The hallway behind the stage was quieter than the rest of the building the only place in the entire concert hall where Verosika could hear her own heartbeat.
Which was annoying.
Because it was too loud.
A year of knowing Malerion and she still couldn't control that stupid reaction.
They had met enough times, talked enough nights, flirted enough moments for her to know better.
And somehow he still did this to her.
She walked beside him, arms folded even though she wasn't cold, heels tapping a rhythm she definitely wasn't admitting was nerves.
Malerion didn't rush her.
Didn't speak. He dont even stare.
He just… existed next to her.
Steady. Calm. The kind of presence that slipped under your skin when you weren't paying attention.
Finally, when they stepped out into the cool night behind the venue, Verosika exhaled dramatically.
"Well," she said, tossing her hair with practiced flair, "if you wanted a quiet exit, congrats.
You found the one alley in this Ring that doesn't smell like drunk fanboys."
Malerion looked around the dim street.
"It's peaceful."
"Yes," she snorted. "Because nobody with a functioning brain comes here."
He glanced at her.
"Then why are you here?"
She blinked.
"…Because you're here?"
He nodded.
"Exactly."
Her tail shot upward damn thing always betrayed her first.
"Stop doing that," she grumbled.
"Doing what?"
"Answering like every sentence means something."
"It does."
"Oh my Satan, that's the problem."
They walked again.
This time, she didn't pretend she wasn't matching his pace.
THE 'THIS ISN'T A DATE' WALK
(Except it really is.)
Lust Ring at night pulsed with neon pinks, purples, reds washing over the streets like liquid light. Clubs throbbed with bass. Demons shouted in alleys. The whole Ring vibrated with life.
Normally, she fed on that energy.
Tonight, she was hyper-aware of the man next to her instead.
She hated that.
"So," she said casually, "my show. Thoughts?"
"I liked it."
She stopped mid-step.
"Liked it?! That's all? I nearly rearranged three vertebrae and you give me liked it?"
He considered.
"You were captivating."
She almost tripped over her own heel.
"I what say that again?"
"You were captivating."
"You can't you can't just SAY things like that with a deadpan expression!"
"I'm being honest."
"That's EXACTLY WHY IT'S ILLEGAL!"
She shook her hands as if trying to fling the embarrassment off her fingers.
"You're impossible to read when you talk like that!"
"You're not meant to read me."
That shut her up so hard she forgot how to breathe.
After a moment, he stopped walking.
"I need to go to Pride Ring tonight."
She frowned.
"…now? Why?"
"Information exchange. Political discussions."
She squinted.
"So why didn't you leave after my show?"
He looked directly at her and for a moment her heart did something embarrassing.
"Because I told you I would come."
Her tail curled into a heart shape before she smacked it straight again.
"…Fine," she muttered, face hot. "Whatever."
They turned a corner and Verosika spotted the rooftop landing pad sleek, glowing, and featuring a black luxury helicopter waiting with rotors idling.
Her jaw dropped.
"…Please tell me you did NOT bring transportation classy enough to make me look poor."
"It's borrowed," Malerion said.
"That's worse."
He opened the gate.
"Come with me."
Her brain shut off for a full second.
"…W-wait. You want me to go with you? To Pride Ring?"
"Yes."
"And you expect me to just I don't know casually get into an airborne blender with a man who makes my heart do cardio?!"
He waited.
Calm. Silent. Relentless.
She hissed under her breath.
"…Fuck."
She got in.
THE FLIGHT
(More that one year of chemistry finally boiling)
The helicopter rose smoothly, Lust Ring becoming a glittering sea below.
Verosika pressed her face to the glass.
"Damn… I always forget how pretty it is from up here. Looks almost… gentle."
"It's different from above," Malerion agreed.
She looked at him sidelong.
"You nervous?"
"No."
"Cocky."
"You asked."
She snorted.
"You know, after more a year of dealing with you, I still can't tell when you're joking."
"I'm not."
"That's the problem!"
He turned slightly toward her.
"Then ask clearly."
Fine. She would.
"Do I need to be with you for this meeting?"
"No."
"Then why bring me?"
He didn't look away.
"Because you said you wanted to understand me."
Her breath stopped.
"And," he added quietly, "because I want to understand you."
The helicopter hummed, slicing through clouds.
Verosika stared forward, pulse racing.
"You're trouble," she whispered.
"Probably."
"And I'm an idiot for coming."
"Probably."
She laughed soft, breathless, unwilling.
"I hate how honest you are."
"I know."
They flew for a long time and had to pass the remaining 5 circles
The Pride Ring spires rose ahead, glowing like distant fire.
As the helicopter descended, Malerion offered his hand.
Verosika hesitated…
Then took it.
Not because she had to.
But because after a year of circling, fighting, flirting
this felt inevitable.
"Terrible idea," she muttered.
She didn't let go.