𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒚𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎 | Riven

𝟏𝟒

═━ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 ━═

The soft sunlight filtering through the curtains cast a warm glow over Fallin's closed eyes, as Riven kissed her neck softly. Her heart fluttered every time he kissed her, and she sighed in bliss, enjoying the moment of peace.

Then suddenly, Riven stopped and she opened her eyes to look at him, hovering over her on his bed, where they spend the last few days. He brushed his thumb gently over her neck, just below where her hair ended, as he studied her with a soft expression. His voice was serious but gentle when he spoke. "You know, as much as I love this, you can't hide in my room forever."

Fallin paused, her smile faltering just for a second. She looked at him, pretending to be confused as she let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Riven's lips twitched upward, but there was a quiet understanding in his eyes. He rolled over onto his back, staring up at the ceiling as he spoke, his voice calm but full of concern. "Ever since Bloom disappeared, you've been acting different. I know you're still hurting, even though you try to act like you're not."

Fallin's breath caught in her throat for a moment. She stared at him, feeling a mixture of guilt and comfort. She had been trying so hard to keep it together, to not let the weight of everything drag her down. Scooting closer, she laid her head on his chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns on it. "I miss her," she confessed softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just keep thinking... maybe if she had talked to us before she left, we could've found another way. We could have helped her."

Riven's grip around her tightened. "It's okay that you're not okay, Fallin," he said gently, his voice steady and warm. "You lost one of your best friends. And Sky... fuck, he's barely himself since Bloom left. And I know you're hurting over Beatrix, too."

Fallin's brow furrowed, a flash of defensiveness rising in her chest. "Beatrix and I weren't close," she argued, her tone a bit sharper than she intended. "I don't even have a reason to feel sad about her."

Riven chuckled softly, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, come on. Of course, you do," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "You two had... something. Some weird, fucked up connection, I guess."

Fallin's defenses wavered, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Riven cut her off, his tone softer and more sincere. "You should have heard how much she talked about you," he said, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I think... somewhere in her twisted little head, she always wished your mother had survived and raised her. Maybe then, she could've had a family."

Fallin blinked, surprise flickering across her face. "Wow," she breathed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "I had no idea."

They lay there in silence for a moment, Fallin processing the unexpected revelation, when the door to the room creaked open. Both of them instantly sat up, startled, as Sky stepped inside, arms crossed and eyebrows raised.

"Guys," he said, giving them a look of exasperation. "Just because I've accepted that you're together now, doesn't mean I want to keep finding you two in bed together."

Riven snickered, trying and failing to hide his grin. Fallin rolled her eyes, scrambling to straighten the covers around her. "We were just talking," she said quickly, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks.

"Sure," Sky replied, rolling his eyes but with a faint, amused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Just... try to keep it down. And maybe, I don't know, not do this where I can walk in on you?"

Fallin looked down, a sheepish smile forming on her face. "Sorry, Sky."

He shook his head, giving them both a weary, but good-natured glance. "Just... don't make me regret giving you my blessing, okay?" With that, he turned and walked out, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.