Xander's POV:

"Good job with the trip by the way. I was finally able to read through the report."

I glanced up at my brother who was sitting across from me in the library, surrounded by stacked books full of god knows what in relation to the situation he's found himself in and I've volunteered to assist with.

I don't know what the hell books could hold to help us out with this surely unnatural situation, but the thought occurred to me that maybe he was just looking for a way to fill his time instead while entrusting the girls with Marcus.

Instead of what? Thinking about this? Facing it?

It's not like I could expect him to, but he wasn't typically like this.

And now bringing this up...

"Thanks," I started with an air of confusion. Though if he wanted a distraction, then I could talk about that, "It went differently than I imagined. I'm fairly certain that the entire thing was specially planned for you to go."

"What, they wanted specifically me so they could beg me to allow their time here to stay once I marry?" He spoke with that dull tone he always took with him.

I tapped my finger against my knees, not that he could see.

How was I supposed to approach this in a way that was going to get through his stubborn skull?

"Not... quite. There were just some things I think you were supposed to see before you marry." I settled with.

He gave me the comfort of at least lifting a brow to tell me he was actually listening, and not zoning out like he would whenever our parents brought up this topic.

"I'll go with you if you want," I offered, "But there's just something I need you to see before you make a final decision about them once you do take the throne."

"With the amount of our humans they've endangered, I don't see what could possibly need to be discussed."

"I-I know," I couldn't exactly try to justify that by admitting our dear old grampa was trying his best..., "Just... please."

My topics were convincing without just straight up admitting I'd found out Mom's familiar background and subsequently our own were limited.

Now wasn't exactly the time. He was being weird enough with the twists he was already trying to deal with.

He just looked at me with questioning, but not quite dismissive eyes.

I didn't get to see it for long, not when my head instinctively turned at the sound of the door opening from behind the bookshelves we were hidden behind, and a voice calling out.

"Xander?"

Khloe?!

My head whipped back to my brother, his eyes rounded to a near-impossible extent at the sound of her voice.

He paled to an extent I'd never seen, looking almost like he was about to vomit.

What the..?

Whatever, I wasn't going to wait for an answer out of him, nor a go-ahead given that this was the first time she'd ever sought me out.

I stood from my chair and rushed around the confinement of shelves, peeking my head out from behind one to spot her.

I didn't know what she could want from me, but I would do whatever she needed.

I owed her a lot.

Plus, I wanted my girlfriend's best friend to feel comfortable around me... and my brother's potential wife if all goes well.

"Yes?" I responded with my most approachable smile.

Her small frame was already stiff, but I was glad to realize that I didn't seem to be the cause of it.

But as the seconds passed it only looked to worsen, her hands closing tight against her upper arms, her head lowering to face the floor, and the scent of despair beginning to fill the air.

That was all it took for me to move.

"Woah- Hey, are you okay?"

I began my trek to approach her.

Did Nico do something? Why else would she be coming to me?

Her head lifted with a small gasp, and distress written on her face, but she didn't budge otherwise.

She took a second to collect herself

"Oh- Yeah um, I was just wondering,", She paused. "Can I talk to you about something?"

Talk to me?

"Of course," My answer left my mouth before passing through my brain, taking over a similar calmness that I would with Doe, "Do you wanna sit down?"

Her eyes followed as I gestured over to one of the smaller desks with two chairs, and she nodded.

I walked her over and got comfortable, taking the initial initiative of the conversation once we were both sat.

"Whats up?"

She blew out a long breath, crossing her arms on the table.

Her eyes too stayed on the table.

I worried for a moment that her hesitance was for one reason or another my fault, but got proven wrong as soon as she opened her mouth.

"I'm worried about Nico," She started off quietly, but melded into a full tangent as she continued, "He's been acting distant and stressed lately and he doesn't want to tell me what's going on until he figures something out on his own -which I'm fine with!- but it bugs me knowing that somethings up but I can't do anything about it because I don't know anything about it, so I was hoping that maybe you... Maybe knew what was going on?"

I forced my head down so that I could properly hide what I needed to.

Nico didnt tell her?!

Why wouldn't he tell her?!

With all that was going on it would only make sense that she knew!

He had to have a reason right? I felt like she had the right to know, but maybe hearing it from me wasn't the best way...

She comes to me for help and I cant give it to her. Not like this anyway.

For now I can just engage and offer what I can.

Jesus I've been having to dance around a lot of big reveals lately.

Actually... what were the odds that this was all related? Maybe this was a completely separate matter.

"Since when has he been acting like this?" I started.

She looked to ease up a bit at my interest and cooperation.

"Around the day that you came back from the North," She replied.

"Oh," Dammit.

There was a beat of silence before she picked it up again

"Do you know anything about it, or has he talked to you about anything at least?" her face already showed defeat, but she tried anyway.

I could almost feel Nico's gaze burning into me from his silent seat behind the bookshelves, barely even breathing to ensure that he stayed hidden.

Dammit Nico you owe me big time for this.

"I can't say he has," I forced the words out.

I wanted to help, but I also felt like it wasn't my place... Not like this.

I'd want the same if these rolls were reversed.

She physically sagged as soon as I spoke, breathing out a sigh that had my chest aching.

No, I had to give her something.

Nico was good at a lot, but accepting help was not one of those.

I could see how much she cared for him, and something like that shouldn't just be ignored.

"Look, Khloe," I cleared my throat to ensure her attention, "Nico's always been stubborn. Both in general and especially when it comes to his feelings or whatever. He likes to keep everything to himself because he likes to think that he can fix it himself before it becomes a bigger problem, and more often than not, it works for him. He likes to face things alone even when he knows that he has people who are willing to help him. I don't know why but he's been like that for as long as I can remember."

Her bottom lip trembled, but I could see her soaking it all in.

"I'm just worried about him," her voice was no more than a whisper," I can tell he's really bothered about something and I just want to help."

Such a sweet soul this one. Perfect to even out the sharp edges Nico has.

I've dealt with similar things when it comes to my brother.

"I know," I eased, trying to portray that I understood, "and I'm sure he knows how lucky he is that you're willing and wanting to listen and help. For now, I think what you're doing right now is helpful enough until he comes to his senses and tells you what's going on."

"Are you sure?" There was trepidation hidden there

"I am,"I gave her a little grin before prodding with what I was about to say, "Don't think I haven't seen how he's changed ever since you came into his life,"

She gave me just what I was looking for, wide eyes, and hands now rubbing over her cheeks.

Alright alright, that's enough.

"But anyways," I returned back to my serious tone, giving her an escape from that embarrassment, "He'll come around in time. I know this isn't the answer you wanted, but its the only answer that I can think to give."

"No no I appreciate it," She hurriedly spoke, straightening herself.

"Ok good," I blew out a sigh, grateful that I could at least give her something to work with, "Nico can be a little hard to figure out sometimes, but if you even need to, feel free to come talk to me again."

I've become somewhat of an expert, and he was just beyond complicated.

"Really?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. He needs all the help he can get, and he seems to care about you and what you think of him."

Her genuine smile warmed my heart.

"I will, thank you, and thank you for taking Nico's place for the trip up north."

Ah, so he told her about that at least. I wonder if he gave her any sort of excuse.

I just shrugged.

"It's no problem, I owed him a favor anyways."

Her eyes narrowed with a curiosity that was short-lived because of the rumble in her stomach.

"Well, I'm gonna head to breakfast with Doe and Marcus if you want to come," She offered me.

Sweet, but I shook my head at the offer

"Nah, I gotta finish up some things here first," I told her, not elaborating any further given the fact that I was about to, quite possibly for the first time in my life, yell at my brother for putting her in this funk.