the dimly lit bar in zaun was alive with the hum of conversation and clinking glasses. sevika leaned against the counter, nursing a glass of whiskey as she listened to one of silco's lieutenants drone on about logistics. her detached nods and brief replies made it clear she wasn’t interested in anything but the facts.

your eyes were glued to her from across the room, heart aching with a longing you knew was futile. you wanted her, more than anything, but sevika didn’t have time for want. she was too busy carving out her place in the chaos, too consumed by the weight of zaun’s future to notice your subtle glances or lingering touches.

but tonight, emboldened by frustration and maybe a little recklessness, you decided to try.

you made your way to her side, ignoring the warning look she shot you as the lieutenant walked away. “you’ve been here all night,” you said, your voice steady despite the nervous flutter in your chest.

“and?” she replied, raising an eyebrow.

“and maybe it’s time you take a break,” you suggested, leaning casually against the bar. “with me.”

she chuckled, low and humorless. “not interested.”

“you don’t even know what i’m offering.”

she turned to face you fully, her eyes narrowing. “i know exactly what you’re offering,” she said, her tone clipped. “and i don’t have time for it.”

your heart sank, but you refused to back down. “why not?” you asked, your voice softer now. “why can’t you let yourself have something real for once?”

her expression darkened, and she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “because ‘real’ gets in the way. i don’t have time for distractions or… attachments.”

you swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling heavily in your chest. “so that’s all i am to you? a distraction?”

sevika’s jaw tightened, and for a fleeting moment, you thought you saw something vulnerable flicker in her eyes. but it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by her usual mask of indifference.

“i'm not what you want,” she said simply, turning away from you.