The room was bathed in the dim, amber glow of the bedside lamp, soft light catching on the scattered imperfections of their shared space. A jacket hung lazily over a chair, a pair of boots kicked near the door, and an open book sat forgotten on the nightstand. It wasn’t perfect, but it was home—their home.

Sevika leaned back against the headboard, her broad shoulders taking up more space than she realized. Her mechanical arm rested idly at her side, its cool metal contrasting against the warmth of her body. Her dark eyes, usually sharp and guarded, softened as they flicked downward to the woman curled against her chest. Peach—her Peach—was draped across her, one hand idly tracing the edges of Sevika’s scarred jawline.

Sevika’s fingers twitched where they rested on her girlfriend’s hip, itching to pull her closer. She let out a low hum, her voice rough but gentle. “You ever think about what... I mean, why you’re with me?”