(𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉) 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏🩶🌙

☽ 𝐑 𝐚 𝐠 𝐞 𝐚 𝐧 𝐝 𝐑 𝐞 𝐚 𝐥 𝐢 𝐳 𝐚 𝐭 𝐢 𝐨 𝐧 ☾

Cassian's Perspective

I sit at the desk, my forehead pressed into my folded hands, as if trying to hide my thoughts in the safety of darkness. The argument with Raven has lodged itself in my head like a sharp pain. Her eyes, so full of disappointment and hurt, haunt me, robbing me of sleep. The harsh words she hurled at me cut deeper and deeper into my consciousness. I wanted to explain everything to her, but the words were stuck in my throat, a heavy block that I couldn't force out. How could I have failed so miserably? Why can't I find the right words to reach her? These questions swirl endlessly in my mind, and I can't find a way out.

The door flies open with a loud bang. I flinch, a shiver running down my spine. Althea stands in the doorway, like an unstoppable force of nature. Her steps echo through the room, firm and determined, as if she intends to break through the floor. My heart races as I force myself to look up at her. Her gaze, sharp as a scalpel, cuts straight into my core, ignoring the walls I've built around myself. I know she's not here to comfort me. No, Althea has come to confront, and the knot in my stomach tightens even more.

"Cassian." My name leaves her lips like a sharp command, slicing through the thick air of the room. Her eyes are like two blades, piercing me. "What the hell are you doing with Raven?" Her words are a blinding mix of disappointment and anger, allowing no room for discussion. The question itself hits me like a punch in the face-hard and unyielding. I know I can't dodge this. Her determination is like a storm, rolling in relentlessly, and I stand there, like a defenseless ship caught in the waves.

"That's none of your business, Althea." The words come out sharp and defiant, as if I'm trying to shield myself with armor made of pride and resistance. "This is between Raven and me." I hear the coldness in my own voice, a desperate attempt to protect myself from her cutting accusations. But her eyes flash with determination, and I know I can no longer hide how exhausted and lost I feel. The anger simmering inside me mixes with my deep despair, and it's only a matter of time before the dam breaks.

"Wrong." Althea crosses her arms in front of her chest, as if transforming into an immovable wall. Her gaze is like a laser, pinpointing the weaknesses I've been trying to hide. "I've seen Raven. She's falling apart, Cassian. Because of you. You treat her like she doesn't matter." Her words hit me like a cold shower, ripping through the fog of my dark thoughts. Every statement, every accusation strikes like a blow, knocking the ground out from under me. I can't look away, can't flee, and the weight of her truth crushes me more than I'm willing to admit.

Her accusation feels like a punch to the gut, but I don't let it show. Anger flares up in me, and I abruptly stand. "That's not fair! You have no idea what's really going on between us. I'm giving her space, Althea! That's all I'm doing."

"Space?" She laughs, but it's bitter and mocking. "You call that space? You're pushing her away! You're hiding behind your fear, and you don't even realize that you're destroying her."

My jaw tightens, the anger rising within me. "And what the hell else am I supposed to do? I don't want to pressure her. I'm scared I'll overwhelm her!"

Althea shakes her head, and I see her frustration written across her face. "You just don't get it, do you? She wants you to be honest, to show her how you feel! You think you're protecting her by staying silent, but in reality, you're leaving her in the dark. She has no idea what's going on inside you, and it's tearing her apart!"

"I'm doing the right thing!" My voice rises, the frustration boiling over. "You're acting like this is all my fault! But I have fears too, damn it! I don't know how to do this right!"

"That's no excuse, Cassian!" Althea's voice cuts through, and she takes a step closer. "You can't just use your fears as a justification for everything. Raven needs you! She needs you now! Not when you've finally decided what you want!"