Maddox considered lying, considered saying “fine” or “good” or any of the deflections that had carried her through the past six years. But the truth was she was tired of lying, tired of pretending she didn’t need this.
“Been better,” she said honestly. “Been worse.”
Jade nodded, accepting that answer. “You want tea? I just made some.”
“Sure.”
They moved into the kitchen, and Maddox leaned against the counter while Jade poured two mugs. The routine and normalcy of it helped settle something in Maddox’s chest. This was okay. She could be here; she was allowed to need this.
Jade handed her a mug, and their fingers brushed.
“Thank you,” Maddox said. “For earlier, at the scene.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“I do.” Maddox wrapped both hands around the warm ceramic. “I needed that, needed you, and you were there.”
“I’ll always be there.” Jade said it simply like it was a fact, like there was no question.
Maddox met her eyes. Jade wasn’t looking at her with pity or concern, just unwavering presence. The same way Zeus looked at her, the same way no one else ever had.
“I’m falling in love with you,” Maddox said. The words came out before fear could swallow them.
Jade went very still. Her expression didn’t change, but something shifted behind her eyes. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Maddox’s heart was pounding, but she didn’t look away. She took Maddox’s mug, too, setting it aside, and then her hands came up to frame Maddox’s face gently.
“It’s not too much,” Jade said quietly. “And it’s not too fast. Not for me.”
“You sure about that?” Maddox’s voice cracked slightly. “Because I’m a mess, Jade. Today proved that. That kid said things that I’ve thought, and I fell apart, and?—”
“And you did your job perfectly,” Jade interrupted. “You saved that kid. You got him to come down, you kept him safe, and then you let yourself feel it afterward instead of shoving itdown and pretending like you were fine.” Her thumbs brushed along Maddox’s jaw. “That’s healing.”
Maddox closed her eyes. The words hit somewhere deep, in a place she’d kept locked for too long.
“I’m scared,” she admitted. “Of this. Of needing you. Of what happens if?—”
“I know.” Jade’s voice was soft. “I’m scared too.”
Maddox’s eyes widened. “You are?”
“Of course I am.” Jade smiled and laughed. “This matters.Youmatter. That’s terrifying.”
They stood there in Jade’s small kitchen, their foreheads resting against each other, breathing the same air. Outside, the world continued, but here, in this moment, there was just them.
Jade’s hand found Maddox’s, their fingers threading together. “Stay tonight?”
“Yeah.” Maddox squeezed her hand. “I want to.”
“Good.”
They moved to the couch, settling in beside each other. Jade pulled a blanket over both of them, and Maddox let herself lean into the warmth, let herself be held.
Let herself need someone, even though it still terrified her, but maybe that was okay. Maybe choosing to stay despite the fear was exactly the point.
Jade’s hand moved through her hair, slow and steady, and Maddox felt some of the day’s tension finally release. Connor was safe, she’d done her job, and now she was here with someone who saw all of her—the healing parts and still-broken parts—and chose her anyway.
“Thank you,” Maddox said quietly.
