To the five people that read my chapters as soon as they're published, you guys are the best 🥺💕❤

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I forced my eyes away from Dorian's burning gaze. I looked at Zion who was caressing Cecelia's fur, checking for any injuries, muttering occasionally to Zane. 

I looked at him and Octavian apologetically, " I'm really sorry for that. I told Sky to stay in the room and she mostly always listens to me. I don't know how she got here but I promise it won't happen again. I'll make sure of that." I muttered, looking at Octavian.

"And Zion, I'm sorry again. She's a very well-mannered pet, I don't know how that happened. But I'm really really sorry. I'll take more care from now onwards," I said to Zion but Octavian cut me off in the middle.

"You don't have to apologize for what happened, Astria. We did expect a few conflicts in the first week or two so you don't have to worry about that. And Zion if you want to keep Cecelia you have to get her trained or it's just going to get worse," Octavian's voice was filled with authority as he spoke to his younger brother. Zion nodded in agreemnet as he passed a me a small grin.

"Why are you blaming Zion for all this?" Dorian cut through, his was voice was hard and filled with venom.

"I'm not blaming anyone, I'm just stating facts. A pet needs to be trained after it's been adopted Dorian," Octavian explained.

"We know that but what we also know that it takes time to train a pet, so you can't threaten him. She could have have kept her dog in check when she knew that there's a kitten in the house," Dorian said, pointing his finger at Sky. Sky let out a small bark when being pointed at. I shushed her and looked down.

Suddenly, I felt an arm around my shoulders and me being pressed into someone's side. "Her dog has a name and it's is Sky. Address her as such" I heard Zane voice cut through.

I craned my neck to the side and looked up to see Zane looking at Dorian with a hard glare. I looked at him with a questioning gaze when he looked down at me but he just gave me a small smile in return.

"I will address it however I want to," Dorian gritted out, glaring at me. My hands tightened around Sky, trying to shield her from the giant in front of me.

"Stop acting like a spoilt brat Dorian," Zion said as he stood on the other side of me, careful to keep Sky and Cecelia apart. I gave him a grateful smile which he returned with his own. "Neither Cecelia nor Sky is hurt. You're just blowing this out of proportion." He said and I just nodded in agreement. 

This time his glare turned to me. His emotionless blue eyes bore right into my soul with so much venom and hate that I could not hold eye contact with him anymore. I cowered back and Zane tightened his hand around me as I pushed myself against his hard chest. His woody smell with a hint of cigarette surrounded me.

"Zion is right, you're blowing this out of proportion. Leave it here." Octavian said, even he had a glare on his face as well but his glare was on Dorian. His eyes blazed fire as he warned Dorian and even though his glare wasn't towards me I could feel my fear rising.

Without realizing I stiffened. As if sensing the height of my fear Zane started rubbing arm softly. I relaxed a little in his hold as I took deep breaths. I had to remind myself again and again that these were my brothers and they wouldn't harm me but what my mom did years back broke whatever trust I had in family. That week taught me that family means shit and if it comes down to it they could be more ruthless than the devil itself.

"Octavian," Zion spoke up, "Not here, not now," not in front of her. Those were the words he wanted to speak. I could practically read the words that he was holding back. Octavian's gaze travelled back to my trembling form and his face softened.

"Astria, you can finalize your designs for the room by Tuesday and then we can start redecorating. If things go according to plan then your room should be ready by Friday and-" Octavian was cut off by a fuming Dorian.

"You're changing that room, for, for her?" He spat out the word her with disgust filling in his voice. I flinched hearing the hate and disgust for me. Suddenly the late nights we spent together and the times we played together, everytime he picked me up when I feel, everytime he protected me from getting a scolding from our older brother, everytime I would beg for him to do my hair and how he would comply after just a please and puppy dog eyes me. All those times, every single one of those memories, left. Left with me and now they meant nothing to him. I meant nothing to him.

"Another word Dorian. Another word and you won't like what will happen." Octavian's voice was shaking with anger as he clenched his fists. At this point his face was red and he was sending death glares to Dorian who was returning the glares with the same intensity.

I looked at both of them fearfully and then at the twins who both had a hard look on their face. He took a few deep breaths, "In my office, now," Octavian told Dorian. His voice was deathly calm. Not the good calm, he was calm like the calm before the storm.

My eyes widened as he turned to me, "Your things are going to be in your room, Astria," He said and with that he walked inside. Dorian copied his actions but not before sending a bone-chilling glare my way.

We stood in the backyard for a few more minutes before I realized how cold it was outside and I started to shiver a little. "We should go inside," Zion murmurs and we both nod. 

The twins started walking, Cecelia mewling softly in Zion's arms. I feel Sky snuggled closely in my arms, trying to get the body heat. I slowly followed the twins inside the house. 

Somehow I ended up in the front with the twins trailing behind me. My senses were on high alert with two full-built, muscular, 6'2 giants trailing behind me. 

I looked behind me in question as I enter the guest corridor. "You rooms are on the other side of the hallway, aren't they?" I asked.

"Yeah," They both replied at the same time. Which was creepy. Very creepy.

"Then here?" I asked, talking the least I could.

"Oh we're coming with you," Zane said with a smile if his face.

"Oh alright." I nodded in response as I adjusted Sky in my hands. My mind traveled back to the moment I left the room. Was it clean?

"It's alright if you don't want us to," Zion said. He looked as if he had mistaken my alertness for uncomfortableness. 

"Oh no, it's alright. Don't worry. It's your house," I said, shrugging. The twins nodded and continued following me.

I pushed he kind of broken door open and flipped on the light. On the bed, right in front was the same brown paper bag but along with it was another bag but this one was white. It was much smaller than the brown one. Then beside the bed was a box with words Fragile written over it.

I looked behind me in question but Zane and Zion just smiled at me. I let Sky down and closed the door so that she wouldn't get out. I slowly opened the brown and carefully got out the electronics that were in it. 

"C-can you help me set them up?" I asked the twins. I was about ninety percent sure that wouldn't want to but with how they helped me earlier in the backyard gave me hope that they might just want to spend some more time with me.

"Duh,"

"Do you even have to ask?" They both answered at the same time. The answer elicited a smile from me as I thanked them.

"Open them," Zion gesturing to the white bag and the box as he plopped down on my bed.

"Those are mine?" I asked as my eyebrows furrowed together.

"Well they're in the room you're staying so of course they're yours," Zane said as he as well sit down on the bed.

"Oh, um right," I muttered to myself as I peeked inside the bag. Gingerly, I took of the long box from the inside.

"Another apple product?" I asked them but they gestured me to keep opening it. I nodded and continued in my work. As soon as I opened the box it revealed a sleek and fancy watch inside of it.

"Oh no no no," I muttered, "Is that an apple watch?" I asked them as they laced around on my bed.

"Series 6," Zion grinned.

"That's dumb. I mean thank you of course but you guys waste a lot of money. I said this to Octavian as well. Like I have a phone that enough to check the time. I don't need a three hundred dollar watch for that," I said.

"Oh come on, I thought you'd like that gift," Zane muttered as he looked at the watch in disappointment.

"Oh my god, no, I love it okay. It's not that I don't like but it's the fact that you guys waste money. I don't need so many things. You don't have waste your hard earned money on me," I muttered as I settled on the bed between the two.

"Astria," Zion started, "This is not wasting money. I don't care what you say but we've missed ten years. Ten year of birthdays, ten years presents, ten years of showering love. I think we have earned the right to spoil you now," Zion said, looking at me.

'and whose fault was that?' I wanted to retort but I didn't. Two minutes of support and bonding time doesn't give me the right to argue with famous Crawford twins. So, I just shrugged.

"Open the box," Zane said with a grin on his face. I nodded and followed his instructions. A gasp escaped my lips as soon as I opened the box. A slim, shiny television screen came into my sight.

"It's for your new room," Zion said with a grin matching Zane's. I look at them frozen. A television, as a gift?

"So, we're going shopping tomorrow," Zion said, ignoring my shocked face.

"Well, I wish you a pleasant trip," I murmured after overcoming my shock.

"We as in, us and you," Zion replied with his eyebrows raised. Sky walked over to me and snuggled up against my leg as I sat down on the cushioned chair. Zion bent backwards, his upper body weight on his left forearm which was on the bed. Cecelia curled into a ball on his lap as he stroked her grey fur. I nearly awed at the adorable sight of a giant 6'2 guy with literally the tiniest kitten in the world. Zane sat on the bed with his legs folded, setting everything extra on the side table. 

"Oh um, why though?" I ask as my eyebrows scrunched in confusion and my eyes narrowed.

"We're gonna get you some nice stuff," Zane said, redirecting his attention us.

"But I have everything," I said with a small smile.

"Everything?" Zion asked, eyebrows raised. I nodded in response.

"What about jackets? It gets cold here," Zion asked, inquiring.

"I have it," I mutter and after that they just started listing everything that came to their and I started checking the things off of their mental checklist.

"Dresses, if we have a formal event?" 

"Got it,"

"Hoodies?" 

"Covered,"

"Nightwear?" 

"Have 'em,"

"Lady things?" 

"Got 'em, for the next four months atleast,"

"Heels?"

"covered,"

"Shoes for gym and stuff?" 

"Covered,"

"School clothes?"

"Got 'em,"

"How the fuck? You literally brought one suitcase. One. One fucking suitcase. How do you fit everything inside that?" Zion asked looking frustrated. I mean anyone would. I feel frustrated right now but I kept a calm,  cool exterior.

"Pack light," I reply as if it was the most obvious answer.

"For six months?" His voice rose a few octaves.

"Yes," I answer as I sighed, picking Sky up as I stood up. 

I set her down on her pillow/bed thing as I stood in front of them.

"What about Sky's things?" Zane asked as he gazed at Sky sleeping form. Her chest rose and fell lightly as she slipped into a peaceful night's sleep.

"Kinda," I replied, shrugging.

"Bed?" Zane asked. He knew exactly what I did not have. I narrowed my eyes at him but he just smirked in response.

"Great, so it's settled then! We're going pet shopping shopping tomorrow. I need to get some things for Cecelia as well," Zion said as he stood up, Cecelia asleep in his arms. Zane followed his twin's lead. 

"Be ready," He muttered as they both walked out of the room.

Tomorrow should be fun. Not.

***

A/N

So um, sorry for the delay, but here's the sixth chapter, ik it's a lil short so um sorry for that ig?

AND, omg I hate Dorian so much rn, I know you guys too but I swear there's a reason behind why he's so bitter with Astria and it will all be revealed, soon.

But I still hate him.

Also the update will be getting a little less consistent as my studies are getting a lot. Yes, I'm still a student. So, it'll be reduced to like 1 or 2 chapters a week.

I hope you still stay around!!

And if you liked this chapter make sure you vote and share and comment and tell me about your faviourite part of this chapter!!!

QOTD: Ice cream or chocolate?
AOTD: Ice cream all the way!!

~Ash