Temporary measures. Until things settle.
I knew that tone. Soo-jin was already framing Griffin's presence as reactive, short-term. Something that would eventually become unnecessary.
Griffin's expression didn't change. He nodded once and continued walking. I spotted the tension in his shoulders and the way his hand flexed once.
We reached the main stage. Griffin tested sightlines from both wings.
Then it happened. A crash from the rigging above, metal on metal, sharp and sudden.
I flinched. Couldn't help it. My whole body contracted, preparing for impact.
Griffin was beside me before the echo died. Present. He placed himself between me and the sound source.
"Equipment shift," the venue coordinator called out. "Crew working overhead. Should have warned you, sorry about that."
Griffin didn't move away immediately. He waited until my breathing steadied. Until I nodded.
Kang watched us. He tracked the interaction and unspoken communication.
Back at the hotel after soundcheck, I sat on my bed, still rattled. The crash had undone something in me. Not the sound itself, but my animal fear that something was breaking.
My first thought hadn't been to move. It was hope that Griffin was close enough to be my shield.
A knock at my door. I checked the peephole—Kang.
"We need to discuss room arrangements," he said when I let him in.
"What about them?"
"The venue incident today. Your reaction." He studied me. "You're more affected than you want to admit."
I didn't deny it.
"I'm recommending Griffin stay in your room tonight. Second bed. Enhanced proximity protocol." His tone was matter-of-fact. "You trust him specifically. When you're stressed, you look to him. In Vancouver, with resources stretched, I need you stable."
Heat crept up my neck. "It's that obvious?"
"To someone paying attention, yes." He paused. "To be clear, this is a recommendation, not an order. Your choice."
I thought about another night alone, jumping at every sound. Thought about Griffin in a room down the hall, both of us awake, pretending distance meant safety.
"I want him here," I whispered. "But he'll resist. He'll say it compromises boundaries."
"Then convince him it doesn't." Kang moved toward the door. "The choice is yours. Make it clear that it's what you need."
After he left, I pulled out my phone.
Rune:Can you come to my room? Need to discuss something.
Griffin:Absolutely.
He arrived in three minutes. I let him in and locked the door.
"What's wrong?" His eyes were wide open, alert.
"Nothing's wrong, but I need to ask you something."
He waited.
