The morning was filled with a mixture of tension and lightheartedness as Arya moved about the kitchen, the scent of breakfast wafting through the small space. She wore Valen's shirt, the hem brushing mid-thigh, while he stood nearby, still in his pants, his eyes following her every move. There was a comfortable yet awkward silence between them at first, the weight of what had happened the night before lingering in the air.

As she busied herself with cooking, Valen hovered close, trying to help though it was clear he knew next to nothing about preparing a meal. His lack of experience became apparent quickly, and Arya couldn't help but tease him.

"You're a spoiled prince," she remarked with a playful grin, flipping a pancake with ease. "Can't even cook for yourself."

Valen shot her a mock-offended look before giving her a playful smack on the rear. "And yet you seem to like this spoiled prince," he teased back, his voice carrying a lightness that made her heart flutter.

Arya laughed, turning to face him with a raised brow. "Maybe I'm just trying to get you to drop your guard," she mused, a wicked glint in her eye. "You know, complete the contract."

Valen's grin widened, and before she could react, he pulled her against him, his hands settling comfortably on her waist. "I'm sure you've had plenty of chances to do that already," he replied, his tone shifting into something softer, more intimate. Arya's hands slid up his bare chest, and she couldn't deny the spark of desire that coursed through her at the feel of him against her.

"I do love seeing a shirtless man in my kitchen," she confessed with a smirk, "even if he's helpless."

Valen chuckled, his voice low. "Remember, you're stuck with me now. You kissed me first last night." He punctuated the last word with another playful smack on her rear, causing Arya to blush, a laugh escaping her lips as she chased him toward the table.

The playful banter continued, but Arya's heart swelled with each moment. Every smile, every touch felt like something new, something fragile and real. They had broken through a boundary the night before, and though she had no regrets, she couldn't help but feel the weight of their choices pressing in on her. As she settled across from him at the table, she turned to him with a wry smile.

"So, I guess we just... act like nothing happened?" she ventured, her tone light but tinged with uncertainty.

Valen's expression shifted, at first seeming to agree with her. He nodded absently, lifting his cup to his lips before suddenly slamming it down with a force that startled her. He stood, crossing the room in swift, determined strides before she could even react. In one smooth motion, he lifted her onto the counter, his hands bracing on either side of her as he stared her down with an intensity that sent her heart racing.

"No," he said firmly, his voice low and filled with certainty. "No, Arya, that's not what I want."

Her breath caught in her throat as she looked up at him, surprised by the sudden shift. His gaze was unwavering, his blue eyes locking onto hers with a determination she had never seen before. Her heart pounded in her chest as the space between them seemed to shrink, the air thick with unspoken words.

"I can't pretend like nothing happened last night," Valen continued, his tone softening but still resolute. "I don't know if this is love, or if it's something else, but I know I don't regret any of it. The only thing I regret is not spending more time tangled up in bed with you."

Arya felt her cheeks heat, her initial embarrassment quickly replaced by a smile. She rolled her eyes at his words, but deep down, she could feel the sincerity in them. Valen wasn't joking, not about this. He meant what he said.

Her confusion lingered, but the warmth in his gaze melted away any doubts. Slowly, she nodded, feeling the tension between them dissolve into something unspoken yet understood.

"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Neither do I."

Valen's expression softened even more, and as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss, Arya felt a sense of calm settle over her. Whatever this was, whatever they were becoming, it was real. And for now, that was enough.

~

Valen couldn't shake the surprise that accompanied his observations of Arya throughout the day. Their interactions had transformed in ways he hadn't anticipated. Where she once guarded herself against him like a fortress, Arya was now allowing small cracks to show, letting warmth and humor seep through. It was a subtle shift, but it changed everything.

As they moved through their preparations, Arya's attitude had softened in ways he had only dreamed of. She wasn't just being nice; she was engaging with him on a level that felt genuine. Her teasing had turned playful instead of barbed, her snappy remarks coming with a smirk instead of anger. Valen couldn't help but notice how her eyes sparkled with mischief when he made a mistake while cleaning one of his daggers, her eyes narrowing in mock frustration.

He found himself chasing her around the small space, trying to finalize their exit plans, only to have her swat him away with a laugh. "Seriously, Valen, I can't work with you crowding me like that!" she exclaimed, but the fire in her voice was nothing compared to the venom it used to hold. There was a lightness to her annoyance now, a sense of ease that hadn't existed before.

As they gathered their gear, the anticipation of their mission hung heavy in the air. Arya stood by the small table, examining a map with a concentrated look on her face. Valen took the opportunity to step closer, pointing out possible soldier positions as she spoke. Her hand would brush against his arm now and then, each touch sending warmth flooding through him. They were standing in a shared space, both physically and emotionally, and he could feel their bond growing stronger.

Finally, it was time to strap on her thigh sheath. Valen knelt to help her, the act bringing a playful grin to her lips. "You know," she said, her tone teasing, "it's rather delicious having you on your knees before me."

He roared with laughter, the sound filling the room and breaking any lingering tension. "Careful, Arya," he replied, grinning up at her. "It wouldn't take much for me to stay here if you wanted."

Her laughter mingled with his, and for a moment, everything felt light and carefree. They were two people, standing on the brink of something profound and chaotic, but right now, in this shared moment, it was all just absurdly perfect.

~

The night air was cool as Arya and Valen silently moved through the shadows, slipping into the safe house with practiced ease. Their mission tonight was to find anything—any scrap of information—that could lead them to Marissa. But as they tore through the place, it quickly became clear that something was terribly wrong.

Every drawer they opened, every hidden nook they searched, turned up empty. It was as if someone had been there before them and cleaned the place out entirely. Arya's frustration simmered as she ripped through papers only to find them useless, crumpling them in her hands.

"Damn it," Arya cursed under her breath, tossing aside a pile of tattered parchment.

Valen, standing across the room with the same defeated look, sighed. "Nothing. Not a single clue left."

But just as the weight of their failure began to settle in, a faint sound echoed from below. Arya froze, her eyes snapping to Valen, who met her gaze with a confused but alert expression.

"Did you hear that?" he whispered.

She nodded, her body instantly tensing, instinct screaming that something was off. Without a word, Valen took the lead, moving toward the basement door. Arya followed close behind, her fingers hovering near the dagger strapped to her thigh. They descended the stairs slowly, the creaking of the old wood under their feet the only sound in the suffocating silence.

As soon as they reached the bottom, everything shifted in a blur of movement. Hands grabbed them both with a force that sent Arya reeling. Her instincts kicked in, but it was too late—strong arms pinned her, and before she could react, a hood was forced over her head. She heard Valen curse beside her, struggling against his captors, but her vision was already darkening as something hard struck the side of her head.

The world went black.