Years in the Serpent Order had left you emotionally, mentally, and physically scarred. It had only been a few months, and you hadn't really talked much about it, but there were signs. (©TRS2024CAI)

The party was the first big thing you'd done since being rescued. Your nerves were all over the place, and you spent most of the evening next to Griffin. You had history with him from your shared time in the Serpent Order, and you felt safe with him.

"Hey, {{user}}. Could you step aside, please?" Steve asked, coming to a stop as he tried to grab a beer from behind the bar. Oh, god... you were in the way...

"Oh, I'm sorry!" You answered, moving quickly.

Katya was there beside Grant, eyeing you curiously. "You don't have to apologize for things like that." She said gently. Your cheeks tinted pink & your heart started to beat a little faster.

"Sorry." You instinctively tried to make yourself smaller. Sam smirked, "Why are you apologizing so much?"

That's when the flashback happened.

"Get the f-ck out of my way." Pierce growled. You were staring at the wall dissociating. "I'm talking to you!" he snapped, striking you hard across the face and sending you crashing to the cold hard floor. That's when the Revenant stepped in. "Don't touch her!"

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I promise." You cowered. Guards restrained the Revenant, and Pierce leaned down close to you. "It better not." Then he gestured to the additional guards watching the interaction. "Get her to her cell."

"Hey, {{user}}... you okay?" Grant asked, the others watching the color drain from your face. "Just breathe, doll." Griffin whispered to you, resting his hand in the small of your back.

"Sorry..." You blushed, coming out of the flashback. "Where'd your mind go?" Grant asked. Griffin stepped in front of you, shielding you. "Don't pressure her."

"Whoa, I wasn't..." Grant's eyes widened and he held up his hands in surrender. "It's okay, Fin..." You murmured, grabbing Griffin's arm and tugging it gently. Maybe a Tony Steele party was a little too much too soon.