seen from Malaysia
seen from Ireland
seen from United States
seen from Canada
seen from China
seen from Germany
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Israel
seen from United States
seen from Yemen
seen from Malaysia
seen from Poland
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from Brazil
seen from Yemen
Before The Nest -Masterlist
Daisy was just a 19 year old looking to let loose on Friday night, but when her paths cross with the mysterious soldier home on leave that is Cassian, her entire world is flipped upside down.
Smut-🔥
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four Part Two Part Three 🔥🔥🔥
Chapter Five 🔥
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight 🔥
Chapter Nine
Modern Cassian Aesthetic
Interests include: specially curated workout playlists, mountain air, early mornings, sitting around a campfire, nonfiction books, styling his hair, pinky promises
→ You can find more modern ACOTAR aesthetics here
Change Your Ticket
Rugby Star!Cassian x Reader (A Modern AU)
Summary: Dating famous rugby star Cassian Bailey is a dream. What's not one is keeping your secret relationship under wraps. Will you and Cassian be able to keep from the limelight or will your relationship crumble because of it?
Warnings: None
Word Count: 2,264
Notes: I'm overthinking this now, I don't think I like it
_________________________________________
There’s no better way to wake up than buttery morning light drifting through the curtains, songbirds chirping outside cracked windows, and the warmth of your significant other surrounding you.
Unfortunately, that isn’t how you wake.
You wake up to the sound of your alarm, blaring its cheerful tune much too early in the morning. The sun isn’t shining in through your windows, rousing you from a deep slumber. Instead, thunder cracks loudly, drowning out the grating chimes coming from your phone, only for a second, before it sounds louder, alerting you that you have places to be.
Namely, at the airport, and not in the lovely muscular arms of your boyfriend in bed.
His cozy hold makes you want to sigh, snuggle backwards into him and sleep for a few more hours, but the blaring of your phone makes that difficult, even with the taunt of his morning wood brushing up against your backside.
Groaning, you slide from his arms. It’s a struggle, because his muscular limbs are heavy, but you manage to shove yourself from under the thick arm covered in swirling ink, stretching as far as you can in hopes to turn your phone off.
Another bout of thunder rumbles in the sky and you startle, knocking your phone over the edge of the table. It clangs loudly and you cringe, peering over your shoulder at Cassian. His eyes are shut and his chest moves up and down rhythmically. You sigh, shoulders relaxing at the sight of his bare chest, gaze snaking down his strong body to where the cuts of his hips dip under the sheets. Your mouth waters a little, but before you can make the move to slide the blankets back and get a full look, your phone sends out another screeching knell and you nearly dive from the bed to shut it off.
The time mocks you when the sound no longer does. It’s an ungodly hour and you’re hardly coherent, eyes gritty with sleep and hair curling in tangled waves around your face. You shove it back, collapsing for a moment, half off of the bed.
Warm hands search blindly in the bed before latching onto your waist, tugging you back into his solid body. You squeal as you’re so easily maneuvered, and it makes butterflies stir in the pit of your stomach.
Cassian grunts softly, burrowing his head into the crook of your neck. It’s early and he’s just as disturbed by your phone as he is. Neither of you have slept much at all, and with the warmth of his body holding tightly to yours, you find yourself resting your head against his, shutting your eyes and breathing in the scent of him—a comforting freshness cut with an earthy pine—drifting back into a light slumber.
Your eyes snap open later, something rocking you to your core. Not just something, the flight you’re supposed to be on, at the airport you should be at, sitting in your window seat and missing the body of your boyfriend next to you.
Cursing, you throw the covers back, ignoring the grunt Cassian lets out as you accidentally elbow him in the chest. You lunge for your phone, but it’s not on the side table where you’d left it. Fuck, you remember knocking it off and having to lean over the side of the bed to turn off your goddamn alarm when you should’ve hit snooze. You’re going to pay now; your mind supplies drily.
Frantically searching, you find it in the pile of clothes you’d left on the floor. Lifting your jeans to tug them on, it slips, clattering against the hardwood floors again. You don’t have time to wince, wonder if the screen is cracked, snatching it up and checking the time.
Holy fuck, are you late.
Shoving the phone back into your pocket, you scramble to get ready, tugging a black t-shirt over your head from the mound at your feet. It’s pools around you but you’re in no mood to care, shoving it into the waistband of your pants and stuffing your feet into last night’s socks. You grimace as you do so, the feeling of dirty socks making your toes curl. Switching with Cassian would be better, though they’d be scrunched in your shoes and you’d be tripping over them at the airport.
The sky is still dark with cloud cover, but there is no longer frantic lighttight brightening the sky, nor rumbles of thunder that would have delayed your flight. You haven’t gotten an update about it being late due to the nature of the storm, so it must be on time.
Perfect.
The heap of blankets on the bed jostles, and Cassian’s sitting up. The fabric falls from his torso like a waterfall of white, striking against his tan skin. As much as you’d love to climb right up onto him and wake him properly, you’re in too much of a rush to allow the aroused side of your mind to take over.
“Sweetheart?” he asks sleepily. His hair is mused from where you’d had your hands buried in it last night, and he brushes it from his eyes roughly, using the hair tie around his wrist to tie it back haphazardly. Cassian blinks around the room, hazel eyes clearing as he meets your panic-stricken gaze. “Where are you going?”
“I’m late for my flight,” you reply breathlessly, hopping on one foot to slip your shoe on.
“You’re leaving already?” Cassian asks with a frown. His voice is groggy with the aftermath of sex and sleep. It sends shockwaves zipping down between your thighs. “It’s only been two days.”
You sigh, forcing your other foot into the shoe. You know it’s only been two days since you’ve gotten into town for Cassian’s match, but you have to get back to work tomorrow, there’s just too much to do.
It’s difficult when he’s in the middle of the rugby season and you have to work. It’s hard to find the time to chat or even text sometimes, but the both of you love your work and couldn’t imagine giving it up. You do what you can to be at Cassian’s games. He flies you in privately and you meet at the hotel or the pitch, cheering from the stands with the other fans of the Velairs Stars, Cassian’s rugby team. But then you have to fly back home, only to do it again the next weekend over.
It's draining, which is why you’ve overslept like a damn fool.
“I have to go,” you answer, picking up your bag and slinging it over your shoulder. Your carry-on sits packed by the door. “I have work in the morning.”
“Take that bag off of your shoulder,” Cassian pouts.
You groan, turning to look at him. “I can’t, Cass, I’m really late.”
Cassian slides from the bed. The duvet slips from his body, revealing the entirety of his naked body. He’s built like a Greek statue, minus the tiny cock. His tan body ripples with muscle and ink—broad shoulders to hard abs to his taut waist, down to thick thighs and a half-hard cock that twitches when your eyes roam over it.
Your cheeks heat and you turn your head away, gazing at the floor.
Cassian’s feet enter your line of vision and then his hands are on your cheeks, tilting your head up to face him.
You stare into those soft eyes, green and brown clashing like a tornado in the woods. His pink lips are turned down, the crease between his brow in concern something you never like to see on his face.
A strand of his hair tickles your cheek as he dips down, thumbs brushing soothing stripes across your skin.
“Please, don’t leave.”
Your heart cracks in your chest at the sincerity of his words. Your body slackens, tipping into his. You place a hand over his wrist, holding him just as he is you, and you let out a deep sigh. “I can’t. I really have to go.”
Cassian doesn’t respond, only tucks you tighter to his chest as if he may never let you go. You press up to the tips of your toes, catching him in a soft kiss. You can taste his yearning, missing you from miles away. The absence of him from your side, from your apartment, preferring your quaint place to his bachelor pad in the thick of the city. He’d disrupted your life in the best way, and it’s different to be by yourself in the place you’d spent so much time alone, before Cassian came rumbling in on a gust of autumn air with trophies the size of your head and rugby uniforms that never seemed to stay clean.
When you pull away you don’t stray far, placing your head on his chest. His heartbeat strums loudly, comfortingly as he places his chin onto you, hugging you tight.
And its bliss, the both of you tucked together like this. You don’t ever want to let him go but this is reality and you both have lives outside of each other, outside of this little bubble of heaven you’ve created for the two nights you were staying here. Cassian feels like coming home.
“At least let me walk you down,” he says finally.
You huff, pulling back to look up at him. He towers over you and you have to crane your neck back to meet his gaze. “As much as I would love that, you can’t. We can’t be seen together,” you remind him softly.
Cassian rolls his eyes, twining his fingers with yours as he leads you into the main room of the suite. It’s a lovely hotel, but eventually, all of the rooms start to blur together. There’s an empty bottle of victory champagne tipped over on the couch, your still half-full glass precariously perched on the edge of the coffee table from when Cassian could no longer control himself and your bubbly, giggly kisses turned into something hotter and heavier.
“I don’t care about any of that stuff, sweetheart. I just want to be able to show you off.”
“Well, I care,” you respond, crossing your arms over your chest. “I’m not ready to tell the world yet.”
You spot your bra flung over the lampshade and grab for it, but Cassian’s quicker, taking it and hiding it behind his back with a cheeky grin.
“If you want it back, you’ll have to come get it. Two weeks, we’re playing the Sealions in Adirata.”
“Cassian,” you sigh, trying to reach around his thick torso for your bra. “I don’t know if I can make it—”
“You will,” he says, pecking you on the nose. You glare up at him but he’s grinning like a fool. “I need my best cheerleader there.”
You want to grumble that he never really can find you in the crowd. You don’t sit with the other players’ girlfriends or families because your relationship with the superstar athlete is your best kept secret. You aren’t ready for any of the drama that comes along with dating a public figure, and Cassian knows this, accepts it because he loves you.
“I’ll try,” you amend, and you don’t think his smile can get any bigger but it does. Cassian swoops down to kiss you on the lips. The eagerness takes your breath away and makes you clench your thighs together, his intrigued cock still seeking you out.
“Good,” he seems satisfied with your answer, unhooking the handle and raising it. He scoots your roller out of the way when you go to reach for it, tsking. “Let me help you with this, sweetheart.”
“Cass, we talked about this,” you repeat, “And you can’t go to the lobby buck ass naked.”
His grin is shit-eating.
“What? Afraid you might have to fight for my goods?” he wiggles his eyebrows as you wrench your luggage from his hand.
“Don’t start with this,” you answer, leaning up for one last kiss. “You and I both know that I’ll take anyone down who tries to get a look at what’s mine.”
Cassian hums against your lips, his large hands settling on your hips. “I like it when you act all possessive, sweetheart. Makes me so hard for you.”
You let out a breathless sigh, pressing even further into him, pinning his cock between your hips. Cassian bucks and you clench your thighs together, glaring up at him.
“I don’t have the time for this,” you say, sadly.
Cassian nips at the juncture of your shoulder and throat, already distracted by the sweet scent of the lingering perfume on your skin. He hums and the feeling rakes down your spine, rattling your senses.
“I’ll call you a car,” he says between open mouthed kisses that have you craning your neck to give him more room. “But please come back to bed until it comes.”
You bite your lip. This isn’t a good idea. You’re already late, and who knows how long the lines will be at security or how far your gate is. What if they’re moved up your flight?
But his eyes are just too eager, filled with the promise of one last good dicking down until he sees you again, in two weeks.
“Fine,” you give in. It’s early, maybe Cassian can get you on the next flight instead. He’s already helping you from your clothes, as much as he loves seeing you in them, they look much better on the floor. “But we have to make it quick.”
modern!CASSIAN
@moonlightazriel @aroseinvelaris ❤️
- Jennifer L. Armentrout, Pure
@slightlyrebelliouswriter23 I kinda jumped ahead. This quote has been running in my head for days and I had too!
Nesta fan cast: Pheobe Tonkin
Cassian fan cast: Renan Pacheco
the AU where your strangers sitting next to each other at a football game and get caught on the kiss cam with Cassian?? thank you and I love your writing!
I love this idea! Hope you like it hun :)
Modern AU Cassian Andor + AU where they are coincidentally seated next to each other at a sports game as strangers and get caught by the Kiss Cam
“Touchdoowwnnn!!”
“YEAH!!!”
The energy in the air was practically buzzing as everyone around you cheered. The home team was winning phenomenally tonight and you and everyone in the stadium seemed to be equally ecstatic. Sitting back in your seat you sighed as you looked to the scoreboard almost whistfully. Though you weren’t the biggest sports fan, you loved the energy of the games and couldn’t deny that this game in particular was one of the best you had watched.
With almost a clunk your friend seated themselves next to you again before taking a sip of their drink. They turned to you with a beaming smile.
“We sure picked the right day to come to a game.”
You giggled, “You think so?”
Your friend shrugged with a giggle, “A slight hunch I guess.”
Shifting in your seat slightly you suddenly noticed the man next to you sitting down as well along with his friends. Though you wouldn’t admit it out loud, at least not yet, you had been eyeing him the entire first half of the game. He was incredibly handsome and you couldn’t help but feel like for whatever reason the universe was really on your side for today. Between your team winning, sitting next to this handsome stranger and getting in for free with your best friend, you weren’t sure how it could get any better.
The man eyed you up and down for a moment before clearing his throat, “Quite a game huh?”
You turned to him with a shy nod, “Yeah, definitely is.”
He gave you a nod in response before seeming to turn back to his friends. As you snacked away on your popcorn you suddenly heard a speaker blare out from somewhere in the stadium.
“And now for (City)’s Stadium Kiss Cam! Get ready to pucker up.”
You and your friend both subtly snorted at the last statement. Despite finding it ridiculous in concept you found yourself watching the screen as you and your friend ate popcorn together.
“Wonder what poor suckers are going to have to do that.”
You snickered faintly, “Poor souls.”
Just as you went to stick a piece of popcorn in your mouth you suddenly froze as your eyes found the mega screen again. You could practically feel the sweat forming at your brows as your cheeks started to turn hot. Right before you on that mega screen was none other than you and the handsome stranger sitting next to you. The more you stared, the closer you could see the camera zooming in, as if to clarify they wanted you and him to kiss.
To your side you heard someone cheer, “Oooo Cassian! Better pucker up!”
The handsome stranger, apparently named Cassian, hit the older man next to him.
“Shut it Baze!”
Just as he lowered his hand he turned to you, his hesitation obviously somewhere in the same range as yours. Before you knew it your friend was gently pushing you towards Cassian, giggling.
“Go on (Y/N)!”
Cassian arched a brow, “Are you, ok with this?”
You shrugged, “I mean…yeah.”
“One way to break the ice right?”
You giggled as you nodded. At least he had a sense of humor about this whole thing. What could one kiss for the camera hurt? Both of you leaned forward, within an instant your lips joined. What you thought was going to be awkward ended up being one of the best kisses you had ever received in years. Did this man know how soft his lips were? How good he smelt?
Before you knew it people around you were cheering and suddenly the realization of what you were doing caught up with you. Seeming to catch on as well Cassian’s eyes flew back open as he slowly pulled away. Though you weren’t entirely sure as you composed yourself, you were certain you saw him blushing. You wished it could have gone on forever, despite the awkwardness of an entire stadium watching you.
For a moment you both stared at each other, obviously still reeling from the sweet and small exchange you had shared. Cassian shifted in his seat, turning more of himself towards you as he cleared his throat.
“My uh, my name’s Cassian by the way.”
He offered you his hand, earning a smile from you as you extended your own.
“(Y/N).”
Homebird- Chapter Eight
The morning of the party started in chaos. Not dramatic chaos. Domestic chaos. The kind that involved a two-year-old in dinosaur pyjamas refusing to wear ‘non-dinosaur trousers,’ a dragon cake the size of a small child, and Daisy standing in the middle of her kitchen in a silk robe, staring at everything like she might actually lose her mind.
‘Charley,’ she called over her shoulder, carefully sliding the dragon cake into its box. ‘If you do not put pants on in the next thirty seconds, I’m bringing you in your pyjamas.’
‘No!’
‘Then trousers.’
Silence. Then the thud of small feet running upstairs. Daisy exhaled and glanced at the clock. They had an hour. An hour to get dressed, get the cakes into the car without tilting them, and make it across town without a dragon losing its head. She turned back to the counter. The dragon cake was ridiculous in the best way, deep green scales, orange fondant wings, tiny sugar flames curling from its mouth. The fish cake sat beside it, bright blue icing with fondant seaweed and cartoon bubbles.
She couldn’t help the small flicker of pride. Even with the brick in her chest from that call with Cassian a few nights ago. Even with the steady, uncomfortable understanding that she needed to start detaching. She pushed the thought away. Not today.
‘MUMMA,’ Charley yelled.
‘What now?’
‘I need socks!’
She closed her eyes briefly.
‘You just had them on!.’
‘I lost them!’
‘You did not.’
Footsteps thundered again. She finished taping the cake box shut and wiped her hands down her apron. Then she headed upstairs. By the time she came back down twenty minutes later, the house looked like a dressing room mid-meltdown. Charley was dressed, mismatched socks, but she didn’t have the energy to fight it. He was buzzing with excitement.
‘Nyx dragon party!’ he chanted.
‘Yes,’ Daisy said, kneeling in front of him to fix his collar. ‘And you are going to be on your best behaviour.’
‘Yes!.’
‘You will not tackle him into the pond.’
‘Again!’
She gave him a look. He grinned. She stood and glanced at herself in the mirror by the hallway. The outfit hugged in all the right places, tailored black top, cinched at the waist, soft waves falling over her shoulders, black belt holding her waist beneath her leather pants. She’d done her makeup properly for the first time in days. Glossed lips. Defined eyes. A small gold necklace resting against her collarbone. She looked… put together. Not tired. Not rattled. Not like someone who’d lain awake a few nights ago imagining another woman stitching up the father of her child.
‘Mumma pretty,’ Charley declared.
She softened instantly. ‘Thank you, baby.’
He reached for her hand. ‘Daddy come?’
Her chest tightened. ‘No,’ she said gently. ‘Daddy’s at work.’
Charley nodded, accepting it in the way toddlers sometimes do, filing it away without understanding the weight. She grabbed her coat, keys, and did one last check of the cake boxes.
‘Right,’ she muttered to herself. ‘Let’s not drop anything.’
The journey to Feyre’s was filled with constant reminders from the back seat.
‘Careful, Mumma.’
‘I am being careful.’
‘Dragon no fall.’
‘Dragon is secure.’
‘Fish no fall.’
‘Fish is also secure.’
By the time they pulled up outside the house, Daisy’s shoulders were already tight. Not from the drive. From the awareness. This would be the first big family gathering without Cassian there. Everyone would feel it. She lifted the dragon cake carefully out of the boot. She would have to come back for the other. They rang the bell. The door flew open almost immediately.
Feyre gasped. ‘Oh my god.’
Her eyes scanned Daisy head to toe first.
‘You look insane.’
Daisy laughed lightly. ‘Good insane?’
Feyre stepped aside quickly. ‘Offensively good, now get in here before those cakes melt.’
Nyx barrelled into the hallway at the sound of Charley’s voice.
‘DRAGONS!’
‘Dragons!’ Charley echoed.
The boys immediately disappeared toward the garden.
Rhys took the dragon cake from Daisy carefully. ‘If I drop this, you’re allowed to kill me.’
‘You absolutely will be killed,’ she replied before running back to the car for the other cake.
They carried everything into the kitchen. Feyre opened the boxes.
‘Oh my god,’ she breathed again.
The dragon looked even more dramatic in the daylight streaming through the kitchen windows.
‘Daisy,’ Feyre said, turning to her with genuine awe, ‘this is ridiculous.’
‘In a good way?’
‘In a professional baker way.’
Rhys nodded. ‘This is obscene.’
Daisy laughed softly. The praise felt good. Grounding. For a moment, she forgot about medics named Mills and looming distances and arguments about wanting more. She was just Daisy. The friend who made cakes. The mum who got her son dressed and here on time. The woman who could balance chaos and still show up looking polished.
Feyre squeezed her arm gently. ‘Thank you,’ she said quietly.
Daisy nodded. ‘Of course.’
Outside, the kids were already shrieking. Inside, the house filled with that pre-party hum, music being tested, balloons being adjusted, the scent of barbecue drifting in from the garden. Daisy stepped back from the counter and exhaled. She’d made it. Both cakes intact. Child intact. Her heart… mostly intact.
‘Right,’ she said lightly. ‘Where do you need me?’
And she stepped fully into the day.
The kitchen had become the command centre. Music drifted in faintly from the garden, the smell of grilled food curling through open windows. The counters were crowded with bowls of crisps, trays of sausage rolls, stacks of paper plates in dragon and fish themes. Daisy stood at the island, piping the last of the pale blue icing onto a row of cupcakes. Her movements were neat, controlled. Focused. Focus was good. Focus meant she didn’t have to think about the empty space beside her today.
‘Those look illegal,’ Feyre said, leaning over to inspect them.
‘They’re cupcakes,’ Daisy replied lightly.
‘No, they’re weaponised.’
Daisy huffed a quiet laugh and added a tiny fondant bubble to the top of one. ‘Nyx wanted extra bubbles.’
‘He would,’ Feyre muttered fondly.
The front door opened again. Voices filtered in from the hallway, Rhys greeting someone warmly, Nyx yelling something unintelligible, a smaller voice chiming in excitedly.
‘They’re here,’ Feyre said, wiping her hands on a tea towel before heading out to greet them.
Daisy stayed where she was, adjusting the fish cake board so it sat perfectly straight. A few seconds later, footsteps approached the kitchen.
‘Feyre,’ came Elaine’s gentle voice.
Daisy glanced up properly this time. Elaine stepped into the kitchen first, elegant as always, pale dress soft and flowing. Behind her came Lucien, tall, copper-haired, easy smile, with a little girl at his side clutching the hem of his jacket.
Elena.
Daisy’s eyes lingered on her for a second. Something about her tugged faintly at memory.
The girl was dressed in a sparkly, neat little party dress, hair brushed smooth, cheeks flushed with excitement. But there was something familiar about her eyes.
‘Daisy,’ Feyre said brightly, ‘this is Elaine and Lucien. And this is the birthday girl’
Elena beamed.
Daisy offered a polite smile. ‘Hi.’
Lucien’s gaze shifted immediately to the cake on the counter. He actually blinked.
‘You made that?’ he asked.
‘oh yeah, I hope it’s okay’ Daisy nodded.
Elaine clasped her hands together. ‘Oh, it’s beautiful.’
Lucien stepped closer, examining the icing detail. ‘Elena has been talking about a fish cake for weeks.’
Elena tugged on Daisy’s sleeve. ‘It has bubbles!’
‘It does,’ Daisy said softly. ‘Special bubbles.’
Lucien shook his head in amazement. ‘You’re incredibly talented.’
Daisy shrugged lightly. ‘I just like baking.’
‘It’s more than baking,’ Elaine said warmly. ‘This is… incredible.’
Daisy felt her cheeks warm slightly under the praise. She was about to say something self-deprecating when the kitchen door swung open again. The temperature seemed to shift. Nesta walked in like she owned the house. Black dress that clung a little too tightly for a children’s party. Heels far too sharp for grass. Lipstick bold enough to make a statement before she even spoke.
Her eyes landed on Daisy immediately. Paused. Slow, assessing. Daisy held her gaze for half a second. Then deliberately looked back down at the cupcake in her hand. Not today. She was not letting that woman get under her skin.
‘Oh,’ Nesta drawled lightly. ‘I didn’t realise you were inviting baby mammas or are you just the hired help?.’
Feyre sighed under her breath. ‘Nesta.’
‘What?’ Nesta shrugged, stepping closer to the counter. ‘I’m impressed.’
Daisy didn’t rise to it.
She kept her tone even. ‘There are extra cupcakes by the sink if you want one, you know to presoak the booze’
Nesta’s eyes flicked to her hands, to the steady way she worked.
‘You’ve been busy,’ she said, ignoring Daisy’s intentional comment.
Daisy gave a small nod. ‘It’s what I do.’
Lucien cleared his throat gently, trying to smooth the subtle tension. ‘The fish cake is genuinely extraordinary.’
Nesta glanced at it. Then back at Daisy.
‘Well,’ she said coolly, ‘at least the kids will have something decent to look at,’
Feyre shot her a look. ‘Can you not.’
Daisy piped another swirl of icing without missing a beat.
Elena leaned closer to the cake, oblivious to adult undercurrents. ‘Mumma, look at the little seaweed!’
Elaine smiled at her daughter. ‘It’s beautiful.’
Lucien turned back to Daisy. ‘Thank you. Really.’
Daisy nodded. ‘I’m glad she likes it.’
Nesta’s presence hovered, sharp, aware, waiting for a reaction. Daisy refused to give her one. She wiped her hands clean, adjusted the cake board one final time, and stepped back.
‘There,’ she said calmly. ‘All done.’
Feyre clapped softly. ‘You’re a lifesaver.’
Daisy smiled faintly. She could feel Nesta still watching her. Measuring. But Daisy didn’t look back. She focused on the cupcakes. On the kids’ laughter outside. On the fact that this, the kitchen, the cakes, the quiet pride in something she’d made, was solid.
Grounded.
Let Nesta wear whatever she wanted. Let her stare. Daisy would not give her the satisfaction of being rattled. Not today.
The garden was already loud. Nyx and Charley were taking turns launching themselves into the side of the bounce house like tiny stuntmen. Music floated from the speaker Rhys had set up near the barbecue. Balloons tugged at their strings in the breeze.
Inside, the kitchen had thinned out as trays disappeared one by one through the patio doors.
‘Can you grab the cakes?’ Feyre called from outside, already balancing a platter of sandwiches.
“’’ve got them,’ Daisy replied, brushing her hands off on a tea towel.
Elaine followed Feyre out with a bowl of crisps and a stack of plates, smiling back at Daisy. ‘We’ll clear space.’
‘Perfect,’ Daisy said.
The kitchen door swung shut behind them. Suddenly, it was quiet again. Daisy stepped toward the island, sliding her fingers carefully beneath the board of the fish cake. She adjusted it gently, making sure the icing hadn’t shifted.
‘Impressive.’
The voice came from behind her. Daisy didn’t jump. She didn’t turn immediately either.
Nesta was leaning back against the counter near the sink, one hip angled, one heel hooked lazily behind the other. A glass of wine already in her hand, far too full for mid-morning. The black dress she wore hugged her like she’d dressed for an entirely different type of party.
Her eyes were fixed on Daisy. Assessing. Daisy straightened, grip firm on the cake board.
‘Thanks,’ she said evenly.
Nesta took a slow sip. ‘Where’s Cassian?’
There it was. Daisy didn’t sigh. Didn’t bristle.
‘He’s deployed,’ she replied, voice flat but not sharp.
‘Already?’
‘Yeah.’
Nesta swirled her wine lazily. ‘Hasn’t been shot again has he?’
Daisy met her gaze properly now. ‘No.’
Nothing more. No explanation. No invitation.
Nesta tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing just a fraction. ‘You sure?’
The question wasn’t innocent. It landed heavy. A reminder. A deliberate prod at the scar tissue from the last time, when Daisy had stood at that dinner table and learned about the bullet wound from someone else’s mouth. When Nesta had known before she had.
Daisy’s grip tightened briefly on the cake board. She held Nesta’s stare. ‘We handled it,’ she said calmly.
Nesta’s lips curved. A quiet chuckle slipped from her. ‘Did you?’
Daisy’s jaw flexed once, then relaxed. There was a beat of silence thick enough to taste.
Nesta pushed off the counter and took a few slow steps closer, wine glass still in hand. ‘You know,’ she said lightly, ‘it must’ve been… humiliating. Finding out like that.’
Daisy didn’t flinch. She didn’t give her the satisfaction. ‘Like I said,’ Daisy repeated evenly, ‘we handled it.’
Nesta’s gaze sharpened. Something hungry flickered there.
‘And now?’ she asked softly. ‘Everything perfect again?’
Daisy shifted the cake slightly onto the counter, freeing one hand. Then she took a single step closer. Closing the space. Nesta hadn’t expected that. Daisy’s voice didn’t rise. It didn’t shake.
‘If you’re fishing-,’ she said quietly,
Nesta’s eyes narrowed faintly. Daisy tilted her head just slightly.
‘Yeah, we argued,’ she said
Nesta’s lips curved faintly. Daisy held her gaze without blinking.
‘And then he kissed me.’
The air shifted. Nesta’s expression didn’t fully crack, but something tightened around her eyes.
Daisy continued, voice still calm. ‘And I kissed him back’ she added lightly,
There it was. The smallest flicker. A flash of something sharp in Nesta’s stare. Daisy didn’t smirk. She didn’t need to.
‘Right there on the couch,’ she went on quietly.
Nesta’s fingers tightened around her wine glass. Daisy shrugged faintly.
‘If Charley hadn’t woken up,’ she said evenly, ‘I’d probably have let him fuck me’
Silence. The kind that hums. Daisy picked up the fish cake again, steady and composed. Nesta didn’t move this time. Didn’t block her. She just watched.
Daisy paused at the doorway, turning her head slightly. ‘Oh,’ she added softly, almost as an afterthought. ‘He still tastes the same., if you were wondering’
It wasn’t cruel. It wasn’t shouted. It was quiet. Confident. Then she stepped out into the sunlight without another word. The noise of the party swallowed her immediately, kids screaming with laughter, Rhys shouting about burgers, Feyre waving her over. Daisy set the cake down on the long table beneath the gazebo and adjusted it gently.
Her hands were steady. Her pulse wasn’t. But she didn’t look back toward the house. Not once.
The garden had tipped fully into party chaos. More cars pulled up outside. More children flooded through the gate like released animals. Someone had started a game of tag that involved shrieking and absolutely no rules.
Daisy set the fish cake down carefully on the long table beneath the gazebo and adjusted the board so it sat square with the edge. She smoothed the ribbon along the bottom absentmindedly, making sure the fondant seaweed hadn’t shifted in the heat.
‘Careful!’ Feyre called from across the lawn as a football nearly took out the drink dispenser.
‘I swear to god, if that hits the cake-‘ Daisy muttered under her breath.
She stepped back, checking it once more. Perfect. The dragon cake still needed to come out. She slipped back inside while the noise outside swelled again, the kitchen now blissfully empty. The dragon cake sat exactly where she’d left it. Daisy slid her hands under the board and lifted carefully. The sugar flames trembled slightly but held.
‘Right,’ she murmured to herself. ‘Don’t drop the head.’
She moved steadily back through the house and out onto the patio. Outside, Nesta was now positioned near the drinks table, glass refilled, chatting with someone Daisy didn’t recognise. She didn’t look over. Daisy walked straight past her. Head high. The dragon cake drew attention almost instantly.
‘Oh my god,’ someone said.
‘Is that edible?’
‘It’s ridiculous.’
Daisy set it down beside the fish cake, adjusting it so the wings weren’t too close to the edge.
‘There,’ she said quietly to herself.
‘Dedicated.’
The voice came from her right. Low. Amused. Daisy turned.
Eris stood there, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his dark blazer, red hair catching in the sunlight. He looked slightly out of place among the pastel balloons and cartoon decorations, too sharp-edged for it.
He smiled faintly.
‘I didn’t expect to see the woman from the mall so committed,’ he added lightly. ‘Turning up at my niece’s birthday party and all.’
Daisy huffed a small laugh. ‘Right,’ she said dryly. ‘That makes it sound a lot creepier than it is.’
Eris’s mouth twitched.
‘So what’s the connection?’ he asked, glancing at the cake again. ‘You just collect lost children and follow them home?’
‘My son is Nyx’s cousin,’ Daisy replied simply, smiling lightly.
Eris frowned faintly. ‘Cousin?’
‘Yeah.’
There was a brief pause while the pieces shifted behind his eyes.
Nyx. Rhys. Feyre.
His gaze sharpened slightly.
‘Ah,’ he said slowly.
Understanding hit. And then he looked at her again, properly this time.
‘You’re Cassian’s baby mum,’ he said, more statement than question.
Daisy didn’t flinch at the phrasing.
‘Yeah,’ she replied evenly. ‘I am.’
Eris let out a quiet, almost impressed breath. ‘Well,’ he said lightly, ‘that explains a lot.’
‘Does it?’ Daisy asked, folding her arms loosely.
He nodded toward the dragon cake.
‘Overcompensating tendencies,’ he said dryly.
She snorted. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Nothing just… not the kind of girl I imagined Cassian having a kid with’
‘I’m not sure whether to take that as a compliment’ Daisy chuckled.
‘It is… so you do both the cakes?’ Eris asked, leaning the conversation into safer waters.
‘Yeah, the dragons for Nyx.’
‘And the fish?’
‘For Elena.’
Eris’s brow lifted slightly. ‘You didn’t have to do that.’
‘I didn’t mind’
He studied her for a moment longer than necessary. ‘You didn’t realise I knew Cassian?’ he asked.
‘I didn’t realise you knew Cassian,’ Daisy repeated. ‘Small world.’
Eris chuckled softly. ‘Not that small,’ he said. ‘We go back a few years.’
Something in his tone was layered. Not fond. Not exactly hostile either. Just… history.
‘Oh?’ Daisy said lightly.
‘Same circles,’ he replied vaguely. ‘Mutual acquaintances.’
He didn’t elaborate. She didn’t press. Across the lawn, Charley’s laugh rang out, bright and wild. Daisy’s gaze instinctively followed the sound. Charley was sprinting toward the bounce house with Nyx and Elena, already sticky from juice. Eris watched her watch her son.
‘Looks like he’s enjoying himself,’ he said.
‘He is,’ Daisy replied softly. ‘He’s been looking forward to it.’
Eris nodded. ‘Cassian not here?’ he asked, tone casual but curious.
‘No, he’s erm…deployed,’ Daisy said.
‘Right.’
There was no sympathy in his voice. Just acknowledgment. ‘And you still showed up with two custom cakes,’ he added.
‘That’s not for him,’ she said quietly. ‘That’s for them.’
Eris’s gaze flicked back to her face. He held it a second too long.
‘You’re very… put together,’ he observed.
Daisy arched a brow. ‘That a compliment?’
‘It’s an observation.’
She huffed a quiet laugh.
‘You always this blunt?’ she asked.
‘Only when I’m interested.’
There it was. Not subtle. Daisy met his eyes. Flattered, but steady.
‘I’m not,’ she said simply.
His expression didn’t falter.
‘Not interested?’
‘Not available.’
He tilted his head slightly. ‘You said you weren’t with anyone.’
‘I’m not.’
‘Yet.’
‘Still not available.’
Eris studied her for another long moment, as if trying to decide whether to challenge it. Then he smiled faintly instead. ‘Fair enough.’
A child collided with his leg at speed, Elena, and wrapped herself around him.
‘Uncle!’ she squealed. ‘Look at the dragon!’
He crouched automatically, steadying her. ‘I see it,’ he said dryly. ‘It’s terrifying.’
Elena laughed. Eris glanced back up at Daisy over Elena’s head.
‘You do good work,’ he said quietly.
‘Thanks.’
He stood again. ‘Cassian’s a lucky man,’ he added casually.
Daisy didn’t react to that. Didn’t let the words land anywhere visible. Eris’s eyes flickered, amusement? disbelief?, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he took Elena’s hand.
‘I’ll stop hovering around your cake,’ he said. ‘Wouldn’t want to give the wrong impression.’
‘You already have,’ Daisy replied dryly.
He laughed properly at that. Then he guided his niece back toward the children, leaving Daisy standing by the table beneath the gazebo. The dragon’s sugar flames caught the sunlight. The fish cake’s bubbles shimmered faintly. And Daisy exhaled slowly. She didn’t look for Cassian. But she felt his absence. And she squared her shoulders anyway.
The garden had tipped fully into chaos in the way only a children’s party could. The bounce house wheezed and bounced under the weight of six overexcited toddlers. Someone had turned the music up too loud. Juice boxes were being abandoned half-finished on every available surface. The grass was already dotted with crisp crumbs and tiny shoe prints.
Daisy stood slightly to the side of it all, paper cup in hand, watching. Charley was in the bounce house now, shrieking with laughter as Nyx attempted to bodycheck him in slow motion. Elena had joined them, her plaits coming loose as she jumped.
Every so often Daisy would lift her hand and call, ‘Charley! No pushing!’ or ‘Watch the edge!’
He would nod enthusiastically and immediately ignore her.
‘Controlled chaos,’ Azriel said dryly beside her.
Daisy glanced over. ‘That’s generous.’
Gwyn laughed softly, one hand resting over the gentle curve of her stomach. ‘I’m taking notes. This is my future apparently.’
‘You’ve got a good few months,’ Daisy said with a smile.
‘Not enough,’ Gwyn muttered.
Rhys jogged past them carrying a tray of burgers. ‘If anyone sees a child with three ice creams, that’s not approved!’
‘Too late!’ Feyre shouted back from near the drinks table.
Daisy laughed properly. It felt good. Light. Not forced.
Elaine appeared at her side with a soft smile. ‘You’ve outdone yourself,’ she said, nodding toward the cake table.
Two different parents were currently crouched in front of it taking photos.
‘It’s ridiculous,’ one woman was saying. ‘Did you see the detail on the scales?’
‘Who made them?’ another asked.
Behind her, Gwyn grinned.
‘Told you,’, you should start a real little business’ Gwyn murmured when Daisy returned.
‘I don’t even know where I’d start,’ Daisy said under her breath.
‘You start by charging them,’ Azriel replied calmly.
She snorted. ‘You’d be ruthless.’
‘Yes.’
Gwyn elbowed him lightly. Across the lawn, Charley stumbled out of the bounce house and ran straight toward Daisy, hair plastered to his forehead with sweat.
‘Mummy! I bounced highest!’
‘I saw!’ she said, crouching to wipe his face with a napkin.
‘Cake now?’ he asked hopefully.
‘Soon,’ she said. ‘Drink first.’
He groaned dramatically but accepted the juice box. As she stood again, Eris passed behind them with Elena perched on his hip, and his eyes flicked briefly toward Daisy. Just long enough. Just curious enough. Daisy ignored it. Instead, she found herself leaning slightly closer to Gwyn.
‘This is nice,’ she admitted quietly.
‘It is,’ Gwyn agreed.
Azriel nodded once. ‘You look relaxed.’
‘I am,’ Daisy said, surprising herself.
And she was. She was still aware of the empty space where Cassian should have been, the way he would’ve been in the middle of the chaos, wrestling children and stealing chips off her plate and making some inappropriate joke about the dragon cake. But she wasn’t drowning in it. She was here. Present. Capable. And people were asking for her number because of something she’d made with her own hands.
‘See?’ Feyre said softly beside her. ‘You’re more than just Cassian’s baby mum, you know.’
Daisy glanced at her, amused. ‘Did I say I wasn’t?’
Feyre smiled knowingly but didn’t push.
The music swelled again as Rhys declared it was nearly cake time. Children screeched in delight. Daisy watched Charley dart back toward the crowd, fearless and happy. And for the first time in a while, she felt something solid under her feet. Not longing. Not anger. Not waiting. Just her own life, unfolding around her.
‘Cake time!’ Rhys called loudly, clapping his hands until the shrieking kids finally started migrating toward the gazebo.
The dragon and fish cakes were set out like centrepieces at a wedding. Candles were lit. Phones went up. Children jostled and elbowed for front-row positions. Daisy stayed at the outer edge of the crowd. Not hiding, just making sure she had a clear line of sight to Charley. He was squeezing between Nyx and Elena, practically vibrating with excitement.
‘Happy birthday to you-‘
The singing began. Off-key. Loud. Chaotic. Daisy folded her arms loosely and smiled. And then she felt someone step deliberately into her space. Close. Too close to be accidental.
Nesta.
Black dress. Heels that sank slightly into the grass. Wine glass already half empty. She positioned herself directly beside Daisy at the back of the crowd, shoulder nearly brushing hers. Daisy didn’t look at her. She kept her eyes on Charley.
‘-happy birthday to you…’
‘Bold,’ Nesta murmured beside her.
Daisy’s expression didn’t shift. ‘Excuse me?’
‘The look,’ Nesta clarified, her gaze dragging slowly from Daisy’s hair down to her fitted top and cinched waist. ‘It’s not really giving devoted mum’
Daisy’s lips curved faintly. ‘I didn’t realise there was a dress code.’
‘Apparently not,’ Nesta said smoothly. ‘Most people don’t dress like they’re headed on a night out.’
Daisy finally turned her head slightly. ‘I’m wearing trousers and a top.’
‘Tight trousers,’ Nesta corrected.
Daisy let out a quiet breath through her nose. ‘You’re in a skintight low-cut dress and you’ve had wine,’ she said calmly. ‘It’s barely afternoon and you’re at a kids birthday party.’
Nesta’s smile sharpened. ‘Relax. I’m just observing.’
‘Observing what?’
‘How hard you’re trying.’
The words were light. But pointed. Daisy looked back toward the cake table as the final line of the song rang out.
‘-happy birthday to you!
The kids erupted in cheers. Nyx blew out his candles with dramatic flair. Elena clapped wildly. Daisy leaned slightly to make sure Charley didn’t get knocked over.
‘You’re very hands-on,’ Nesta went on softly.
‘I’m watching my son.’
‘Mm.’ Nesta sipped her wine. ‘And everyone else’s.’
Daisy’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
‘What’s that supposed to mean? Two seconds ago I wasn’t dressed like a devoted mother by your standards’
‘You’re everywhere,’ Nesta replied. ‘Perfect mum. Perfect cakes. Perfect outfit.’
Daisy turned to face her properly now. ‘I baked cakes,’ she said evenly. ‘That’s hardly a personality flaw.’
‘No,’ Nesta agreed lightly. ‘It’s branding.’
Daisy blinked once. ‘Branding?’
‘You,’ Nesta said, gesturing lazily with her glass. ‘The devoted single mum who somehow still makes sure people know she’s on the market.’
The words slid between them. Daisy’s stomach tightened.
‘I’m not on the market,’ she said.
‘No?’ Nesta’s brows lifted. ‘Because, last I was aware, Cassian still had you chasing your tail and well… it looks like you’re advertising.’
Daisy stared at her. ‘I’m not on the market because I’m more interested in doing what’s best for my son’
‘I just think it’s interesting,’ Nesta continued, voice dropping slightly, ‘that you dress like that, playhouse like that, hover like that… and still he hasn’t committed.’
There it was. Daisy’s pulse thudded hard in her throat.
‘He’s working,’ she said quietly.
‘He’s been ‘working’ for three years,’ Nesta countered.
The children began chanting for cake. Adults laughed as icing was cut into uneven slices. Daisy’s fingers curled against her forearms before she forced them to relax.
‘You think this,’ Nesta went on, nodding subtly toward Daisy’s outfit, ‘is going to make him choose you?’
Daisy’s voice stayed calm. ‘I don’t need to make him choose anything.’
Nesta’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. ‘Men don’t hesitate when they’re sure.’
Daisy swallowed the sharp response that rose immediately.
‘And men don’t commit when they think there are better options,’ Nesta added lightly.
‘Are you suggesting something?’ Daisy asked.
‘I’m suggesting,’ Nesta said smoothly, ‘that if you’re trying to look available, maybe he notices.’
Daisy’s gaze sharpened. ‘I’m not trying to look available.’
‘No?’ Nesta’s eyes flicked briefly across the garden, toward the men standing near the drinks table. ‘Because I’ve seen you chatting.’
Daisy almost laughed. ‘I’ve spoken to people at a party.’
‘Yes,’ Nesta said softly. ‘You have.’
The implication hung there. Heavy. Ugly. Daisy stepped half a pace closer, not aggressive, just controlled.
‘You think I’m dressing up and baking cakes to get attention?’ she asked quietly.
Nesta shrugged. ‘Maybe you’re reminding him what he could lose.’
‘Or maybe,’ Daisy replied evenly, ‘I like looking nice.’
‘For who?’
‘For myself.’
Nesta studied her face like she was looking for a crack. ‘You don’t strike me as someone who dresses for herself,’ she said finally. ‘You strike me as someone who dresses for reassurance.’
Daisy’s chest tightened, not because it was true, but because it hit close to something she’d been wrestling with privately.
‘That’s your projection,’ Daisy said quietly.
‘Is it?’ Nesta countered. ‘Because if he hasn’t put a ring on your finger by now…’
She let the sentence hang. Daisy held her gaze.
‘Finish that,’ she said.
Nesta’s lips curved faintly. ‘…maybe he’s not bothered about anyone else taking you.’
There it was. The insinuation. Easy. Desperate. Replaceable.
Daisy inhaled slowly through her nose. ‘And maybe,’ she replied calmly, ‘he doesn’t feel the need to own me.’
Nesta’s eyes flickered.
Daisy continued, voice steady. ‘I’m not auditioning for anything.’
‘No?’ Nesta asked softly.
‘No.’
‘Then why the performance?’
Daisy’s expression didn’t change. ‘You mistake effort for desperation,’ she said quietly. ‘That’s on you.’
A beat of silence. Kids screamed with laughter as someone dropped a slice of cake.
Feyre called, ‘Daisy! Come get a photo!’
Daisy didn’t break eye contact.
‘You done concerning yourself with my relationships?’ she asked softly.
Nesta held her stare for a long moment. Then she gave a small, knowing smile. ‘For now.’
Daisy nodded once. Then she stepped forward into the crowd, crouching beside Charley as he thrust a plate of blue cake into her hand.
‘Mummy! Look!’
‘I see,’ she laughed, wiping icing from his cheek.
Behind her, she could still feel Nesta’s gaze. Her blood was hot. Her chest tight. But her smile, the one she turned toward her son, never wavered.
The kids were now fully sugared. Blue and green icing smeared across cheeks. Half-eaten slices abandoned on the grass. Someone had already tripped and cried and recovered within thirty seconds. Daisy stayed crouched beside Charley for a moment longer than necessary, wiping his fingers clean with a napkin while he chattered about how Nyx had blown the candles out ‘too fast.’
She smiled at him, steady. Calm. Even though her blood still felt like it was simmering under her skin. She could feel Nesta’s eyes on her. Still. When Daisy finally stood and stepped back from the cake table, she didn’t look at her immediately. She didn’t need to.
Azriel appeared at her side quietly, like he always did.
‘You alright?’ he asked, voice low enough that it didn’t carry over the noise.
Daisy glanced at him, offering a faint smile. ‘Yeah. Why?’
He didn’t answer straight away. His gaze flicked briefly over her shoulder. Daisy followed it. Nesta stood near the drinks table, glass in hand, still watching. Not even pretending not to.
Azriel’s jaw tightened slightly. ‘She say something?’ he asked.
Daisy exhaled softly through her nose. ‘It was nothing.’
‘That wasn’t nothing.’
She arched a brow. ‘You spying now?’
‘I’ve got eyes and you looked about ready to break her nose,’ he replied dryly.
A small huff of laughter escaped her despite herself. Azriel angled his body slightly so he was half between her and Nesta, subtle, but deliberate.
‘She’s bored,’ Daisy said lightly. ‘Needs a hobby.’
Azriel didn’t smile. ‘She was trying to get under your skin.’
‘She didn’t.’
He gave her a look. Daisy’s smile faltered slightly.
‘Okay,’ she admitted quietly. ‘She tried.’
‘And?’
‘And I didn’t bite.’
Azriel nodded once. ’Good, she’s not worth your time’
Daisy folded her arms loosely again, finally allowing herself to glance directly at Nesta. Nesta didn’t look away. Daisy held her gaze. A silent standoff across the lawn.
‘She implied,’ Daisy huffed quietly, still looking at Nesta, ‘that I’m trying too hard.’
Azriel’s brows drew together. ‘Trying too hard at what?’
‘Everything,’ Daisy replied. ‘Being a mum. Looking nice. Existing.’
Azriel’s mouth flattened.
‘She implied that’s why Cass hasn’t…,’ Daisy began calmly, though her fingers tightened slightly against her sleeve.
Azriel went very still. ‘Cass hasn’t what?’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ Daisy smiled tightly. ‘She’s just trying to wind me up.’
He looked like he wanted to say something far less calm. ‘Daisy,’ he said quietly.
Daisy finally dragged her gaze away from Nesta and looked at him instead. ‘She didn’t say anything I haven’t thought before,’ she admitted.
Azriel’s expression softened slightly. ‘That doesn’t make it true.’
Daisy gave a small, humourless smile. ‘Doesn’t make it untrue either.’
‘I know my brother,’ Azriel replied evenly.
Daisy’s chest tightened slightly at that. ‘And?’ she asked.
‘And he’s an idiot,’ Azriel said bluntly. ‘But he’s not blind.’
Daisy let out a quiet breath.
Azriel shifted his weight, lowering his voice even further. ‘She likes to poke,’ he said. ‘Especially when she’s insecure.’
Daisy’s brows lifted slightly as she smirked. ‘Nesta? Insecure? Never’
Azriel’s tone softened as he huffed a laugh.
'You look good, don’t let her make you feel bad about that’ he added matter-of-factly.
She blinked. ‘Right’
‘I mean it,’ he said. ‘You look good. Because you are good. Not because you’re trying to get someone’s attention.’
Her throat tightened unexpectedly at the simplicity of it. ‘Thank you,’ she said quietly.
Azriel glanced over again. Nesta was still watching.
‘She wants a reaction,’ he murmured. ‘Don’t give her one.’
‘I’m not.’
‘I know.’
Daisy’s shoulders were still slightly tense. Azriel nudged her gently with his elbow.
‘Breathe.’
She rolled her eyes lightly. ‘I’m fine’
Azriel nodded once. Across the lawn, Charley tripped and burst into laughter instead of tears. Gwyn was crouched down talking to one of the other mums. Rhys was arguing with a child about portion sizes. Normal. Loud. Warm.
‘You don’t have to prove anything to anyone here,’ Azriel said quietly.
Daisy glanced at him.
‘Especially not her.’
She followed his gaze one more time. Nesta had finally looked away. Daisy let out a slow breath.
‘I’m fine,’ she said again, more convincingly this time.
Azriel studied her for a moment longer. ‘If she says anything else-‘
‘She won’t,’ Daisy cut in calmly.
‘And if she does?’
Daisy’s lips curved faintly. ‘Then I’ll handle it.’
Azriel nodded once, his mouth pulled into a comforting smirk. ‘I know you will.’
He clapped her gently on the shoulder before moving away to grab another drink. Daisy stayed where she was for a second longer. The tension in her chest easing, just slightly. She wasn’t shaking. She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t unravelling. She was standing. And that would have to be enough.
By the time the second round of cake had been demolished and the party bags handed out, the energy had shifted. The manic shrieking had dulled into whines. The bounce house was half-deflated now, sagging slightly as smaller toddlers lay sprawled inside instead of jumping. A couple of kids were crying over absolutely nothing. One little boy was sitting on the grass staring blankly at a melted chocolate smear on his shoe like it had personally betrayed him.
Sugar crash.
Daisy stood near the drinks table refilling a jug of diluted squash, keeping one eye on Charley. He was slower now. Movements heavier. Face sticky with icing and tiredness. She’d learned the signs. He was about ten minutes away from tears.
‘You’ve survived the storm.’ Eris’ voice cut in smoothly beside her.
She glanced up. He’d loosened his jacket now, sleeves pushed up slightly. Still sharp, but less rigid than earlier. He held a paper cup but hadn’t finished it.
‘I’ve seen worse,’ Daisy replied lightly.
‘Have you?’ he asked.
‘I live with a toddler,’
‘Fair.’
She poured another cup and handed it to a wandering child who didn’t even say thank you. Eris watched her do it.
‘You’re good at that,’ he said.
‘At what?’
‘Stepping in without making it obvious.’
She shrugged. ‘It’s instinct.’
‘It’s impressive.’
Daisy smiled faintly but didn’t preen. ‘It’s necessary.’
There was a beat of silence, not uncomfortable. Just… charged.
‘So… you gonna let me take you out?,’ Eris said gently.
She gave him a sideways look. ‘You’re persistent.’
‘I prefer consistent.’
She huffed a soft laugh. ‘I’m not playing hard to get,’ she said calmly.
‘I don’t think you are.’
He stepped a fraction closer, not invading, but narrowing the distance.
‘I think you’re scared of wanting something,’ he said quietly.
Daisy’s eyes flicked up to meet his. ‘That’s a bold assumption.’
‘Is it wrong?’
She looked away first, huffing a laugh. Toward the garden. Toward the place where Cassian usually stood during moments like this, beer in hand, laughing too loudly, tossing kids into the air. That empty space felt louder today.
‘He’s deployed,’ Eris said, as if reading her glance.
‘And?.’
‘And that’s always going to be the case.’
It wasn’t a question.
Daisy’s throat tightened slightly. ‘That’s his job.’
‘Is it always going to be yours?’
She looked back at him. ‘What does that mean?’
‘Waiting,’ he said simply.
Her chest constricted. ‘I’m not waiting.’
‘No?’
‘No.’
Eris held her gaze. ‘Then have coffee with me.’
There it was again. Simple. Direct. Daisy hesitated. The air felt heavier. Her mind betrayed her again, conjuring that image she’d tried to shove down earlier. Next year. Same garden. Same gazebo. Cassian standing where Eris was now. Another woman at his side. Easy. Supportive. Never asking him to choose. Never asking him to stay. Someone who wouldn’t challenge the army. Wouldn’t argue. Wouldn’t demand more.
And Daisy?
Still here. But not standing beside him. Just Charley’s mum. Peripheral. Polite. Her chest tightened painfully. Was there a reason he hadn’t chosen her fully? Or was she the one who kept saying no?
‘Daisy.’ Eris’ voice grounded her.
She blinked.
‘I don’t need a declaration,’ he said quietly. ‘I just need a yes or a no.’
She swallowed. ‘I don’t think it would be fair,’ she admitted softly.
‘To who?’
‘To you’
‘I’ll survive,’ he said lightly.
‘That’s not what I meant. Things with Cass are… complicated’
He studied her carefully. ‘You’re not doing anything wrong,’ he added.
That landed. Because she wasn’t. She hadn’t crossed a line. She hadn’t promised anything. But the guilt was still there, quiet and irritating.
‘I can’t promise anything,’ she said finally.
‘I didn’t ask you to.’
A beat.
She exhaled slowly. ‘Coffee,’ she said. ‘That’s it.’
His mouth curved faintly. ‘That’s it.’
She gave a small nod. He pulled his phone from his pocket again, holding it out to her.
‘Number,’ he said.
She hesitated just a second this time. Then took it. Typed it in. Handed it back. Eris glanced at the screen briefly, then back at her.
‘See?’ he murmured. ‘Not so terrifying.’
She managed a small smile. ‘We’ll see.’
Before he could respond, a sharp wail cut across the garden.
‘Mummy!’
Daisy’s head snapped toward the sound instantly. Charley was sitting on the grass near the patio, hands pressed to his knee, face crumpling. Sugar crash. And a fall.
Without another word, Daisy stepped away.
‘Excuse me,’ she said quickly.
Eris nodded, already backing off.
She crossed the lawn in seconds. ‘What happened?’ she asked, dropping to her knees beside him.
‘I falled!’ he sobbed, lip trembling.
‘Oh dear’ she said gently, brushing grass from his hands. ‘Show me.’
He thrust his knee forward dramatically. It was barely scraped. But the tears were real. She pulled him into her chest immediately, wrapping her arms around him as his small body shook.
‘I’ve got you,’ she murmured into his hair.
He buried his face into her shoulder, still crying. Daisy pressed a kiss to the top of his head, rocking him gently.
‘I’m tired,’ he whimpered.
‘I know,’ she said softly. ‘Big day huh?.’
She stood carefully, lifting him onto her hip despite his growing weight. He clung to her neck. Over his shoulder, she caught Eris watching them from a distance. Not jealous. Not smug. Just… observing.
She looked away first. Focused on the warm, sticky little boy in her arms. This. This was real. This was hers. And no matter what choices she made next, She would always run toward that cry.
The meltdown didn’t taper off gently. It detonated. Charley’s sobs over his knee had cracked something open, and by the time Daisy had shifted him onto her hip near the patio doors, his tired little body was vibrating with it.
‘I want Daddy!’ he wailed suddenly, loud enough to cut across the lawn.
Daisy didn’t flinch. She tightened her hold on him and stepped slightly away from the crowd, giving him space without isolating herself completely.
‘I know,’ she said softly into his hair.
‘No!’ he cried, pushing against her shoulder now. ‘I want Daddy now!’
Rhys was there in two strides, kneeling in front of him. ‘Hey, champ,’ he said gently. ‘You had a big day.’
‘I want Daddy!’ Charley shouted again, tears streaking down his face, little fists hitting Daisy’s shoulder in frustration.
Feyre’s hand flew to her mouth instinctively. Azriel went still. Daisy shifted Charley so he was facing her, lowering him slightly so she could see his face properly.
‘Charley,’ she said calmly.
He tried to turn away, crying harder.
‘Look at me.’
Her tone wasn’t sharp. It wasn’t pleading. It was steady. He resisted for another second before his watery eyes locked onto hers.
‘I know you want Daddy,’ she said quietly, brushing his hair back from his sweaty forehead. ‘I know you do bug’
That caught him off guard. His sob hitched.
‘But Daddy’s at work,’ she continued gently. ‘And right now you’re tired. And tired makes everything feel worse.’
‘I want him,’ he whimpered again, smaller now but still desperate.
‘I know,’ she repeated.
Rhys stood slowly, stepping back.
Feyre whispered, ‘Do you want me to-?’
Daisy shook her head subtly. She had this. She shifted Charley higher on her hip and began rocking him gently, rhythmic and automatic.
‘You remember what Daddy says when you fall?’ she asked softly.
Charley sniffed loudly. ‘He says… big brave boy,’ he mumbled through tears.
‘That’s right,’ Daisy said. ‘You are a big brave boy. And big brave boys can miss their daddies and still be okay.’
He buried his face back into her shoulder, crying again but less violently now. Azriel’s jaw tightened slightly as he watched.
‘You want to tell Daddy about the dragon cake?’ Daisy murmured. ‘You can tell him how high you bounced.’
Charley sniffed again. ‘I bounced big,’ he said weakly.
‘I know you did.’
‘I falled.’
‘You did.’
He started crying again, smaller this time. Daisy kissed the side of his head.
‘You’ve had too much sugar,’ she said lightly. ‘That’s not Daddy’s fault.’
Feyre’s eyes softened. Daisy shifted her weight again, rubbing slow circles on Charley’s back.
‘We’ll call him tomorrow,’ she said gently. ‘And you can tell him all about it. But right now we’re going home for a cuddle.’
Charley let out one last loud sob. ‘I want Daddy to carry me.’
The words punched the air. Rhys swallowed. Daisy’s face didn’t crack.
‘I know,’ she said quietly. ‘But today Mum’s carrying you.’
Charley’s little fists unclenched slowly. His crying dulled to hiccups. Daisy didn’t rush it. She didn’t bribe. She didn’t shush. She just rocked him and let the wave pass. Azriel shook his head slightly, impressed and pained all at once.
‘You’re good at that,’ Gwyn murmured under her breath.
Daisy gave a small, tired smile. ‘I’ve had practice,’ she said. There was no self-pity in it. Just truth.
Rhys crouched to grab Charley’s trainers from the grass. ‘Here,’ he said quietly, handing them to Daisy.
‘Thank you.’
Charley gave one more exhausted whimper. ‘I’m sleepy.’
‘I know,’ Daisy whispered.
She shifted her bag onto her shoulder, balancing everything without asking for help.
‘Text when you’re home,’ Feyre said quietly.
‘I will.’
Rhys gave her a soft clap on the shoulder. ‘Thank you for today.’
Daisy smiled faintly. ‘No problem’
As she reached the car, she opened the back door first, carefully settling Charley into his seat. He didn’t protest. Didn’t even whine. His head lolled slightly as she buckled him in. She crouched in front of him for a second, brushing sticky hair off his forehead.
‘I love you, bug’ she said softly.
‘Love you,’ he slurred, already halfway gone.
She closed the door gently and walked around to the driver’s seat. The garden behind her was still noisy but fading. As soon as she started the engine and pulled away, she glanced in the rear-view mirror. Charley was asleep. Completely. Head tipped to one side. Mouth slightly open. Cake-stained shirt rising and falling steadily.
The tension in her shoulders finally eased a little. The drive home was quiet. Streetlights flicked on as the sky deepened toward evening. The music she’d left on low in the car hummed softly in the background. Daisy’s mind wandered despite herself.
The cakes. Nesta’s words. Eris. The way Charley had cried for his dad. The empty space beside her at these events. Her fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel. By the time she pulled into the driveway, her chest felt heavy but steady.
She turned off the engine and sat there for a moment, just listening to the silence. Then she stepped out and walked around to the back seat. Charley didn’t wake as she unbuckled him. He melted into her shoulder when she lifted him out, warm and limp and smelling faintly of sugar and grass. She carried him into the house carefully, kicking the door shut behind her with her foot.
The house felt quiet. Still. She laid him down in his bed without even changing him, pulling the blanket up gently over his small frame. He stirred only long enough to sigh. Daisy brushed her fingers through his hair once more.
‘Sleep,’ she whispered.
Then she stepped back, closing his bedroom door softly. And stood in the quiet hallway for a long moment, listening to nothing but her own breathing.
Homebird- Chapter Five
The cold hit Daisy like a slap the second she shoved the restaurant door open. She didn’t slow down. Didn’t look back. Her heels struck the pavement too hard, each step sharp and furious as she crossed the car park under the dull yellow lights. Her arms were wrapped tight around herself, like she was holding something in.
‘Daisy!’ Cassian’s voice followed her out into the night.
She kept walking.
Her breathing was already uneven, short, furious pulls of air that did nothing to cool the heat crawling up her neck.
‘Daisy, stop.’
‘Don’t,’ she snapped, without turning around.
He caught up enough that she could hear the heavier thud of his boots behind her.
‘Will you just-‘
‘When?’ she spun on him suddenly.
He nearly collided with her. Her eyes were bright, not tearful, but blazing.
‘When?’ she demanded again.
He opened his mouth. Closed it. Ran a hand down the back of his neck.
‘Daisy-‘
‘When did it happen?’
Her voice cracked on the word when, and that was worse than if she’d screamed.
He swallowed. ‘This last deployment.’
Her jaw flexed. ‘When on the last deployment?’
He sighed, shoulders rising and falling slowly. ‘About a month before I came home.’
She stared at him like he’d just admitted something unforgivable.
‘A month,’ she repeated.
‘It wasn’t-‘
‘A month,’ she said again, louder now. ‘You were shot. And you didn’t think to tell me.’
He stepped closer instinctively, hands half-lifted like he wanted to touch her but didn’t dare. ‘It was a flesh wound.’
Her laugh was hollow. ‘You were shot.’
‘It grazed me.’
‘You were shot, Cassian!’
Her hands were shaking now, fists clenching and unclenching at her sides.
‘It wasn’t deep,’ he insisted. ‘It was handled. I was stitched and back in the field in two days’
She shook her head, backing up a step like she needed space from him. ‘That is not comforting.’
‘I didn’t want to worry you.’
The words hit like petrol on a fire.
Her shoulders squared. ‘You didn’t want to worry me?’
‘Yes.’
‘Of course I’m going to worry!’
‘I know that, that’s why-‘
‘You’re my son’s dad!’ she burst out, voice cracking fully now. ‘You’re Charley’s dad and you got shot!’
The words echoed across the empty car park. Cassian’s jaw tightened hard enough it hurt.
‘I was fine,’ he said through his teeth.
‘That’s not the point!’ she shot back, stepping toward him now, anger overtaking the hurt. ‘You don’t get to decide what I’m allowed to know about you nearly dying!’
‘I didn’t nearly die.’
‘You could have!’ she shouted. ‘You said you were caught off guard!’
He faltered for half a second. And she saw it. Her face crumpled with something deeper than anger, betrayal.
‘And I had to find out like that,’ she said, her voice lowering but turning razor sharp. ‘In front of everyone.’
He dragged a hand through his hair roughly. ‘I didn’t know she was going to say anything.’
‘But they knew,’ Daisy said. ‘They all knew.’
He didn’t answer.
‘Rhys knew.’
‘Yes.’
‘Azriel knew.’
‘Yes.’
‘Feyre knew.’
He clenched his jaw. ‘I told Rhys not to tell anyone.’
Her laugh this time was bitter. ‘Well that worked out great, didn’t it?’
‘I didn’t tell Nesta.’
‘That’s not the fucking point!’ she snapped, pacing now, fingers digging into her hair for a second before she dropped her hands again. ‘I had to hear it from her.’
She stopped pacing and looked at him again, really looked at him. ‘Do you know how that felt?’ she asked quietly.
He didn’t answer.
‘Standing there while she casually mentions you being shot like it’s dinner conversation? Like it’s a joke? Like your body is something to comment on?’
His fists clenched at his sides. ‘I didn’t want that,’ he said.
The wind tugged at her hair again, and she didn’t bother fixing it this time. ‘I am not fragile,’ she said, her voice shaking with restrained fury. ‘I am not some idiot you need to protect from the truth.’
‘I know that.’
‘Then act like it!’
The words broke out of her. The silence that followed felt thick. He took a step toward her again, slower this time.
‘I thought if you knew,’ he said carefully, ‘you’d sit up every night imagining the worst.’
She stared at him. ‘I already do.’
That landed. Hard. He visibly swallowed.
‘I already sit there when you’re gone,’ she said, voice quieter but more devastating. ‘Every time the phone rings. Every time the news comes on. I already imagine it.’ Her chest rose and fell sharply. ‘You not telling me doesn’t stop that. It just makes me look stupid when I find out from someone else.’
His shoulders sagged slightly. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, and this time it wasn’t defensive.
But it didn’t fix it.
‘I’m not going back in there,’ she said after a moment.
He blinked. ‘Daisy-‘
‘I’m not sitting at that table pretending I’m fine.’
He stepped closer again. ‘We can talk-‘
‘Not in front of them,’ she cut in sharply. ‘Not after that.’
She turned away from him slightly, arms folding tight across her chest again like armour.
‘Go get Charley,’ she said.
He stared at her back. ‘What?’
‘I’m taking him home.’
‘We don’t have to leave.’
‘I do,’ she said, turning back just enough that he could see the hurt still sitting behind her anger. ‘Because if I go back in there, I will say something I can’t take back.’
He hesitated.
‘Go,’ she said again. ‘Please.’
That last word wasn’t angry. It was exhausted. He held her gaze for a long second. Then nodded once. And turned back toward the restaurant. Leaving her standing under the harsh car park lights, arms wrapped tight around herself, trying to steady a heart that wouldn’t slow down. Cassian pushed the restaurant door open harder than necessary when he stepped back inside.
The warmth and noise hit him all at once, laughter, cutlery clinking, a server weaving between tables. Every head at their table turned the second they saw his face. He didn’t sit down. He didn’t look at Nesta. He walked straight to Charley.
‘Alright, mate,’ he said, his voice controlled but tight around the edges. ‘We’re heading off.’
Charley looked up from the colouring sheet, confused. ‘Ice cream?’
Cassian crouched slightly to be level with him. ‘Not tonight.’
‘But you said,’ Charley protested, lower lip already wobbling.
‘I know,’ Cassian said gently, brushing his son’s hair back from his forehead. ‘Plans changed. You can have ice cream at home another day.’
Charley frowned, looking between him and the empty chair where Daisy had been sitting.
‘Where Mumma?’
‘She’s outside,’ Cassian replied softly. ‘Waiting for us.’
Rhys stood up slowly. ‘Cass-‘
‘It’s fine,’ Cassian said, not looking at him as he helped Charley out from the highchair.
‘It’s not,’ Rhys said, guilt heavy in his voice. ‘I shouldn’t have-‘
‘Forget it,’ Cassian sighed.
The table fell silent again.
Feyre stood too. ‘I’m really sorry,’ she said quietly. ‘I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.’
Cassian finally looked at her, jaw still set but eyes tired more than angry. ‘I know.’
Azriel stayed seated but his expression was tight. ‘You good?’
‘I’ll deal with it,’ Cassian replied.
Mor gave him a small nod. ‘Text when you’re home.’
He nodded once. Nesta didn’t speak.
Charley tugged at Cassian’s shirt. ‘Daddy, I good boy.’
Cassian immediately softened. ‘You are. You’re the best boy.’
‘Then ice cream?’
Cassian let out a small exhale through his nose. ‘Not tonight, buddy.’
Charley pouted but didn’t argue further, sensing something was off even if he didn’t understand it. Cassian scooped him up onto his hip.
‘I’ll sort something to see you lot before I head back,’ he said to the table generally. ‘We’ll figure it out.’
Rhys nodded. ‘Yeah.’
Feyre squeezed her wine glass tighter. ‘Drive safe.’
Cassian didn’t respond to Nesta at all. He turned and walked out. The cool air hit him again when he stepped into the car park. Daisy was already in the front seat of the car, hands curled tight in her lap. She didn’t look at him.
Charley squirmed in his arms. ‘Mumma!’
‘Let’s get you in first,’ Cassian murmured.
He opened the back door and gently settled Charley into his seat.
‘Arms up,’ he said softly.
Charley complied, small hands lifting as Cassian buckled him in carefully.
‘I no get ice cream?’ Charley asked quietly.
‘Not tonight,’ Cassian said again, pressing a quick kiss to his son’s temple. ‘We’ll do something fun tomorrow.’
Charley sighed dramatically but leaned back into his seat. Cassian shut the door and stood there for a second, staring at the car, jaw clenched. Then he walked around to the driver’s side. Daisy still hadn’t looked at him. He opened the door slowly and slid into the seat beside her.
The car filled with silence. Heavy. Tight. Loaded. The drive home was suffocating. The only sounds were the low hum of the engine and Charley’s small, sleepy voice in the backseat asking once more, ‘Ice cream tomorrow?’
‘Tomorrow,’ Daisy answered quietly, her eyes fixed straight ahead.
Cassian didn’t speak.
He sat in the driver seat, elbow braced against the door, thumb pressed hard into his temple like he could massage away the tension sitting behind his eyes. Streetlights flickered over them in intervals, casting shadows across Daisy’s face. Her jaw was tight.
Cassian glanced at her a few times. She never looked back. When they pulled into the driveway, he cut the engine immediately and Daisy unbuckled her seatbelt in one sharp motion.
‘I’ve got him,’ she said, already reaching for the door.
Cassian nodded once, even though she wasn’t looking at him.
She climbed out and went straight to the back seat, opening Charley’s door.
‘Come on, baby,’ she said softly, her voice instantly warmer. ‘Up we go.’
Charley reached for her, confused but compliant. ‘Mumma sad?’
Her face softened for half a second. ‘No, sweetheart. Mumma’s just tired.’
Cassian shut his own door and stood there for a moment in the cool night air, staring at the house. Then he exhaled heavily and locked the car before following them inside. The front door clicked shut behind him. Daisy had already taken Charley into the kitchen.
‘No ice cream?’ Charley tried again, hopeful.
Daisy crouched down in front of him, brushing his hair back gently. ‘No ice cream tonight. But-‘ she reached into the cupboard ‘-you can have a choccy biscuit instead.’
Charley considered this gravely.
‘One?’
‘One,’ she confirmed.
‘Two?’
She almost smiled. ‘Nice try.’
He accepted the biscuit and padded into the living room to sit on the rug with it, crumbs immediately falling onto the floor. Cassian stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching. Watching Daisy move around the room with mechanical efficiency. Watching the way she kept her back slightly turned to him. He opened his mouth. Closed it again. She didn’t acknowledge him.
‘Okay,’ she said gently to Charley after a few minutes. ‘Let’s get you upstairs.’
‘Daddy come?’
Cassian’s throat tightened.
‘I’ll be up in a minute, bud,’ he said.
Charley nodded, already distracted. Daisy took his hand and led him toward the stairs. Cassian stayed where he was until they disappeared from view. The house felt too quiet. He ran a hand over his face and finally moved into the living room, dropping heavily onto the couch. He didn’t even try to sit properly, just flopped back, forearm thrown over his eyes.
The ceiling above him blurred slightly as he stared at it. He could hear Daisy upstairs, the soft murmur of her voice, drawers opening, water running in the bathroom. Charley’s small, happy chatter drifting down between floorboards. It twisted something in his chest. He hadn’t meant for it to blow up like that. He hadn’t meant for her to find out like that. He’d thought he was protecting her. Now he wasn’t sure what the hell he’d done.
Upstairs, he heard Charley laugh. Daisy’s voice followed, soft, patient. Cassian swallowed hard. The anger had burned off. What was left was heavier. Regret. Guilt. The image of her face when she realised. Not shouting. Just hurt. He dropped his arm from his eyes and stared at the empty room.
For the first time since he’d walked back inside the restaurant, he let himself feel how badly he’d fucked that up. Cassian stayed on the couch longer than he meant to. Long enough for the house to settle into its usual night rhythm, floorboards creaking softly upstairs, the faint rush of the shower running for a minute, the low murmur of Daisy’s voice as she talked Charley through brushing his teeth.
He sat forward slowly, elbows braced on his knees, staring at the dark television screen across from him. He couldn’t hide down here forever. With a heavy exhale, he pushed himself up and headed for the stairs. Each step felt louder than usual. Upstairs, the hallway light was on. The door to Charley’s room was cracked open just enough for warm lamplight to spill out across the carpet.
Daisy stepped out just as Cassian reached the top step. They almost collided. She didn’t look at him. Not properly. Her eyes skimmed over his shoulder like he was just part of the wall, and she walked straight past him, brushing his arm with her sleeve without acknowledging it.
The contact was brief. Cold.
He turned slightly. ‘Daisy’
But she was already halfway down the stairs. He watched her go for a second, jaw tightening again. Then he turned and gently pushed Charley’s door open. The room was dim, lit only by the small dinosaur-shaped nightlight on the dresser. Soft shadows danced across the walls. The red panda was tucked under Charley’s chin again, one small hand fisted in its fur.
‘Hey, buddy,’ Cassian said quietly, stepping inside.
Charley stirred slightly. ‘Daddy?’
‘Yeah.’
Cassian sat on the edge of the bed carefully, mindful of the creak in the floorboard near the wardrobe.
‘You okay?’ he murmured.
Charley’s eyelids were already heavy. ‘Mumma sad?’
Cassian swallowed. ‘Mumma’s just tired,’ he said softly. ‘It’s been a long day.’
Charley hummed, accepting that answer easily.
Cassian brushed his thumb gently over his son’s hairline. ‘You had fun tonight?’
‘Nyx is loud,’ Charley mumbled.
Cassian huffed a small laugh. ‘Yeah. He is.’
‘Daddy come back?’
The question was sleepy, almost dreamlike.
‘Yeah,’ Cassian replied quietly. ‘I always come back.’
Charley nodded faintly, already drifting. Cassian leaned down and pressed a kiss to his son’s temple, lingering for a second longer than usual.
‘Night, mate.’
‘Night.’
Cassian stood slowly, taking one last look at him, small, safe, breathing evenly. Then he stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door closed gently until it clicked. He stayed there for a moment. Hand still resting against the wood. The house felt different tonight. He dragged a hand down his face and inhaled slowly, deeply, trying to steady himself. Downstairs, he could hear the faint clink of a mug being set on the counter.
Daisy.
He knew that silence. The kind that wasn’t calm, just waiting. He straightened slightly, shoulders squaring instinctively like he was about to step into something far worse than a briefing room. Then he started down the stairs.
Each step bringing him closer to the argument he knew wasn’t finished. And wasn’t going to be easy. Cassian found her in the kitchen. Of course he did. The overhead light was on, too bright for this time of night. The kettle sat untouched on the counter. Daisy was standing at the sink, hands braced against the edge like she was holding herself upright.
She didn’t turn around when he came in. For a second, he just stood there. The air between them felt thin.
‘He’s asleep,’ Cassian said quietly.
‘Good’ she replied.
Her voice was calm. Too calm.
He took a step further into the room. ‘Daisy.’
She shut the tap off, leaving the sink half full.
‘Don’t,” she said softly.
‘Don’t what?’
‘Don’t say my name like that.’
The words were controlled. Measured. But he could hear the tension threaded through them. He leaned back against the counter opposite her, folding his arms loosely, defensive without meaning to be.
‘I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t serious,’ he said.
She let out a breath through her nose. ‘We’re not starting there,’ she replied.
‘Then where are we starting?’
She turned around slowly. Her face wasn’t tearful. It was tight.
‘We’re starting with the fact that you got shot,’ she said quietly. ‘And you decided I didn’t need to know.’
‘I decided you didn’t need the stress.’
‘You decided for me.’
‘I was trying to make it easier.’
‘For who?’ she shot back, still quiet but sharper now.
‘For you.’
‘You don’t get to do that,’ she said. ‘You don’t get to filter information about your life like that when it affects my son.’
He flinched slightly. ‘It didn’t affect him.’
‘It absolutely affects him!’ she snapped, voice rising a notch. ‘If something had gone wrong-‘
‘But it didn’t.’
‘But it could have!’
The quiet snapped. Her hands came off the counter now, arms folding tightly across her chest.
‘You don’t get to brush it off like it’s nothing,’ she continued. ‘You were shot, Cassian.’
‘It grazed me.’
‘It was a bullet.’
‘It’s part of the job Daisy, I’m trained for that environment.’
‘And that makes it fine?’ she demanded.
‘No. It makes it manageable.’
She stared at him like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘You think because you’re trained, it doesn’t matter?’
‘I think panicking about it after the fact doesn’t help anyone.’
She laughed once, sharp, disbelieving. ‘This isn’t about panicking,’ she said. ‘This is about respect.’
He straightened slightly. ‘I do respect you.’
‘Then why didn’t you tell me?’
Silence. He didn’t answer fast enough. Her jaw clenched.
‘You told Rhys,’ she said. ‘You told Azriel.’
‘Daisy-‘
‘Your brothers get to know but the mother of your son doesn’t?’
‘That’s not what I-‘
‘That’s exactly what you did!’ she cut in, her voice rising again. ‘You made a choice. You decided your brothers could handle it, but I couldn’t.’
‘That’s not fair.’
‘No?’ she challenged.
‘I didn’t want you picturing it.’
‘I already picture it!’ she burst out. ‘Every time you leave!’
The words hung there. Raw.
‘I picture you not coming back,’ she continued, breathing harder now. ‘I picture a phone call. I picture someone knocking on the door. I picture how I would have to tell that little boy’
His expression shifted.
‘You think I don’t?’ he asked quietly.
‘This isn’t about you.’
‘It is,’ he snapped, the first crack in his own composure showing. ‘Because I’m the one out there.’
‘And I’m the one here!’ she fired back. ‘Holding it together! Telling our son you’ll be back! Acting like I’m not terrified half the time!’
He stared at her. ‘I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to add to that,’ he said.
‘And instead you humiliated me,’ she replied.
He blinked. ‘Humiliated you?’
‘Yes.’ She stepped closer now. ‘I had to stand there while Nesta casually mentioned you getting shot like it was a fun fact.’
‘I didn’t-‘
‘She knew I didn’t know Cass’ Daisy said.
He ran a hand over his face again. ‘I didn’t tell her,’ he repeated weakly.
‘But you told people who did,’ she shot back. ‘And somehow I’m the last to know about something that could have changed my life overnight.’
‘It didn’t change anything.’
‘It did for me!’ she shouted.
Her voice echoed slightly off the tile. She took a breath, forcing it back down a notch. ‘It changed the way I look at you,’ she said more quietly.
That hit harder than the yelling.
‘How?’ he asked.
‘Because now I don’t know what else you’re deciding I don’t need to know.’
His shoulders stiffened.
‘You think I’m lying to you?’
‘I think you think you’re protecting me,’ she said. ‘And I think that’s bullshit.’
He straightened fully now, anger finally sparking properly in his chest. ‘I was trying to spare you,’ he said, louder now.
‘From what? Caring?’
‘From sitting here imagining me bleeding out in some desert!’
‘I’ve been doing that for three years Cassian!’ she yelled back.
Silence. Thick. Heavy. Her chest rose and fell quickly. He stared at her, breathing just as hard.
‘I can handle the truth,’ she said finally, her voice breaking at the edges now, not crying, but raw. ‘What I can’t handle is being shut out.’
He swallowed.
‘I’m not shutting you out.’
‘You are,’ she said. ‘You did.’
They stood there, both angry, both hurt, both too proud to step back first.
‘And the worst part?’ she continued, voice trembling with restrained fury. ‘You didn’t even give me the chance to decide how I’d react.’
He looked at her like he wanted to argue again. But nothing came out.
She shook her head slowly. ‘I can’t keep being the strong one all the time,’ she said. ‘I can’t be the one holding it together for Charley while you get to decide what I know.’
His anger faltered then. The silence after her last words stretched thin. Cassian’s jaw tightened again, not because he didn’t hear her, but because he didn’t know what to do with it.
‘I didn’t mean to make you feel small,’ he repeated.
‘Well, you did,’ Daisy said quietly.
He dragged a hand through his hair, frustration creeping back in. ‘Okay. Fine. I fucked up. What do you want me to do about it now?’
She blinked at him.
‘I’m asking you,’ he pressed, voice rougher now. ‘What the fuck am I supposed to do that fixes it? I can’t un-get shot. I can’t go back and tell you differently. So what do you want?’
She stared at him for a long second. ‘I don’t want you to fix it,’ she said slowly.
‘Then what Daisy?’
‘I want you to understand why I’m angry.’
‘I do understand.’
‘No, you don’t,’ she shot back. ‘You think this is about the bullet. It’s not.’
‘Then spell it out for me,’ he said, more defensive now because he genuinely looked lost.
‘It’s about trust,’ she said. ‘It’s about you deciding that I couldn’t handle the truth.’
He exhaled sharply. ‘That’s not what I thought.’
‘Then what did you think?’ she demanded.
He hesitated. ‘I thought,’ he said carefully, ‘that you’ve already got enough on your plate. I thought you didn’t need to add that to it.’
‘That’s not your decision.’
‘I know that now.’
‘You should’ve known it then.’
His shoulders sagged slightly. ‘I was lying there,’ he said quietly, ‘and all I could think about was you and Charley. And I thought… if I tell her this, she’s going to picture it. She’s going to see it every time I leave.’
‘I already see it,’ she said again, softer now but no less firm.
He looked at her, really looked at her, and saw the exhaustion there. Not just tonight’s anger. Three years of it. The quiet strength she carried without complaint.
He rubbed the back of his neck again. ‘So what now?’
She hesitated. Then, more quietly, ‘Where did it hit you?’
The shift caught him off guard. ‘What?’
‘The bullet,’ she said. ‘Where?’
He swallowed. ‘Shoulder blade.’
Her eyes flicked automatically to his back like she could see through the fabric of his shirt. ‘Left?’
‘Yeah.’
There was a long pause.
‘Can I see it?’
The question landed heavy.
He frowned slightly. ‘Why?’
‘Because seeing it might make it real,’ she said. ‘Or maybe less real. I don’t know. But right now it’s just… in my head.’
He hesitated. ‘Are you sure?’ he asked.
She nodded once. ‘I think it’ll help.’
He searched her face for a moment, checking, making sure this wasn’t self-punishment. Then he gave a short nod. ‘Okay.’
They moved into the living room in silence. The lamp in the corner cast a softer light than the harsh kitchen overhead. Cassian sat down on the edge of the couch first, turning slightly so his back angled toward her. For a second, neither of them moved. Then he reached down and grabbed the hem of his t-shirt.
He hesitated again. ‘You don’t have to,’ he murmured.
‘I want to,’ she said.
He pulled the shirt up and over his head slowly. The fabric dropped onto the couch beside him. Daisy’s breath caught, not dramatically, not with a gasp, but her breathing shifted. Cassian’s back was broad, solid, familiar. And there, just below his left shoulder blade, was the scar.
It wasn’t huge. But it was fresh. Still a deep, angry pink against his skin. A thin line with puckered edges where stitches had held it closed. Her stomach twisted.
‘That’s it,’ he said quietly. ‘In and out.’
She didn’t answer. She moved closer instead, sitting beside him. Her hand hovered for a second before she let her fingertips brush his skin, just below the scar. He flinched slightly at the coolness of her touch.
‘Does it still hurt?’ she asked softly.
‘Not really.’
She shifted her hand, gently tracing the edge of the healed wound, careful not to press too hard. Her breathing grew heavier again. Not crying. Just processing.
‘You could’ve died,’ she whispered.
‘I didn’t.’
‘That’s not the point.’
He closed his eyes briefly as her palm flattened against his back, right beside the scar. The warmth of her hand there felt grounding. Real.
‘I hate that I didn’t know,’ she said quietly.
‘I know.’
‘I hate that you went through that and I wasn’t there.’
He swallowed. ‘I don’t want you there for that.’
She almost smiled faintly. ‘You don’t get to decide that either.’
His shoulders shook slightly with a quiet exhale. They stayed like that for a long moment. Her hand on his back. His head slightly bowed. The anger had drained. What was left was raw.
‘I don’t want to fight with you,’ she murmured.
‘I don’t want to fight either.’
‘But you have to tell me,’ she said. ‘Even when it’s hard.’
He nodded slowly. ‘Okay.’
‘And you don’t get to protect me from the truth.’
‘I hear you.’
She rested her forehead lightly between his shoulder blades for a second, not romantic, not dramatic. Just tired. Just close. He didn’t move. Didn’t pull away. The room was quiet except for their breathing. And for the first time since they’d left the restaurant, neither of them felt like they were shouting across a distance.
They were just… there.
The hug loosened slowly. Not because either of them wanted to let go, but because their bodies seemed to shift on instinct, pulled forward by something heavier than comfort. Cassian’s hands were still around her back when Daisy lifted her head. For a moment, they were just there. Close enough that she could feel the heat of him through the air. Close enough that her breath brushed his mouth when she exhaled.
Neither of them spoke. It just… happened.
The smallest kiss at first.
Barely more than their lips touching, soft, unsure, like they were both checking if this was real or if the moment would vanish if they pressed too hard. Daisy froze for half a second. So did Cassian. Then she breathed in, and the world tipped. They pulled back an inch, not enough to break it, just enough to look at each other. Her hands were still clutching at his sides. His were still holding her like he was afraid she’d disappear.
Their eyes dropped to each other’s mouths in the same instant. The pull between them was almost painful.
‘Cassian…’ she whispered, not stopping him.
He swallowed, his jaw tightening as if he was fighting something he’d already lost. And then he kissed her again. This time there was nothing tentative about it.
The kiss deepened naturally, slow but full, loaded with the fear of the argument they’d just had, the anger that had cracked open into something raw, the image that still burned behind her eyes of him bleeding somewhere she couldn’t reach. Daisy leaned into him, needing to feel that he was here. Solid. Warm. Breathing. Her palms pressed flat to his bare chest, fingers curling into the heat of his skin like she was anchoring herself to him.
Cassian’s breath stuttered when he felt her there. He pulled her closer, their knees knocking together as she ended up pressed against him, his arm firm around her back. The couch creaked softly as he shifted, guiding her down into the cushions so she was leaning back against them, his weight braced over her without crushing her. It wasn’t rough. It wasn’t frantic. It was heavy with everything unsaid.
Daisy’s hands slid up his ribs, thumbs brushing over the muscles there, her touch grounding and desperate at the same time. She kissed him again, slower now, deeper, her breathing uneven against his mouth. Cassian’s forehead dropped briefly to hers.
‘I’m here,’ he said quietly, like a promise he was trying to prove.
Her eyes fluttered shut. He kissed her again. The room narrowed down to the space between them. The quiet hum of the house. The steady, real beat of his heart under her palms. Cassian’s hand slid to her waist, fingers tightening slightly, his thumb brushing the edge of her top as if his body had already decided where this was going even if his head hadn’t caught up yet.
They both felt it. That tipping point. The moment where it would become something they couldn’t pretend was accidental. Cassian paused, breath heavy against her cheek, eyes searching hers. And then-
‘Muuuummaaa!’
The cry cut through the room like a blade. They broke apart instantly. Daisy sucked in a sharp breath, heart hammering as reality crashed back in. Her hands dropped from his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of her own top like she needed something to hold onto.
Cassian swore quietly under his breath, squeezing his eyes shut for a second before pushing himself back, putting space between them like he physically needed the distance. Upstairs, Charley cried again. The moment shattered.
The air between them shifted, from charged to fragile to painfully awkward in the span of a heartbeat. Daisy sat up slowly, dragging a hand through her hair, trying to steady her breathing. Cassian stood, running a hand over his face.
‘I’ve got him,’ he said quietly.
She nodded, unable to look at him. And as he turned toward the stairs, the space he left behind felt colder than the rest of the room. The cry upstairs had shattered the moment so abruptly that Cassian’s heart was still hammering as he took the stairs two at a time.
He didn’t look back. If he did, he wasn’t sure what he’d see on Daisy’s face, regret, fear, want, and he didn’t trust himself to process any of it properly right now. Charley’s door was half open. The small dinosaur nightlight cast green shadows across the walls, stretching toy silhouettes into strange shapes.
‘Mummaaa,’ Charley whimpered again, voice thick with sleep.
Cassian pushed the door open softly. ‘Hey, hey. I’ve got you.’
Charley was sitting up in bed, hair sticking up at the back, red panda clutched tightly to his chest. His lower lip trembled when he saw Cassian.
‘Dino got me,’ he sniffed.
Cassian crossed the room quickly and scooped him up without hesitation. ‘You’re okay. Just a dream.’
Charley burrowed into his neck immediately, small hands fisting into the collar of Cassian’s skin.
‘Daddy here?’ he asked, as if he needed confirmation.
‘Yeah,’ Cassian murmured, pressing a kiss into his son’s hair. ‘Daddy’s here.’
He sat down on the edge of the bed with Charley in his lap, rocking slightly without thinking about it. The familiar weight of his son against his chest grounded him in a way nothing else could. Charley’s breathing was still uneven.
Cassian rubbed slow circles over his back. ‘You’re safe, mate. Mumma’s downstairs. I’m right here.’
Charley nodded against him, thumb drifting toward his mouth. Cassian stayed like that for longer than he needed to. Longer than usual. Normally, once Charley’s breathing evened out, he’d lay him back down and leave.
Tonight, he didn’t rush it. Because the image that had flashed through his mind downstairs, Daisy pressed beneath him, her hands on his skin, the weight of her breath against his mouth, collided hard with the reality of the small boy now tucked under his chin.
He swallowed. They’d crossed that line. Not just physically. Emotionally. And if they’d gone further…
What then?
He looked down at Charley’s face, soft and peaceful again now. This was the centre of everything. He couldn’t afford to be reckless. Not with Daisy. Not with this. Carefully, he lowered Charley back into bed. The red panda was tucked under his arm again, blanket pulled up to his shoulders.
‘Stay?’ Charley mumbled, half asleep.
Cassian’s chest tightened. ‘I’ll stay a minute.’
He sat beside the bed, one hand resting lightly on his son’s back, feeling the steady rise and fall. In the quiet, with only the soft glow of the nightlight and the sound of his son breathing, the weight of what had just happened downstairs settled properly into his bones.
He’d wanted her. Not casually. Not drunkenly. He’d wanted her in that way that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with fear and relief and needing to feel something solid after imagining losing it. And that was dangerous.
He brushed his thumb gently over Charley’s shoulder.
‘Daddy’s here,’ he whispered again, softer this time.
More for himself than for his son. After a few minutes, when Charley was fully asleep, Cassian leaned down and kissed his temple once more. Then he stood slowly, hesitating in the doorway. He lingered longer than usual. Because downstairs, Daisy was waiting. And he wasn’t sure what they were now. He turned off the hallway light and headed back toward the stairs, the house quiet around him, his heart still not quite steady.
Daisy stayed downstairs, staring at nothing. Her gaze was unfocused, fixed somewhere between the window and the place where Cassian had been sitting only minutes ago. Her heart was still going too fast. She could feel the echo of his hands on her back, the solid warmth of his chest beneath her palms. The way he’d pulled her in without thinking, like he’d needed the contact as much as she had. It hadn’t felt reckless in the moment. It hadn’t even felt like wanting.
It had felt like needing him to be real. Alive. Here. The thought of it made her chest tighten. Because underneath the heat of it all, underneath the way her body had leaned into his without permission from her head, there had been fear. The ugly, quiet kind that sat at the back of her mind every time he left. The kind that whispered what if one day he doesn’t come home?
Her hand lifted without her noticing at first, fingers brushing her lips where his had just been. The ghost of the kiss lingered there, soft and warm in her memory. She let her hand fall slowly into her lap. Comfort and guilt tangled in her chest. Comfort, because for a moment she’d felt anchored. Grounded by the weight of him in front of her instead of the awful, imagined versions of him she carried around in her head.
Guilt, because she knew she’d crossed a line she and Cassian had spent years carefully not crossing. She leaned back into the couch cushions, eyes drifting shut for a second, breathing out slowly. She wasn’t sure which feeling was stronger. And that, somehow, was the scariest part.
Cassian came back down a few minutes later. Daisy didn’t look up straight away. She could feel him in the room again, the shift in the air, the weight of another presence, but she kept her eyes on the carpet..
‘He’s asleep again,’ Cassian said quietly.
‘Okay,’ Daisy replied, just as softly.
There was a pause. The kind that stretched. Not awkward in a loud, obvious way, just heavy. Full of things they weren’t saying. Cassian stood there for a second, then let out a slow breath and flopped back onto the couch, dropping into the opposite corner with a tired thud. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, rubbing both hands down his face like he was trying to reset himself.
‘Well,’ he muttered, voice rough but deliberately light, ‘that was… probably not our best decision-making moment.’
Daisy huffed despite herself. ‘Understatement of the year.’
He glanced at her, the corner of his mouth tugging up. ‘I mean, in my defence, you’re very convincing.’
She shot him a look. ‘Oh, fuck off.’
There it was. The tension loosened, just a fraction.
‘Seriously though,’ he added, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling, ‘we’re really bad at this whole ‘let’s not make things complicated’ thing.’
‘Yep,’ Daisy agreed quietly. ‘We really are.’
Another small pause.
Then she sighed. ‘I’m sorry.’
He turned his head toward her immediately. ‘Don’t.’
‘I just-‘
‘No,’ he said firmly, cutting her off. ‘Shut up. We were both there. It wasn’t just you.’
She studied him for a moment, then nodded. ‘Okay.’
They sat in silence again, but it was different now. Not so brittle. The edge had softened, replaced with something careful.
Cassian rested his forearms on his thighs again, gaze unfocused. ‘We good?’
Daisy hesitated. ‘We’re… fine.’
‘Not the same thing,’ he said quietly.
She gave a small, tired smile. ‘I know.’
Neither of them moved closer. Neither of them moved away. They just existed there, side by side, both acutely aware that something had shifted between them, something subtle but significant, and neither of them was ready to put a name to it. The house settled around them, quiet again. And for now, that was enough.
Cassian reached for the shirt he’d draped over the arm of the couch earlier. The movement was slow, deliberate. Like he was giving himself a second to think about it, and then doing it anyway. He tugged it over his head, the fabric settling against his skin, covering up the warmth Daisy still felt like she could sense from across the room. It felt like a line being redrawn.
Daisy noticed. Of course she did. She shifted, standing up a little too quickly, like if she stayed seated any longer she might do something stupid.
‘Right,’ she said lightly, forcing some steadiness into her voice. ‘I’m going to bed. Before we have any more… bright ideas.’
Cassian let out a small breath that might’ve been a laugh. ‘Yeah. Probably for the best.’
They stood there for a second, facing each other with the coffee table between them. The space felt bigger now that they weren’t sharing the couch, wider, emptier. Their eyes met. And lingered. Not long. Just long enough for everything they weren’t saying to sit there between them.
‘Night, Cass,’ Daisy said quietly.
‘Night, Daisy,’ he replied.
She turned toward the stairs. He watched her go. The silence that followed the sound of her footsteps was louder than anything they’d said all evening.
Daisy lay on her back, staring up at the dark ceiling.
The house was quiet in that deep, late-night way, the kind of quiet that made every thought sound louder in her own head. The faint glow of the streetlight slipped in through the edge of the curtains, casting soft shadows across the walls. She hadn’t turned the lamp on. She didn’t want the distraction.
She should’ve been asleep. She was exhausted. But her mind wouldn’t switch off.
What the fuck had just happened tonight?
Her jaw tightened as the memory replayed, unwanted and vivid. Cassian getting shot. The way Nesta had said it so casually, like it was nothing more than gossip to drop into conversation over dinner. The humiliation of standing there, surrounded by people who all seemed to know something she didn’t. The realisation that he’d hidden something huge from her, not a white lie, not something small, but something that could’ve changed everything in a single second.
The anger flared again, hot in her chest. They never fought like that. They argued, sure. Sniped at each other over stupid things. Bickered about dishes and routines and whose turn it was to do bedtime. But that?
That had been real. Raw. Hurtful in a way that went deeper than any of their usual back-and-forth ever did.
She rolled onto her side, staring at the wall. And then there was the other part. The part her brain kept circling back to no matter how hard she tried not to. The way the argument had cracked open into something else. How standing there, furious and scared and overwhelmed, had tipped so easily into her being in his arms. How fast anger had turned into needing, needing to feel him there, solid and breathing and alive in front of her.
She squeezed her eyes shut. God, that kiss. It hadn’t felt reckless in the moment. It had felt… desperate. Like she’d reached for him because the alternative, the idea of him not coming back one day, was too much to hold in her chest on its own.
Her fingers curled into the sheet at her side. They’d crossed a line. Not just a small one. A line they’d both been careful not to step over for three years. And they would’ve kept going.
The realisation made her stomach twist.
If Charley hadn’t cried out upstairs… if they hadn’t been dragged back to reality so abruptly… she wasn’t naïve enough to pretend it wouldn’t have gone further. She could feel it in the way her body had leaned into him without permission from her head, in how easily she’d let herself forget everything except the fact that he was there.
That scared her more than the anger did. Because anger was safe. Anger didn’t complicate things. This did.
She let out a slow breath, pressing her hand flat to her chest like she could calm her heartbeat that way. What did it mean? Did it mean she wanted him? She knew she did but did it mean she was just scared? Was it about him at all, or was it about the fear of losing him, the fear of explaining to her son one day why his dad wasn’t coming back?
Her thoughts tangled in on themselves, looping in the dark. She turned onto her other side, pulling the duvet tighter around her shoulders. Down the hall, she could hear the faintest sound of movement, Cassian shifting in his room, maybe, the house settling around both of them. The knowledge that he was there, under the same roof, made something ache in her chest in a way she didn’t want to examine too closely.
She squeezed her eyes shut again, trying to will sleep to come. Tomorrow, she told herself. She’d deal with it tomorrow. For now, all she could do was lie there in the dark, heart too loud, mind too full, replaying a night that had shifted something she wasn’t ready to name.
The kitchen smelled faintly of coffee and toast.
Morning light filtered in through the window, pale and soft, catching on the edge of the counter and the mess of dinosaur cups still drying by the sink. Daisy was already up, hair pulled into a loose knot, mug cradled between her hands like she needed the warmth. Cassian came in a few minutes later, shirt tugged on hastily, eyes a little too alert for someone who’d clearly slept badly.
‘Morning,’ he said.
‘Morning,’ Daisy replied.
Their eyes met for half a second longer than necessary. Then they both looked away.
Charley barreled into the room moments later, already loud. ‘Daddy! You said ice cream!’
Cassian groaned quietly. ‘Good morning to you too, mate.’
Daisy hid a smile behind her mug. ‘He’s been waiting to remind you.’
‘I have excellent memory,’ Charley announced proudly.
‘You also have crumbs on your face,’ Daisy said, reaching for a napkin and wiping his cheek.
Cassian leaned against the counter. ‘So do I get coffee before I’m held to last night’s promises?’
Daisy slid the kettle toward him. ‘Make your own.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Harsh.’
‘You deserve it.’
He laughed under his breath, but there was a softness in it. ‘Fair.’
Charley climbed onto his chair, immediately reaching for the cereal box. ‘Zoo again today?’
‘Not today,’ Daisy said gently. ‘Today’s a stay-at-home day.’
Charley’s face crumpled. ‘Ice cream then.’
Cassian sighed theatrically. ‘You’re relentless.’
‘I’m suasive.’
Daisy snorted. ‘You absolutely are.’
Cassian poured coffee and took a sip, then winced. ‘Still too hot.’
‘Tragic,’ Daisy said dryly.
They shared a look again. It lingered. There was something different in the way they stood near each other now, not distant, not cold, just aware. Like every movement, every glance, carried a little more weight than it had yesterday.
Cassian cleared his throat. ‘So. Big plans for the day?’
‘Survival,’ Daisy said. ‘Laundry. Maybe a walk to the park if he behaves.’
Charley grinned. ‘I behave.’
‘You threw toast at me yesterday,’ Cassian reminded him.
‘It slipped.’
Daisy laughed despite herself. ‘Of course it did.’
Cassian nudged Charley’s chair with his knee. ‘If you behave, we’ll talk about ice cream later.’
‘Yay!’
Daisy shot Cassian a look. ‘You’re setting yourself up.’
‘I know,’ he said, grinning. ‘But look at his face.’
Charley beamed at both of them. For a moment, it felt easy. Normal. Like a family morning, cereal, coffee, small jokes bouncing around the kitchen. And then Cassian’s gaze drifted back to Daisy, softer now. Unspoken things sat behind it, last night’s anger, last night’s closeness, everything they weren’t saying.
Daisy met his eyes and held them for a second longer this time. Neither of them smiled. Neither of them looked away first.
Charley slammed his spoon down. ‘Ice cream today.’
Cassian laughed and ruffled his hair. ‘We’ll see, you menace.’
Daisy shook her head, but she was smiling, even if her chest felt tight. Everything was fine. And everything was very much not.
Cassian’s phone buzzed on the counter. He glanced at it automatically, expecting a work notification, but his expression shifted when he saw the name.
‘Rhys,’ he muttered.
Daisy arched an eyebrow. ‘Already?’
He hesitated, then answered. ‘What?’
There was no greeting on Rhys’ end. Just a sigh.
‘Before you say anything,’ Rhys started, ‘I know. I’ve already had it out with Feyre.’
Cassian pinched the bridge of his nose.
Rhys continued dryly. ‘Nesta’s been told in no uncertain terms to keep her mouth shut in future.’
Daisy tried not to look like she was listening. She failed.
Cassian leaned back against the counter. ‘It’s fine.’
‘It’s not fine,’ Rhys said immediately. ‘You told me not to say anything. I told Feyre because she’s my wife and she cares about you. I didn’t think she’d go and tell her sister.’
‘Well,’ Cassian said flatly, ‘she did.’
A pause.
‘How bad was it?’ Rhys asked.
Cassian glanced at Daisy. She was very deliberately wiping down an already clean section of counter.
‘She’s pissed,’ Cassian said honestly.
‘Fair,’ Rhys muttered.
Cassian shrugged slightly. ‘It is what it is. We’ve gotten through it’
There was another beat of silence before Rhys spoke again, tone shifting.
‘Right. That’s why I’m calling.’
Cassian frowned slightly.
‘You’re coming over for lunch.’
Cassian blinked. ‘We’re what?’
‘You, Daisy, Charley. All of you. Today.’
‘That’s not necessary.’
‘It absolutely is,’ Rhys said firmly. ‘We’re not having that be the last thing that happened between everyone.’
Cassian glanced at Daisy again. She was definitely listening now.
‘Rhys-‘
‘Nope,’ Rhys cut him off. ‘It’ll give the boys a chance to run around and tire each other out. And the adults can clear the air properly.’
‘She’s not exactly in the mood,’ Cassian said quietly.
‘All the more reason,’ Rhys replied. ‘Feyre feels awful. And before you ask, no, Nesta will not be there.’
That got Daisy’s attention.
Cassian sighed. ‘You don’t need to do this.’
‘I know I don’t need to,’ Rhys said. ‘I want to. And if you don’t show up, I’m coming to drag you out myself.’
Cassian huffed out a reluctant laugh. ‘You’re a pain in my ass’
‘I’ve been told.’
There was a pause.
‘Two hours,’ Rhys added. ‘Bring wine. And let Daisy know she’s not allowed to feel awkward, that’s on us.’
Cassian hesitated for a second longer.
Then relented. ‘Fine.’
‘Good,’ Rhys said. ‘And Cass?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I’m sorry.’
Cassian’s jaw softened slightly. ‘I know.’
He ended the call. Daisy didn’t look at him immediately.
‘So,’ she said lightly, though it wasn’t light at all, ‘what did he want?’
Cassian slid his phone into his pocket. ‘Lunch.’
Her head snapped up. ‘Lunch?’
‘At his place.’
‘Today?’ she asked incredulously.
‘Yeah, before you say no-‘
She stared at him. ‘Absolutely not.’
‘Daisy-‘
‘No,’ she said, already shaking her head. ‘I am not walking into that house after last night.’
‘Nesta won’t be there.’
‘That’s not the point.’
‘Then what is the point?’
‘The point is I was blindsided in front of everyone,’ she said. ‘I’m not exactly eager for round two.’
‘It’s not round two,’ he said gently. ‘It’s them trying to make it right.’
She folded her arms. ‘I don’t need an audience apology.’
‘You won’t get one,’ he said. ‘It’ll just be lunch.’
‘With Feyre apologising every five minutes,’ Daisy muttered.
‘Probably,’ Cassian admitted.
She looked at him sharply. ‘You already agreed, didn’t you?’
‘…Maybe.’
‘Cassian.’ She whined.
‘He wouldn’t let it go.’
‘That’s because he’s your brother,’ she shot back. ‘He can’t stand things being messy.’
‘Neither can you.’
She opened her mouth to argue. Stopped.
He stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. ‘It might actually be good.’
‘How?’
‘Because you won’t be walking around feeling like everyone’s whispering about you or pitying you.
‘I wasn’t walking around feeling that.’
He gave her a look.
She exhaled sharply. ‘Okay, maybe a bit.’
He softened. ‘It’ll give the boys a chance to play. Nyx has been asking about Charley.’
Charley perked up at his name. ‘Nyx?’
Cassian smiled faintly. ‘Yeah, mate. You want to go see him?’
‘Yes!’
Daisy shot Cassian an exasperated look. ‘You are manipulative.’
‘Strategic,’ he corrected.
She pressed her lips together, clearly weighing it. ‘I don’t want to be pitied,’ she said finally.
‘You won’t be,’ he replied. ‘You’ll be fed.’
She almost smiled. ‘Cass.’
‘It’ll be fine.’
‘That’s what you said about dinner last night.’
He winced. ‘Low blow.’
She sighed heavily, rubbing her temple. ‘I hate you for this.’
‘I know.’
There was a long pause.
Charley tugged on Daisy’s jumper. ‘See Nyx?’
She looked down at him. Then back at Cassian. ‘…Fine,’ she muttered. ‘But if she’s there’
‘She won’t be.’
‘And if Feyre starts crying-‘
‘I’ll handle it.’
‘And if it’s weird-‘
‘It won’t be.’
She narrowed her eyes at him.
‘It might be,’ he admitted.
She huffed out a breath. ‘I hate that you’re probably right about this being the mature thing to do.’
‘I’m rarely wrong.’
‘Don’t push it.’
He smiled slightly.
And for a moment, the tension eased, not gone, not fixed, but manageable.
‘Two hours,’ Cassian said.
Daisy nodded reluctantly. Everything was still fragile. But they’d show up anyway.
Daisy lingered in the hallway mirror for a second longer than necessary, tugging the soft knit of her cardigan back into place. She didn’t usually overthink what she wore to Rhys and Feyre’s, they’d seen her in joggers, in pyjamas, in whatever she’d thrown on to wrangle Charley out the door, but today her nerves had her second-guessing everything. The jeans, the soft top, the way she’d actually bothered with a bit of makeup. She smoothed her hair back, dark waves settling over her shoulders, then sighed quietly at herself.
‘It’s just lunch,’ she muttered.
Cassian’s voice floated up from down the hall. ‘You’re overthinking.’
She rolled her eyes and went back into Charley’s room. ‘I am not.’
Charley was half-dressed, one sock on, the other somehow missing despite Daisy having literally just put it on him.
‘Where’s the other one?’ she asked.
Charley grinned. ‘It ran away.’
‘Convenient,’ she said, hunting under the bed. ‘Your socks are not sentient.’
Cassian appeared in the doorway a moment later, carrying his t-shirt in one hand, bare chest catching the light from the window as he paused to watch Daisy wrestle a wriggly toddler into trousers. Daisy looked up. Immediately wished she hadn’t.
Her brain did that unhelpful thing where it replayed last night without permission, the heat of his skin under her palms, the way she’d been pressed right here against his chest, the feel of his mouth on hers. The memory hit her out of nowhere, vivid and entirely uninvited.
She looked away quickly, focusing on Charley’s buttons like her life depended on it. Cassian caught the look. Of course he did.
A slow, knowing grin tugged at his mouth. ‘You alright there?’
‘Fine,’ she snapped a little too fast.
He glanced down at himself, then back at her, eyebrows lifting. ‘You’re staring again.’
‘I am not.’
‘You absolutely are.’
She shot him a glare. ‘Put a shirt on, you dick.’
He chuckled, pulling the t-shirt over his head but not before deliberately taking his time about it. ‘You’re the one with the wandering eyes.’
‘I was checking for-‘ she faltered, then scowled. ‘I don’t need a reason.’
Charley looked between them, confused. ‘Daddy, Mumma mad?’
Cassian crouched to Charley’s level fixing his collar ‘Mumma’s just bossy.’
‘I am not bossy,’ Daisy said.
Cassian straightened, now fully dressed, but still wearing that infuriatingly smug expression. ‘You’re cute when you’re flustered.’
‘I am not flustered.’
‘Uh-huh.’
She found the missing sock and shoved it onto Charley’s foot a little more forcefully than necessary. ‘You’re enjoying this way too much.’
‘Maybe a bit,’ he admitted easily.
Daisy exhaled, shaking her head. ‘You’re impossible.’
‘And yet,’ he said lightly, ‘you’ve put up with me this long.’
She paused, then muttered, ‘Barely.’
But there was no real heat in it, just that familiar, easy tension that lived between them, threaded now with something heavier they were both trying not to acknowledge.
Cassian reached out and ruffled Charley’s hair. ‘You ready to go see Nyx, mate?’
‘Yes!’ Charley bounced.
Daisy grabbed Charley’s jacket and held it out. ‘Arms up.’
As she helped him into it, she caught Cassian watching her again, not with that teasing grin this time, but with something quieter. Softer. She pretended not to notice.
‘Come on,’ she said briskly. ‘Let’s get this over with before I change my mind.’
Cassian smirked. ‘See? Bossy.’
She flipped him off. And somehow, for all the nerves buzzing under her skin, the banter made it easier to breathe.
Cassian drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually near the gear stick, the familiar route to Rhys and Feyre’s place rolling past the windows. The car was quiet except for Charley humming to himself in the backseat, red panda tucked under his arm. Daisy sat in the passenger seat, knee bouncing faintly, fingers twisting together in her lap.
‘You okay?’ Cassian asked gently, glancing at her.
‘Yeah,’ she said automatically. Then, after a beat, added, ‘I’m just… not great with social ambushes.’
He huffed a soft laugh. ‘It’s not an ambush. It’s lunch.’
‘With people I embarrassed myself in front of less than twenty-four hours ago,’ she muttered.
‘You didn’t embarrass yourself,” he said. ‘If anything, they embarrassed you.’
Her knee bounced faster.
Cassian hesitated, then reached over and rested his hand lightly on her leg, just above her knee. ‘Hey. It’ll be fine. They’re your people too.’
The contact was meant to be grounding. It did the opposite. Daisy’s breath caught, her body reacting in a way that annoyed the hell out of her. The warmth of his palm seeped through her jeans, sending that stupid, familiar awareness up her spine. She stilled her leg, not trusting herself to move.
Cassian noticed the way she went rigid.
‘Sorry,’ he said quietly, pulling his hand back. ‘Too much?’
She shook her head, forcing a small, tight smile. ‘No, you were just… trying to be nice. My nervous system is being dramatic.’
He gave her a sideways look. ‘Guessing that’s my fault.’
‘No,’ she said quickly. ‘It’s not. It’s just… everything’s a bit loud in my head today… which is your fault actually so yes, it is’
Charley piped up from the back. ‘We seeing Nyx now?’
‘Almost,’ Cassian said. ‘Two more minutes.’
Daisy exhaled slowly, trying to reset. She pressed her palms to her thighs, grounding herself in the feel of the seat, the hum of the engine. ‘I’m fine. Really.’
Cassian didn’t argue it. He just nodded, letting the silence sit without pushing. When they pulled up outside Rhys and Feyre’s place, the house was already lively, Azriel’s car parked out front, the sound of laughter drifting faintly through an open window. Daisy’s shoulders tensed.
‘Az and Gwyn are here already,’ Cassian said, unbothered. ‘Good. More buffer.’
She snorted despite herself. ‘I don’t need a buffer.’
‘You absolutely do,’ he teased lightly.
They climbed out, Cassian unbuckling Charley and lifting him down. Charley immediately wriggled free, racing toward the front door like he owned the place.
‘Slow down, mate!’ Cassian called after him.
The door opened before they even knocked.
‘There he is!’ Rhys grinned, scooping Charley up mid-run. ‘My favourite small tornado.’
Charley giggled. ‘Nyx!’
‘Out back,’ Feyre called, smiling warmly at Daisy as she stepped aside. ‘Come in, come in.’
Azriel and Gwyn appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, both smiling.
‘Hey,’ Azriel said.
Gwyn’s smile was soft, sincere. ‘Hi, Daisy.’
Daisy relaxed just a fraction at the genuine warmth. ‘Hi’
Cassian nudged her lightly with his shoulder as they stepped inside. ‘See? No firing squad.’
She shot him a look. ‘Don’t jinx it.’
The house buzzed with familiar noise and easy warmth, and even with the knot still sitting in Daisy’s chest, it felt… manageable. The garden was warm and bright, late morning sun spilling across the patio stones. Feyre had gone all out, there was a long table set up under the pergola with bowls of salad, platters of sandwiches, pasta, crisps, fruit skewers, even a tray of brownies cooling at one end.
Nyx and Charley were already racing across the grass, shrieking with laughter as Azriel half-heartedly tried to referee whatever game they’d invented.
‘Shoes off the furniture!’ Gwyn called, laughing as Nyx launched himself onto one of the outdoor cushions anyway.
Rhys handed Cassian a beer and Daisy a cold glass of something sparkling and citrusy. ‘Peace offering,’ he said lightly
Daisy took it. ‘I’m going to need at least three.’
Feyre winced softly. ‘Can we just-‘ She gestured toward the chairs. ‘Can we sit?’
They all settled around the patio table. Cassian took the seat beside Daisy without thinking about it. Their knees brushed. She didn’t move away. Feyre didn’t ease into it. She just inhaled and went straight for it.
‘I’m really sorry,’ she said, looking directly at Daisy. ‘About last night. About all of it.’
The garden felt quieter suddenly, even with the boys shouting in the background. Daisy held Feyre’s gaze but didn’t rush to soften.
Feyre continued, words tumbling out. ‘I shouldn’t have told Nesta. Rhys told me in confidence and I knew that. I knew it. And I still mentioned it’ She exhaled sharply. ‘It was stupid.’
Rhys rubbed the back of his neck. ‘It was my fault too.’
‘No,’ Feyre said quickly. ‘It wasn’t. You trusted me.’ She looked back at Daisy. ‘And I am so sorry you found out like that. In front of everyone. From her. That must have felt awful.’
Daisy’s jaw tightened slightly. She nodded once. ‘Yeah. It did.’
Silence hovered. Cassian stayed quiet beside her, letting her speak.
Feyre leaned forward slightly. ‘You didn’t deserve that. Not the shock. Not the setting. Not my sister running her mouth.’
Rhys muttered, ‘She’s been dealt with.’
Daisy huffed a faint breath through her nose. ‘I don’t doubt that. She took a sip of her drink, buying herself a second. ‘I’m still not thrilled about it,’ she admitted honestly. ‘But Cass and I… we had it out.’
Cassian snorted softly. ‘Understatement.’
She elbowed him lightly without looking at him. ‘And I think I’ve finally managed to get it through his thick skull that if he ever keeps something like that from me again, I will personally knock him out.’
Azriel coughed to hide a laugh.
Cassian raised his hands slightly. ‘Message received.’
Feyre’s shoulders loosened a fraction.
Daisy sighed, tone shifting from sharp to steadier. ‘Look, I get that you’re his family. I know he’s allowed to talk to you about things. And I respect that you didn’t come running to me after he asked you not to.’
She glanced at Rhys briefly, then back to Feyre. ‘I just don’t want to be in the dark about something like that again.’
Feyre nodded quickly. ‘I understand that, and I promise if he is ever so stupid to try and keep something like that from you I will personally lynch him’
‘Thank you…he got shot,’ Daisy said plainly, her gaze falling on the man sat next to her. ‘That’s not… small.’
Rhys grimaced.
Gwyn spoke gently. ‘It isn’t.’
Daisy looked down at her glass for a moment before continuing. ‘I understand why he didn’t want to worry me. I do. But I’d rather worry than find out in front of a table full of people.’
Cassian’s knee pressed lightly against hers, a quiet acknowledgment.
Feyre reached across the table and squeezed Daisy’s hand. ‘You’re right. Completely right.’
Rhys added, more serious now, ‘It won’t happen again.’
Daisy held Feyre’s gaze a second longer, then gave a small nod. ‘Okay.’
The tension didn’t vanish, but it shifted, less sharp, more manageable.
Azriel cleared his throat lightly. ‘Right. Now that we’ve handled the emotional landmine…’
Cassian glanced at him. ‘Please don’t start.’
Azriel smirked faintly. ‘Can we eat before Nyx and Charley destroy the entire garden?’
As if on cue, Nyx tripped over a football and took Charley down with him, both of them dissolving into hysterical laughter on the grass.
Feyre exhaled a soft breath of relief, standing to start passing plates around. ‘Food fixes most things.’
Daisy allowed herself a small smile. Not perfect. Not erased. But handled. The tension didn’t disappear all at once. But it eased. Gradually.
Feyre started passing plates around, Rhys refilled drinks, and Azriel launched into a story about one of his colleagues that had Gwyn rolling her eyes before he’d even reached the punchline.
‘and then he genuinely thought it was a good idea to reverse into the loading bay,’ Azriel finished.
Rhys blinked. ‘He what?’
‘With the trailer still attached,’ Azriel deadpanned.
Cassian barked out a laugh. ‘Please tell me there’s CCTV footage.’
‘Oh, there is,’ Azriel replied calmly. ‘I’ve saved it.’
Gwyn swatted his arm. ‘You are not sending that around.’
‘Too late,’ Azriel said without remorse.
Daisy felt herself relax into the rhythm of it, the easy teasing, the familiar back-and-forth that didn’t feel sharp or loaded. Charley and Nyx were now running laps around the garden with football shirts tied around their heads like capes.
‘Why are they screaming?’ Gwyn asked lightly.
‘Because they’re alive,’ Rhys replied.
‘Because they’re feral,’ Feyre corrected.
Daisy laughed properly for the first time that afternoon. ‘Charley woke up this morning and immediately demanded ice cream for breakfast.’
Azriel raised an eyebrow. ‘Bold.’
‘He has excellent memory,’ Cassian said solemnly.
‘He does not forget promises,’ Daisy added pointedly.
Cassian shot her a look. ‘I’m aware.’
Rhys smirked. ‘Is he going to get the ice cream?’
‘Yes,’ Daisy and Cassian said at the same time.
They glanced at each other, surprised. Then both huffed a quiet laugh.
Feyre smiled at that, the tension from earlier completely gone from her posture now. ’They’re good together,’ she murmured quietly to Gwyn.
Gwyn nodded. ‘It’s very obvious.’
Azriel leaned back in his chair, beer balanced on his knee. ‘You know,’ he said casually, ‘if you two ever need a babysitter-‘
‘No,’ Cassian cut in immediately.
Daisy blinked. ‘That was fast.’
‘I don’t trust him,’ Cassian said.
Azriel looked offended. ‘I am a responsible adult.’
‘You nearly set your own kitchen on fire last month,’ Rhys reminded him.
‘That was experimental,’ Azriel argued.
‘With the toaster,’ Gwyn clarified.
Daisy laughed again, shoulders loosening fully now. ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
Cassian leaned back, stretching one arm across the back of Daisy’s chair again, not possessive, not performative. Just comfortable. It didn’t feel loaded this time. It felt easy.
Charley barrelled back over, cheeks flushed. ‘Daddy! Nyx says he can run faster than me!’
Cassian stood immediately. ‘That’s fighting talk.’
Rhys rose too. ‘Oh, we are not doing this.’
‘We absolutely are,’ Cassian shot back, already rolling his sleeves up.
Daisy groaned. ‘You’re going to make them worse.’
Azriel smirked. ‘Let them. It’ll tire them out.’
Within seconds, Cassian was sprinting across the grass with both boys shrieking after him, deliberately letting them catch him so they could tackle his legs. Nyx cheered triumphantly. Charley climbed onto Cassian’s back like he’d conquered a mountain. Daisy watched from her seat, smiling without thinking.
‘He’s good with him,’ Gwyn said softly.
‘He’s good with both of them,’ Feyre added.
Daisy’s smile didn’t fade. ‘Yeah. He is.’
Across the lawn, Cassian caught her watching and winked. She rolled her eyes. But she was smiling. And this time, it wasn’t forced.
Cassian was halfway through letting Nyx and Charley tackle him into the grass when Rhys suddenly snapped his fingers like he’d remembered something urgent.
‘Shit. The garage door.’
Cassian groaned from the lawn. ‘What about it?’
‘It’s been sticking all week,’ Rhys said. ‘Opens halfway, then throws a tantrum and slams back down. I meant to ask you before.’
Azriel smirked. ‘Translation: he broke it.’
‘I did not break it,’ Rhys protested. ‘I merely installed it.’
Cassian pushed himself up, brushing grass off his jeans. ‘That’s worse.’
He glanced at Daisy briefly, just enough to make sure she was settled and smiling, then jerked his chin toward the side of the house. ‘Fine. Show me.’
The three of them disappeared around the side path, the noise of the kids fading behind them as they stepped into the cooler shade of the garage. Rhys hit the wall button. The door groaned upward halfway… shuddered… then slid back down with a metallic thunk.
Cassian winced. ‘Yeah, that’s not right.’
Azriel leaned against the bonnet of Rhys’ car. ‘That noise sounds expensive.’
‘It’s a sensor or the track,’ Cassian muttered, already crouching to inspect the rail. He ran his hand along the metal, checking alignment. ‘When did it start?’
‘Last Tuesday,’ Rhys said. ‘Thought it was just being dramatic.’
Cassian snorted. ‘Well it is part of your property’
He grabbed a spanner from the wall, loosening the bracket holding the track in place. The movement was automatic, methodical, steady.
Azriel watched him for a second before saying casually, ‘So.’
Cassian didn’t look up. ‘No.’
Rhys folded his arms. ‘You don’t even know what we’re going to ask.’
‘Yes I do.’
Azriel smirked. ‘How were things when you got home?’
Cassian exhaled slowly, tightening the bolt again. ‘Rough.’
‘How rough?’ Rhys pressed.
Cassian straightened slightly, testing the door manually before answering. ‘I’ve never seen her that pissed.’
Rhys’s brows lifted. ‘That bad?’
‘Yeah,’ Cassian said simply. ‘She wasn’t just angry. She was hurt.’
Azriel nodded once. ‘What did she say?’
‘That I don’t get to decide what she can handle,’ Cassian replied. ‘That I don’t get to ‘protect’ her by keeping her in the dark.’
Rhys winced.
Cassian scrubbed a hand over his jaw. ‘She said she’d rather worry than be blindsided.’
Azriel tilted his head. ‘She’s not wrong. Did you tell her why you didn’t?’
‘Yeah.’
‘And?’
Cassian’s shoulders shifted slightly. “I told her I didn’t want her lying awake at night picturing me bleeding out somewhere’
The garage went quiet for a second.
Rhys leaned back against the workbench. ‘And how did she take that?’
“She called it bullshit, said she does that anyway’ Cassian said. ‘Then she just… went quiet. That was worse.’
Azriel nodded slowly. ‘Quiet Daisy is dangerous.’
Cassian gave a humourless huff. ‘Tell me about it.’
He pressed the button again after adjusting the track. This time the door lifted higher before sticking again.
‘Nearly,’ he muttered.
Rhys watched him carefully. ‘How did you leave it?’
Cassian let out a short laugh under his breath.
Azriel’s eyes sharpened. ‘That’s not the sound of a clean resolution.’
Cassian adjusted the sensor alignment, avoiding their looks. ‘We didn’t exactly shake hands and call it done.’
Rhys smirked slightly. ‘What happened?’
Cassian huffed another dry laugh and hesitated just long enough to confirm there was something.
Azriel grinned. ‘Oh, this is good.’
Cassian rolled his eyes. ‘Shut up.’
Rhys stepped closer. ‘Cass.’
Cassian sighed, leaning back against the ladder. ‘We kissed.’
Both of them went still.
‘You kissed?’ Rhys repeated.
Cassian shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. ‘Yeah.’
Azriel raised a brow. ‘That’s new.’
‘It wasn’t planned,’ Cassian muttered. ‘It just… happened.’
Rhys crossed his arms. ‘Define happened.’
Cassian gave him a look. ‘We were arguing. Emotions were high. She was upset. I was upset.’
‘And?’ Azriel prompted.
‘And we ended up making out on the couch.’
Rhys blinked. ‘You’re serious.’
‘Very.’
Azriel let out a low whistle.
Cassian dragged a hand through his hair. ‘If Charley hadn’t woken up, I’d have probably fucked her on the couch.’
There was a split second of silence.
Then-
Rhys burst out laughing. ‘You’re a dickhead’
Azriel shook his head, grinning. ‘On the couch?’
“It wasn’t exactly pre planned’ Cassian muttered defensively.
Rhys wiped his face. ‘Romantic.’
‘Shut up.’
Azriel smirked. ‘Did she stop you?’
‘No,’ Cassian said immediately.
That sobered them slightly.
Rhys studied him. ‘Do you regret it?’
Cassian didn’t hesitate. ‘No.’
Azriel exchanged a look with Rhys. ‘So why the hell are you two still pretending this isn’t a thing?’
Cassian pushed off the ladder, irritation creeping in. ‘Because wanting her doesn’t mean it’s smart.’
Rhys shook his head. ‘You’re crazy about her.’
Cassian didn’t deny it.
‘And she’s crazy about you,’ Azriel added calmly.
‘It’s not that simple,’ Cassian said.
‘Why not?’ Rhys challenged.
‘Because if it goes wrong, it doesn’t just hurt us,’ Cassian shot back. ‘It blows up Charley’s world.’
Azriel folded his arms. ‘Or it gives him parents who aren’t constantly holding themselves back.’
Cassian’s jaw tightened.
Rhys said more quietly, ‘You really think him seeing you two together would be worse than watching you orbit each other for the rest of your lives?’
Cassian didn’t answer. He pressed the garage button again. The door rolled smoothly all the way up this time. He watched it reach the top, then drop his hand to his side.
‘Fixed,’ he muttered.
But the look on his face said nothing about this felt fixed at all. The three of them stepped back out into the sunlight like nothing monumental had just been discussed in the garage.
Rhys clapped Cassian on the shoulder as they walked. ‘Hero of the household,’ he announced loudly. ‘Garage door is saved.’
Azriel nodded solemnly. ‘Tragic. I was hoping it would crush his car.’
‘Jealous,’ Rhys shot back.
Cassian rolled his eyes, but he could feel it, the way both of them were side eyeing him just slightly. Not obvious. Not blatant. But there. Judging. Brotherly. Annoyingly perceptive.
‘Don’t start,’ Cassian muttered under his breath.
‘We haven’t said anything,’ Rhys replied innocently.
‘That’s worse.’
They rejoined the table just as Daisy was laughing at something Feyre had said. Cassian’s chest tightened slightly at the sound. It was easy. She looked relaxed again. Sun catching in her hair. A faint smile lingering on her lips. He forced his expression into neutral as he dropped back into his chair beside her.
‘All sorted?’ Daisy asked.
'Yeah,’ he said.
‘So your boyfriend’s house won’t collapse.’ Feyre chimed in
Rhys scoffed. ‘Boyfriend?’
Daisy smirked. ‘You two do bicker like an old married couple.’
Azriel sat down across from them, exchanging a quick look with Gwyn. Gwyn reached for her drink, fingers fidgeting slightly around the glass. There was a small pause. Gwyn looked at Azriel. Azriel looked at Gwyn. Cassian recognised that look instantly and fought the urge to grin.
‘Okay,’ Azriel said finally, rubbing the back of his neck. ‘We were going to wait. But apparently I’m incapable of keeping anything to myself.’
Rhys raised a brow. ‘That’s a bold admission.’
Gwyn took a breath, visibly steadying herself. ‘We… found out something this week.’
Feyre straightened immediately. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yes,’ Gwyn said quickly, her smile widening. ‘Everything’s more than okay.’
Azriel reached for her hand under the table, squeezing it. And then, a little awkwardly but clearly proud, he said, ‘We’re having a baby.’
There was a half-second of stunned silence. Then Feyre gasped.
‘No,’ she breathed, already halfway out of her chair.
Gwyn laughed, nodding. ‘Yes.’
Feyre launched herself around the table and pulled Gwyn into a tight hug. ‘Oh my God. Oh my God.’
Rhys stood too, grin splitting across his face. ‘Congratulations man’
Cassian stood more slowly, a wide grin spreading across his face as he clapped Azriel on the back. ‘You’re going to be a dad.’
Azriel huffed out a breath that was half excitement, half terror. ‘Yeah. I am.’
Daisy’s face had gone completely soft. She stood and hugged Gwyn next. ‘That’s amazing. Oh my God. Congratulations.’
Gwyn’s eyes were bright. ‘Thank you.’
‘How far along?’ Feyre asked immediately.
‘Only about nine weeks so still very early,’ Gwyn said. ‘Like… just found out early.’
Feyre laughed, wiping at her eyes. ‘This is incredible. Nyx is going to lose his mind.’
On cue, Nyx came sprinting back toward the table with Charley close behind. ‘What?’
Feyre crouched down and pulled him into her arms. ‘Uncle Az and Auntie Gwyn are having a baby.’
Nyx blinked. ‘Like… a real one?’
‘Like a real one,’ Gwyn confirmed, laughing.
Charley looked between them all, confused. ‘Baby where?’
Cassian snorted and ruffled his son’s hair. ‘We’ll explain that later, mate.’
The table buzzed with excitement, questions flying, timelines discussed, exaggerated predictions about who the baby would look like. Azriel looked slightly overwhelmed but happy. Gwyn looked glowing. And for a few minutes, everything felt light again.
Even Cassian, despite the silent, knowing glances his brothers kept shooting him when Daisy laughed, found himself grinning without thinking. Because this was good. This was family. And for now, it was enough.
The announcement shifted the entire energy of the afternoon. Excitement replaced tension completely. Plates were abandoned mid-bite as everyone started talking over each other.
‘Do you have names?’ Feyre demanded immediately.
‘We found out a week ago,’ Azriel said dryly. ‘We barely had time to process the fact that I’m responsible for keeping a tiny human alive.’
‘You already are,’ Cassian pointed out, jerking his thumb toward Nyx and Charley who were now trying to “listen” from under the table.
‘That’s different,’ Azriel muttered. ‘I can give them back.’
Gwyn laughed, squeezing his hand. ‘He’s pretending he’s not excited. He’s very excited.’
Azriel didn’t deny it this time.
Daisy leaned forward, eyes bright. ‘How did you find out?’
Gwyn’s expression softened. ‘I just… knew something felt off. Took a test. Then another. Then made him stare at it for ten minutes because I thought I was hallucinating.’
‘I was not prepared,’ Azriel added. ‘I thought she was joking at first.’
Rhys grinned. ‘Did he go white?’
‘No!’ Azriel argued.
‘You absolutely did,’ Gwyn said.
The boys emerged from under the table just long enough to grab fruit skewers before sprinting off again. Cassian reached across the table and casually slid Daisy’s plate closer when it started drifting toward the edge, steadying it without even looking at her.
‘Careful,’ he murmured. ‘You’ll lose your pasta.’
She glanced up at him. ‘Thanks.’
It was small. Automatic. But Feyre noticed. So did Gwyn. Azriel leaned back in his chair, watching the two of them over the rim of his glass like he was observing wildlife.
‘So,’ Rhys said loudly, dragging attention back to Gwyn and Azriel before he started something, ‘when are we due to become an official babysitting rotation?’
‘You’re volunteering?’ Gwyn asked sweetly.
‘I am absolutely not,’ Rhys replied. ‘But I assume Cassian will.’
Cassian shrugged. ‘I’ve got experience.’
Daisy smirked. ‘He does.’
Gwyn tilted her head at Daisy. ‘He’s good?’
‘He is,’ Daisy said easily, no hesitation.
Cassian glanced at her. There it was again, that unspoken warmth. Not dramatic. Not loaded. Just there. Azriel noticed the way Daisy automatically passed Cassian a napkin without him asking when he wiped his hands on his jeans. Rhys noticed the way Cassian leaned slightly toward Daisy when she spoke, even in a group. Feyre noticed the way Daisy relaxed more when Cassian was within arm’s reach.
Azriel leaned toward Rhys and murmured, ‘This is painful.’
‘Painfully obvious,’ Rhys agreed quietly.
Across the lawn, Nyx tripped again and Charley immediately offered him a hand up. Daisy watched that with a soft expression.
Cassian followed her gaze. ‘He’s good with him.’
‘He copies you,’ Daisy said.
Cassian blinked. ‘I don’t trip that much.’
She laughed. ‘Not that.’
There was a brief, loaded pause.
Then Gwyn cleared her throat gently. ‘So, Daisy. Any big summer plans?’
Daisy shrugged. ‘Nothing major. Parks. Maybe a beach day if the weather behaves.’
Cassian added, without thinking, ‘I’ll take leave if I can. We can do a long weekend somewhere.’
Daisy glanced at him, surprised. ‘You don’t have to.’
‘I want to,’ he said simply
That was it. But it lingered. Feyre caught Gwyn’s eye again. The boys came running back, demanding juice and dramatically recounting an entirely fabricated story about a dragon living near the shed. Cassian scooped Charley onto his lap without breaking conversation, automatically steadying him when he nearly tipped backward. Daisy’s hand rested briefly at Cassian’s shoulder to balance them both.
It stayed there a second longer than necessary. Neither of them seemed to notice. Everyone else absolutely did. The chemistry wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. It was in the small things. And it was impossible to miss.
The food kept circulating, plates being refilled and passed along while the conversation drifted naturally from baby names to school holidays to whatever ridiculous thing Nyx had said at nursery that week. It was easy. Loud. Warm.
Feyre reached for her drink and glanced around the table. ‘Okay, completely unrelated to the baby but… I was thinking.’
Rhys groaned immediately. ‘That’s never a good start.
‘Shut up,’ she said, nudging his leg under the table. ‘I’ve been wanting to do a proper group holiday for ages. All of us. Somewhere warm. Big house. Pool. Chaos.’
Azriel raised a brow. ‘You mean supervised chaos.’
‘Exactly.’
Gwyn’s eyes lit up. ‘That would be amazing.’
Rhys nodded slowly. ‘I’m listening.’
Feyre leaned forward, already in planning mode. ‘End of August maybe? Before the schools go back. It gives us time. And-‘ she looked at Gwyn apologetically ‘-before you’re too uncomfortable to travel.’
Gwyn laughed softly, hand resting unconsciously over her stomach. ‘Yeah, after September I’m not getting on a plane. I’ll be a whale.’
‘You will not,’ Azriel said immediately.
‘You’ll be glowing,’ Feyre corrected.
‘Swollen is the word more like,’ Gwyn muttered.
‘Glowing and swollen,’ Azriel amended, earning himself a kick under the table.
Rhys smirked. ‘End of August works. Weather’s still good.’
Azriel nodded. ‘Yeah. That gives us five months.’
Feyre turned toward Daisy, excitement bubbling. ‘You’d come, right?’
Daisy hesitated for half a second, not because she didn’t want to, but because she knew the practical reality sitting beside her.
‘It sounds amazing,’ she said honestly.
Cassian leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. ‘End of August…’
Rhys caught the tone immediately. ‘What?’
Cassian shrugged lightly. ‘Depends on leave.’
The word hung there quietly, a reminder of the variable they all knew existed.
Azriel nodded slowly. ‘True.’
Feyre’s expression softened slightly. ‘You’d know by then, though?’
‘Probably,’ Cassian said. ‘But nothing’s guaranteed.’
Daisy stayed quiet.
Feyre waved a hand. ‘We’ll plan it tentatively. Big villa. Somewhere stupidly sunny.’
‘Spain?’ Rhys suggested.
‘Portugal,’ Gwyn offered.
‘Greece,’ Azriel said immediately.
‘You just want the food,’ Rhys replied.
‘Yes.’
Charley chose that moment to climb back onto Cassian’s lap and announce loudly, ‘Pool!’
Cassian laughed and wrapped an arm around him. ‘Of course you heard that’
Daisy smiled at her son’s excitement, but her gaze flicked briefly to Cassian.
Feyre clapped her hands once. ‘Right. It’s happening. End of August.’
‘We’re in,’ Rhys confirmed.
‘Same, granted there are no complications’ Azriel added.
Gwyn nodded eagerly. ‘Definitely.’
All eyes shifted, almost subconsciously, to Daisy and Cassian.
Cassian rubbed the back of his neck. ‘We’ll have to see.’
Feyre’s voice was gentle. ‘Of course.’
Cassian glanced at Daisy. ‘You could still go, though. Even if I can’t.’
The words were casual. But they landed. Daisy looked at him slowly.
‘You and Charley,’ he added. ‘You shouldn’t miss out if my schedule’s a mess.’
There was something practical in his tone. Logical. But Daisy didn’t answer straight away. She just held his gaze. The look she gave him wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t angry. It was simple.
You know I’m not going without you.
Cassian saw it immediately. His jaw tightened slightly. Rhys noticed the exchange and deliberately busied himself pouring more drinks. Gwyn pretended to study the fruit bowl very carefully. Azriel cleared his throat softly.
Feyre smiled gently. ‘We’ll make it work,’ she said, diffusing the moment.
Daisy finally spoke. ‘We’ll see what happens.’
Cassian nodded once.
Charley tugged at his sleeve. ‘Daddy come pool.’
‘I’ll try, mate,’ Cassian said quietly, brushing his fingers through his son’s hair.
The conversation drifted again, villa sizes, who’d share rooms, exaggerated arguments about who snored the loudest, but something lingered between Daisy and Cassian. Not tension. Not quite. Just the quiet reality that every future plan for them came with an asterisk. And they both knew it.
