Xander's POV:

I eyed myself in the mirror as I tried to tuck away the hair that didn't want to join the others.

Eventually, I got it to where the half ponytail I'd begun to favor looked somewhat decent.

Decent enough to where I didn't feel the need to attempt doing it again in hopes of getting a better result.

If it weren't for Doe's help, my outfit would have been as much of a mess as my hair was.

I wasn't motivated at all into putting a lot of effort into tonight.

Every second it got closer it just seemed... less and less appealing.

To think that when I first heard about it I was so excited for what it might bring.

But now... If it wasn't for the fact that Nico was attending, I might just not have gone.

I took a step back, looking over the outfit that doe had put together

She must think that I looked good in blue.

And well, I couldn't even disagree.

She put me in a light blue undershirt first of all, before spending a while debating between velvet and worsted wool for the dress jacket and matching pants.

Both of which sported a deep navy.

The wool ended up being the fabric that won her approval.

She said it was because of the intricate little designs stitched into it that you could only notice if you were close, and the few little glass gems hidden sparsely and randomly throughout.

She liked how it looked when the light caught one of them just right.

It reminded her of a night sky.

The only thing that I chose was the tie.

I wanted her to pick, but she insisted that it be my choice.

I thought that maybe she believed that she was being too bossy with what she chose for me to wear.

But I made sure she knew that I appreciated it, and complimented her on her taste.

She had become good with these sorts of things in the past year.

She graced me with her presence soon after that thought, stepping into the bathroom and giving me the look over I just finished giving myself.

I turned towards her to help her out, the mere sight of her making my ever-growing displeasure for this whole event grow.

Here I was all dressed up, and she just stood there in her pajamas.

I knew that this wasn't something she wanted to go to, but it felt strange that I was going to this without her.

Whether that was just my want to stay by her side just in case or something else entirely.

I just wanted to be here with her.

There was a part of me that wanted her to say yes when I asked her if she wanted me to stay.

I could explain that to Nico.

I could take that time to slowly and steadily get her to warm up to me again.

Even if we could never go back to where we were before, I wanted to try.

She crossed her arms as she examined me, lips pursing out.

Her scan stopped at my tie, shoulders dropping.

She already knew what I had chosen, but she wasn't too happy about it.

Which I found cute in a way, especially after she voiced it the first time and then refused to pick another one when I asked her to.

She took a step closer so she was right in front of me, raising her hands to straighten the light purple bow tie.

"Why did you decide on this one again," She grumbled.

Because it reminded me of you.

It... matched the jacket I had gotten her.

Hell, it matched the tank top she was wearing right now.

It didn't coordinate perfectly by any means with what she had put together, but I liked it how it was.

"I dunno. I like the color," I placed my hands in the pockets and leaned down a bit, "You can still choose something better if you want."

She shook her head, waving the thought off with her left hand before plucking off some stray blonde hairs that had fallen out during my fight with it.

"Nah. This is all on you. Just know that I set you up for success, and you ruined it."

My brows quirked up and a smile rose at her words.

Or more so, at the un-caring, sarcastic tone in her voice as she said them.

"I'll keep that in mind."

It felt like I was getting her back. If even just a little.

Even when she did show signs of it, it still felt a bit reluctant.

She was still quiet most of the time, and I gave her the space whenever she wanted it.

She had gotten her appetite back and slept soundly in the cage again last night.

But she still carried that odd scent that I couldn't for the life of me figure out when it first showed up.

I think I finally placed it as just... uncertainty. And the only reason I could conclude that was because It would show on her face whenever she was deep in unguarded thought.

Which also told me that part of what she'd been showing me was an act.

The 'I'm okay' act.

Like she was pretending to be stronger than she was at the moment and I knew that alone had to be tiring for her after what happened.

Another reason I was hesitant to leave, but maybe some time alone was what she needed.

Some time without me constantly being there.

That same look flashed across her face for barely a second as she stepped away from me, hands intertwining behind her.

"Are you sure you don't want to go?" I had intended to ask the question normally, but there was a waver in my voice that I hadn't planned on.

Neither was she with the raise of her eyebrows.

I cleared my throat and continued, "You have enough stuff in there to throw something gorgeous together in time... And I'll keep an eye on you just in case. It could be fun."

I'd make sure Layla kept her distance.

I remembered that I told her she'd be there, but that wasn't even close to being the reason why I wanted Doe to be there.

I just hoped she knew that too.

Either way knew what her answer would be, but I asked anyway.

Just so I didn't regret not even offering.

It would be a good opportunity for her to be able to be social and enjoy the food and dancing, but...

She shook her head, that un-caring mask falling for a short moment.

"I'm good," She replied, her words being softer than before, "I've never been good at social settings, and I can't exactly dance with the state of my shoulder anyway."

A knot in both my stomach and chest.

She looked off to the side with her next words.

"I was actually just going to get some rest in your bed because it's... warm until you got back."

I just nodded, getting the exact answer I was expecting, but disappointed nonetheless.

Not at her just... in general.

"You do look nice though," Her voice was so quiet I barely heard it.

But the words had me straightening my posture, noticing how she still wasn't looking at me as she said that.

"I have you to thank for that, Doe," I commended.

She breathed out a small laugh. One that didn't at all sound forced or faked.

"Not entirely, but I'll take my credit where it's deserved."

My heart thrummed an extra hard beat, as she looked back at me again.

That look alone would have stopped me from going if I didn't have people expecting me to be there

I wasn't certain whether or not Layla would really be expecting me there.

I actually found myself hoping that she wasn't.

That deep feral part of me has kept itself in dormancy since it faded a few days ago, and the very thought of her was like I was directly poking at it to have it unleash again.

I didn't want that happening in such a social setting. Not with the vengeance I knew it craved, and not when most of the people there were aware of the family Nico and I came from.

But Nico was expecting me.

I should get going...

"If you need anything- if you need me for anything, call the front desk and someone will come get me."

"I'm not gonna ruin your night Xander, don't worry about me," She spoke as if consoling me.

The only thing 'ruining' my night was the fact that I had to go at all.

And my worry for her played a big part in that.

"You're more important to me than this ball, Doe. I'm serious. Anything. Anything at all, and I'll be back here."

I noticed a tension growing in her shoulders as the hands behind her must have tightened on each other.

I couldn't read the look on her face as she inclined her head again.

"What time is this thing supposed to end?" She questioned.

It started at six... So ten minutes, and it ended at, "Midnight, supposedly,"

Supposedly only because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to stay the entire time.

Again, she gave just a nod. Another silent response.

I took one last glance at myself in the mirror, finding my gaze getting stuck on her through it instead.

I just had to get through tonight. Get through the responsibilities I had promised other people and then it's back on focusing on her.

"Anything you need before I leave?"

Food, different pain meds, anything.

She stepped to the side to allow me to exit the bathroom.

"Nah," I could hear the slightest hesitance in that casual word, "Go have fun."