~~~~~~~~
In the hush where moonlight dares to fall,
Two hearts collide beyond reason's call.
Bound by fate, yet torn by fear,
A name, a promise, draws them near.
🌹✿🌹✯🌹✿🌹✯🌹✿🌹✯🌹✿🌹
"What!?" she breathed, her voice trembling like a fragile note in the night.
"Call me Horace."
Her lips parted, eyes wide. "No! I--I--can't."
"Of course you can, baby," he coaxed, his tone soft yet edged with need. "I'm your mate, your equal. Why can't you call me by my name? Please, do this for me… call me Horace."
He was pleading now, every word carrying warmth and ache.
"Please, babe," he added more gently, "I don't feel comfortable when you call me that."
"I--I want to go to the bathroom," she whispered. Her heart raced; she slipped from his grasp and stepped down from the bed, her bare feet brushing the cool floor before she turned away.
A flicker of light shimmered — and Alicia materialized in the room. Ariel flinched backward, instinctively seeking safety behind Horace.
