Reacclimating (Kallisti House of Burlesque)

[Raffe]

Raffe drew quiet. Nox’s hand fisted into his shirt, like he was afraid he might disappear. He could feel his heart beating underneath, and it was speeding so fast he suddenly feared he might be sick.

The depth of his naivety hit him in a rush.

Despite all the warnings, every one of them from Nox’s own lips even, he’d never once considered that Nox’s word was something he’d break. Confusion clouded his brow as he began to internalise what was said. They hadn’t put a meaning to what they were, and Raffe wouldn’t have expected anything that wasn’t offered honestly. He’d understood how the horde churned Nox’s blood – fuck he’d encouraged him to take Jay along knowing something might happen. He preferred Nox safe. Trusted in what they had. That whatever happened, Nox would come back.

But the promise. The promise had meant something.

“Oh,” he said. It sounded like a fracture. Shock blanked his gaze.

He imagined it. Hard not too, even though he didn’t even know what Jay looked like. Heat burned his eyes at the betrayal, or maybe just at his own foolishness. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Maybe it was all he deserved. He slipped backwards on the steps, seeking space, and then he sank like a stone, head in his hands, silent.