fracture

It was a long night. After their flirtatious exchange, Vaerion didn't bother her further. Instead, he gave her space. He drank liquor quietly at the end of the bar while she attempted to quell her mortal friends' curiosity.

Lysander and Rowan both ended up completely wasted. Lysander was silent most of the evening, and Rowan was the most obnoxious and chatty drunk Asuriel had ever seen, so he talked her ear off for hours before finally getting sleepy.

Vaerion watched Asuriel with a discerning gaze as she helped clear a booth for them to sleep in and tucked them in with some spare blankets stored in the breakroom closet.

When she was done, she joined the devil at the bar.

He looked askance at her with an aloof expression. "Done babysitting?"

"Yeah," Asuriel chuckled softly. "Thankfully, I don't think they'll be waking up anytime soon. They seemed exhausted."

"Is that so?" Vaerion smirked.