intrepidity

Chapter 15

Alec was the first to spot her. "There's our little angel."

She gave a small wave, setting her bag down before Atlas suddenly shut his book. "Baby, how do you feel about swimming?"

Aurora tilted her head. "Swimming?"

Antonio smirked. "Yeah. You ever been?"

She hesitated. "No."

Alec clapped his hands. "Then it's settled. We're teaching you."

Aurora blinked. "Wait, what?"

Elias grinned. "You've been looking down lately, sweetheart. We figured we'd do something fun."

Aurora hesitated, chewing on her lip. They noticed.

Aiden, who had been silent, finally looked up from his paperwork. "It would be useful for you to learn," he said simply. "Swimming is a valuable skill."

Aurora still wasn't sure, but...

"...Okay," she relented.

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Took you long enough."

Roman smacked him on the back of the head. "Be nice."

Marcus grumbled, but Aurora giggled.

She figured... maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

-

The pool was colder than she expected, making her shiver as she dipped her foot in.

Antonio and Marcus were already in, splashing at each other like children, while Elias and Alec stood by the edge, waiting for her.

"Come on, baby, it's not that bad," Elias encouraged.

Aurora swallowed. "I don't know..."

Atlas, floating lazily on his back, turned his head. "You trust us, don't you, princess?"

Aurora nodded immediately.

Alec reached a hand out. "Then come on. I promise, we won't let anything happen to you."

She hesitated for only a second before taking his hand, letting him guide her in. The water surrounded her, cool and unfamiliar, but Alec's grip was steady, keeping her afloat.

"There we go," he murmured. "Just breathe, sweetheart. You're okay."

Aurora did as he said, but the moment her arms were bare in the water, she felt the weight of her scars.

Her fingers curled against Alec's arm.

She suddenly regretted not wearing long sleeves.

Elias noticed the shift almost immediately. "Baby, what's wrong?"

Aurora shook her head quickly. "Nothing."

But the way her arms pressed to her sides, the way her fingers curled in, didn't go unnoticed.

Alec's eyes softened.

"Sweetheart," he murmured, "you don't have to hide from us."

Before she could respond, Aiden's voice cut through the air.

"Aurora."

She turned, and her breath caught.

Aiden was standing by the pool's edge, eyes locked onto her arms. His expression was unreadable, but his jaw was tight, his fists clenched at his sides.

Aurora instinctively tried to lower her arms beneath the water, but he had already seen.

His voice was eerily calm. "Come here."

She hesitated, but Alec gently nudged her toward the steps. She climbed out slowly, dripping water onto the tiles, as Aiden reached for a towel, wrapping it securely around her.

His fingers brushed over a scar near her shoulder, and she flinched.

His eyes darkened.

Aurora swallowed, shifting uncomfortably. "Aiden—"

His tone was quiet, but firm. "He did this?"

She looked away in response. 

Aiden inhaled sharply through his nose. His hands tightened on the towel, but when he spoke, his voice was controlled. "Go inside and dry off," he said. "We'll continue later."

Aurora hesitated, but nodded, slipping away into the house.

The moment she was gone, Aiden turned to his brothers. His gaze was colder than ice.

"He's still alive for a reason," he muttered. "And I plan to make use of that."

Marcus cracked his knuckles. "Let me have the next round."

Aiden didn't answer.

He was too busy picturing Mark's screams.

-

Aurora returned a while later, wrapped in a fresh towel, her wet hair clinging to her back.

Aiden and the others were waiting by the poolside, his sleeves rolled up, standing at the shallow end.

"You're going to learn how to swim properly," he stated. "Come."

Aurora blinked. "You're teaching me?"

He nodded once. "If you're going to be in the water, you're going to do it right."

Aurora hesitated. "But you're—"

"Aurora." His voice softened just slightly. "You trust me, don't you?"

She did. More than anything.

So she nodded and stepped forward.

Aiden guided her into the water with careful hands, keeping a steady grip on her wrists. "You need to relax," he instructed. "Tension will make you sink."

Aurora took a breath, trying to loosen up.

Aiden's hands moved to her waist. "You're going to float," he told her. "I won't let you fall."

Aurora hesitated, but with a deep breath, she leaned back, allowing him to support her.

"Good," Aiden murmured. "Keep breathing."

She did. And after a moment, she realized—she was floating.

Aiden's grip loosened slightly, just enough to let her balance on her own, but he was still there, still holding her up.

When she looked up, his expression had softened.

"See?" he murmured. "You're safe."

Aurora's lips curved into a small, tentative smile.

She then beamed. "Can we practice again tomorrow?"

Elias flicked a drop of water at her nose. "Only if you promise not to sink like a rock this time, sweetheart."

She huffed but then let out a giggle when Atlas suddenly made Thumper "swim" through the air, his floppy ears bouncing.

"Look at Thumper go!" Atlas announced dramatically. "He's an Olympic champion!"

Aurora laughed, reaching for her bunny. "He's the best swimmer ever."

Her brothers exchanged a look.

They still didn't know what was wrong.

But for now, she was smiling.

And that was enough.

authors note - i kinda hate this chapter but here u go, enjoy :)

whats ur favourite colour? mine is pink

stay safe guys and drink water! love u <3