Theron
The rooftop was quiet after Egwene left. She hadn't said much—just squeezed his hand before slipping away, promising she just needed "a minute."
Theron let her go. He didn't want to crowd her. But the heaviness in her eyes stayed with him, lingering like smoke in his chest.
He hated seeing her like that.
So he did the only thing he could think of—something stupid, probably. Definitely impulsive. But he needed to see her smile again.
It took a bit of sneaking around, a favor from aurora her best friend, and one last can of peaches they'd been saving for emergencies. And honestly? He didn't even know if it would work.
But he tried.
An hour later, he found her back in the old storage wing, curled in a corner of the map room with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, knees pulled tight to her chest. She looked up when she heard him, brows slightly raised.
He held up the can of peaches and a beat-up fork like it was a peace offering.
"I come bearing gifts," he said with a crooked smile.
Egwene blinked, caught off guard. "Is that—are you seriously trying to bribe me with peaches right now?"
"Not trying. Succeeding." He sat down beside her, popping the can open with a flick of his knife. "These are prime end-of-the-world goods. You can't sulk and eat peaches at the same time. It's a scientific fact."
A reluctant laugh escaped her. Just a small one—but it was real. Theron felt it hit him like a win.
She took the fork from him and scooped out a syrupy slice, chewing thoughtfully. "You're ridiculous."
"I've been called worse."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few bites. She passed the can back to him, her fingers brushing his. He took a bite, then leaned his head back against the cold wall.
"You ever think about what we'd be doing if the world hadn't gone to hell?" he asked.
Egwene thought for a moment. "I'd probably still be in college. Studying environmental science. Trying to save the world."
He looked over at her. "You kinda are saving the world. One monster dodge at a time."
She gave him a tired smile. "And you?"
He chuckled. "Probably in jail."
She blinked. "Wait, really?"
Theron shrugged with a grin. "Okay, maybe not jail. But definitely in some trouble. I wasn't exactly... law-abiding."
"I'm shocked," she deadpanned.
"Hey," he said, nudging her shoulder. "I'm reformed. You're a good influence."
She leaned her head on his arm, sighing. "I don't feel like a good anything right now."
Theron turned toward her, his voice softening. "You don't have to be perfect, Egwene. You just have to be you."
"I don't even know who that is anymore."
"You will," he said. "We'll figure it out."
For a long moment, they sat there, warmth growing in the quiet. The can of peaches long forgotten.
He watched her eyes close slowly, her breathing evening out against his arm.
And for the first time in days, Theron didn't feel like a weapon or a burden. He felt like something solid. Something good.
Someone worth being leaned on.
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