Vi remainsrigid in the chair, her shoulders pulled back, chin lifted in defiance. She doesn’t look away from Sting. Not when Rogue leans farther into her space like he doesn’t want to miss what comes next. Not when someone slows as they pass, curiosity flickering across their face before we give them dirty looks and they take off.
“So, you asked what you are,” he says evenly.
Vi lifts her chin higher. “Yeah.”
His gaze flicks to me. “You can’t keep her neutral. We both know that.”
I don’t step aside. “This is where you step back, Sting.”
“No,” he says simply.
Rogue lets out a low sound of amusement. “Guess that’s settled.”
Sting turns back to Vi. “You’re not going to sit in corners forever,” he says. “You’re not going to wait and see what happens to you. You’re not going to be pulled out when someone needs something and shoved away when you’re not useful.”
“Well, what do you want with me?” Vi snaps.
“So many questions, pretty lady. You’re being claimed.” The word hangs heavy in the air.
Rogue exhales softly.
Vi’s hands tighten behind her back, the rope creaking as her shoulders tense. “You say that like I’m supposed to be okay with it.”
“You don’t have to be okay with it,” Sting replies with a shrug. “You just have to understand it.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then this place will eat you.”
Her chest rises sharply. “You don’t know me.”
“I know enough,” he says. “You don’t freeze. You don’t fold. You don’t stop pushing even when it hurts.”
I step forward before I can stop myself. “Sting.” Just his name. Not a command. A question I can’t ask out loud:Are we doing this now?
He doesn’t look at me. “Someone has to.” The words land like an accusation. Because he’s right. I’ve been stalling. And stalling down here gets people hurt.
Vi turns her head toward me. “Armen.” Her eyes search mine, sharp and questioning.
“Nothing changes unless we make it change,” I say.
Sting inclines his head once. “Exactly.”
Rogue chuckles under his breath. “You two sound like you’re signing her up for something.”
Vi looks back at Sting. “What happens now?”
His presence fills her space completely. Slowly, deliberately, he reaches down and closes his hand around her wrist. Firm. Certain. His fingers wrap around it like there’s no doubt in his mind, no second thought.
“Stand,” he says.
“I can’t,” she replies automatically.
“You can.”
“I need help?—”
“Stand.” The word comes lower this time. Stronger.
