Nightmares | Sethos x Fem!Reader

Chapter 23

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"He can't be serious. I- I don't even know what to say anymore!" I mutter into the phone, pacing around my room, trying to keep my voice down. I clutch the edge of the window sill, staring out into the dimming evening light as I attempt to calm my nerves. But it's no use. I can't believe it. Sethos literally just invited Isabella over—without asking, without at least telling me first. It's like he didn't even consider how I'd feel about it.

"Maybe it was a pretty spontaneous decision? You know Sethos. Sometimes, his head's just in the clouds and that's all," Tighnari tries to reassure me, his tone gentle but lacking the conviction I'm looking for. It feels like a standard response—something to pacify me more than to actually offer a solution.

"Spontaneous or not, Nari, it feels like I'm being blindsided," I say, my frustration bubbling up. "It's just... it's not even about Isabella, okay?" I realize I sound defensive, but I can't stop myself from venting. "It's the fact that he didn't even think to tell me. Like, we haven't seen each there for a week, and now this? He knows how I feel about her. I... already told him."

I sit on the edge of my bed, pulling my knees to my chest. Just thinking about it makes my stomach knot up. Sethos can be oblivious, but this? This feels different. Like he's ignoring everything, my feelings, our closeness, and prioritizing someone who just... isn't me.

Tighnari sighs on the other end of the line, clearly trying to figure out how to respond. "Look, [name], I get it. Sethos is your best friend, and it feels like he's not being considerate. But it wasn't meant to hurt you. Isabella's just... a friend to him, you know? Besides, she only has him for orientation and guidance. It's not like she's familiar with anything here..."

"I know, I know," I mutter, squeezing my eyes shut as I try to suppress the pang of frustration gnawing at me. "It's not her fault she doesn't know anyone besides her classmates, and Sethos is just being his usual helpful self. But still... it just hurts." My voice cracks slightly, and I can't tell if it's out of anger or something deeper.

There's a pause on the other end of the line, Tighnari likely weighing his next words carefully. "You've always been there for him, and I know it feels like he's taking that for granted. But maybe he doesn't realize how it's affecting you. Sethos can be... dense sometimes."

I let out a soft, bitter laugh. "You're telling me."

"But," Tighnari continues gently, "if you don't talk to him about how you're really feeling, he's never going to know. You've told him about Isabella before, but not about what's really bothering you, have you?"

I press my forehead against my knees, feeling the weight of the truth in his words. "No. Not like this." Not about how him being so oblivious feels like a punch to the gut. Not about how every time he says something about our relationship, I feel so damn pathetic for not just telling him.

"You need to, [name]. He's your best friend, but he's also someone who cares about you. He might not see the way things hurt you, but he's not going to ignore it if you're honest with him."

I bite my lip, mulling over Tighnari's advice. It's easier said than done, confronting Sethos about something so personal, so raw. What if he takes it the wrong way? What if he doesn't feel the same? Or worse, what if it destroys our friendship?

"What if he doesn't like me back?" I ask, my voice small and uncertain. "What if it makes things awkward between us?"

Tighnari sighs softly. "That's a risk, yeah. But what's the alternative? You keep bottling this up until it eats at you? You deserve more than that, [name]. And Sethos needs to hear it."