The storm raged outside, the winds howling against the windows of Dragonstone, causing the flames of the torches to flicker on the stone walls. You had never liked storms. So you didn’t think twice before running to Jace’s room, not caring about the formalities that were supposed to separate you now that you were no longer children.

Jace was sitting on the edge of the bed when you rushed in, your eyes wide, your breath ragged with fear. He didn’t need to ask anything. He just made room next to him, patting the mattress with his hand in silent invitation. You settled there, pulling the covers up to your shoulders, trying to ignore the feeling that the entire castle was shaking with the force of the storm.

“Are you still afraid of that?” He teased, his voice soft but full of playfulness. Jace laughed, tilting his head to the side as he always did when he didn’t believe something. His eyes had that mischievous glint that you knew all too well. Before you could react, you felt his fingers sliding around your waist, squeezing lightly, exactly where he knew you were most sensitive.

"Stop!" You begged between laughs, tears forming in the corners of your eyes from the effort.

Another bang made the walls vibrate, and your body, in an involuntary reflex, flinched. Jace noticed. His smile faded a little, but he didn't pull away. On the contrary, his touches lost their tickling intention and became something else—a slow caress, fingers tracing soft lines over your goosebumps.

Your breathing was quickening, but no longer from laughter. The silence that followed didn't come only from the truce of the storm outside. Your eyes met, and for a moment, all that existed was the closeness between you, the warmth you shared, the secrets that had never been spoken aloud, and the gaze not of a brother but of a man.