The moment the study door closed behind them, the warmth from dinner disappeared.
Kaius suddenly found the room too quiet.
Dark oak shelves lined the walls, the scent of aged paper and whiskey lingering faintly in the air. The soft ticking of the grandfather clock echoed between the silence.
Kaius loosened the cuff of his sleeve slightly while his father moved behind the desk.
"Sit."
Kaius obeyed without question, lowering himself into the chair opposite him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The shelf of aged liquor were arranged meticulously by size—from the smallest to the largest bottle—his father's prized possession. Towering bookshelves stood beside them, packed with decades of collected knowledge.
Kaius remembered the times when he would hide behind those shelves to read just to get away from his little sister— who couldn't understand why she couldn't touch her brother anymore—Not that he hated her or anything.
It was the only place where his father's presence felt familiar enough to quiet the nightmares.
Footsteps drew closer as his father poured two glasses of whiskey before sliding one across the desk.
Kaius accepted it with a small nod.
"You surprised your mother tonight," his father finally said.
Kaius leaned back slightly, one eyebrow raised. "By agreeing?"
"Yes."
A faint smirk touched Kaius's lips. "I was unaware marriage discussions required a battlefield."
His father gave a low chuckle before the amusement faded from his face.
"This isn't just about marriage." He said lowering himself into the seat across from kaius.
Kaius's expression stilled slightly.
There it is.
Magnus Blackwood lowered his glass to the table between them.
Kaius's gaze dropped briefly to it, following his father's movement.
" How are you doing? "
The question caught him by surprise.
He opened his mouth to speak but he was mercilessly interrupted by his father.
" If you know you're going to tell me you're fine then don't bother replying "
The silence that followed was deafening. Kaius took a sip of the whiskey to avoid his father's intense stare.
But to his wine-educated palate, the whiskey was an absolute atrocity.
He swallowed the burning liquid, resentful that he was still forced to endure his father's vulgar taste in spirits.
His father poured another glass, blissfully unaware of the silent offense Kaius was taking at the whiskey.
" I know you son."
" You'd rather die than tell someone how you feel. " Magnus continued,
" I know a lot happened since that day, but don't forget you still have your parents here and we love you "
Kaius felt uneasy. His fingers stilled briefly against the edge of his sleeve.
"Dad," Kaius said quietly, forcing calm into his voice. "I'm fine."
But for the first time in a long while…
Even he wasn't sure if that was true anymore.
~☆○~▪︎"
Magnus studied his son quietly.
The boy who used to hide behind his bookshelves.
The boy who now carried an empire on his shoulders and insisted he was fine.
A low sigh escaped him.
"You're a terrible liar, you know that?"
Kaius looked away.
For once, he didn't argue. Magnus stood from his chair.
Kaius frowned slightly.
"Dad?"
Without warning, Magnus crossed the space between them.
Before Kaius could react, a large hand settled on the back of his head and pulled him forward.
The embrace was firm.
Unyielding.
Familiar.
For a second, Kaius froze.
Then something inside him cracked.
Not completely.
His fingers tightened against his father's shirt.
Slowly, he returned the hug.
The movement felt awkward at first—as though he had forgotten how.
But Magnus only tightened his hold.
No questions.
No expectations.
Just presence.
Kaius lowered his head, burying his face against his father's shoulder.
The scent of whiskey, old books, and familiarity surrounded him.
For the first time in a long while, the weight pressing against his chest eased.
Just a little.
Magnus exhaled softly.
"This one is from your mother too."
A faint laugh escaped him.
"She threatened me."
Kaius huffed quietly.
"That sounds like her."
"It is."
The corner of Magnus's lips lifted.
"She'd be offended if she found out I hugged you without including her."
A reluctant smile tugged at Kaius's mouth.
Several moments passed.
Neither seemed particularly eager to move.
Eventually, Magnus stepped back.
Kaius immediately straightened his suit jacket as though nothing had happened.
Magnus did the same.
The two stared at each other.
Then simultaneously looked away.
"Let's never speak of this again," Kaius said.
Magnus barked out a laugh.
"Agreed."
The heaviness that had settled over the study earlier had noticeably eased.
Magnus returned to his seat.
"Now that we're done being emotional..."
Kaius groaned.
His father ignored him.
"There are a few matters regarding Blackwood Industries that require your attention."
For the next half hour, father and son discussed business, investments, and upcoming board decisions.
The conversation flowed naturally, familiar territory for both men.
By the time they left the study, the tension from earlier had all but disappeared.
As they stepped into the hallway, Magnus glanced at him.
"Staying tonight?"
Kaius adjusted his cufflinks.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Yeah."
A smile appeared on Magnus's face.
"Good."
For reasons Kaius couldn't quite explain, the word felt comforting.
At least for tonight.