intrepidity

The house was uncharacteristically quiet.

Which, in a household of seven men and one twelve-year-old girl, was saying something.

They were all gathered in the living room, dressed up—well, as dressed up as they got for a school dance. Aiden, of course, was in a dark tailored suit with a matching black tie, looking like he could buy the school instead of attend its events. Elias had gone for something casual-chic, Alec wore something soft and warm as always, and the younger ones... well, Roman had actually combed his hair, Antonio kept fixing his collar like it was strangling him, and Atlas looked like he'd stepped out of a fashion magazine by accident.

Marcus, still gruff but healed, leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

All eyes were on the staircase.

"Why is it taking so long?" Antonio groaned dramatically, tugging at his sleeves. "It's been forever—what, is she doing taxes up there?"

"She's probably nervous," Alec said gently, giving him a warning look.

"Or maybe," Atlas added, lips twitching with a smile, "she's making sure she looks perfect."

"She doesn't need to try that hard," Roman murmured.

Elias chuckled. "She's going to be beautiful no matter what."

Aiden hadn't said a word.

He stood silently near the base of the stairs, adjusting the cuff of his suit, waiting.

And then—

The sound of soft footsteps.

They all turned.

Aurora appeared at the top of the stairs, clutching the railing lightly.

Her dress was delicate, pink and soft with just the faintest shimmer, fluttering gently around her knees. Her hair was brushed neatly, her cheeks dusted with the barest blush, and her little nails painted a light rosy pink. She looked like something out of a dream. Or a painting. Or both.

And she looked so shy.

Her face was already red, eyes wide as she saw them all staring.

"...Hi," she mumbled.

For a second, not a single man in the room breathed.

"Oh sweetheart," Alec whispered first, hands to his mouth. 

"You're kidding," Antonio said, sounding personally attacked. "You're not allowed to be that cute, are you trying to kill us?!"

Marcus blinked rapidly. "She looks like—like—"

"A princess," Roman said, simple and awestruck.

Alec's hand flew to his heart. "My baby."

"She's twelve," Atlas reminded him, trying to act composed—but his voice cracked.

Aurora was frozen halfway down the stairs, bright red and flustered beyond belief. "S-Stop staring..."

"Can't help it," Elias said with a grin. "You look beautiful, baby."

But Aiden?

He hadn't moved.

He was just watching her, face unreadable, his dark eyes following every careful step she took.

When she reached the last one, she paused in front of him, gripping the hem of her dress nervously.

"I... um," she started, eyes on the floor. "Is it too much?"