The storm hadn't let up.
Auri didn't know how long he had stayed like that, holding on to Darius. The sound of wind and sand crashing against the fortress hadn't changed. It filled the room like a dull roar, steady and constant.
Darius didn't move. And neither did he.
Auri's eyes were sore from crying. His chest still felt tight. But for a little while, he had found warmth in Darius' arms—just enough to stop himself from breaking completely.
"Feeling a little calmer?" Darius asked, his voice just above a whisper.
Auri didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure. The storm inside him had quieted, but it hadn't gone away.
Darius shifted slightly but didn't pull back. "Do you... want to stay like this a little longer?"
There was no pressure in his voice. Just quiet care. A bit of hesitation, too—like he didn't want to break the moment unless Auri asked him to.
Auri hesitated, unsure if it was selfish to ask for more time. "…Only if you don't mind."
