He Comes At Night

Third pov:

Maybe, whatever this was, she could use it to her advantage—turn the tables and make him squirm for once. Now that would be satisfying.

"Since you've joined us later than the rest, Rose…" Aspen started, his voice even.

Dracken's fists clenched, his entire body going rigid.

"I believe you'll need some help catching up on the lectures you missed, to ensure you're on the same level as the rest of the class."

Both Rose and Dracken stared at Aspen, identical expressions of suspicion crossing their faces, like they'd both expected something wildly different.

And honestly? So had she.

*All that tension, that cryptic build-up… for this?* She had been expecting something dramatic, something that explained why Dracken had been one breath away from setting the room on fire. Instead, she got… tutoring?

"Okay… so?" she said flatly, disappointment laced in her tone.

"So," Aspen continued, "since I'm preoccupied with other responsibilities and unable to provide extra hours myself, I've made an arrangement. One that benefits both of you. Rose, you need help. And Rome needs credit hours. I believe this works in everyone's favor."

Dracken bristled beside her.

"What are you talking about?" he snapped.

Rose had no idea what he was losing his mind over, but she had one pressing question of her own. "Who the hell is Rome?"

Dracken let out an exasperated sigh, like he couldn't believe she was this slow.

Aspen arched a brow at her, looking mildly amused. "I thought you two had already met."

Rose crossed her arms. "Why would you assume that? I don't know any Rome. It's my first day, I—"

She cut herself off when Aspen's gaze flickered toward Dracken. Slowly, she followed suit, only to find him staring at her with something between annoyance and are you serious right now? energy.

And then, with the most insufferable smirk she had ever seen, he said, "I am Rome. Rome Dracken. Pleasure to make your slow acquaintance."

Oh.

So that's his first name.

And here she thought his last name was weird. Who names their child after an old city? Rose thought to herself.

Did he just call her 'slow'?!

"Great! Now that you two have formally been acquainted," Aspen interjected, his smile a little too knowing for Rose's liking, "let's get back to business."

Both she and Dracken tensed.

"What's the arrangement?" they both asked at the exact same time, turning to glare at each other immediately after.

Aspen, looking far too entertained by their horror, leaned back in his chair. "Rome, you will be tutoring Rose on the material she's missed until she's caught up."

For a second, silence. And then—

"WHAT?!"

They shot out of their seats, voices overlapping in protest.

"This is not happening!" Dracken scowled, arms crossed like a petulant child.

"I am not being tutored by this creep!" Rose declared, throwing her hands in the air.

Dracken turned on her. "Who the hell are you calling a creep?"

She turned right back on him. "You! Obviously."

They locked eyes, both radiating equal amounts of irritation, neither willing to back down.

And this was only the beginning.