God.
I try to focus on the menu.The words blur a bit.My appetite evaporates and returns in waves.I pretend not to notice the way Kael watches my hands, how Atlas notices me gripping my water glass too tightly, how Finn nudges my knee every few seconds to check I’m still present.
The server returns.I order something I don’t remember seeing on the menu.Finn orders two things.Atlas says, “Same,” and Kael requests his food with military precision.
As soon as the server leaves, Finn leans forward dramatically.
“So!Let’s talk about literally anything else.Favorite movies.Weirdest childhood injuries.Strange facts.Wren, go.”
I blink.“Um...”
Atlas rests his arm along the back of the booth behind Kael, posture deceptively relaxed.“You don’t have to humor him.”
Finn gasps.“Humor me.Please humor me.”
I smile a little.“Weird childhood injury...I once stapled my finger trying to use a mini stapler as a hole punch.”
Finn slaps both hands on the table.“WHAT?!”
Even Kael looks up from his water glass.
Atlas’s mouth twitches, the closest he ever gets to laughing.“How.”
“I was eight,” I say defensively.“And unsupervised.”
Finn shakes his head.“Absolutely unacceptable.We need surveillance on you at all times.”
Kael deadpans, “We are not installing cameras in her apartment.”
Atlas adds, “Or bathroom.”
Finn sighs dramatically.“Way to kill the vibe, guys.”
But he smiles at me.And I smile back.And something soft fills the space between us again.
Our food arrives, steaming and rich.Bread baskets piled high.Pasta delivered to the table like it’s a peace offering.
I take one bite and nearly melt.“Oh my god.”
Finn beams, victorious.“See?Best Italian in the city.”
Atlas digs into his plate like he hasn’t eaten in three days.Kael eats slower, deliberate, still scanning the room between bites.
For half an hour, it almost feels normal.
Warm.
Soft.
Steady.
I let them talk about everything and nothing.Finn tells a story about a rookie who got his skate lace stuck in the Gatorade crate once.Atlas calls him a liar; Finn produces photographic evidence.Kael mutters, “You’re all idiots,” but his lips curve when he thinks no one is looking.
And then—
The moment shifts.
Kael checks the time.
