Who We Are (A Zodiac Story)

POV: Aquarius (Part 2)

"Libra, can I talk to you for a second?" Capricorn asks, his voice low and cautious as he exits the kitchen. I watch, my breath catching in my throat, as Libra quickly rises from her chair and follows behind him, disappearing around the corner into a more secluded alcove.

As they vanish from sight, an uneasy feeling settles over me. Maybe it's simply the sight of them together again, a reminder of the complicated history that lingers between us all. Or maybe it's the gnawing sensation of guilt, a shadow that seems to cling to me no matter how I try to shake it.

Scorpio's warm hand on my thigh jolts me from my thoughts, "You alright?" he murmurs, his concerned gaze searching my face.

"Yeah, thanks," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper as I try offering him a small, slightly strained smile.

Leaning in closer, Scorpio's breath tickles my ear, "Should we head upstairs then?" he asks.

I nod eagerly, hastily finishing the last few bites of my meal. Once I've cleared my plate, I grasp Scorpio's hand and we make our way out of the kitchen, passing Libra and Capricorn as we go. Their conversation falls silent as we approach, the only sound the soft creak of the floorboards beneath our feet.

Upstairs, Scorpio's towering presence looms over me, his hands trailing a soothing path up and down my arms. "Sweet dreams," he murmurs, his eyes shining with a tenderness that sets my heart aflutter.

I rise up on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his in a gentle, goodnight kiss. "Night," I whisper, my smile mirroring his own.

With one last lingering look, he turns and heads to his own room, leaving me alone. I take a deep, steadying breath before stepping into my own space, the weight of the evening's events settling upon me.

I took the little time I had to myself to shower and do my hygiene, but just as I was about to climb under the covers of my bed, the creak of the door announced Libra's arrival. Her expression is unreadable as she comes to sit on the edge of her bed. I watch her, my curiosity piqued, wondering what secrets she and Capricorn may have been discussing.

I shift in my bed, propping myself up on my elbow as I look across the dimly lit room to where Libra sits, "What did you and Capricorn talk about?" I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Her brows furrow in confusion, a hint of irritation seeping into her tone. "Why do you care?" she counters, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

I shrug, unable to maintain eye contact as I turn my gaze away. Reaching over, I flick on the nearby lamp. Nervous energy thrums through me, and I find myself running my fingers through the ends of my hair. "I'm just... curious," I murmur, the words feeling inadequate even as they leave my lips.

Libra rolls her eyes, but I notice the subtle frown tugging at the corners of her mouth as if she's holding something back. I can't help but scoff, slightly annoyed by her reticence. Deciding I need a moment away, I push myself up from the bed and start making my way towards the bathroom.

But just as I reach the doorway, Libra's voice cuts through the silence, stopping me in my tracks. "Capricorn..." she begins, the name falling from her lips with a weighted hesitation. "He wants us to be friends."

"You two were talking about me?" I asked, a note of skepticism creeping into my voice as I tried to make sense of the situation.

Libra averted her gaze, a faint crease forming between her brows. "Believe me, I would have liked not to," she murmured, the words laced with a tinge of frustration.

"Except you were," I pointed out, frowning slightly as I made my way back to the bed and sat down, the mattress shifting beneath me.

Libra's eyes fixed me with a piercing glare, her hands pressing firmly against the bed as if to ground herself. "Because Capricorn brought you up," her gaze briefly flickering away before returning to meet mine, a hint of resignation in her tone. "He thinks this will be good for me."