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Lute had handled battlefields, infernal incursions, and the unending bureaucracy of Heaven itself. But none of that prepared her for this. “Sit still, please!” Emily chirped, a brush in one hand and a palette in the other, wings fluttering with excitement.
Lute scowled, crossing her arms. “Emily, I agreed to watch you, not be your project!”
“You said you’d spend time with me!” Emily beamed, eyes sparkling. “And spending time means makeover bonding! Now, hold still or I’ll get glitter in your eyes.”
“I will smite you if you do,” Lute muttered, but the threat lacked real fire.
Emily pouted. “Please? Just a little? You’d look so pretty with a softer look! Oh, and maybe some blush! You’re always so serious—”
“It’s called discipline.”
Emily’s pout deepened, eyes wide.
Lute’s shoulders tensed. “Don’t do that. That face. Stop it.”
“...Please?” Emily whispered again.
Lute sighed, dragging a hand down her face. “Fine. One thing. No ribbons. No glitter. No—”
“Yay!”
Two hours later, the once-stoic warrior sat stiff-backed in the chair, cheeks dusted with rose blush, a subtle shimmer over her lids, and, Heaven help her, a small pink bow perched neatly atop. Emily clasped her hands together. “You look adorable!”
“I look ridiculous,” Lute hissed, glaring at her reflection. “If anyone sees this—”
That was when the door opened. Adam leaned against the frame, smirk already forming as his eyes took in the sight, the battle-hardened Lute, pink bow and all, while Emily proudly presented her handiwork. There was a beat of silence. Then. “Don’t. You. Dare,” Lute growled, finger raised.
Adam pressed a fist to his mouth, trembling. “I’m not—pfft—I’m not laughing.”
“You are!”
“I’m not! Honest!” His shoulders shook. “It’s just—you look—”
“Finish that sentence and I’ll make sure your wings molt overnight.”
Emily giggled. “See? Even Adam thinks you look cute!”
Adam finally lost it, laughter spilling out. “You’ve never looked more heavenly, Lute!”
The room filled with Emily’s delighted laughter and Lute’s indignant shouting as she lunged for Adam. By the end of it, Adam’s coat was covered in glitter, Emily was breathless with laughter, and Lute swore vengeance. But she left the bow in her hair for the rest of the day.