intrepidity

Chapter 42

Antonio groaned like he was in physical pain. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not—ugh. Fine. But if you put glitter on my actual eyebrows, I swear—"

Twenty minutes later, the living room looked like a princess-themed crime scene.

Atlas had a plastic tiara perched on his head and pastel eyeshadow smeared over his lids in uneven sparkles. He looked delighted.

Antonio sat stiffly with sparkling blush on both cheeks and a heart sticker on his temple. "This is humiliating," he muttered, even as he stayed completely still for Aurora to finish lining his lips with glitter gloss.

She was on the coffee table, kneeling on a pillow like a tiny royal stylist. Her tongue peeked out in concentration, one hand gently tilting Antonio's chin up.

"Hold still... there," she said softly.

She was still shy — her voice small, her touches light — but she was clearly enjoying herself. There was a soft, blooming joy in her chest. No one had ever let her play like this. No one had ever sat still just because she asked.

"You both look radiant," Elias said, entering the room with a tray of pink cupcakes. He paused, took in the scene, then immediately pulled out his phone. Snap. Snap. "This is going in the family album."

"Delete that," Antonio growled.

"Absolutely not," Elias grinned. "Oh, Aurora, baby, you did such a good job."

Aurora blushed furiously and ducked behind Atlas's shoulder.

Roman leaned in the doorway, arms crossed, his usual calm expression softened by the tiniest smirk. "You guys are doomed," he said simply.

"She's too powerful," Atlas agreed, holding out his hands dramatically. "We never stood a chance."

"You volunteered," Antonio muttered, glaring at his reflection in a spoon Elias handed him. "Is this... is this glitter? On my neck?"

Alec arrived just in time to see the masterpiece. He blinked. "I was gone for ten minutes."

"She's ruling the house now," Elias said fondly. "We're all just living in it."

Aurora sat back on her heels, a shy little smile blooming across her face. Her fingers sparkled with glitter and her sleeves were streaked with lip gloss, but she looked so proud of herself, even if she kept glancing around to make sure no one was mad.

No one was.

They were all wrapped around her tiny, glittery finger.

-

That night, after warm baths and cozy pajamas and brushing glitter out of everyone's hair (which took forever, much to Antonio's horror), the Valenti estate slowly fell into that rare hush — the kind that only existed when everyone was content and full of Elias's chocolate cupcakes.

Aurora padded down the hallway with slow, sleepy steps, her bunny plush hugged close to her chest. Her socks, fluffy and pastel, made her footsteps almost silent on the marble floor. The sparkle in her hair had faded to a soft shimmer under the hallway lights, and her braid was starting to come undone.

Roman spotted her as he rounded the corner. He didn't speak at first, just tilted his head slightly, his usual unreadable expression softening when he took in the sight of her — sleepy eyes, flushed cheeks, thumper in arms.

"Bedtime?" he murmured.

She nodded. "Mhm."

He turned without another word, walking beside her down the hall in comfortable silence. Aurora leaned just a little toward his side, her body naturally drawn to his presence like always — he was safe. Roman was quiet and calm and steady. He never asked her to talk more than she wanted, never made her feel small.

When they reached her room, she trudged toward the bed while he stood at the door like a sentinel. She didn't leap onto the mattress like a normal ten-year-old. She climbed in carefully, tucking the bunny beneath her chin and smoothing out the blanket before adjusting the sparkly makeup kit on her nightstand.

It was still sitting there like a prized treasure — used, loved, and hers.

Roman walked over, crouching beside the bed as she shifted under the covers.

"Today was really fun," she mumbled, eyes barely staying open.

He reached over and gently tucked a strand of her soft hair behind her ear. Glitter clung to his fingers, but he didn't try to shake it off. He just let it stay, sparkling in the dim light.

"You did good, little princess."

Aurora's lips curved into the tiniest smile. "Thanks for buying it..."

"Always."

She was already blinking slower, her lashes brushing her cheeks with every flutter.

"Will you... stay till I fall asleep?" she whispered.

Roman didn't answer out loud. He simply sat on the edge of the bed, arms resting on his knees, his posture relaxed but ever-watchful.

Just like before.

Just like when she'd fall asleep to the sound of him humming under his breath while the others played games or argued in the background. Just like when he'd tell himself he'd leave once she was asleep... but never did.

He stayed.

And as the quiet filled the room, a tiny part of Roman — buried under years and silence and self-discipline — found itself waiting for the sound of footsteps. For the door to creak open. For a deep, familiar voice to step into the hallway and say, "Alright, Roman. Time for bed."

But no one came.

Because he wasn't eight anymore. Because his father wasn't there. Because now he was the one watching over a child too small for this world.

Roman blinked, his eyes fixed on the nightlight casting a soft pink glow across the room. He didn't move. Didn't even shift.

Aurora let out a tiny, sleepy sigh, her voice barely audible.

"You're a really good brother you know..."

He didn't respond right away. His chest felt heavy in a way he couldn't explain. But when he did speak, it was quiet. Steady. Sure.

"You're my little sister," he said, voice low and warm. "I'll always be here."

She smiled in her sleep, her bunny plush cradled under her chin, glitter still tangled in her braid.

And Roman... Roman stayed.

Just like before.

Even after she drifted into dreams, even after the house had gone completely still, he remained in that same spot — back straight, arms on his knees, gaze steady.

Waiting.

But the hallway stayed empty.

And the footsteps never came.

author's note - got 5 hours of sleep gang

anyways fluff

love u kids