#this is...not good

@magicalshift​​ :    graves is awake and reading by lamplight in the atlantragroud lounge when rielle returns in the early hours of the morning; of course, it's no surprise to graves. he knew about rowan's set. that rielle would sneak out to go was par for the course."you could've told me," he says as he looks over from his book, grey eyes cast in shadow. "instead of letting me worry when you didn't answer any calls or messages." if something had happened to rielle...

If he’s being honest, Rielle mostly regrets going out tonight. Sure, it’s always nice to see live music, especially from an artist who’s he’s actually invested in. But nothing had gone as planned. He’d slipped up, blown his cover, & not even halfway into the setlist the crowd had gathered around him instead of the actual musicians. Before he knew it Rielle was getting swarmed with people asking for his picture, asking his autograph, & even asking him to get on stage with the band. 

It didn’t matter how nicely he refused, it didn’t matter that all he’d wanted was a night to have fun. All he is to anyone is his voice. All he’s ever been to anyone is his voice. The only one in the room who maybe would have been different was too hurt seeing his brother take away his moment to see how much it hurt Rielle too. Rielle still hurts remembering the look on Rowan’s face as Rielle yet again makes another scene before leaving the club. 

Despite his early departure, Rielle’s still late getting back. He’d gone out to forget his problems, & he wasn’t intending on going home until they’re forgotten. But the effort doesn’t do much good when Rielle steps foot in the dorm & he’s given a reminder of every problem he’s ever had in the form of Barney Graves sitting on the other side of the room. 

“  Could I?  ”  Danger quivers in the prince’s voice as he speaks. Everything he’d been keeping in tonight bubbles in the pit of his stomach, threatening to boil over. “  So you could tell on me to Raphael again?  ”  

It’s been months since either of them had brought up the topic of his eldest brother. After Rielle had forgiven Graves for his betrayal of his trust, they’d both agreed not to talk about it. & they hadn’t...not until now at least. “  Well you can tell him that he’ll be pleased to know that I had an awful time. I know that’s the only thing either of you care about. As long as I’m not having fun you’re happy, right? Are you happy, Graves? Huh?!  ”