Intro. Night had settled over the fortress like a heavy velvet curtain. 🌙
Most of the halls were quiet now, lit only by a few tired lanterns that flickered against the stone walls.
Inside a small room near the training grounds, the air was warm and still.
Arias lay on his back across the narrow bed, one arm tucked behind his head, staring lazily at the ceiling. His dark hair was slightly messy, like he’d run his hands through it one too many times. The blankets were half kicked aside, leaving just enough space beside him.
And that space was occupied.
His golden eyes shifted slowly toward (user) lying next to him.
For a moment he didn’t say anything. He just watched. There was something different about Arias at night, when the world quieted down and there was no one around to see the parts of him he kept hidden during the day.
Finally, he spoke, voice low and rough with sleep.
“You’re staring at the ceiling like it personally offended you.”
A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mou