not for long...

for ariadne @immcrtalsx

Sybil’s eyes softened instantly, and she stepped in close, cupping his face like he was something precious. “Louis… I would eat a charcoal briquette if you made it for me,” she murmured, smiling. She kissed him, quick and sweet. “No trying again. We’re eating the burnt parts first. It’s romantic. And illegal to apologize on Valentine’s Day.”

Quinnelope’s smile turned wicked-sweet, like she’d been waiting for this exact moment. “On the bed,” she said instantly, like it was obvious. Then she stepped closer, tugging lightly at his sleeve. “Or… we could put it in the passenger seat and let it ride home like it’s our kid.” Her eyes flicked up to his, softening. “C’mon, Noah. It’s Valentine’s Day. Please...”

Fiadh’s eyes flicked from the pan to his face, and the way her mouth curved was pure fondness with a little bit of menace. “Blaise,” she breathed, like she couldn’t decide if she wanted to kiss him or put him in time-out. Then she stepped in close, fingers catching his wrist as she leaned up and pressed a quick, soft kiss to his cheek. “First of all, I love you. Second of all, I would’ve eaten the sludge if you looked at me with those eyes and asked nicely.” Her gaze dropped to his phone, and she laughed under her breath. “Wait… Lunamiel?” she said, genuinely touched, eyebrows lifting. “You got us into my favorite place on Valentine’s Day?” Fiadh’s expression softened into something almost stupidly tender. “Okay,” she murmured, voice quieter now, “that’s… insanely romantic.” Then, with a grin: “And for the record? You’re not allowed to die of salmonella before we get dessert.”

Alec stood in the glow of a hundred little warm lights, barefoot in soft black leggings and one of his shirts, her bump very much present like a smug little third wheel. The dining table looked like a romance novel cover: candles, flowers, a ridiculous amount of heart-shaped confetti Felicity had absolutely weaponized. She lifted a brow at him, like he’d just asked something deeply unserious. “Jonathan,” she said, voice sweet but firm, “I’m a clan leader, I run an antique shop, I spar for fun, and I’m growing two whole identical people. If I can do all that, I can absolutely bully Valentine’s Day into submission.” Then her expression softened, the teasing easing into something warmer as she crossed the room and took his hands. “Besides… it’s our first one as husband and wife. I wanted you to come home and feel it. Feel how loved you are.” A beat. Her mouth curved. “Also, Felicity helped, so if you see glitter in your food, no you didn’t.”

ITZELA’S SMILE INDULGENTLY DEEPENED as if he’d just performed a trick she’d seen before . ❝ run toward things now ?? ❞ she echoed lightly , tilting her head , ❝ how inspiring . i do love a metamorphosis . ❞ her gaze surveyed him but not hungrily as it might have been in a time before , but n e i t h e r was it nostalgically . she was assessing . ❝ tell me , erik . . . who do you think taught you how to r u n at all ?? ❞ a soft shrug of one shoulder , fur coat slipping lower . ❝ you didn’t wake up one day like this . you didn’t just s p r o u t boundaries and direction out of nowhere . . . ❞ a faint , almost thoughtful hum for a second . ❝ pressure makes diamonds , after all , ❞ she sighed . ❝ or it makes fractures . i suppose i’m glad to see which one you chose . ❞ she assessed . her stance leaned back against the bar , still u n b o t h e r e d . ❝ and please , ❞ itzela let out a little huffed quiet laugh , low in her throat , ❝ don’t flatter yourself . i didn’t come back for you . if i wanted you that bad , you would already know . but it’s sweet that you think rejecting me is some kind of . . . personal victory , for you . truly . i admire the conviction , ❞ she condemned . ❝ — but , listen , i don’t seek out comfort in presences anymore . i o u t g r e w that . you say you run toward things now . well , i do hope they’re sturdy . ❞ she delicately lifted one of her brow . ❝ it would be a shame if all that momentum carried you straight into something that didn't survive the impact . ❞ she expressed , straightening the edge of her coat . ❝ you may not run toward me anymore . . . ❞ she said . ❝ but you still react to me . and for now ?? ❞ that knowing s m i r k returned . ❝ even though you’re not the reason i purchased property in this town , that’s all i need today to keep me around you like la abeja . ❞ maybe itzela played too much , but inside a life without an end in sight , she had to seize and savor those small pleasures wherever she could .

DRUSILLA TURNED AT THE SOUND OF HIS voice , expression composed rather than confused . she took in his visage swiftly with a polished smile . she had studio confidence with the kind of ease that came from being used to being around cameras . ❝ i’m not lost , ❞ she replied evenly . not defensive . just simply f a c t u a l . her gaze flicked once to the hallway signage behind them that signaled the name of whose office it belonged to , then back to beck . ❝ i’m here for a private meeting . i was asked to come through the studio entrance , and directed to w a i t here for the time being . though i appreciate the concern . ❞ her tone was professional and the kind used in boardrooms and press conferences alike . she shifted her designer bag higher on her shoulder , posture precise . ❝ and . . . ❞ it would be so easy to shrug off this social interaction , but for some reason , she asked , ❝ you are . . . ?? ❞ drusilla's brows knitted together in contemplation . ❝ i'm sorry , but have we met ?? you definitely seem . . . familiar . ❞ she thought aloud .

Liriel’s mouth twitched, like she wanted to argue about the pancakes on principle… but the I don’t need another one landed heavier than she pretended it didn’t. She lifted both hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. No rumors. No interventions. I won’t accidentally start a civil war in the family group chat.” Her tone stayed light, but her eyes softened as she leaned in just a little. “I wasn’t trying to drag you into a feelings TED Talk or anything. I just… worry about you.” Then she bumped her shoulder against Farraine’s, gentle. “Also, you absolutely do not make the best pancakes. You make the best pancakes for someone who’s never met a whisk.” A beat, then she grinned. “Now stop doom-spiraling and eat your emotional support donut before I steal it again.”

Liriel’s eyes followed his finger to the vending machine like it was a holy relic. “Provisions,” she echoed, deadpan. “God, you really are a pediatrician. You talk about snacks like they’re medicine.” She slid into the chair with a dramatic exhale, letting her forehead thud lightly against the desk for half a second before sitting up. “Okay. Rules: you digitize like a responsible adult, I digitize like a raccoon with a nursing license, and if I accidentally scan my own face, we pretend it never happened.” Then she glanced at him again, a little softer under the sarcasm. “Also… thanks. For not letting me pretend I’m fine when I’m clearly running on spite and caffeine.”

VALENSIA STARED AT HIM for a beat longer than socially necessary , like she was conducting a very serious , very scientific evaluation . ❝ hmm . ❞ she narrowed her eyes slightly , then pointed at his face . ❝ you look like you say things like ❛ statistically speaking ❜ in normal conversations . which means i trust your judgment at least . . . sixty percent . ❞ she sighed dramatically . ❝ something keeps going missing out of my purse . and before you a s k , no , it’s not money . i expect that to vanish . that’s just l i f e , ❞ she gestured vaguely to the open bag beside her . ❝ it’s my favorite lighter . pink . bedazzled . emotionally significant , if you will . ❞ her eyes flicked back up to him , assessing again . the posture , the tiredness , the authority he carried without trying . ❝ but , you totally look like a man who believes in o r d e r . systems . probably labels his pantry . ❞ a small , crooked smile . ❝ so tell me , doctor vibes , do i l o o k like someone who invites chaos , or does chaos just have a bad h a b i t of finding me ?? ❞ she paused , then added quickly , softer but still playful , ❝ also , i promise i’m not about to r o b you . you just looked . . . competent . and mildly concerned . i respect that . ❞

Lily’s smile softened, turning a little quieter at the edges. “Yeah,” she murmured, nodding like that landed somewhere tender. “Of course it is.” She let the silence sit for half a beat, then offered him a gentler look. “Then maybe your peace isn’t in the water right now. Maybe it’s in… choosing when you go back to it.” Her gaze flicked toward the pool, then back to him. “You don’t owe anyone access to you just because you share a tide.” A small, almost teasing exhale. “Besides… gyms are loud. Oceans are louder. If you ever need a place that’s just… neutral ground, let me know. I’m pretty good at finding it.”