortality of the other weighed heavily.

He’s falling for me? The thought sent a warm rush through her, but it was tangled with nerves that she hadn’t felt in so long. She wasn’t sure she could remember how to let herself feel this way again—this vulnerable, this open.

A small smile curled at the edges of her lips, though she looked away for a moment, her voice soft. Raffy… She managed, her fingers closing around his instinctively. You… you make it sound easy. A faint laugh escaped, but it was laced with uncertainty. What kind of mess we’d be in together? Yet, when she looked up and caught the steady, unwavering warmth in his gaze, the shadows of doubt faded just a bit.

Letting out a breath, she squeezed his hand, grounding herself in the moment, her voice gentler now. As much as I love the idea of ‘purely hypothetical’ revenge plots, she smirked slightly, a trace of teasing returning, I think we’ll leave my brothers be. For now. It’s not like they’re going anywhere anytime soon. The thought of her brothers, their scheming and their shadows, faded for once. Right now, all she wanted was to be here with him.

She paused, glancing back at the scene outside where boxes were stacked, the endless packing and sorting an exhausting backdrop to her thoughts. She didn’t want to go stay here, to face the movers and the hollow feeling of leaving. Just for a little while, I want to be away from it all.

Raffy, she began, her tone uncertain, almost hesitant, do you think we could… just go somewhere? Even if it’s just for a few hours. Her fingers tightened in his as she looked back at him, her expression softening. Anywhere you want. I just… I need to get away from it all for a bit. The movers, the boxes… just us.

Inside, her heart whispered the truth that her mind was just beginning to realize. I want to be with him. The more time she spent with Rafael, the harder it was to deny the tug that pulled her toward him. The absences caused her anxiety to peak higher. Every teasing exchange, every gentle touch and shared look was planting itself somewhere deep, past the walls she’d built around her heart. It was terrifying and thrilling in a way she hadn’t let herself feel for so long.

Maybe, just maybe, she didn’t have to run from this.

@Rafael Acosta