Jason looked exactly the same.
That was Selena first thought the moment she saw him. Relaxed, easy. Like the world never moved too fast for him. And yet, standing here in Aurelia City, dressed sharply, completely at ease he felt different.
Not unfamiliar.
Just… more.
"Jason?" she said, a small smile forming before she could stop it.
"Didn't expect to see you here," he replied lightly, stepping closer.
"I didn't know you'd be here", she added
"Neither did I," he said with a faint shrug. "Not until a few hours ago."
His gaze flicked briefly to Sebastian, then returned to her—lingering just a second longer than necessary.
"But I see you didn't waste time settling in."
There was amusement in his tone. Selena let out a quiet breath.
"I'm still trying to."
Jason chuckled softly and pulled out a chair, sitting down like he had always belonged in the moment. Which, somehow, he did.
"Willowbrook feels very far from here now, doesn't it?" he said casually.
The words settled deeper than she expected. Selena glanced down briefly before looking back up.
"Yes… it does."
Not in a sad way.
Just true.
Jason studied her for a moment not obvious, not intrusive—but intentional.
"And how is the city treating you?" he asked.
Selena hesitated, choosing her words carefully.
"It's… different."
"That's a safe answer," he replied with a faint smile.
Sebastian remained quiet beside her, his presence steady. Jason leaned back slightly, his gaze shifting between them.
"I heard you've already had your first proper experience on Crescent Avenue."
Selena blinked.
"You heard?"
Jason's smile didn't fade.
"Well Sebastian called about it and thought you could use a familiar face"
This time, the words felt heavier.
Selena held his gaze for a moment longer.
"It was
a lot," she admitted.
"I can imagine," Jason said.
No mockery.
No judgment.
Just quiet understanding.
Then, after a brief pause..
"You handled it better than most people would."
Selena frowned slightly.
"You weren't there."
Jason tilted his head.
"No," he said calmly. "But I know the kind of people who are."
There was something in that answer. Something that made her feel like he understood more than he was saying.
Sebastian finally spoke.
"That's enough."
Jason raised his hands slightly in mock surrender.
"Relax. I'm not interrogating her."
But he smiled. Like he knew exactly how far he could go. The conversation shifted after that.
Lighter.
Easier.
Jason spoke about random things nothing too deep, nothing too revealing but somehow, he kept everything grounded. Selena found herself relaxing.
Laughing once.
Then again.
For a moment, it almost felt like Willowbrook.
Almost.
—
Later that night, after they had parted ways with Jason, the city felt quieter. Not silent but distant. Like everything had pulled back just enough to let the night breathe. Selena stepped into the penthouse first, slipping off her shoes near the door without thinking. The habit followed her.
Even here.
Behind her, Sebastian closed the door softly. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The evening lingered between them.
Jason.
The café.
Everything she was still trying to understand. Selena moved further into the room, her fingers brushing lightly against the edge of the table.
"Today felt long," she said softly.
Sebastian watched her.
"You handled it well."
She let out a small breath.
"I'm not sure I did."
"You did."
Simple.
Certain.
Selena looked at him briefly, then away.
"I still don't understand most of it," she admitted. "The people… the way they talk… the way they see things."
Her voice softened.
"I don't want to lose myself trying to keep up."
Sebastian stepped closer.
"You won't."
She looked up at him.
There was something steady in his gaze.
Unmoving.
As if he had already decided that for her. The space between them felt smaller now.
Quieter.
Then
"I got something for you."
Selena blinked slightly.
"What?"
He reached into his jacket and brought out a small box.
Simple.
Understated.
But intentional.
"You didn't have to"
"I know."
That stopped her.
He opened it.
Inside was a bracelet. Delicate. Minimal. Beautiful without trying too hard. Selena didn't speak immediately.
"It's not for the city," he said quietly.
"It's for you."
Something about that made her chest tighten slightly. She held out her hand.
Slowly.
Like she was aware of the moment but didn't want to disturb it. Sebastian took her wrist, fastening the bracelet with steady precision.
But when he was done, he didn't let go immediately.
His fingers remained there.
Light.
Resting.
Not holding.
Not leaving either.
Selena felt it.
That pause.
That space where something could happen
But hadn't yet.
Her breath shifted.
Softer.
Unsteady.
His thumb moved slightly against her wrist.
Barely there.
But enough.
Her heart reacted before she could.
When she looked up
He was already looking at her.
Not searching.
Not questioning.
Just… present.
The distance between them wasn't much.
And yet
It felt like everything.
Neither of them spoke.
But the silence wasn't empty. It held something. Something neither of them had said yet. His gaze dropped briefly to the bracelet—then back to her face. Like he was confirming something only he understood.
Then, quietly
"Tell me if it ever feels like too much."
Selena frowned slightly.
"The city?"
He shook his head once.
"Everything."
That word lingered. Selena held his gaze.
"If it does" she said softly, "I'll tell you."
Another pause.
Deeper this time.
His hand finally left her wrist.
But the warmth didn't.
Somehow.
Selena let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Sebastian stepped back not distant, not abrupt but controlled.
Like he knew exactly where to stop.
"Get some rest," he said.
His voice softer now.
Selena nodded slowly.
"You too."
For a moment, it felt like one of them might say something more.
But neither did.
And somehow
That made it harder to walk away.
She turned first.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she had to.
—
Later, in her room, Selena sat at the edge of the bed. The city lights stretched faintly through the window.
Quiet now.
Distant.
Her fingers brushed lightly over the bracelet. She stared at it for a long moment.
Then exhaled softly. Her heart was still not entirely steady. Not because of what he did.
But because of what he didn't do.
And somehow
That stayed with her more.