DASHIELL
Alexander didn't slow his stride as he carried me through the front door, his steps steady and unhurried even after the long drive. The warmth of his shirt pressed against my cheek, familiar and grounding.
"You say that like it's a flaw."
"I wasn't criticizing you," I added quickly, tilting my head back to catch his expression.
One dark eyebrow lifted in silent question.
I shook my head against his shoulder. "Just… an observation."
"And?" The low rumble of his voice vibrated through his chest.
I hesitated, then admitted softly, "I don't dislike it."
The corner of his mouth curved—just the faintest fraction. For Alexander, that tiny shift might as well have been fireworks. My chest loosened at the sight.
He kicked the door shut behind us without breaking rhythm. The familiar scent of his cologne—unchanged for weeks—wrapped around me like a second skin. I let my shoulders drop another inch, the tension of the hospital finally easing.
"You smell nice," I murmured.
"I showered before I left."
"I noticed."
"You always do." There was a hint of warmth in his tone, almost teasing.
I did. The cologne. The exact laundry detergent he used. The precise order he buttoned his shirts from bottom to top. Patterns were safe, and Alexander always gave me plenty of them.
He paused in the wide foyer, eyes scanning my face. "You're thinking again."
"I never stopped." I pressed my forehead to the side of his neck. "Daniel's case… the MRI wasn't enough."
"It wasn't supposed to be." He started walking again, this time toward the kitchen, voice calm and certain. "The first clue rarely solves anything. It only tells you which puzzles aren't worth your time."
I blinked, letting the words settle. "I like that."
"I know." A faint trace of amusement colored his reply.
"I might steal it for my next parent lecture."
"You already have."
I smiled around the lollipop still tucked in my cheek, the cherry sweetness a small comfort after hours of sterile hospital air.
By the time we reached the kitchen, he still hadn't set me down. I shifted in his arms.
"Alexander."
"Hm?"
"The floor exists."
"I'm aware." He lowered me onto the cool marble of the kitchen island instead, stepping neatly between my knees. His fingers moved with meticulous care, straightening the crooked collar of my shirt, then brushing away an invisible crease from my sleeve.
"There," he said quietly, satisfied.
I glanced down at myself. "I didn't even notice those."
"I did." His hand settled lightly on my knee, thumb brushing a slow, absent circle. "You've had a long day. When was the last time you drank water?"
I frowned, trying to remember. "…This morning?"
Alexander closed his eyes for exactly one second. When they opened, his expression was the same unreadable mask he wore for the rest of the world. But I knew him better.
"You're a neurologist," he said.
"Yes."
"You lecture parents about hydration on a weekly basis."
My ears burned. "…Yes."
He disappeared into the pantry and returned with a fresh bottle, twisting the cap off before holding it out to me. "Drink."
I took it without protest, the cool water sliding down my throat like forgiveness. After a long sip, I lowered the bottle and studied him.
"You're oddly good at taking care of people for someone who doesn't particularly like them."
"I don't." The answer was immediate. Then, softer: "But I like you."
No hesitation or deflection. Just a simple, devastating fact.
My face flooded with heat. I looked away, ears now on fire. "You make my face hot sometimes."
"I've noticed."
"I don't understand why."
Alexander looked at me for a long moment.
He reached up, gently pulling the lollipop from between my lips for a moment. His smile, small, rare, and only for me curved his mouth as he leaned in.
"You don't need to."
He rotated the candy idly between his fingers before returning it to my mouth with the same meticulous care he seemed to reserve only for me.
Then he rested his forehead against mine.
The chaotic whirlwind of the day, chasing symptoms, scanning images, trying to outthink an invisible enemy—finally quieted.
My brain went wonderfully, blissfully still.
"Boo!"
I startled so hard the water bottle nearly jumped from my hands. My fingers clamped down on it at the last second and the lollipop clicked sharply against my teeth.
Selene unfolded herself from behind the pantry wall, laughing so hard she had to grip the counter to stay upright. "Oh my God, Dash! You should've seen your face!"
My heart hammered against my ribs. "You startled me."
"I know," she grinned, utterly shameless. "That was the whole point."
I frowned. "I don't like being startled."
"I know." She said it with zero remorse.
I turned to Alexander, who was still standing close enough that his body heat warmed my side. "You knew she was there."
"I did."
"You didn't warn me."
"No." He said it so calmly, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.
"…Why?"
"She came in while I was carrying you." He shrugged one shoulder, completely unbothered. "You weren't in any danger."
Selene's eyes went wide. "You saw me?"
"Immediately."
"Then why didn't you say anything?"
"You seemed very committed to the plan." The tiniest hint of amusement touched his voice. "I didn't want to ruin it."
Selene burst into fresh laughter, clutching the counter again. "I spent all that time sneaking around and you just… let me hide there?"
"Yes."
"I can't decide if that's hilarious or insulting."
Alexander's expression didn't change. "It wasn't meant to be either."
I looked between them, the static buzz of surprise still fading from my head. "So both of you knew. Except me."
"Correct," Alexander said.
"I dislike this outcome."
"I know," Selene replied, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. Her amusement softened as she watched me. "You okay?"
The static ebbed. I nodded.
"My fish," I said quietly.
Selene's smile turned gentle. "They're good. I fed them at six, exactly like you showed me. Tropical flakes first, only one pinch. They looked hungry, but I remembered what you said about water quality."
I exhaled, tension melting out of my shoulders. "Good."
"I even talked to them," she added proudly. "Told them you were saving brains at the hospital today."
A small smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it. "They probably appreciated the update."
"I think so too."
I slid off the kitchen island, already turning toward the stairs.
Then another thought occurred to me.
"Where are Mom and Dad?"
"Mom ran to the store about half an hour ago," Selene answered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "And Dad's upstairs in the guest room. Video meeting with the company. We're under strict orders not to disturb him unless the house is literally on fire."
I considered that. "The house is not on fire."
"Nope."
"Then I won't disturb him."
Selene nodded approvingly.
"Good plan."
I smiled faintly
Satisfied with the logic, I nodded once. "I'm going to see my fish."
Alexander laced his fingers through mine.
"I'll come with you."
I looked up at him.
"You don't have to."
"I know." His thumb brushed slowly across my knuckles. "I want to."
My chest felt warm.
I nodded once.
"Okay."
Selene watched us with an expression halfway between amusement and affection.
"You two are honestly ridiculous."
I tilted my head.
"I don't think that's an insult."
"It wasn't," she admitted with a grin.
I nodded, satisfied.
"Good."
Alexander gave my hand a gentle tug.
"Come on."
Together, we headed upstairs.