LOVE IS A INTERNAL ARGUMENT: An Introverts romance🩰

don't commit a felony

Atticus steps forward before anyone can stop him.

Beckett makes a strangled noise.

Beckett:

“OH—he’s actually doing it. He’s going in live. Someone start a drumroll.”

Soren cups his hands around his mouth dramatically.

Soren:

“ATTICUS. REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING—DON’T COMMIT A FELONY.”

Atticus doesn’t even look back.

Atticus:

“If one more person speaks to me I will not be responsible for my actions.”

Arabella fans herself, delighted.

Arabella:

“I’ve never seen him like this. This is so romantic. Also slightly terrifying.”

Adriana just grins into her champagne.

Adriana (soft, knowing):

“Go get her, Atticus.”

He cuts through the crowd, ignoring the music, the donors, the glittering chandeliers.

All he sees is Aliana — laughing softly, head tilted, eyes warm with nostalgia as Alesseo leans in just a little too close.

And Atticus feels something hot and dark pull tight in his chest.

Alesseo spots him first. The dancer straightens, posture shifting, gaze sharpening with the unmistakable look of a man appraising competition.

Alesseo lifts a brow, amused.

Alesseo:

“Ah. Someone new?”

Aliana turns…and the second she sees Atticus, her smile changes.

Softer. Brighter. Like relief and warmth and something she doesn’t realize is written all over her face.

Atticus’ pulse stutters.

But he masks it well — stepping beside her, calm but unmistakably claiming his place.

Atticus (gentle, controlled):

“Hi, Aliana.”

Alesseo watches the exchange with a faint smirk, leaning back like he’s enjoying the tension.

Alesseo:

“So. You must be…?”

Atticus gives him a polite, razor-edged smile.

Atticus:

“Someone who’s not calling her piccolina.”

Aliana exhales sharply, half a laugh, half flustered shock.

Aliana:

“Atticus—”

Alesseo chuckles, clearly entertained.

Alesseo:

“She didn’t mention you, but…now I understand why.”

Atticus:

“Oh? And what exactly do you understand?”

Alesseo’s eyes flick from Atticus…to Aliana…to the small distance between them.

Alesseo:

“That she finally found someone who looks at her like she’s not a trophy to win.”

Aliana freezes.

Atticus’ jaw clenches—not in anger, but something like respect sliding reluctantly into place.

Alesseo softens, for the first time sincere.

Alesseo:

“She deserved better than I could give her back then. I hope you know that. And I hope you give it to her.”

Aliana swallows, stunned by his honesty.

Atticus looks at her. Really looks.

Atticus (quiet, steady):

“I intend to.”

Alesseo smiles — a little sad, a little proud.

Alesseo:

“Then I leave her in good hands.”

Alesseo leans in to kiss her cheek — a soft, European gesture, nothing romantic now — and as he pulls back, he murmurs something only she can hear.

Aliana’s breath stills.

She hesitates for half a heartbeat, then leans in too, whispering back:

Aliana “I forgive you. Truly. We were young… and you were figuring out how to love.

You’ll find someone perfect for you, Alesseo.

I want that for you as well.”

Alesseo blinks — surprised, touched.

He lets out a quiet exhale, something loosening in his chest.

Alesseo (whispering, almost reverent):

“You always were too good for me, piccolina.”

Aliana gives him a look — pointed, amused.

Aliana:

“I am still not piccolina.”

Alesseo laughs quietly, nodding in defeat.

When they step back from each other, it’s with a gentle, mutual fondness — a clean, soft closing of a door.

Atticus doesn’t hear any of it.

All he sees is Alesseo stepping away from her with that small, wistful smile.

It makes something sharp twist under his ribs.

He kisses Aliana’s cheek, whispers something only she hears — a goodbye, not a spark — and steps away into the crowd.

The moment he disappears, Atticus finally releases a slow breath.

Aliana looks up at him, cheeks warm.

Aliana:

“You didn’t have to come over.”

Atticus:

“I know.”

He meets her gaze, no teasing, no walls.

Atticus (soft but unmistakably possessive):

“But I wanted to.”

Her breath catches.

His eyes dip — not to her dress, not to her lips — but to the way she’s still holding her arm where Alesseo hugged her…like she’s grounding herself.

Atticus:

“Are you okay?”

Aliana nods.

Aliana:

“He was important to me once. But that’s…all it is now. Just ‘once.’”

She hesitates, voice quieter.

Aliana:

“Thank you for coming over.”

Atticus steps closer — barely, but enough.

Atticus:

“Aliana. I’ll always come to you.”

And for the first time tonight…

she believes him.