summary: you thought you had found your forever, but he wanted to keep it casual.
word count: 2,346
warnings?: angst city™ bitch, not proofread
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"So how's it going with that one girl? Been seeing her a lot lately."
"Eh, we're just keeping things casual," Ruhn said, eyeing a pretty faun from across the bar.
You watched as his friend—Declan, you realize—arched a brow, took a long sip of his drink. Ruhn couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes as Declan said, "That why you keep bringing her around so much?"
"We both know what this is. I like her company, so I invite her out sometimes. That a crime?" Ruhn didn't wait for an answer. He set his drink down on the bar and began to make his way to the pretty faun.
"Guess not." Declan looked away from his friend, eyes somehow finding yours. Despite the distance and lighting, you couldn't miss the flash of pity.
Before he could say anything to you, you turned on your heel, ready to leave the White Raven with whatever scraps of your dignity you had intact. You pushed through the throngs of people, ignoring the annoyed voices of those who you accidentally elbowed in the process. You just needed to get out of there.
A hand caught your arm just as the exit was finally in sight, pulling you to a stop. "Hey! Where are you going? The fun's just about to start!" Bryce cheered. Behind her stood Hunt, who offered you a smile and a soft "hey."
Wriggling lose of Bryce's hold, trying to maintain an air of playfulness, you managed a laugh. "Some of us have early mornings and can't party til dawn."
Bryce rolled her eyes. "Don't be a buzzkill. Do I need to drag Ruhn out of whatever corner he's hiding in and convince you to stay?"
Your heart skipped a beat, and you prayed neither Bryce nor Hunt could hear it. "Didn't realize he was here. Saw Declan for, like, half a second."
She wiggled her eyebrows at you. "So that's a yes? Getting your boy toy will get you to stay?"
"He's not my boy toy," you said, "and it makes me feel icky for you to call your brother that."
"You're no fun!" Bryce whined.
Hunt, either because he believed your story about an early morning or because he could sense your unease, took Bryce by the waist and slowly began to urge her away. "C'mon, this is a losing battle."
"Fine, but you're coming to the party this weekend, right?"
You probably weren't, but if agreeing was what it took to get out of the White Raven without crying in front of Ruhn's friends, then that's what you'd do. "Duh, you think I'd miss it?"
