Athleasire
"He lies for a living. Unfortunately, he's trying to stop."
Bastien d'Orléans has always been underestimated.
A silver tongue in a world of sharp edges, he built his reputation on charm, misdirection, and knowing exactly when to smile. As The Gentleman, he didn't need brute force-just timing, wit, and the ability to make people believe whatever he needed them to.
Including himself.
But defecting from VILE doesn't come with applause. It comes with suspicion, side-eyes, and a team that would rather lock him in a closet than trust him on a mission.
Especially Ivy.
She sees through every line, every grin, every carefully crafted version of him-and refuses to let him get away with any of it.
Which is... new.
Now Bastien has something to prove. Not just to Team Red, but to himself. That he's more than the man he pretended to be.
That he can choose differently.
That maybe, just maybe-he's worth believing in.
Even if it kills him to admit she might be right.