You Don’t Get to Decide That

Kyra’s brows drew together slightly. "Then say it," she said, more firmly now. "Don’t leave us guessing."

Nova finally shifted, just a fraction. "You’ve already made up your mind," she added, her tone low, controlled. "So why hesitate?"

Leon didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze lowered for a brief moment, as if weighing something unseen, before lifting again—steady, unshaken.

Ronan stepped slightly forward.

"My king..."

His tone carried caution now.

"Whatever you are planning... it is better said openly."

Stillness came first. Then he moved, one foot then the other, measuring each inch like it mattered. Closer now, his frame upright - careful, not yielding. This moment held its breath. Never before had he stood so firm.

This moment carried weight beyond what he said. Standing taller, a flicker of worry edged into his gaze instead of just duty.

"We’re not outsiders," Ronan continued, voice quieter but firmer. "If this risks the kingdom... or you... we deserve to understand it."

A whisper of air left his lips then, barely heard, as if words had slipped out unplanned - yet he chose silence anyway.

"...You don’t have to carry everything alone, my king."

The air stilled.

A hush filled the space, yet it carried weight, dense like fog that refused to shift. This stillness clung, heavy, almost breathing down the neck of everyone inside.

Stillness held the room. Not a sound broke the silence.

A slight curl of Rias’ fingers broke the stillness by her hip, eyes locked on Leon’s expression, hunting a clue he kept hidden. Stillness held him, words absent, while she waited for what wouldn’t come.

Her feet moved slightly, a quiet sign of restlessness written in how she stood, yet she stayed still - for the moment.

Still as stone, Black held his ground, yet his gaze cut through the room. His stillness gave nothing away.

Steam left his nostrils slow, eyes steady, mind working - yet set.

Now they waited, each moment stretching longer than before - less about hearing a reply, more about facing what Leon decided to hold without help.

Fingers tucked tight across his chest, Black stood there. Arms locked in a stubborn X, he stayed silent.

"...We don’t like surprises."

A hush ran through his words, calm in pace - yet something sharp lived beneath.

"And we like it even less when those surprises involve you making decisions that could get you killed."

Johny added dryly -

"Especially when they involve you going alone into enemy territory."

Not quite looking straight, he angled his head, eyes on Leon as if puzzling something out.

"...Because let’s be honest," Johny muttered, "that’s exactly what this sounds like."

Leon chuckled softly.

Quiet settled first. Not a shout, just presence.

Still, it didn’t feel bright.

"Fair."

A single tap of his fingers landed on the armrest - measured, unhurried.

Then -

Forward he leaned once more.

A slight shift happened, yet it changed how the space felt all around. Stillness gave way, though nobody moved a single inch.

And this time -

There was something different in his eyes.

Not warmth.

Not calm.

Resolve.

Cold. Steady. Unyielding.

The sort that simply showed up without waiting.

"...That’s exactly why I need to make sure none of you interfere."

The words hit.

Hard.

It wasn’t the volume that mattered -

Yet their confidence carried weight.

A hush fell. Just for a moment, everything stayed still.

Then -

A sharp look crossed Rias’ face right away.

"...Interfere?"

Into the room she moved, shoes tapping low on the tile, eyes cutting his way without pause.

"Since when did standing beside you become interference?"

Fresh calm sat in her words instead of sharp edges.

Just something sharper.

Something personal.

Syra stepped forward.

Faster. Less restrained.

"You’re already talking like we’re going to ignore you."

Furrows cut across her forehead, irritation showing clear. The tension slipped out around the edges.

"No - scratch that," she added, voice tightening, "you’re talking like we should."

Fingers aimed his way, not harsh - just steady.

"That’s not how this works, Leon."

A hush followed her words, quiet but firm. Not loud, yet nobody moved. Something in the way she spoke made silence feel heavy.

A pause came after she spoke, thick in the air, more weight pressing down now.

Then, quieter -

"...Or did you forget that already?"

No one moved.

Her eyes met Leon’s gaze. He stood without moving. The moment hung between them.

Funny how still he got, as if spotting a shape in the haze. After that, his eyes moved - not fast, but like clockwork settling into place

Every single one included.

One face after another. Not a single set of eyes looked down or turned aside.

Something tight hung in the air. Quiet, yet solid. Stillness that refused to bend. A pressure without noise.

Mia stayed near, fingertips brushing her cuff, as if stopping herself from moving ahead. Not far behind, Cassidy kept her arms folded tight, shoulders set, head tilted a little up. Off to the edge, Johnny fell quiet - more still than usual.

Still standing their ground.

A soft breath slipped out of Leon, leaving through his nostrils. Quietly.

Then -

"You will."

No hesitation.

No doubt.

Quiet filled the space instead of noise. Stillness carried more weight than sound ever could.

A silence settled, heavy with what nobody said.

Heavy.

Unavoidable.

A hush moved across them - no panic, not exactly - yet near enough to taste. Weight settled in, the sort that follows words spoken as if fate had already signed its name.

Mia spoke quieter now -

"...We just don’t want you to be alone."

A shift in her stance broke the stillness - only slightly, yet impossible to ignore. Not quite sure, yet refusing to back down, her gaze locked onto his.

"You keep pushing everyone away like it’s easier," she added quietly, her voice almost a whisper now. "Like it doesn’t matter who stays."

A flicker of warmth crossed Leon’s eyes. Then stillness returned.

"I know."

A flicker passed through his eyes before the mask settled back. Not quite tiredness, though that was part of it - something deeper broke loose, if only for a breath.

Cassidy caught it.

She finished it, just as expected.

A quiet laugh slipped out, her arms pulling close around herself.

"And that’s exactly why we won’t listen."

A small tilt came to her head, defiance curling the edge of her mouth into something quiet but sharp.

"You don’t get to decide that for us, Leon. Not this time."

Leon’s jaw tightened.

"You think this is about choice?" he asked, voice lower now, quieter - but sharper. "You think standing here arguing changes what’s coming?"

Cassidy didn’t flinch.

"No," she said simply. "But it changes what you go through alone."

A pause.

Then, softer - "And we’re not letting that happen."

Mia gave a small nod at her side, stillness wrapping around the gesture like smoke. Her silence held weight - steady, unshaken.