Kael’s calm steadiness.
Atlas’s warm, heavy presence.
“I don’t know how to do this,” I whisper.
Finn leans in slightly.“Do what?”
“This.”My voice breaks a little.“Us.You.All of you.I don’t know where this is going or what it’s supposed to be.”
Kael takes one step forward from the counter, like he doesn’t want to miss a single word.
Atlas’s eyes darken—not with anger, with intensity.
Finn’s breath catches.
And I keep going.
“I just know...”I swallow.“I need you.All three of you.And I don’t want to pretend I don’t.”
The silence that follows is not silent at all.
It buzzes.
It thickens.
It shifts.
Something electric moving between them.
Between us.
Atlas is the first to speak.
“Then that’s what you’ll have.”
His voice is low, certain, a vow in one sentence.
Finn exhales, almost a laugh, almost a sob.“We’re not going anywhere.”
Kael’s gaze softens in a way that unravels me completely.“Then stay with us.”
My chest feels full.Too full.
“I want to,” I whisper.“I want to stay.”
Finn’s hand finds mine, warm and gentle.
Atlas rests his palm on my shin, thumb brushing absent circles.
Kael steps close enough that his thigh touches the side of the couch.
They’re right there.
Close enough to touch.
Close enough to breathe in the same space.
Close enough that I feel held without anyone pulling me in.
