Damien sat on the sofa by the window. "Tea's fine. Better than wine – I don't think my decision-making needs any more impairment."
She smiled.
Lyristae poured carefully, her movements precise in that way people get when they're overthinking simple tasks. She handed him a cup and took the opposite end of the sofa, tucking her legs under her.
"So," she started, then stopped. Frowned at her tea. "I had this whole speech prepared. Very eloquent. Covered all the important points about expectations and boundaries and how we navigate this with your existing anchors."
"And?"
"And now it sounds incredibly boring in my head. Like I'm negotiating a trade agreement."
"You probably are, in a way. Just with feelings instead of tariffs."
"That's depressing." She took a sip. "Can we just... not do the serious relationship talk right now? I'd like to try being spontaneous for once."
"What did you have in mind?"
