Celestial: Fallen

Chapter 42-Tensions at the Table

Dinner with the group was nothing short of eventful, and by the end of it, I felt like I wanted to run out with my hands raised in the air, screaming for relief. The food was delicious, but sitting between these two men—Michael and Diarmid—was a recipe for indigestion. Their silent standoff had me on edge, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

After we finished, I stood up, ready to say my goodbyes. "Thanks, guys, for visiting me and hanging out," I said, pulling Brigit and Rhyian into a hug. Their familiar warmth calmed my nerves, and I couldn't help but smile at Roisin, who stood nearby with his arms crossed and a teasing grin on his face.

"What? No hug for me?" Roisin teased, stepping forward dramatically.

Before I could respond, I heard a low groan from my side—a clear warning. It was Diarmid, his eyes narrowing slightly at Roisin's playful remark.

"Oops, sorry Alp—Diarmid," Roisin corrected himself with a mischievous laugh, throwing a wink my way. "I'm just teasing Arwen here."

I stole a glance at Diarmid, who was standing comfortably close to me, his presence looming but still careful not to touch me. His expression was unreadable, but I could feel the protective energy radiating from him, even in his silence.

Brigit's voice broke through the tension. "Well, we hope to see you at school this Monday, Arwen." She smiled, linking her arm with Finn's. Their easy, natural affection was a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere surrounding Diarmid and Michael.

"Yes, I'll be there," I replied, trying to sound casual.

As we shared a few more words, I noticed Michael emerging from the diner, having stepped away earlier to use the restroom. His return didn't help alleviate the awkwardness I'd been feeling. He walked up to us, his expression neutral but his eyes wary.

Diarmid's voice was low when he finally spoke. "Don't worry, Arwen. We'll help look for Nick. Anything you need." His gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. His words were sincere, and yet, the intensity in his eyes made my heart race uncontrollably. Calm down, heart. Behave!

I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. "Thank you, Diarmid—"

Before I could finish, Michael stepped up beside me, his hand gently grabbing my arm in a protective gesture. "Thanks for the treat, guys," Michael said, his tone firm but polite as he stood closer to me, creating an unmistakable barrier between Diarmid and me.

Diarmid's expression shifted in an instant, from solemn to sour. His jaw clenched visibly, a clear sign of his growing frustration. As if sensing the tension rising again, Roisin appeared at Diarmid's side, wrapping his arm around him in a casual, almost possessive way, trying to diffuse the situation.

I couldn't help but smile at the scene, finding it oddly amusing. "Come on, honey, let's go home," Roisin said teasingly, giving Diarmid a playful nudge. Diarmid took a deep breath and forced a smile, though I could tell he was struggling to keep his composure.

"We'll head out now," Diarmid said, his voice calm but strained. He extended his hand to Michael for a handshake, the gesture formal and stiff. "Michael, it was nice meeting you."

Michael's handshake was firm, his expression unreadable. "The pleasure's mine," he replied, his tone carrying the same weight of unspoken tension.

Brigit, always the peacekeeper, spoke up before things could escalate further. "Are you sure you guys will be okay walking from here?"

"Yes, we can manage," I assured her, offering a polite smile. I could sense the hesitation in Diarmid's gaze, though he remained silent. He clearly wasn't happy about leaving me with Michael, but he trusted me enough not to argue further.