Stubborn Girl

Gwen narrowed her eyes, frustrated at his teasing tone, "I'd rather fend off a horde of wyverns."

"Guys, this is really not the time to play husband and wife," Sibby interrupted, trying to act serious even though her tone was bordered on amusement. Gwen choked on air while Thorndyke widened his eyes for a second before that infuriating smirk reappeared on his face.

Did she really had to announce her every thought out loud?

"We weren't playing anything," Gwen gritted out.

"Yeah, we certainly weren't," Thorndyke replied, still sporting that damn smirk.

Sibby chuckled beside her, finding great amusement in the whole banter between the two of them. Lance and Rose looked on with knowing expressions, while Vlad and Ty appeared to be stifling their laughter.

"Why are you even here?" Gwen shot back, her annoyance growing even more.

"He couldn't stay away," Ty chimed in, and it was Thorndyke's turn to roll his eyes.

"You're hilarious, you know that?" Thorndyke retorted, his gaze flickering to Ty who was grinning ear to ear.

Gwen's eyes narrowed further as she crossed her arms over her chest, trying to ignore the heat she felt spreading across her face. She couldn't help but find herself becoming more and more flustered, the longer this interaction continued.

Lance threw a knowing glance at Gwen, while Rose bit her lip to stifle her laughter. Even Vlad had a slight smirk on his face, clearly enjoying the show unraveling before them.

"We have a situation here," Gwen gritted out, desperately trying to change the subject. Rose and Lance sobered up a bit while Thorndyke's smirk disappeared as he looked at Gwen.

"Stay out of it," he warned her in a low tone, making her even more skeptical. Ty and Vlad exchanged a glance.

"Why the hell would I stay out of it?" Gwen retorted, irritation flaring in her eyes, "And since when do you get to tell me what to do?"

She clenched her fists, her chest rising and falling with anger and something else. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Thorndyke's jaw clenched as he stepped closer to her, his eyes locking with hers.

"Since you have a knack for getting yourself into trouble and almost getting yourself killed every damn day," he said, keeping his voice low. "You've made a career out of finding trouble, and for once, I'm telling you to stay out of it for your own damn good."

Gwen's jaw muscles tensed as she looked at him in shock. "I don't find trouble. It finds me." He was talking to her as if she was a child— like she was unable to handle herself. It made her blood boil. "And my own good? Do you really think I'm that helpless?"

Thorndyke's expression softened a bit, but his tone remained firm, "I'm not saying that you're helpless. I've seen you fight. I know you're more than capable of handling yourself. But this is different."

Lance and Rose exchanged concerned glances, while Sibby watched the interaction intently. Ty and Vlad tensed a little but kept quiet.

"Then what makes this different?" Gwen pressed, her tone still laced with irritation.

Thorndyke tensed, and exchanged a glance with Ty and Vlad. He fumbled for words before finally hardening his gaze, speaking in a firm tone, "Nothing you need to know."

Gwen scowled at him, unimpressed by his answer. She was frustrated at the fact that he wouldn't let her in on his secret, but she also knew that she didn't have any right to. They were enemies, forced to be allies. He was just as stubborn as her, and it was incredibly frustrating. 

She crossed her arms, raising her chin in defiance. He asked for it? Then he would get it.

"You're out of your fucking mind if you think I'm gonna stay out of this."

"She's feisty," Ty whispered mischievously, causing Thorndyke to shoot him a glare.

"Shut up," he muttered, scowling at his friend, clearly annoyed.

Thorndyke looked at Gwen again, "General Sylveryon will not spare anyone who pulled this prank. In addition to that, the combat battles are around the corner. So, if you really desire to live a little longer, then you will stay away from this situation." 

Lance nodded, a serious expression on his face. "I agree. It's not worth the trouble, Gwen."

"Yeah," Rose chimed in, "Sylveryon's no joke. We don't want any of us getting hurt over something this stupid."

Ty and Vlad exchanged a glance, but they didn't offer any words of protest. Even Sibby - who would normally be right by Gwen's side - was unusually quiet. She just sat there, watching the unfolding scene.

Gwen looked at Lance and Rose in disbelief, her anger giving way to a sudden feeling of betrayal. Even her best friends were siding with Thorndyke.

She whipped her head around to look at Sibby with a look asking 'Seriously? You too?' But her friend didn't meet her gaze, she was still staring at Thorndyke with narrowed eyes.

Gwen huffed, rolling her eyes, but finally replied in resignation, "Fine." She crossed her arms, sulking.

Thorndyke seemed slightly taken aback by her agreement, but he quickly masked his surprise behind a grin.

"Glad to see you're finally coming to your senses," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

Gwen gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to roll her eyes again.

"Don't push your luck," she shot back, annoyed at his attitude.

Ty chuckled, clearly enjoying the banter between the two of them. "You guys should just get a room already."

Gwen and Thorndyke shot Ty a scathing glare, clearly unamused by his comment.

Rose rolled her eyes, a small smile forming on her lips. She leaned closer to Gwen and whispered, "You know, as much as I hate to admit it. For the first time in his life, he does have a point."

Gwen's face turned a darker shade of red as she shot Rose a warning look.

"Not helping," she muttered under her breath.

She couldn't explain how much she hated this cocky nutcracker.