Protective

The soft sound of footsteps echoed down the marble-floored hallway as Arrow wandered through the mansion, his curiosity piqued by its unfamiliar grandeur.

He had been restless ever since he woke up, unable to shake the feeling that something was missing. The mansion, though beautiful, felt empty—cold, even. But tonight was different.

A strange pull guided him, an almost magnetic sensation that he couldn't explain. His feet carried him down the long corridor, past doors he didn't bother to explore, until he stopped in front of one slightly ajar. Inside, he heard faint murmurs and the soft cooing of a baby.

Arrow pushed the door open a little wider and froze.

Chase was sitting on the edge of a plush armchair, holding Emerald in his arms. She was tiny, bundled in a soft blanket, and Chase carefully held a small bottle of blood to her mouth. He murmured quietly to her, his tone gentle, almost soothing, as he tilted the bottle at just the right angle.