intrepidity

The Valenti mansion was never truly silent. Even on a slow day, there was always movement—Aiden was in his office handling business, Elias was out managing affairs, Marcus had disappeared to train, and the twins had gone off to who-knew-where. Alec was busy with work. That left Aurora with Roman.

She didn't mind.

Roman wasn't like the others. He wasn't loud like Marcus or teasing like the twins. He was quiet, steady—watchful in a way that made her feel safe without him having to say anything.

Aurora sat curled up on the couch in his study, Thumper nestled in her lap as she absentmindedly traced little patterns on his fur. Across from her, Roman sat at his desk, flipping through the pages of a massive law book. His sharp eyes scanned the text, his brow furrowed in concentration.

She didn't want to bother him.

But she didn't want to be alone either.

Her legs swung slightly over the edge of the couch as she fidgeted, hugging Thumper closer.

Roman noticed.

Without looking up, he reached for one of his empty notebooks and nudged it toward her side of the table. A silent invitation.

Aurora blinked, glancing between the notebook and Roman. He didn't say anything—just kept reading, turning another page as if nothing had happened.

Carefully, she scooted closer, picking up a pen and flipping the notebook open. She started to doodle—little flowers, stars, a clumsy drawing of Thumper. Roman didn't stop her.

After a while, she hesitantly peeked up at him. "What are you studying?"

Roman hummed, flipping a page. "Law."

Aurora wrinkled her nose. "That sounds boring."

His lips twitched slightly. "It is."

She hesitated. "Then... why do you do it?"

Roman leaned back slightly, stretching his fingers before answering. "Because I'm good at it."

Aurora tilted her head. "But why law?"

He glanced at her, then back at his book. "To protect the family." His voice was quiet, even. "To make sure we don't lose."

She didn't fully understand, but something about the way he said it made her chest feel warm.

She went back to her doodles.

A few minutes later, Roman closed his book and stood. "Let's go out for a bit."

Aurora blinked up at him. "Out?"

"Just a short walk," he said, grabbing their jackets. "It'll be quiet."

She hesitated, hugging Thumper closer.

Roman simply waited.

Eventually, she nodded.

He helped her into her jacket and led her outside. The fresh air was crisp, and the streets weren't too crowded. Roman took her to a small bookstore, letting her wander between the shelves. Aurora's fingers brushed over the spines, her eyes lighting up when she spotted a fairytale collection.

She glanced up at Roman hesitantly.

Without a word, he plucked the book off the shelf and handed it to her.

Her cheeks warmed. "I-I didn't say I wanted it..."

Roman arched a brow. "You were staring at it."

Aurora bit her lip, but she clutched the book to her chest, smiling softly.

Next, they stopped at a quiet café. Roman sipped his coffee while Aurora flipped through her new book, occasionally showing him a passage she liked. He would glance at it, nodding in quiet approval.

Then, she saw them.

A mother and her child sat at a nearby table. The mother was fussing over her son, wiping his face, fixing his hair, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. The boy giggled, leaning into her touch.

Aurora stilled, her fingers tightening around her book.

Something ached deep inside her chest.

Roman noticed.

He didn't say anything—didn't draw attention to it. He simply reached over, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear before adjusting the collar of her sweater.

The same way the mother had done for her son.

Aurora's face turned red.

She blinked up at Roman, flustered. He only hummed in amusement, sipping his coffee like nothing happened.

Later that night, Aurora found herself wandering back into Roman's study, book in hand. She hesitated at the doorway for a moment, peeking inside. The soft glow of the desk lamp illuminated the room, casting long shadows along the bookshelves. Roman was where he always was—at his desk, flipping through another thick law book, his sharp eyes scanning the text with quiet focus.

She didn't want to be alone in her room.

Without a word, she padded across the room, her small feet making no sound against the plush carpet. She curled up on the couch near his desk, hugging Thumper close. Roman didn't look up, but he reached for his coffee, taking a slow sip before turning a page.

That was his way of acknowledging her.

Aurora opened her book and started reading, her eyes trailing over the familiar fairytale words. Every so often, she'd glance up at him—watching the way his brow furrowed in concentration, the way his fingers tapped against the desk in thought. He looked serious, quiet, but not unkind.

A comforting presence.

Her eyelids grew heavier with each passing minute. She tried to stay awake, but the warmth of the room, the steady scratching of Roman's pen, and the soft weight of Thumper against her made it impossible.

She blinked slowly, her grip on the book loosening.

Roman glanced over just in time to see her head dip forward slightly before she caught herself, blinking blearily.

He sighed through his nose. "Just sleep, sorellina."

Aurora mumbled something unintelligible, barely lifting her head before sleep overtook her completely.

Her book slipped from her grasp, falling open beside her.

Roman watched her for a moment. Then, without a word, he stood, grabbed his jacket from the chair, and draped it over her small frame. The fabric swallowed her whole, but she instinctively burrowed into it, her fingers curling around the edge.

He sat back down, ready to return to his reading.

Then, after a brief pause, he reached over and ran a hand over her hair, smoothing it down with a featherlight touch.

Aurora stirred slightly, letting out a soft sigh before curling up even smaller. Thumper was crushed against her chest, her fingers tangled in the plush fur.

Roman exhaled quietly, his face unreadable.

For a long moment, he just sat there, watching over her.

Finally, with one last glance at his little sister, he returned to his work, the quiet sound of her steady breathing filling the room.

author's note - a bit short but u get what u get

love u brats