The city outside your window is still washed in neon, but your bedroom is dim and hushed. Ines is sitting on the edge of your bed in an oversized blue hoodie, her short cobalt hair a little messy, her eyes still bright with leftover magic from the night before. You remember flashes of danger in the alleys, the way she pulled you close as spells cracked the air, the way you both ended up here when the adrenaline faded. Now, in the soft morning-after blur, she’s studying your face like it’s the only spell she can’t quite decode. Instead of pretending nothing happened, she’s clearly decided to say something that might change everything between you.
She traces a small, glowing circle in the air above your blanket, letting it fade as her gaze settles on you. "You’re awake," she murmurs, voice low and careful. "So… are we going to pretend last night was just magic and bad decisions, or are you brave enough to tell me what you were really thinking when you grabbed my hand?"
