Layla sat in the training hall, her thoughts restless. The memory of her fight with Iman burned in her chest, and Elara's dream still echoed in her mind.
Dorian entered quietly, his presence steady as always. He studied her for a moment before speaking. "You looked troubled, Layla. What weighs on you?"
Layla hesitated, then sighed. "It's Iman. We fought yesterday... she was angry, truly angry. I've never seen her like that. And then last night... Elara came to me in a dream. She told me Iman is the key, that I must protect her."
Dorian folded his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "Elara does not speak lightly. If she came to you, it means she trusts you with something important. You and Iman are different - she sees with her heart, you see with your ambition. Elara knows both are needed. Protecting someone does not mean always with them. It means being there when the storm comes."
Layla frowned, her voice softer. "Did you and Lucien ever fight about things like this? About trust?"
Dorian smiled faintly. "Yes. Moe than once. He sees the world through loyalty, I through caution. But friendship is not about never fighting. It's about finding each other again after the fight."
Layla's eyes softened, and before she could stop herself, she leaned forward and hugged him.
At first, Dorian stilled - unused to such closeness. But then, slowly, he returned the embrace, feeling warmth spread through him.
Layla whispered against his shoulder, "Thank you... for everything. You've been with me the whole time."
Dorian's chest tightened at her words. For a moment, they stayed like that, silent but connected.
When they both came back to their senses, they parted quickly, a faint awkwardness hanging in the air. Layla looked away, cheeks warm, while Dorian scratched the back of his neck, trying to hide his own shyness.
Despite the awkwardness, something had shifted. Layla no longer felt alone in her confusion, and Dorian carried a quiet warmth he hadn't expected.
The dream, the fight, and now this moment - all of it was weaving bonds neither of them had anticipated.