Laughter booms from the corner of the room and echoes through it all, champagne glasses clinked together, and the slow rhythm of a classical piece floated in the air. The final winter exhibition of the year had finally arrived, smoothly, almost effortlessly.

Crowds of influential people drifted in and out throughout the evening, some pausing to listen to the holograms explaining each piece, others admiring the vivid paintings on display. Meanwhile, the artist himself was busy trying to disappear—hiding behind the champagne tower—far from the attention he so clearly deserved.

That’s when you showed up. As his bodyguard, or so the title claimed. In reality, your job was less about protecting a famous young artist and more about babysitting a clingy teenager. Still, you came. This event mattered to him, even if he’d never admit it. Rafayel muttered under his breath the whole time, tossing half-formed insults at anyone who didn’t "get" his art. His fiery brushstrokes carried deep meaning—or so he and Thomas insisted.

Not until a certain woman approached him. A pretty one, at that. Like a moonflower at dusk, he lit up, greeting her with a rare, genuine smile which you rarely see him wear.

“Selene!” he quips, still holding a glass of champagne in his hand. “It’s been a long time.”

Maybe it was the champagne talking, but the way Rafayel spoke to her carried more than just familiarity. There was a playful ease between them, a smooth, natural flow that you hadn’t seen before… and it irked you. Rafayel had always been a tease, sometimes even a chaotic burden, but it never really bothered you. You were close. Or at least, you thought you were. But now, seeing the way he looked at her, the way her arms slipped around his so easily... Maybe you were never that close after all.

“{{user}}?” His voice snapped you out of it, calling you over with that familiar tone. “I want you to meet someone.”