𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

heard in silence

Nico didn't notice them.

Neither did Bea.

The two sat by the fireplace still, their voices low and hearts open. When Nico spoke of burning villages, of a boy who never made it out, of the moment he realized he was just another blade in Rafe's hand — they were alone.

Or so they thought.

In the hall beyond the doorway, just out of sight, Minho stood frozen, the canteen in his hand forgotten. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop — just came down for water in the middle of the night.

But once he heard the name Blackmore, and Deadly Acid, he couldn't move.

And then Vincent stepped around the corner too, catching the last part of the confession. Neither of them said a word.

Not until Nico's voice faltered, and Bea whispered back:

"You already are."

Minho slowly backed away, careful not to make a sound.

Vincent followed. But his face was unreadable.

The sunlight filtered in through the cracked windows. People were waking up, gathering supplies, prepping breakfast.

Nico hadn't seen them yet. He hadn't noticed anything different.

But Minho did. And he was staring.

Hard.

Finally, he walked up behind Nico while he was lacing his boots.

"That village kid," Minho said, his voice low. "You still see his face?"

Nico stiffened. Slowly, he looked up.

Minho crossed his arms, standing over him.

"Because I do. The ones we lost. The ones we couldn't save. I remember every damn face."

Nico swallowed. "I didn't know you—"

"Heard you? Yeah."

"I heard everything."

Nico stood up. "If you've got something to say—"

But Minho just shook his head.

"Not a thing. Just... I get it now."

A beat.

"I never trusted you. But now I know why you fight the way you do. Why you run like hell toward danger."

Minho stared at him for a second longer, then clapped a hand on Nico's shoulder.

"Keep doing it. We've all got ghosts. What matters is what you do with 'em."

And just like that, he turned and walked off.

Nico stood frozen, stunned.

Bea, from across the room, gave him the softest smile — proud, quiet, warm.

★