Rain tapped softly against the tall bedroom windows, turning the night into a curtain of silver lines.
Ariana sat on the edge of the bed, combing through her slightly damp hair. The quiet in the room felt heavier tonight, thicker with unspoken thoughts.
Damian stood by the window, arms crossed.
Watching.
Not the rain.
The dark outside.
"You're tense," Ariana said gently.
"There was a car outside the gates for too long today."
She paused. "Did they breach the perimeter?"
"No," he replied. "But they were close enough to be stupid."
She walked to him.
When he felt her fingertips brush his wrist, his shoulders loosened just a little.
"You don't have to be made of steel every second," she whispered.
He turned to her slowly.
"I was built to be," he answered.
She stepped closer. "And I was never meant to be scared of you."
That hit him.
He lifted his hand, hesitated, then rested it against the side of her face.
"There are things in my world that shouldn't touch you," he said.
Her hands found his chest. "Then protect me. But don't lock me out."
For a long second, the only sound in the room was the rain.
Finally, he pulled her gently into his arms.
Not tight. Not rough.
Careful.
Like he was afraid the world would steal her if he held too loosely.
She rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
For the first time, he let himself breathe fully.
---
Downstairs, security monitors flickered.
A shadow moved along the outer wall.
Too fast for an ordinary trespasser.
Too skilled for a thief.
---
Back in the quiet room, Ariana felt something shift.
"Promise me something," she said softly.
He rested his chin lightly on her hair.
"Anything."
"Don't shut me out when things get dangerous."
His fingers tightened slightly in her robe.
"I'll try," he said honestly.
She smiled softly against his chest.
That was enough.
Or so she thought.
---
Outside, the shadow stopped moving.
And raised a camera.