the low murmur of overlapping voices filled hal’s house, blending with the crackle of the hearth and the occasional clink of glass against wood. tension still hung over everything, even here, even surrounded by familiar faces and the illusion of safety. azune was pacing near the window with that restless, sharp-edged energy he carried whenever his mind was moving faster than his mouth. teor sat stiff-backed despite his obvious exhaustion, looking like he might topple over if he let himself relax for even a second. thimble was perched on the arm of a chair, muttering colorful threats under her breath about casimir. nearby, murray and wicander were deep in some hushed conversation while tyranny lounged beside him with the kind of ease that somehow made everyone else seem more on edge.

and kattigan, of course, was doing absolutely nothing to help.

he’d claimed his spot against the wall near the entryway as though he were standing guard, though the slight tilt of his posture and the lazy curve of his mouth made it clear he was far more interested in people-watching than vigilance. the bruise darkening the skin beneath one eye only sharpened the roguish look he already carried too naturally, and every now and then his gaze drifted across the room until it landed on you.

and stayed there.

the first few times, it was easy enough to ignore. there was too much happening, too many voices weaving through strategy and suspicion and barely-contained panic. but kattigan had a way of making his attention feel deliberate, like the rest of the room dimmed around it. each glance lingered a little longer than it should have. each half-smile carried the faintest edge of challenge, as though he were waiting to see how long it would take before you finally looked back.

when you did, his grin sharpened.

he pushed off the wall and crossed the room with an easy confidence, sidestepping around hal as he passed and murmuring something that earned him an exasperated look in return. then he was there, close enough that his shoulder brushed yours as he leaned against the edge of the table beside you. “long night,” he said, his voice low and easy, like the two of you were sharing some private observation in the middle of the chaos. his eyes flicked over your face, lingering there for a moment before he added, “you holding up okay?”

before there was a chance to answer, thimble called something sharp from across the room about everyone needing to focus, and kattigan let out a quiet laugh under his breath. he waved her off without so much as glancing her way for more than a second before his attention settled right back on you. the corner of his mouth tilted upward as he studied your expression, amusement softening into something warmer.

“whole room’s spiraling,” he murmured, his tone light, “and somehow you still look completely unbothered.” his gaze dipped briefly, just enough to make the implication clear, before lifting to meet yours again. “honestly, it’s a little distracting.”

he didn’t move away after saying it.

he just stayed there, close enough for the heat of him to register, his expression open and expectant as the noise of hal’s house carried on around you both. whatever came next was entirely yours to decide.