The underground lair was quieter than usual. Most of the others had gone off to get some rest, but Rea found herself unable to sleep. She sat on one of the metal crates, idly flipping a knife in her hand, the sharp edge catching the dim light.
She wasn't alone for long.
Aster slumped onto the crate beside her, stretching his legs out in front of him. "So, do we talk about how you almost stabbed me in your sleep, or do we pretend that didn't happen?"
Rea rolled her eyes. "You were breathing too loud."
Aster smirked. "That's what Christy said too."
Rea flicked the knife up again, catching it with ease. "Sounds like a you problem."
Aster watched her for a moment before exhaling. "So, what's keeping you up? More identity crises? Existential dread?"
Rea smirked, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "All of the above."
Aster nodded. "Yeah. Same."
Silence stretched between them. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was heavy. Like there were a thousand things neither of them knew how to say.
Then, Aster spoke. "Do you ever wonder what it would've been like? If none of this had happened?"
Rea looked at him.
He kept his gaze forward. "If you weren't… whatever you are. If I wasn't Collaway's son. If we weren't all tangled in this mess."
Rea leaned back against the wall. "I used to. Before I found out the truth." She tossed the knife into the air again, catching it effortlessly. "Now, I don't see the point."
Aster huffed a laugh. "Cold."
"Realistic."
Aster stretched his arms behind his head. "I think about it sometimes."
Rea arched a brow. "You? Thinking?"
He shot her a glare. "Yes, I'm capable." Then he sighed. "I think about what it would've been like to grow up with Rina. With Jaxon as an actual brother instead of…" He trailed off, shaking his head.
Rea was quiet. She understood the longing for a life that never existed.
Aster rubbed a hand over his face. "I don't even know how to talk to her."
"Rina?"
He nodded. "She keeps looking at me like I'm supposed to say something. Like she's waiting." He scoffed. "But I don't even know where to start."
Rea tilted her head. "You could start with 'Hi.'"
Aster gave her a flat look. "Oh, genius advice. Why didn't I think of that?"
Rea smirked. "That's why I'm here."
Aster sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Jaxon makes it worse. Every time I think about talking to her, I see him. And all I hear is him telling me I don't belong."
Rea's expression darkened. "He doesn't get to decide that."
Aster let out a dry chuckle. "Try telling him that."
"I will."
Aster snorted. "I'd pay to see that."
Rea flipped the knife once more before tucking it into her belt. "Look, I don't know what happens next. But if you want to talk to Rina, do it. If you don't, then don't. But don't let Jaxon or anyone else make that choice for you."
Aster was quiet for a long moment. Then he exhaled. "Yeah. Maybe."
Rea nudged him with her elbow. "Or, you know, keep avoiding it and stress yourself into an early grave. That's always an option."
Aster shot her a glare. "You're the worst."
Rea smirked. "And yet, here you are."
Aster rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
For now, that was enough.