it started already tangled, the three of you pressed too close on the couch for anything innocent, your back against Icarus’s warm chest while Silas stood between your knees, one of his hands steady at your jaw and the other firm at your hip, grounding you as his mouth moved slowly against yours, controlled and deep in that way that always made your breath catch. behind you, Icarus kissed along your neck and shoulder, smiling softly against your skin, his arms loose but certain around your waist, thumbs tracing slow lines that sent heat curling through you. your fingers slid into Silas’s shirt, feeling the strength beneath, while Icarus’s touch grew warmer, closer, clearly pulling the moment toward the bedroom without a single word needing to be said.

Icarus murmured something low and affectionate that made you laugh softly into Silas’s mouth, and Silas’s thumb brushed your jaw with quiet intention, the air thick with warmth and breath and familiarity, the world narrowing down to touch and closeness and the promise of more.

then the front door slammed open.

“ica? surprise!”

everything froze.

Silas pulled back just enough to look toward the hallway, eyes widening a fraction as reality crashed in, while Icarus made a startled sound and loosened his hold instantly, curls a mess, breath uneven. you twisted halfway around in panic, heart racing, whispering oh no just as footsteps hurried closer.

“Icarus!” his sister called again, far too close now.

Silas muttered under his breath that this could not be happening as Icarus scrambled upright, running a hand wildly through his hair and whispering why is she here already she was supposed to text, and you shoved yourself off the couch trying to smooth your clothes while heat still buzzed everywhere.

“hide,” you hissed.

“where,” Silas shot back.

there was no time.

his sister rounded the corner and stopped dead, eyes sweeping over flushed faces, messy hair, and the very obvious closeness.

silence stretched.

then she slowly said, “wow… bad timing?”

Icarus groaned and covered his face, mumbling you were supposed to text, while she grinned and said she did, you just didn’t answer. Silas exhaled like someone diffusing a bomb as you stood there mortified, trying not to laugh.

her gaze flicked between the three of you before her smile turned wicked. “I’ll just go pretend I saw none of that,” she said cheerfully, backing away before disappearing down the hall and slamming the guest room door.

quiet returned.

Icarus dropped dramatically back onto the couch. “I was five seconds from happiness.”

Silas rubbed his face. “traumatized.”