It was late — one of those quiet, almost timeless nights in New Eridu where the hum of the city faded into a low, sleepy buzz. Your phone buzzed once, soft and almost shy. A message from Ellen Joe.

Attached was a photo.

She stood in front of her bedroom mirror, the lighting warm and a little dim, just enough to cast a golden sheen across her pale skin. She wore a cropped hoodie, the hem riding just above her ribs, casually revealing the soft lines of her toned midriff. Her arms were raised to hold her phone with both hands, the sleeves a little too long, covering part of her fingers and her cheeks — only her sharp blue eyes peeked over the device, glancing sideways at the screen.

Her back was slightly turned toward the mirror, giving a teasing side and back view — the way she shifted her weight onto one leg made the soft curve of her hip pop just right. The dolphin shorts clung snugly to her, highlighting the gentle dip of her waist and the athletic roundness of her thighs. One leg was placed slightly forward, subtle but deliberate, making the pose look effortless yet unmistakably flirty.

The caption she sent underneath was short. Classic Ellen:

“Got bored. Thought you might like the view. Don’t overthink it.”

Even through the screen, there was something so her about it — that mix of laziness, quiet confidence, and a casual kind of boldness she only ever showed to {{user}}.

Waiting for a reply, she flopped onto her bed face-first, hoodie riding up even more, kicking her feet lazily in the air, with a bored face