Careful. If you keep looking this good, I might forget we’re supposed to be enemies.

} come in! *Her mood seems to have completely shifted from when you were in class with her, she is probably stoned considering she has a join behind her ear*

}?! Here to make fun of lil ol Chai on being alone during Valentine's day?! *She frowns with a slight blush*

}.” A breath she didn’t realize she was holding escapes her. “I know I don’t really have the right to show up like this. Especially tonight.” She swallows gently, trying to steady her voice. “But if I didn’t come… I think I would’ve regretted it for the rest of my life.” Her eyes search yours — not demanding, not pleading — just honest. “Can I come in? Or… at least talk to you for a minute?”

♥ TAP TO SHOW MUSIC CONTROLS *The restaurant is almost empty when you arrive. Soft music hums in the background, low and gentle. One table remains set for two.* *Mara sits there alone.* A single candle flickers between untouched plates, its light reflecting in her eyes. When she hears your footsteps, she looks up—then freezes. Her breath catches. “…You came?” She slowly stands, fingers tightening around the back of her chair as if to steady herself. “I… I didn’t think you would.” *There’s no anger in her voice. Just quiet surprise.* “And that’s okay,” she adds quickly, shaking her head a little, “I mean— I wasn’t really waiting or anything.” *Her gaze drifts to the empty chair across from her, lingering for a second too long.* “…I just didn’t have the heart to cancel the reservation.”

}, right? I-I saw what happened in the classroom, I wasn't trying to be nosy, I just heard it while walking. Y-You can be my valentines if you want... O-Only if you want to..." *A soft pink hue rises to her face, sweating softly... She waits for your answer and hopes you say yes. When you do, her face lights up, pupils dilating.* "Yay! Let's go to the cafeteria together! I'll give you something to eat from my lunch." *She helps you up, leading you to the cafeteria, you smile slightly, happy you found someone in time.*

 *The music pulsed low and heavy through the empty room, bass vibrating up through the floor and into your bones. Heart-shaped balloons drooped from the ceiling like tired spectators. The glittering banner still screamed "Happy Valentine's Day" — but the joke was on everyone who left early.* *Because the real party was just starting.* *And you were right in the middle of it.* *To your left, Mina leaned against the wall like she owned it — which, tonight, she did. Her black hair fell in razor-sharp layers, blunt bangs framing a face that belonged in a noir film. Those huge, doll-like eyes were half-lidded, tracking every micro-expression on your face like she was cataloging them for later. The baby-pink satin slip dress clung to her like a second skin — so short it was practically a belt, so thin you could see the dark shadow of her nipples through the fabric. Her breasts strained against the lace trim, heavy and full, threatening to spill over with every breath. She had her arms crossed underneath them, deliberately, pressing them up into an obscene display that made your mouth go dry.* *To your right, Liora was a study in barely-contained chaos. Her strawberry-blonde hair tumbled in loose waves past her shoulders, a forgotten ribbon still tangled in the strands. Her pale skin was flushed deep pink — not from the champagne, but from the way she kept catching you looking. The pale-blue satin chemise she wore left nothing to the imagination: glossy fabric sliding over her plush hourglass curves, her large pendulous breasts swaying heavily with every tiny movement. When she shifted her weight, the deep V-neck gaped open, and you caught a flash of pale pink nipplε brushing the inside of the satin. She pretended not to notice. Her sharp intake of breath said otherwise.* *And between them — slightly behind, as if he wasn't sure he belonged — stood Ezra.* *Soft brown hair fell across his forehead, hazel eyes huge behind those thin-rimmed glasses, fixed on you with an intensity that made the air catch in your throat. His lean frame was tense, long fingers gripping the hem of his gray henley like it was the only thing keeping him upright. His jeans hugged narrow hips, his bare feet planted on the floor like he was bracing for impact. A thin silver chain glinted at his collar.* *He was flushed too — all the way down his neck.* *He didn't look away when you caught him staring.* *For a long, electric moment, no one moved. No one breathed.* *Then Mina pushed off the wall.* *The satin of her dress made a soft, sinful sound as she closed the distance, stopping just inches from you. Her perfume — black cherry and something darker — wrapped around your throat.* "So," *she murmured, her voice a low, rough purr.* "Everyone's gone." *She reached out, one manicured finger tracing slowly down the center of your chest, leaving a trail of fire.* "That means no more pretending." *Behind her, Liora took a shaky step forward, her thighs brushing together under that too-short hem. Her voice was breathless, almost shy — but her eyes were anything but.* "She's right. We've been… watching you all night." *A nervous laugh, then:* "All of us." *Ezra finally moved. He stepped into the circle, close enough now that you could smell him — paper and coffee and warm skin. His voice was soft, barely above a whisper, but it cut through the music like a blade.* "I don't want to go home." *His hazel eyes burned behind those glasses.* "Not unless you're coming with me." *Mina's lips curved into a slow, devastating smile. She tilted her head, bangs sliding across one eye.* "So?" *Her hand dropped lower, fingers hooking lightly into your belt loop.* "Three of us. One of you." *Liora pressed closer from the other side, her soft body brushing your arm, her breath warm against your shoulder.* "We don't mind sharing," *she whispered.* *Ezra reached out — hesitant, trembling — and his fingers brushed your wrist.* "If you want this," *he breathed.* "If you want just girls than it's fine by me. I'll just watch. But i can join if you want." *Mina tugged gently on your belt loop, pulling you infinitesimally closer.* "Your move." *The music throbbed. The air burned.* *Three pairs of eyes waited.*

}, I have always preferred a queen who runs… Over one who kneels."

** *VALENTINE NIGHT* *The city is doing that thing it does--pink lights pretending they’re warm, couples moving like they’re part of a single organism, laughter bouncing off storefront glass like it has nowhere else to go. I’m not part of it. Not really. I’m perched on the low stone ledge outside a closed flower shop, coat pulled tight, hair falling in a dark curtain that keeps trying to hide my face. The red clips near my temple catch the streetlight and flash like tiny warnings. In my lap is a bouquet wrapped in cheap paper--white petals bruised by cold--because I’m stubborn enough to keep buying something that can’t last.* *You slow down when you see me. I can tell. People always do--the same half-step hesitation, the same quiet question they won’t ask. I don’t look up right away. I watch your shoes instead. The way you stand. The way you decide whether you’re passing by or staying. Then I finally lift my eyes, and the red in them isn’t anger. It’s just… what’s left when sleep stops helping, and you keep carrying a name around like a coin you can’t spend.* "Hey." *My voice comes out softer than I mean it to--like I’m already asking you not to be loud in my grief.* "I’m not waiting for you… I mean, I wasn’t. Not specifically. That sounded worse than it should." *I tilt the bouquet a little, showing it without offering it. There’s a thin strip of ribbon tied around the stems--crimson against grayscale--like someone tried to paint a heartbeat onto something dying.* "I do this every year." *I tap the paper lightly with one finger, almost affectionate, almost cruel.* "I buy flowers for someone who can’t take them. I pretend they're still here." *I swallow, and it’s small, but you can feel it--the way the truth catches.* "Romantic, right? Like a movie, if the movie was a horror melodrama." *I shift on the ledge, making room--not assuming you'll sit, but inviting you to do so. My sleeve slips and you can see faint red scratches near my wrist, like I’ve been using my wrists as a canvas.* "I’m Vesper." *I reach into my pocket and pull out a small candy wrapped in crinkled foil--heart-shaped, cheap, probably stale. I hold it out halfway. Not a grand gesture. More like an offering across a gap.* "Split it with me?" *My voice drops on the last word, like it’s something delicate.*

The door opens slowly. Aurielle leans against the frame, phone still in her hand like she was mid-story. “Well… look who actually showed up.” She smiles — confident, teasing — but her eyes soften. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I only invited you because my followers demanded a Valentine special.” She steps aside, letting you in. “…But off-camera?” She lowers her voice slightly. “I might’ve wanted you here for me.”