𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 [james beaufort]

iii. we found wonderland, you and i got lost in it

james' pov:

the night had gotten louder, messier. cyril's parties always spiraled into chaos, and tonight was no different. people were dancing, drinking, and doing whatever they could to forget they had lives outside of maxton hall. i stayed near the edge, trying to tune it all out, until i caught a glimpse of aria again.

she was different now.

her usual composed, controlled self was nowhere to be seen. instead, she was standing near the bar, a half-empty glass in her hand, swaying slightly to the music. she wasn't wasted, but she was drunk enough that her guard was down. i could see it in the way her movements were a little looser, her steps less calculated.

aria caldwell didn't get drunk. at least, not the aria i knew.

i watched her for a while, curious. she wasn't the type to let go like this, not here, not around people who'd be waiting to talk about it the next day. but tonight, she wasn't the untouchable girl i'd always known. tonight, she was vulnerable in a way that made me feel... uneasy.

before i realized what i was doing, i started walking toward her. maybe it was instinctive. or maybe i wanted to see what happened when aria caldwell let her walls down.

when i reached her, she didn't notice me right away. her eyes were glazed, unfocused, and when she finally did look at me, there was no recognition. just a hazy smile.

"james beaufort," she slurred, laughing softly, like it was some kind of joke. "always watching, aren't you?"

"seems like i have to be." i muttered, catching the drink before it slipped from her hand. "how much have you had?"

"not enough." she said, her voice teasing, but there was something sad underneath it.

"come on, aria," i said, stepping closer. "you're done for the night."

she tried to protest, but before she could, the music shifted into something slower. the room dimmed slightly, the chaotic energy softening just enough to make the atmosphere feel different.

and then she stumbled, losing her balance for just a second. without thinking, i reached out, catching her by the waist. it was instinct, but the second i had her in my arms, everything else faded. like there's just the two of us. i wasn't paying attention to the rest of the world, not when i had this beauty in my arms.

her body was warm against mine, soft in a way i hadn't expected. and instead of pulling away, she leaned into me, resting her head against my shoulder. her hair smelled like something sweet—vanilla, maybe. it threw me off, that small detail, but i couldn't stop noticing it.

i didn't say anything after. i just held her there, frozen, unsure of what the hell i was supposed to do now. i should have let her go, should have stepped back and let her sober up on her own. but i didn't.

instead, i found myself swaying with her, matching the rhythm of the slow song. i kept telling myself it didn't mean anything. she was drunk. but the way her body fit against mine, the way her breath was soft and steady against my neck—it felt too real. too good.

"you always hated me, didn't you?" she murmured, her voice drowsy but curious, like she actually cared about the answer.

i should have said yes. i should have reminded her of every reason i couldn't stand her. but as i held her close, feeling her relax in my arms, i realized that maybe... 

"get some sleep, aria." i said instead, my voice low, trying to keep myself in check.

she didn't answer, just sighed softly, her grip tightening on my shirt. the air between us shifted, something thick and heavy settling in as we swayed to the music. aria leaned into me, but even drunk, i could feel the tension. the way her fingers tightened slightly on my shirt, like she was holding herself back from doing something she'd regret.