Chapter Text
“Xaden Riorson, you’re sooooo pretty,” Violet slurred, her voice echoing across the nearly empty hallway of the cadets’ dormitory.
I adjusted her weight in my arms as she rested her head against my chest, her silver-tipped hair cascading over my arm like a shimmering curtain. How someone this small could consume that much alcohol and still manage to tease me endlessly was beyond me.
“Violence,” I said, exasperated but fighting a grin as I glanced down at her. “Maybe you should whisper that instead of announcing it to the entire world.”
Her pale eyes blinked up at me, glassy but full of mischief. “Why would I whisper it? You deserve to know how… how devastatingly handsome you are. Like, it’s unfair. Did you know that?”
I sighed and shook my head, trying not to laugh. “No, I didn’t know that. But thanks for enlightening me.”
“You’re welcome,” she declared proudly, reaching up to poke my cheek with a clumsy finger. “And your jawline? Sharp enough to cut glass. And those eyes —Xaden, how does anyone look at you and not immediately fall in love?”
“Well, you didn’t,” I pointed out, smirking as I navigated the last flight of stairs. “Pretty sure you hated me for months.”
Her face scrunched up like she was trying to recall those early days. “Mmmm, yeah, but that was just… a phase. I was in denial. Your arms alone—Xaden, look at these arms —” she flailed slightly, wrapping her hand around my bicep, or at least attempting to. “They’re… so strong. I mean, you could probably carry me forever.”
I huffed out a laugh. “I’m literally doing that right now.”
“Exactly,” she said, her words drawn out like she’d just made the most groundbreaking observation of her life. “My hero. My tall, broody, perfect hero.”
“Okay, enough,” I muttered, though my chest felt too warm, like her ridiculous praise was actually sinking under my skin.
“Did I mention your hair?” she added, completely ignoring me. “It’s so… dark and messy and dreamy . Like, ugh.”
By the time we reached our door, she’d started humming some out-of-tune melody about how I was the “prettiest man in the continent,” and I had to juggle her in one arm to unlock it.
Once inside, I kicked the door shut and made my way to the bed, gently lowering her onto it. I thought— hoped —that might be the end of it.
I was wrong.
As soon as I straightened up, she grabbed my wrist, pulling me down with surprising force for someone so small. I stumbled onto the edge of the bed, and before I could react, she was clambering onto my lap, her hands cupping my face.
“Violet—” I started, but her wide, adoring eyes stopped me in my tracks.
“Xaden,” she whispered, her expression entirely serious now, though her words were still heavy with drunken slurs. “You’re not just pretty. You’re… you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen in my life.”
I stared at her, caught completely off guard. “Violence, you’re drunk.”
“And honest, ” she countered, leaning forward until her forehead pressed against mine. “Why can’t I stop staring at you? Hmm? Answer me that.”
I exhaled, my hands instinctively settling on her waist to keep her steady. “Maybe because you’ve had too much wine and your judgment is impaired?”
She shook her head, her nose brushing against mine. “Nope. It’s because I’m in love with you. Like, stupidly, helplessly in love with you.”
Her confession hit me harder than it should have. It wasn’t like she hadn’t said it before, but something about the raw, unfiltered way she said it now sent a sharp pang of affection through me.
“I love you too,” I said softly, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “But you’re going to regret this conversation in the morning.”
“Never,” she declared, wrapping her arms around my neck and nuzzling into me like a content cat. “I’ll just tell you again tomorrow. And the day after that. And forever. Because you’re mine, Xaden Riorson. All mine.”
”All yours,” I echoed with a smile.
She pulled back slightly to look at me, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw with a reverence that made my heart ache. “Do you know how lucky I am?”
“Do you know how tired you’re going to be if you don’t let me put you to sleep?” I countered, even as my voice softened.
Her lips curved into a sleepy smile. “Not until I finish telling you how pretty you are.”
“Violence,” I said warningly.
But she ignored me, pressing a kiss to my cheek, then my jaw, then the corner of my mouth. Each touch was featherlight, maddening in its tenderness.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” I muttered, tightening my hold on her waist.
“Good,” she murmured, resting her head against my chest.
I didn’t realize she’d fallen asleep until her breathing evened out, her weight growing heavier in my arms. I let out a quiet sigh and gently shifted her onto the bed, tucking the blankets around her.
Her hand shot out even in her sleep, grabbing hold of my wrist. “Stay,” she mumbled.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I promised, sliding in beside her and pulling her close.
As her head rested on my chest, her soft breaths brushing against my skin, I couldn’t help but smile. She was ridiculous. Beautiful. Mine.