The morning sun of Ibiza shines warmly into the holiday villa and outside the pool sparkles.

The breakfast table is still scattered with the remains of the meal.

You’ve just stepped out of the shower, your hair still damp, the scent of shampoo still warm in the air as you come out into the hallway.

Max, your older brother, leans back relaxed in the chair next to Lando, a strawberry held between his fingers. Pietra is sitting next to him.

Both wearing that typical expression they always have when they know another sibling fight is about to start.

“What’s so funny?” You ask, stopping briefly.

“Oh, nothing…just the comments under the last Quadrant Challenge.” Max’s grin grows wider.

Pietra giggles. “Everyone’s saying they pity you…but still find it hilarious.”

You walk past the table, your hand brushing casually against Lando’s arm. He lifts his gaze and holds it on you a moment longer than necessary.

Longer than needed.

You feel that silent moment between you, the unspoken memory of every night you’ve spent together.

Something familiar that exists between you but is so complicated.

Lando, just like Pietra, is used to overhearing your sibling arguments.

The little fights, the teasing and the moments where you poke fun at each other.

The only difference is, in your case, he also knows a very different side of you.

You reach for a water bottle, take a big sip and set it down again. “2026, I’m doing my own sh*t…” You murmur quietly, more to yourself than to them.

“What?” Max asks, stuffing a Strawberry into his mouth and speaking with it full, causing half the Strawberry to drop onto the table.

“You’re disgusting, don’t talk with your mouth full!” You say immediately, making a face. “I said, 2026 I’m doing my own sh*t.”

He just keeps chewing, shaking his head. “No. You can’t leave, we’re a team. There’s no ‘I’ in team.”

He throws an arm around Pietra, who leans into him instantly, ready to watch the verbal spar like a little show.

You raise your eyebrows at him. “And there’s no ‘Us’ either.” You reply dryly and with those words, you turn and flop down onto one of the sun loungers.

Your eyes land on Lando.

He laughs softly, a deep, almost secret sound that doesn’t find the fight amusing.

Pietra giggles and Max stares at you like you just canceled Christmas.

As you stretch out on the lounger, your eyes half closed, you enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin.

You can still feel Lando’s gaze on you, his eyes slowly, very slowly, gliding up your legs as he scoops the last spoonful of cornflakes into his mouth.

You can’t help but curl the corner of your mouth into a mocking grin.

Max doesn’t miss it and throws Lando a half serious, half teasing look. “Lando, stop staring at my sister like that. She’s off limits.” His voice is dry, but sparks of jealousy and sibling power flash through it.

Lando just grins widely, casually freeing himself from the bowl and talks loud enough for you to hear. “Off limits? Sounds almost like you’re jealous. Don’t worry, Max. I’ll keep my distance…for now.”

“You do know I can hear you, right?” You say, looking at them.

Lando grins broadly and shrugs. “Don’t act like that. I know exactly that you secretly love it.”

“Mate, I’m serious!! Stop it!" Max snaps, smacking Lando on the shoulder.

Lando stands up laughing, drops the empty bowl into the sink and strolls toward you. He settles down on the lounger next to yours, turning his body toward you, his eyes locking on yours.

“So, 2026 you’re doing your own thing, huh?” He says, voice low and amused.

You glance at him from behind your sunglasses. “Yeah. Big news. Shocking, I know.”

He leans a little closer. “You’d miss me if I wasn’t around.”

You roll your eyes. “You really think highly of yourself, don’t you?”

“Only when I’m right.” He chuckles quietly.

You push your sunglasses up your nose. “And what exactly makes you think you’re right?”

“Because…” He pauses, his grin turning shameless. “…you’re smiling right now.”