I Was Hoping She Would Notice but again Now When She Did... Im Tired

"Lucian… w-what are you…"

The voice was fragile. Almost inaudible under the quiet aftermath of the rain.

Lucian and Celestia both recognized it immediately.

Avey.

The name hit like a soft bell chime in a cathedral after a funeral.

Lucian didn't move at first.

Celestia did.

Her head jerked back suddenly, golden hair flipping as her eyes shot toward the sound

And in that instant, murderous intent burst from her like a crack in the earth. Her pupils shrank, her entire aura sharpened like a blade unsheathed mid-battle. A silent storm radiated from her body, heavy and suffocating.

But she stopped herself.

Inhaled deeply.

Trying to swallowed the fury.

Her arms still wrapped around Lucian instinctively tightened.

As if saying HE IS MINE. Or maybe just afraid he will run away breaking her hug.

Lucian slowly turned his head, more composed, yet no less weary. His eyes still red from tears, still glistening swept toward the two figures at the edge of the alley.

Avey, standing there like a ghost of the past dripping wet, mouth slightly open in disbelief.

And beside her, Victor expression unreadable, eyes flicking between Lucian and Celestia, then down at Avey's trembling hand… half-hidden behind him.

Lucian's gaze followed that movement. And landed on her hand.

Clutching Victor's sleeve.

Not intertwined.

Not romantic.

Just… holding on.

But even that spoke volumes.

And yet… he didn't flinch.

Didn't break.

Didn't even ask or say anything.

He just simply looked at her.

Not into her eyes if he had, he might've seen the raw horror building behind them, the way her pupils shook as if the world had begun to collapse.

But he didn't.

His eyes hovered a moment, and then…

He smiled.

Not bitter or cold.

Just… acceptance.

Like someone who had spent their whole life trying to fight a tide that was never meant to be turned and had finally let the sea take him.

Sometimes, realization doesn't come like thunder.

It comes as a quiet wave.

One that whispers, You were always meant to lose this.

He shook his head lightly, almost in amusement. A soft breath escaped him part sigh, part exhale of surrender.

And then he felt it.

Celestia's arms.

Tightening again.

Like a second heartbeat echoing his pain, refusing to let go.

Lucian tilted his head slightly, gaze lowering to her.

She hadn't spoken anything. Her face was turned slightly away still angled toward Avey but he could see the way her lips were pressed together tightly. Her jaw clenched. Golden strands of hair clung to her wet skin like threads of light. The lines beneath her eyes were taut with tension, as if every nerve in her body believed she was seconds away from losing something important.

She looked like a woman on the edge of war.

The tension in her features spoke of a desperate struggle the terror of losing something she had just begun to truly grasp.

Lucian's heart softened. He gently loosened his arms, as if to let her go but the instant he did, her grip became almost fierce, refusing to release him. Tightenening dangerously around him, as if letting go would mean the end of everything. It drew a soft, chuckle from his throat.

He couldn't help but chuckle quietly to himself at that.

With slow, almost reverent care as if he were handling something fragile, like a delicate flower Lucian lifted both hands and cradled her face between his palms. Despite the closeness of her embrace, he coaxed her head to turn, guiding her to meet his gaze.

"I'm not going anywhere you know that?" he whispered, his voice low and steady. His eyes, warm and steady, searched her golden ones still wet with tears, still blazing with the remains of that fierce intent. But at his words, at the tenderness in his eyes, the killing intent melted away, replaced by confusion.

Her eyes blinked, as if she'd misheard him. She searched his face for deception for hesitation but there was none. Only that same gentleness. These quite weird eyes of his.

Her mind seemed to falter, unable to process this Lucian so different from what she had expected. Her lips parted, but no words came.

Why… why is he looking at me like that?

Why isn't he pulling away… running to her… explaining?

And… he's touching my face… touching my face…

The confusion in Celestia's eyes gave way to something else wildness, a feral possessiveness as understanding dawned.

"Yes. You aren't," she breathed, voice thick with obsession. Her arms locked tighter around him, almost dangerously so, as if daring anyone to pry him from her grasp.

Lucian only chuckled again, low and soft, as if her intensity no longer frightened him but instead, reassured him.

All the while, Avey stood there forgotten, invisible. Her lips parted in shock, her eyes hollow, as if she were watching the last threads of her world unravel. Motionless, empty, she could do nothing but stare her soul already adrift, leaving only a silent shell behind.

"What happened to you so suddenly?" Celestia asked, her voice direct, her nature unchanging. A dangerous smile curved on her lips as she looked up into Lucian's eyes, meeting his gaze with unwavering intensity.

Lucian stared back into those eyes, his heart strangely steady despite the storm of emotion within him.

"So much…" he murmured. "I've just realized something… something very important."

"And what is that?" Celestia asked, hope flickering behind her wild smile, expecting no, needing him to say what she wanted to hear.

Lucian didn't answer.

Not right away.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if thinking. His thumbs softly brushed the apples of her cheeks. Water still clung to her skin, and the soft golden strands of her hair still clung to her face, almost like silk curtains damp with dew.

She didn't resisted

His voice was quiet when he finally spoke again.

Lucian didn't answer right rather asked her other question. He held her gaze, his expression thoughtful, as if weighing his words.

"I remember…" he said slowly, "you once told me… sometimes it's good to be selfish. Right?" His voice was quiet but genuine, his eyes searching hers.

Celestia nodded without hesitation, her eyes never leaving his, her pulse pounding so loudly in her chest she was certain he could hear it.

Lucian's lips twitched into the faintest smile. "Can I be… a little selfish then?"

"Yes. You can," she whispered, though she didn't know why her heart was now thundering violently against her ribs. And since lucian held her tightly he could feel the force of it as if it were his own.

From the side, Victor watched, rubbing his chin, eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected this not this closeness or this intimacy. The princess and Lucian... they looked like lovers, like two souls woven together. And for some reason, just looking at them like this, his blood boiled with a fury he couldn't explain. He clenched his fists, his mind dark with violent thoughts. Rip those hands off her. Tear him apart. Feed him to the dogs piece by piece. The urge was feral, barely contained.

Beside him, Avey trembled. She clutched at Victor's sleeve, her fingers tight, desperate. Victor glanced at her, saw her hollow, broken gaze fixed on Lucian saw the way her body quivered as if it might collapse at any moment.

This bitch… Victor nearly snarled in his head, swallowing the urge to scream.

Back with Lucian and Celestia the world narrowed to just them.

"You said you love me… do you still feel that now?" Lucian's voice was soft, almost fragile, as he cupped her face with both hands, thumbs brushing her skin.

Celestia's heart went wild, thundering in her chest at his words.

That was it.

The final push.

She didn't hesitate.

"Always," she breathed, her voice loud, filled with dangerous obsession an intensity that could devour, consume.

Her eyes were shining with something that should've frightened him. Wildness. Possessiveness. Love so intense it blurred the line with insanity.

Lucian looked into those golden eyes and saw everything that shouldn't be healthy.

But all he could see was… beauty.

"You know… my past," he began, softly. "How I was. What I..."

But he never finished.

Celestia didn't let him.

She broke the hug only to grab him by the collar of his shirt, yanking him down so hard his face was inches from hers.

"You fucking idiot say it already before I kill you! Don't fucking make me wait you dumbassssss" she almost yelled, a smile of wild excitement stretching across her face. Lucian swore he saw heart-shaped pupils in her eyes, a red aura shimmering around her. Surely I'm imagining that… he thought, swallowing hard.

His breath hitched. His lips parted, the words he'd failed to say so many times teetering on the edge… but this moment felt different. His whole body trembled, as if the weight of his feelings was too much to bear.

Tried to speak.

"F-fast… You motherfucker" Celestia growled again, her grip tightening, eyes blazing as if she'd devour him if he made her wait a second longer.

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Let's continue this boom!

Ahh, apologies for the delay, everyone! I've been insanely busy lately like, just two days ago, I didn't even get a wink of sleep literally not sleeping whole night Rough times, seriously...

Its brutal when you are 18 and suddenly whole house responsibilities hit your head... right family and siblings sIghh

Still, I'm working on it! I really am sorry for being late. I always try to update daily, but sometimes, you know... life just piles up.

Today, though, I took some time off just to work on chapters for you all.

Also hey guys please don't forget to leave a comment or drop some power stones if you're enjoying the story. That's honestly the only real way I can tell someone's reading and enjoying it.

Without that… well, it gets kinda demotivating, to be honest.

Thanks so much for reading! Love you all, always.

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