The door clicked open.
Valentine stepped out.
Hair slightly damp.
Fresh.
But her expression—
still guarded.
Artavius was already there.
Leaning against the table.
Like he'd been waiting.
He didn't look at her immediately.
Just placed something on the table.
"…eat."
Flat.
Valentine glanced at the plate.
Then at him.
"No."
Immediate.
His eyes lifted to her.
Slowly.
"…what?"
"I said no."
Silence.
Artavius straightened slightly.
"Eat it."
"No."
The air shifted.
Tension—sharp now.
His jaw tightened.
"This isn't a choice."
Valentine let out a short, humorless laugh.
"Everything is a choice."
Wrong thing to say.
He took a step closer.
Not fast.
Not aggressive.
But enough.
"You think this is some kind of game?"
She didn't move.
Didn't step back.
"You think I'm just going to listen to you?"
His voice dropped.
Lower.
Colder.
"You don't have to listen."
A pause.
"…but you will eat."
Valentine crossed her arms.
"Make me."
Silence.
For a second—
it looked like he might snap.
But he didn't.
Instead—
he exhaled sharply.
Ran a hand through his hair.
Annoyed.
"…unbelievable."
He grabbed the plate.
Shoved it slightly closer to her.
"Fine."
His voice was quieter now.
But heavier.
"Don't eat."
A pause.
"Then pass out."
That made her pause.
Just for a second.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"You haven't eaten since yesterday."
No softness.
Just fact.
"And I'm not carrying you around if you collapse."
Valentine's jaw tightened.
"I didn't ask you to."
"Exactly."
Silence again.
Her eyes dropped to the food.
Just briefly.
Then back to him.
"…I'm not eating that."
He stared at her.
Trying to figure out—
if this was stubbornness.
Or something else.
"…why?"
A beat.
"…I don't eat that," she muttered.
Another pause.
Something shifted.
Small.
"…allergy?" he asked.
She didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
He clicked his tongue lightly.
Irritated.
"…of course."
He picked the plate back up.
Turned away.
"Wait."
The word slipped out before she could stop it.
He paused.
Didn't turn.
Valentine hesitated.
Just for a second.
"…I didn't say I wouldn't eat."
A beat.
"…just not that."
Silence.
Then—
he let out a quiet breath.
"…problematic."
But he didn't sound angry anymore.
Just—
tired.
"I'll bring something else."
And walked away.
Leaving her standing there.
Confused.
Again.