FAMILY DINNER 🍽️🥰
635 Words
Seren had paced back and forth into the rug.
Back and forth. Back and forth. Hands twisting, then smoothing her dress, then twisting again.
Cassius watched her from where he leaned against the window, arms crossed, expression carefully neutral.
“Nervous?” he asked.
She nodded immediately.
“About what?”
She stopped pacing and looked at him like the answer should’ve been obvious.
“You.”
Cassius blinked. “Me?”
“Yes. You.”
He straightened, genuinely confused now. “Why?”
She stared. “Your ridiculous reputation, for one. Why wouldn’t you behave yourself?”
A slow smirk curved his mouth—dangerous, arrogant, entirely intentional.
“Is that concern I hear?” he said lightly. “For my well-being? You don’t want them to kill me? I’m flattered, truly.”
“Cassius,” she snapped, “this is serious!”
He laughed.
Not a polite chuckle. A full, unrestrained laugh—the kind that shook his shoulders.
Her eyes narrowed.
“Oh, that’s it.”
She grabbed a nearby pillow and launched herself at him. “I’m the one killing you!”
Cassius barely had time to catch it before she was on him, laughing and half-feral.
“Go into the light!” she declared dramatically, swinging again.
He blocked, grinning. “Violence already? Is this how Merrows show affection?”
She raised the pillow again "yes"—
—and froze at the sound of a throat clearing.
Callan stood in the doorway.
“Cassius. Seren. The family is—oh.”
Fleur Merrow stepped into view, eyes warm, mouth curved in immediate amusement.
“Well ,” she said cheerfully, “see honey? I told you we had nothing to worry about.” she says to Jasper.
Rowan barreled in behind her, eleven years old and vibrating with excitement.
“You’re killing him already?” he asked brightly. “What did he do? Can I help?”
Seren gasped. “Family!”
She scrambled off Cassius and rushed forward, hugging them all at once. “I missed you guys so much.”
Cassius cleared his throat. “So… we’re just going to pretend she didn’t try to murder me?”
“Absolutely,” Elora said smoothly, lips twitching.
Cassius sighed.
Seren’s family turned to him as one.
He straightened instinctively, posture immaculate. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
Caspian Merrow—her uncle, relaxed as sin—stepped forward and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Good thing we came just in time, kid,” Caspian said casually. “You’re still alive.”
He ruffled Cassius’s hair.
Cassius froze.
Callan nodded solemnly. “Yeah. Kid.”
Cassius looked mildly stunned.
Lysander arrived just then, formal as ever. “Your Royal Highness.”
Elora elbowed him. “Oh, please. We’re going to be family.”
Lysander groaned. “I’m trying to be serious.”
Lunch was… worse.
Or better.
Cassius wasn’t sure.
They sat together at a long table, sunlight spilling through tall windows. Seren was glowing—laughing, animated, unmistakably herself.
And absolutely committed to ruining him.
“Honey bun,” she said sweetly, sliding him a plate.
Callan choked on his drink.
Cassius closed his eyes briefly. “She doesn’t actually call me that.”
“I do now,” Seren said innocently.
Rowan leaned forward, eyes wide. “I don’t believe you. Can I give you a nickname too? You know, they say you’re scary—and you are strong and all—and my mom says if I eat vegetables I’ll be strong, and you’re tall… a little angry… but tall—”
The table erupted into laughter.
Cassius stared at the ceiling, exhaling slowly through his nose.
This family will be the bane of my existence.
And somehow—
He didn’t hate it.
- Writer
