Chapter Text
the kitchen is messy and loud in the way only dinner rush can be.
oil pops loudly on the grill, plates slam on the counter and orders keep coming like people haven't eaten in days. it's hot, loud and stressful, the kind of stress that makes your head spin.
at the center of it all, sevika doesn't move.
she stands there strong amd steady, splatula in one hand, eyes sharp on the food in front of her. there's sweat on her temple, shining under the hot kitchen light. her jaw is tight, loke she's holding everything together by force alone.
"two burgers, mid-rare!, one no onion!"
"fire table twelve!"
someone laughs too loudly near the dish pit. sevika's eyes flick up for half a second, the laughter dies instantly.
if only the lord gave her one damn wish, she'll wish for the whole restaurant to blow up. preferably with her inside.
and james, that bitch.
she always wanted to be a cook, since she was little. she has this bittersweet memory of when she used to make bread with her grandma. or when she used to cook dinner with her dad, in his rare moment of sanity. what she wouldn't give to go back.
but right now, standing is that kitchen, she wishes she could kill herself with one of the sharp knifes on the counter.
but while she's lost in her thoughts, a voice cuts through. sharp, just a little too familiar. james, damn it.
"hey, vika! order up"
the sound hits wrong.
sevika's hand tightens around the spatula. the metal clangs harder than necessary as she flips the patty, the grease splattering up the backsplash. her face stays calm, but her eyes twitches.
she doesn't even respond. the line keep moving, it always does.
you weave through the narrow space between stations a moment later, trsy balanced on one hip, calling apologies as you pass. when you slip behind her, close enough that shehas to know it's you, you lower your voice.
"you holding up back here, vika?"
it's quiet, almost lost under the noise and for a second you think she's gonna ignore you too.
instead, she exhales through her nose. a low sound, barely there, and grunts, "fine."
she doesn't tell you not to call her that.
you catch it. the way her shoulder relax a fraction, the way she shift just enough to give you room without looking. peculiar, maybe. ot maybe it's just something that's been happening for a while now.
you think back to your first day there.
you were nervous, hands shaking as you tied your apron, already overwhelmed by the noise and the heat. sevika had been at the grill even then: tall, serious, clearly not someone you wanted to mess up around. she barely looked at you when you introduced yourself, just nodded once and went back to work.
the first weeks weren't easy.
she snapped when orders were late, groweled when plates came back wrong. her tone was rough, sharp, never sugar-coated.
but you noticed something early one: she never aimed it at you. even when you messed up. even when you apologized too many times.
so you stayed patient.
you learned her habits. how she likes her tickets placed, when to refill her water bottle without asking, when to stay quiet and when a soft joke would actually land. you didn't push things, didn't rush her. you were just... kind. consistent.
over time, she started grunting your name instead of just saying 'waitress', started trusrting you with running food for her tables, letting you stand a little closer to the line. and somehpw, without either of you saying it out loud, this became normal.
you being there.
her letting you.
a few minuts later, you circle back towards the prep shelf, ready to grab whatever's up next.
there's a basket of fries waiting.
full, prefectly golden and crispy. still steaming, salt clinging to them like it was added with intention. no ticket tucked underneath, no call shouted over the din.
you glance back at the line. sevika's eyes stay on the grill as she says, casual as anything, "dropped too many again."
you hesitate. "again?"
"again", she replies flatly.
she nudges the basket closer with her elbow, just enough to make it clear it's yours. she knows your tells. the way you forget to eat when it's slammed, the way your stomach gives you away long before you ask for a break.
you dont say thank you, you just take one, quick, before anyone can see.
from the corner of your eye, you catch the faintest hint of a smirk tug at the edge of her mouth. the kitchen keeps going like nothing happened.
-
the rush doesn't end right away, it never does.
plates keepcoming back, orders keep piling up. your feet ache, your head hurts and your patience wears thinner with every step you take across the floor. you move on instinct now: smile, nod, apologize, repeat. it's muscle memort, it's survival.
then you get *that* table.
loud from the moment they sit down. snapping fingers for refills, talking over you, laughing when you make a mistake on the order. one of them makes a comment under their breath that's just loud enough for you to hear.
you swallow it down. you fix the problems, bring the plates back, keep your voice calm even when your hands start shaking.
it's not until you step away that your chest tightens. you tell yourself to breath. you tell yourself you'll deal with it later. and fortunately later comes fast.
you duck into the walk-in under the excuse of grabbing more garnish. the door closes behinde you with a heavy thud and the cold wraps around you like a shock. you lean against the shelf, hands braced on either side, staring at nothing.
your eyes sting.
you don't cry. you won't, not here.
you count your breaths instead. in. out. slow.
the door opens again. you stiffen, ready to apologize, to explain. but no one speaks. you recognize her preasence before you see her. sevika stands near the door, arms crossed, whatching you quietly. she doesn't rush you.
after a long moment, when you finally look up at her eyes, she jerks her head towards the exit. "come on."
no questions, no judgment.
outside, the air is cooler, calmer. the noise from inside fades into a low hum under the broken vent fan. the night feels wide compared to the tight walls of the kitchen.
sevika lights a cigarette, the flame briefly lighting her face. she takes a slow drag, then exhales like sh's been holding that breath all shift.
"this is where i hide," she says finally. her voice is low, steady. "when people get on my nerves."
she flicks the lighter in your direction, offering it without looking at you. not forcing it, just there is you want to take it.
"you can use it too," she adds. "doesn't matter why."
you lift your hand and wipe at your eyes quickly, brushing away the wetness before it can fall. you take a slow breath, the cold air helping you calm down.
"i dont smoke," you say quietly. "but... thanks."
the corner of sevika's mouth twitches. not quite a smile, but close. spfter than you've ever seen it.
"probably smarter than me," she says, a dry note of humor in her voice.
she slips the lighter back into her pocket and leans against the wall, one shoulder resting against the cold brick. she takes another drag from the cigarette, exhales slowly, the smoke drifting up and disappearing into the night air.
"they're assholes." she says after a moment. she doesn't specify who, but there's no need. you know exactly who she means. you nod, eyes fixated on the ground.
sevika whatches you from the corner of her eye. not staring, just... keeping an eye on you.
"i started in places like this when i was about your age," she says suddenly. "twenty. maybe even younger."
you look up at her.
"same kind of people," she continues. "same bullshit. long shifts, no breaks, everyone thinking thet can talk to you however they want."
she taps ash on the pavement. her voice stays calm, but there is something heavy under it.
"that was twenty years ago," she adds. "hasn't changed much."
the numbers sits between you. you realize how long she's been doing this. how much she's seen, how many nights like this she's survived.
"you did fine in there," she says. "better then most."
it's not a praise, not exactly. but it means something.
she takes one last drag from her cigarette, then crushes it under her boot. when she straightens, she looks like herself again.
"come on," she says. "let's finish the shift."
she holds the door open for you. and for the first time since you started working here, you feel like someone's got your back.
-
you head back inside with sevika, but before returning to the floor, you stop by the bathroom. you splash cold water on your face, then press a paper towel under your eyes. you look tired when you lift your head. red around your eyes, hair a little messy. but you look okay, good enough to keep going.
you step back into the kitchen, the noise hits you all over again. you slip back into place, grabbing plates, weaving between bodies like you've done it a hundred times before. and then you notice it.
on the edge of the prep counter, tucked just out of the way, there's a small plate. chocolae ice cream, two scoops already starting to soften at the edges.
you glance up and catch sevika's eye across the kitchen. her hands are busy, covered in oil and sauce. her face is calm and unreadable like always, but her eyes linger on you just a second longer than necessary. sge doesn't nod, doesn't say anything. just turns back to the grill.
you take a small spoonful when no one's looking. the ice cream is cold and rich, melting on your tongue, feeling like a brief relief from the heat anf the chaos around you. for now, it's enough.
the kitchen keeps moving, but you feel a little less alone in the middle of it all. a little more ok.
the night drags on, slow and exhausting. still, you keep going.
by the time the last costumer leaves, the place feels strange. chairs are flippes, the grill is cold and the air finally starts to cool down.
you're alone at the sink, washing the last few dishes, the sound of running water filling the empty space. your body ache in that dull, end-of-shift way, but your mind is finally calm. empty.
you're drying a plate when you hear footsteps. you turn, hald-expecting a manager, but it's sevika. she's changed out of her chef jacket, dressed in worn out baggy jeans and a dark shirt, hair pulled back less tightly than before. she looks tired, but for once not rushed, not sharp. just a human, ready to go home.
she watches you for a moment. leaning against the counter.
"you wanna lock up with me?" she asks. the question is causal, like it doesn't mean much. so you nod. "yeah."
she waits while you finish, doesn't rush you. when the last plate is set aside and the lights are switched off one by one, the kitchen fades into shadows.
sevika's already by the back door when you grab your bag. she holds it open, meeting your eyes for a brief second. outside, the night air feels good against your face. the alley is washed in neon light from the big sign that says 'the last drop' everything tinted soft yellow and green.
you endup sitting on a couple of wooden crates by the brick wall, backs resting against the cool stone.
sevika pulls out her cigarettes, taps one loose and lights it. she exhales slowly, watching the smoke drift and disappear.
"i could use a drink," she says, mostly to herself. then she looks at you. "you in?"
you smile, small and a little tired. "i dont drink."
her eyebrow lift, just slightly. she lets out a short, dry chuckel. "right," she breaths out. "yeah. forgot." she flicks ash on the ground, whatching it scatter. "miss wholesome," she adds, not unkind. then she glances at you again, thoughtful. "well," she says, after a beat, "what about a milkshake?"
it's simple, honest. a genuine invitation. and this time, you dont hesitate.
"i'd love too"
she grins, a crookes pull of her mouth that shows just a hint of her teeth.
"let's go, then" she says, pushing herself upright.
it's late enough that the streets are almost empty. neon signs buzz softly in the distance, their light reflecting off the wet pavement. you walk side by side, close but not touching, your steps falling into an east rhythm. a diner sits on the corner a few blocks away, lights glowing warm against the dark. it looks old, a little worn but inviting.
the bell above the door jingles when you step inside.
heat and the smell of burnt sugar wrap around you right away. the place is mostly empty, just a couple of people at the counter. sevika leads you towards the back without hesitation, slidimg into a cracked vinyl booth like she belongs there. you sit across from her, shrugging off your jacket.
a tired waitress comes over, pen already poised. "what'll it be?"
you glance over at the menu even though you already know what you want. "vanilla milkshake," you say. the waitress nods and looks at sevika.
"whiskey," she says. "neat." the waitress gives a small nod and walks away.
you tilt your head, smiling a little. "milkshake and whiskey," you say. "interesting combination."
she hufs, the corner of her mouth lifting. "long day."
your milkshake arrives first. tall glass, whipped cream piled high, condensation already running down the sides. sevika's drink follows soon after, the amber liquid catching the light as she wraps her fingers around the glass. she takes a slow sip, shoulder finally relaxing, like something heavy just eased off her back.
for a moment, neither of you speak. the diner hums softly around you. low music, the soft sound of the coffee machine steaming somewhere behind the counter. it all feels so calm and safe that you cant bring yourself to open your mouth.
then sevika looks at oyu again, eyes sharp but warm.
"so," she says,voice low with a touch of casual, "tell me something about yourself."
you blink. "about what?"
she rools her glass gently between her fingers. "something that's not in your employee handbook."
you anort. "you read my employee handbook?"
sevika snorts right back. "yeah. i do the hiring, genious." she takes another sip of her drink, then shrugs. "but," she adds, quieter now, "people aren't just what's written on paper."
you hesitate, the straw resting between your lips. what are you supposed to say?
on paper, your life is easy to explain. where you grwe up, where you worked. nothing special. but sitting here, across from sevika, it feels different. she's not looking at you like a coworke, she's looking at you like she actually wants to know. your heart stutters a little. so you stop overthinking it.
"i..." you pause, then let out a quiet breath. "i collect rocks."
the words sound strange once they're out, small and a little embarassing. you rush to explain, hands tightening around the glass.
"just ones i like," you add. "i found a nice jade one last time i went to the beach."
for a second, sevika just looks at you. then she leans forward sloghtly, resting her forearms on the table. there is something warm in her eyes, something real.
"rocks, huh?" she says. she traces a fingeron the rim of her glass, thoughtful. "yeah, that tracks."
you smile a little, looking at her. "it does?"
"yeah," she says. "alaways figured you were the type to notice small things." there's a pause. then she adds, almost amused, "miss wholesome."
you laugh quietly, shaking your head.
after that, the conversation slows. not in a bad way, just easy. you sip your milkshake while sevika finishes her drink. every now and then, your eyes meet, and neither of you looks away too fast.
when the check finally lands on the table, you reach for it without thinking. but sevika is faster. she places her card down, firm and sure.
"hey-" you start.
she looks at you, already shaking her head. "No"
"sevika, i can-"
"you're money's not good here," she says, calm but final. a small smirk pulls at the corner of her mouth. "don't make it a thing."
you sigh. "at least let me-"
she stands, smooth and unhurried. "humor me."
outside, the night greets you again. cold air, the city calm and wide. you walk out together, steps falling into placeside by side.
you walk together towards the bus stop, steps unhurried. your breath fogs in the cold, each exhale grounding you in the moment. from the corner of your eye, you glance at sevika. she looks different out here. less rigid. the woman who commands the kitchen with a singel look now seems... just a woman.
the bus s top appears too soon, a lonely stretch of concrete under a flickering lamp. you stop beneath it, hand tucked into your sleeves, rocking slightly on your heels. when the buss finally comes into view at the end of the street, sevika slows beside you.
she's close now. close enough that you can feel her warmth through your jacket. close enough that you catch her faint scent of smoke and soap.
the buss pulls up with a hiss. the doors fold open, light spilling out the pavement.
you dont move yet.
"look," sevika says, voice low and rough. "you don't..."
she pauses. she licks her lips, eyes flicking briefly to the bus, then back at you.
"you dont have to get on that bus."
the drive leans out, impatience visible in his expression. "you getting on or not? i've got a chedule to keep, lady."
this is the moment where you have to make a decision. between going home alone, replaying this night over and over in your head, or stepping into something unknown with a woman who both unnerves and steadies you.
you turn your head towards the buss drive and shakes your head lightly. it's small, but sevika sees it.
before you can think, you reach for her hand. she takes it immediately.
the bus doors snap shut. it pulls away, headlight shrinking into the distance. sevika doesnt say a word, she just gives your hand a gentle tug and turns, leading you away from the stop.
you follow her without hesitation.
-
sevika slips her hand into her pocket and pulls out her keys. for a second, she stands there, staring at the door like it might say somethin back. then she exhales and fits the key into the lock. the click is soft, almost too quiet. she pushes the door open and steps aside, letting you go first.
inside, the apartment is dim and calm. no loud colors, no clutters. just a gray couch that's seen better days, a small kitchen off to the side and a short corridor that probably leads to her bedroom.
she closes the door behind you, the sound gentle.
"you ok?" she asks.
you dont answer right away. you take a moment, letting your eyes adjust, letting your hearthbeat slow. you glance back at her, catch the way her shoulder are set a little too stiff, the way her hand lingers near the door like she's ready to open it again if you ask.
"yeah," you say quietly. "i'm ok."
at your answer, sevika exhales softly, the tension in her shoulder easing as if she's been holding holding her breath longer than she meant to.
she turnt towards the kitchen, searching for something to do to keep her hands occupied. she moves with ease, looking comfortable in the safety of her home. she fills the kettle at the sink, the rush of water brief but loud in the quiet apartment. then, she sets it on the stove and clicks the flame beneath it.
when it finally whistle. sharp and insistent, sevika reaches over and turns the flame off. she lines two mugs on the counter, a tea bag dropped in each. she pours the water slowly, steam curling upward and fogging the air between you. she gives each mug a quick stir to let the water absorb as much flavour as possible.
it's a sight so domestic that your stomach does that little thing it always does when you see something you particularly find attractive.
when she turns back to you, she's holding both mugs, a focused expression on her face as she hands you one. she takes a cautious sip from her own, testing the heat, then nods towards the couch. "c'mon."
you follow her, sinking into the worn cushions beside her. she's close, close enough that you can feel the warm from her own mug, but she leaves a few careful inches between you, a quiet respect fot boundaries.
the tea is rich and slightly sweet, a warm that settels low in your chest as you take a sip. you cradle the mug between your hands, eyes fixated on the faint swirl of steam rising from the surface. sevika shifts beside you, just slightly. maybe she can sens the way your thoughts keep circling.
"you've got questions," she finally says. it's not an accusation, it's a fact.
you nod, the movement small but there. the words take a second to come, like you're testing their weight before letting them go.
"you're... noy what i expected," you admit quietly.
she lets out a short snort, the corner of her mouth twitching upward. "nobody ever is, sweetheart," she replies, tone dry but softened around the edges. she leans back into the couch, pne arm draped along the backrest, her body opening just a little more toward you. her eyes never leave your face.
"so," she continues, "what did you expect?"
you think about it. about the woman you first met in the kitchen. someone untouchable, who ruled through intensity alone. someone who wouldn't offer tea or late-night talks.
you inhale slowly, then exhale.
"not this," you say, barely above a whisper.
sevika watches you for a short moment, her expression unreadable. you half-expect her to make a joke, instead she just nods.
"yeah," she murmurs, voice dropping lower. "i get that." she shifts closer, putting her mug on the little coffee tsble in front of the couch, and you do the same. her hand lift slowly, giving you time. when her finger brush your cheek, the touch is feather-like, almost tentative, and it sends a jolt straight through you. her thumb lingers for a second longer, warm against your skin.
then, she leans in, closing the distance that feel deliberate, almost uncharacteristic of her.
her lips meet yours, soft and warm, and you're caught off guard. thre's no rush, no hunger yet.
the faint taste of smoke lingers, tempered by something sweeter underneath, and it makes your breath hitch before you can even realize that. you lean into her instrinctively.
sevika responds immediately, like she was waiting for that exact signal. her hand slides to the back of her neck, gouiding you closer. she taste like the tea you just shared, conforting and sweet, with a touch of something entirely her own. the tension that's been simmering between you finally shifts, turning into something heavier, hotter. it settels low in your chest, then lower still, and it feels... good.
really good.
when the kiss finally breaks, it's slow, like she doesn't want to pull away. her breath ghosts over our lips, and her eyes search yours carefully. her hand rest on your hips now, holding you steady.
"this okay?" she asks quietly.
you dont hesitate. you lift your hands to her face, thumbs brushing along her jaw. "more than ok," you whisper, your voice barely steady. you close the distance again, sealing the answer with nother kiss. this one a little surer, a little deeper, leaving no room for uncertainty between you.
sevika leans into the kiss again, hands gripping on your hips tighter like she's grounding herself as much as possible. with a subdel shift of her body, she draws you down onto her lap, making you straddel her. her hold is strong, but never paintful. if anything, it makes you feel held. anchored.
the kiss deepens slowly, a slow burn that builds with every second that you stay there, straddling her. her mouth moves against your with a patience that's almost cruel, like she knows exactly hoe much to give and when.
one of her hands slide up, fingers threading into your hair. she gives it a gentle tug, just enough to guide you back to tilt your head and bare your neck for her. her mouth leaves yours, lips warm and open as they trace along your jaw, down the line of your throat. each kiss she presses there sends little sparks through you body.
"you're a sweet thing. aren't you?" she murmurs against your sking. she pulls back just enough to look at you, her forehead brushing yours, eyes dark and intent.
"you know what you're getting into?" she asks softly. her fingers trace along your maouth, slow and deliberate, like she's trying to memoraze you.
you swallow, suddenly very aware of how close you are. "honestly?" you admit, voice shaking from the kiss. "not really."
"then," she murmurs, leaning in so her lips brush your ear, her voice rough, "let's find out."
as her lips find your again, the kiss feels heavier, raw, with a hunger she's no longer bothering to restrain. her nails dig into your hips,pulling you flush against her. she kisses along the corner of your mouth, then your cheek, then down the sensitive curve of your neck, theeth gazing skin in a way that makes you gasp before you can control yourself.
"tell me what you want," she says against your throat, the words low and commanding.
your thoughts scatter, heat coilstight in your stomach. you swallow, fingers curling in the fabbric of her shirt like it might steady you.
"i- i dont know..," you admit. "i've... i mean i have done it in the past, but it's been a long time..."
she stills, not pulling away completly, but enough that you feel the shift. "how long?" she asks, quieter this time. curious, even.
you let out a small, awkward laugh, your bretah shaky. "about two years."
that earns a low chuckel from sevika. "you're overdue, then," she says, amusement glinting in her dark eyes. she tilts your vhin up with two fingers, forcing your gaze back on hers.
with a deft roll, she pins you beneath her on the couch, making you gasp with the suddenness. her mouth finds your neck again, nipping at the sking as her hand slides upwards, pushing your shirt out of the way. her hand immediately moves behind yor back, and with a smooth movement your bra is gone, thrown away with your shirt.
for a moment, she just looks down at you, admiring the sight of you little breast and the way your nipples get hard in the cold of the room. "you're a vision, sweetheart," she murmurs while her lips find the swell of your breasts. her toung flicks lightly over your nipple before she captures it in her mouth. the sensation makes you gasp, your fingers threading into her hair, holding her there, desperate for more.
you can feel her smile against your skin, a low rumble of satisfaction in her chest. she continues to work on your nipple, teasing and tantalizing, before switching to the other one, treating it the same way.
meanwhile, her hand snake further down, fingertips tracing over the edge of your waistband. "is this ok?" she asks, the words a warm breath against the sensitive skin of your abdomen. her fingers play with the edge of your pants, waiting.
you manage a shaky nod, your heart pounding in your ears, your breath coming in quick pants. "please," you whisper, the words thick with need. that's all it takes for sevika to continue, her finger quick and sure as she begins to undo your pants.
she pulls back slightly, her gaze meeting yours as she finally slides your pants off. "beautiful," it's all that comes out of her mouth, a low whisper that it's barely audible. her fingers trail over the sensitive skin of your inner thigh, moving highe. she pauses for a moment at the edge of your panties, eyes flicking up to meet yours, asking without words.
you nod, your lower lip caught between your teeth as you try to control your breathing.
the first brush of her finger against your clothed heat makes you gasp, your grip on her shoulder thigtening. "that's it sweetheart," she murmurs, her fingers moving in slow circles over your covered clit, teasing. "let me hear you."
as her touch becomes more insistent, you can't help but moan, the sound escaping unchecked. it's been so long since someone fucked you properly and sevika is so... strong, beautiful, and so damn good with her fingers.
her fingers slip beneath your panties, finding your wetness, exploring you. her touch is gentle yet firm, the pressure exactly what you need, making you arch your back, pressing into her hand. "that's my girl," she whispers, moving her mouth t your ear.
as she says it, she enters you with two fingers, the sensation sending a jolt through you. you cry out, the sound loud and unashamed in the quiet room. her eyes lock with yours, her gaze steady and intense even as her fingers set a rhythm that makes you gasp and curl your toes. your body presses against her hand, desperate for more, needing her deeper. "please," you whimper, the word barely a gasp between ragged breaths. "more... sevika.."
she obliges without a word, her hand moving faster, firmer. she hits a spot inside you that makes you cry out, your fingers clutching at her arm. "there you go," she coaxes, her voice low and heavy with desire. "that's it."
the tension builds, coiling tight in your core, until it's almost too much, until you're teetering on the edge. and then, with a curl of her finger, she pushes you over into sweer oblivion.
"sevika!" the word is a cry, a prayer on your swollen lips as your body tenses, then relaxes, a wave of pleasure crashing over you. sevika fucks you through your orgasm, drawing out every last bit of pleasure until you're completly spent.
slowly, she withdraws her fingers, the movement making you shiver. she brings them to her lips, tasting you with a smirk that's equal parts satisfied and hungry. "you taste as good as you look," she says, and leans in to kiss you, letting you taste yourself on her lips. the kiss is slow, languid, and when she pulls back, you can see that she liked it as mush as you did.
-
"... di you know," you mumbel, voice slow and drowsy, "that pegeons can recognize themself in mirrors?" the words spill out without much thought, lazy and warm, like your body is too relaxed too filter anything anymore.
you're half on top of sevika, hakd tucked into her side. one of her arm is wrapped securely around your shoulder, the other resting under her head. your leg is thrown over her thigh, bare skin pressed to bare skin. the bed beneath you is big, a little uneven, sheets rumpled and twisted.
sevika hums beneath you, the sound vibrating softly through her chest. her thumb keeps tracing slow, absent circles along your arms. "that so?"
"yeah," you say, eyes unfocused as you stare at nothing. "they did experiments and everything. they're smarter than people think" you pause, then add, quieter, almost amused. "kinda like you.
there's a subdel shift beneath you. "careful," she mutters. "you're gonna give me a reputation."
you smile, pressing your cheek more firmly against her chest. her hearthbeat is calm now, deep and steady under your ear. you keep talking, about nothing important. about how james in the kitchen can be such a pussy, about how you always forget where you put your car keys, about other random facts about animal.
sevika listens. she doesn't interrupt, doesn't rush yiu. just lets you ramble, occasionally responding with a low comment or a dry remark that makes you smile against her skin.
at some point, your words fade out mid-thought, dissolving into a quiet sigh.
"you good?" she asks softly, her voice low to not disturb the quiet. you nod agaisnt her, eyes already closed. "yeah. just... reallt comfy."
she chuckels lowly, the sound warm and rich.
"good."