The sight of her tears—glistening like stardrops slipping down her cheeks—shattered every trace of mischief in Vyan's chest. It was as if the night itself held its breath.
He didn't think. He just ran.
Back to her.
"Iyana, I—I'm sorry," he breathed out, stumbling over his words, the color draining from his face. "I was joking—I didn't mean to—I swear on the Goddess, I didn't know it would make you cry. Please don't cry, please—"
But then he saw it.
That wicked little twinkle in her eye.
And before he could brace for it, she smacked his shoulder. Hard.
"Do you think you're the only one who can act?" she exclaimed, hitting him again for good measure.
Vyan blinked.
Then blinked again.
Then groaned as he covered his face with one hand. "You absolute menace."
She grinned, unapologetic. "A menace you love."
He couldn't argue with that. Instead, he let out a breathless laugh and pulled her into a proper hug—forehead resting gently against hers as their breathing slowed together.
