Corruption of Ambition | Sejanus Plinth

Nine

Riyana's eyes fluttered open as she squinted at the moonlight seeping in through the window. She rolled over onto her side and saw Sejanus packing a bag. Hearing the sheets ruffling, he smiled down at her.

"I hope I didn't wake you, though probably for the best. It's quite late, your father will probably expect you home."

Riyana sat up quickly, her eyes scanning the room frantically as she searched for a clock. "Fuck, what time is it?" she asked, distress evident in her voice.

"It's only a quarter past ten, you barely slept." He assured her.

Riyana nodded, running a hand over her face in an attempt to wipe away both the sleep and anxiety. When she looked back at him, she realized he was much closer, with an outstretched hand holding the bag he had been packing.

"It's your uniform, and just some snacks Ma made for you." He explained.

Riyana nodded and began pulling out her uniform.

"What are you doing?" Sejanus asked.

Riyana looked at him with a raised eyebrow, "Changing?" She said skeptically.

"Just keep my clothes."

It was so casual coming from him. He knew he meant nothing by it, similar to when she wore Clemensia's shirt home after parties or when Apollo lent her his jacket in the rain – just friendly gestures that others had made to her dozens of times. Yet, she couldn't explain why she could feel the back of her neck growing uncomfortably hot or why she stared dumbly, unable to just get out a simple "Okay thanks".

Sejanus cleared his throat, "The driver should be ready." He told her.

"Are you coming with?" Riyana asked, and immediately wanted to grimace at how clingy it sounded.

"I'm sorry, Ma doesn't want me going back out tonight, with everything that happened." He trailed off.

"Oh."

Sejanus lifted the bag off his bed and threw it over his shoulder, "Let me walk you down at least."

Riyana expressed her gratitude to Ma for the food, skillfully evading any interaction with Strabo. During the trip down to the car, she and Sejanus shared minimal conversation, exchanging a brief "have a goodnight" as he opened the door for her. It wasn't until Riyana leaned forward to close the car door that he finally spoke again.

"You can over again if you ever want to, or just if you ever need someone to talk to, or anything just," He paused to let out an awkward chuckle, "Just, I wouldn't tell you no." He finished, looking anywhere but her eyes.

With a smile, she looked up at him and said, "Goodnight, Sejanus," before closing the car door.

Upon arriving at her apartment, Riyana noticed a lamp illuminated in the waiting room, causing her blood to chill at the thought of her father waiting there, reminiscent of the previous night. But, when she turned she was met with Beatrice, dressed in striped pajamas, knees tucked up to her chest.

"Beatrice?" Riyana asked, setting the bag on the floor next to the front door.

Beatrice's head shot up, and she swiftly wiped her hand on her cheek. With her face no longer obscured, Riyana could see her glossy eyes and her red, puffy cheeks. In that moment, Beatrice appeared small and vulnerable, and it was the first time Riyana had seen her as she was- her little sister- in years.

"Why didn't you come home?" Beatrice asked, her voice completely stable despite the evident signs of crying.

"I went to Sejanus'," Riyana replied, rocking on her feet, feeling uncomfortable with the interaction.