Silent love

Chapter 36

On the previous chapter...

I sighed, leaning forward. "From now on, if something's wrong, you come to me. We talk about it. We figure it out together. No more shutting each other out".

Fiorenzo hesitated, but then he gave a small nod. 

"Alright".

It wasn't much. But it was enough. 

For now.

I studied him for a second longer before exhaling. This wasn't going to fix everything overnight.

There were years of silence, of unspoken words and hidden wounds, but at least this was a start.

Just as I was about to push myself up from the bed, I felt his arms wrap around me.

I froze for half a second before returning the gesture, my grip firm as I pulled him in.

For a moment, we just stayed like that.

No words.

No expectations.

Just two brothers, holding onto the only thing that truly mattered.

Each other.

 
               ʚ YAQUELINE'S POV ɞ

The cold of the steel pressed against my palms as I tightened my grip around the short blade. My muscles ached, but I welcomed it.

Pain meant progress.

Across from me, Immanuel adjusted his stance, calm and precise. His movements were always measured, never rushed. Watching him train was like watching someone dance with shadows.

It was sharp, graceful, and unpredictable.

"Again". He said, nodding toward me.

I exhaled and lunged. He blocked easily, turning my momentum against him and stepping behind me in one fluid motion.

I gritted my teeth as I twisted out of his hold, just managing to put space between us.

"You're improving". He said simply.

Since the plan came in action Immanuel decided to start training me. He wanted to see what I was capable of.

And what needs to be better.
"You're still holding back". I countered.

The corner of his mouth lifted, barely. "I have to. You'd be dead otherwise".

"That's a little dramatic, don't you think?"

"No". He said, eyes locked on mine. "It's just the truth".

We circled each other for a moment in silence. The only thing you could hear was the sound of our breathing.

I stepped back, adjusting my grip. My heart was racing, not from fear, but from the adrenaline of the fight.

Immanuel's presence had a way of stripping the room down to its bare essentials, nothing but the fight, nothing but the need to survive.

"So". I said, attempting to fill the silence. "What's your deal? How'd you end up with all this? With... them?" I gestured vaguely to the walls of the training room, knowing he understood exactly what I meant.

Immanuel raised an eyebrow, not taking his eyes off me. "You want the full story?"

Yes. But knowing him, he won't tell.