A Drink Before Words
Shawn inhaled slowly. Then—he spoke. "I have come here to apologize."
Victor heard him. For a brief moment, he said nothing, simply watching the man in front of him—the steadiness in his posture, the discipline in his voice, the restraint that barely concealed everything beneath. Then Victor's lips curved slightly, not mocking… but not entirely kind either.
"Well, I'm okay with that," he said, tone easy, almost casual, "but before you get to apologizing, how about we get a drink first?"
Without pause, he shifted direction. Like the choice had been made long before. A small motion of his hand pulled Shawn along. Not asking. More like offering something firm but calm.
For just a moment, Shawn stopped. Then he breathed in deep.
Then followed.
Right away, the air changed when they entered the bar inside the Adventurers Guild.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But noticeably.
Voices lowered.
Conversations paused mid-sentence.
Eyes turned.
