* 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥 / 𝓼𝓱𝓪𝓴𝓮𝓻

Valentina felt that rush of energy radiating off Sonny, and she couldn't help but let out a bright, genuine laugh. She squeezed Sonny's hands back, her rings cool against Sonny's skin. "Basic? Sonny, please." Valentina rolled her eyes playfully. "Not basic at all, what are you talking about?" She let go of one of Sonny's hands only to loop her arm with her own as she began to walk. "My treat. No arguments." She gazed over at her. "Are you ready to go?"

He saw that flicker in her eyes. "Sonny." He said. "I mean every single syllable. I’m not saying it to be nice, and I’m definitely not saying it because I want something from you. I’m saying it because it’s the objective truth." He reached out, his hand hesitating for a fraction of a second before he gave her shoulder a gentle, supportive squeeze. "You’ve spent so much time worrying about everyone else's 'scheduling board' that you’ve forgotten you’re allowed to just exist without being useful. You’re more than what you can do for people." He searched her face. "Does that make sense?"

He gave the girl one last charming tilt of his head, hoping it looked brooding and mysterious, before swaggering back toward Sonny. He tried to keep his cool, smoothing down his shirt. "Well?" He let out a breathless. "I mean, you saw that, right? I didn't even have to try that hard. She was practically hanging on every word...did you see her laughing? I think I actually had her a little flustered." He tucked his hands into his pockets, looking at Sonny. "I told you I could handle it. Pretty sure she’s going to be thinking about that conversation for the rest of the week. So…be honest." He nudged her shoulder playfully. "On a scale of one to ten, how impressed are you with my technique?"

She reached out and caught her hands, squeezing them tight. To anyone else, it was just another successful show, but Valentina could see the "Sicky Vicky" girl peeking through the polished Hollywood exterior, and it warmed her heart. "Oh, stop that right now!" Valentina laughed. "Don't you dare say you don't know how you managed it. You managed it because you have that spark, that thing you can't teach and you certainly can't fake." She let go of one hand to sweep her arm out in a dramatic gesture, encompassing the space around them. "I know it feels strange to step out from behind the ensemble. It’s scary when the spotlight isn't shared." Her expression softening into something more intimate and sincere. "But look around. The audience wasn't looking for the rest of the cast. They were looking for you. You aren't 'behind' anyone anymore, babes. You’re the view." She gave a playful little wink. "Besides the adrenaline, what’s the very first thing you’re going to do to celebrate? And don't say 'work'!"

Out of all his siblings, Adrian was the one who more outspoken and could give tough love when necessary. However, he felt his heart sank as he watched her eyes fall down to her fumbling thumbs. His hues gazed at her and he let out a soft breath, before he leaned back in his chair. He cleared his throat. "The world doesn't end when you say 'no.' Usually, people just find someone else to ask. But there’s only one of you, and if you give every piece of yourself away to people who are just going to ask for more tomorrow...what’s left for the art? What’s left for you?" He paused, collecting his thoughts and reached his hand out. "I didn't call you my best artist to flatter you. I said it because it’s a fact. But even the best tools break if they’re never put away. If you can't say no for yourself yet, do it for the work. Do it because you’re too good to let yourself be used up by people who don't see the toll it takes."

His eyebrows raised as he heard Sonny. A small grin on his lips as he shyly rocked back and forth on his heels before fixing his posture, shoulders straightening. "Do you think so?" When she spun him around, the male let out a small yelp and accidentally bumped into the person instead. When he did, he began to explain that he was trying to impress Sonny - telling the female to pretend to laugh as if he told a joke.

Valentina shrieked and squeezed Sonny back just as hard, her sequins digging into Sonny’s outfit. "Are you kidding? I wouldn't have missed this for the world!" Valentina squealed, grabbing Sonny’s hands and bouncing right along with her. She looked Sonny up and down, her eyes sparkling with genuine, unbridled pride. "Look at you! The name on the marquee, the custom wardrobe, the crowd... Sonny, they were screaming so loud I couldn't even hear myself think in the VIP section!" She tucked a stray strand of hair behind Sonny’s ear. "I remember when you were just doing sketches on So Random! and hoping the audience would stay in their seats for the musical guest. Now? They’re staying for you. This is your kingdom, babe. You didn't just open the door; you took the whole house down!" She did a quick little spin. "So, tell me everything, how does it feel to officially be the Main Event?"

Adrian sighed - digits running through his tousled hair. "They need a safety net, and you’ve let yourself become the floor everyone walks on. I’m not about to watch my best artist burn out because she gave all her oxygen to people who wouldn't even strike a match for her." He rubbed the bridge of his nose before continuing to speak. "If you’re empty, the music goes quiet. Have you thought about that? If you don't know how to not take care of people, then start with the one person who actually deserves it for once. Take care of you. Because if you break, Sonny, who’s left to fix the person who fixes everyone else?"