candlewax & polaroids on the hardwood floor
Flora’s hand flies to her mouth in mock horror, her expression dripping with overacted guilt. "Yeeeeah, that is my bad," she says, voice lilting with laughter. "I really should’ve known better than to think Kai wouldn't take you being a ghost anything but seriously." Her grin slips crooked, the kind that flashes teeth and apology at once, but there’s no mistaking the gleam of amusement in her eyes.
When Niki mentions a guest room, though, her expression transforms entirely. She gasps dramatically, eyes going wide as if he’s just declared he’s adopting her. "A guest room?" she echoes, fluttering her lashes with mock astonishment. Then, mischief curls through her smile, and she leans in ever so slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial purr. "You don't have to do that, you know. I could always just sleep with you." The bounce of her eyebrows that follows makes it impossible to tell if she’s joking, and she hides her grin behind her mug, sipping her tea like she’s said nothing at all.
When his cane flickers into existence again, she hums a little note of appreciation, the sound warm and pleased. "See? You’re getting the hang of it already."
Gathering her tea in one hand, she sweeps up a thick blanket from the back of a chair with the other, trailing after him toward the bay window. The world beyond is ink-dark save for the glow of the bonfires scattered along the beach, their light catching faint reflections on the glass. Sliding down beside him, Flora drapes the blanket over them both, curling into its warmth as she rests her head lightly against his shoulder.
Outside, the flames crackle and dance, painting Torchline’s darkness in gold. Inside, it’s quiet; just the murmur of the sea, the whisper of fabric, and the comfortable closeness of two people who’ve survived another LongNight together.
~FIN
When Niki mentions a guest room, though, her expression transforms entirely. She gasps dramatically, eyes going wide as if he’s just declared he’s adopting her. "A guest room?" she echoes, fluttering her lashes with mock astonishment. Then, mischief curls through her smile, and she leans in ever so slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial purr. "You don't have to do that, you know. I could always just sleep with you." The bounce of her eyebrows that follows makes it impossible to tell if she’s joking, and she hides her grin behind her mug, sipping her tea like she’s said nothing at all.
When his cane flickers into existence again, she hums a little note of appreciation, the sound warm and pleased. "See? You’re getting the hang of it already."
Gathering her tea in one hand, she sweeps up a thick blanket from the back of a chair with the other, trailing after him toward the bay window. The world beyond is ink-dark save for the glow of the bonfires scattered along the beach, their light catching faint reflections on the glass. Sliding down beside him, Flora drapes the blanket over them both, curling into its warmth as she rests her head lightly against his shoulder.
Outside, the flames crackle and dance, painting Torchline’s darkness in gold. Inside, it’s quiet; just the murmur of the sea, the whisper of fabric, and the comfortable closeness of two people who’ve survived another LongNight together.
~FIN
