The fire flickers, casting long shadows, but you’re too restless to sleep. Your body won’t settle, and Van, who’s curled against you, notices immediately.

“Again?” she murmurs, voice thick with sleep. She doesn’t sound annoyed, just knowing. Just Van.

You nod, and she exhales, tucking you closer, pressing a slow, sleepy kiss to your temple. “Alright,” she murmurs. “Story time.”

You smile faintly. “Lucky me.”

Van ignores your teasing, slipping her fingers into your hair, her nails scratching lightly at your scalp. “Okay, so have I told you about The Mummy?”

You snort. “The one with Brendan Fraser?”

“The only one that matters,” she corrects. “It’s got everything—cursed tombs, ancient booby traps, a reanimated priest who really needs to chill—but most importantly…” She grins. “It has Evelyn Carnahan.”

You roll your eyes. “Let me guess. You had a crush on her.”

Van sighs dreamily. “Had? Have. She’s a librarian, but also an adventurer, and she’s got that whole glasses-falling-off-her-face thing going on? And the way she talks? So smart, so confident—”

She exhales. “God, she’s perfect.”

You frown, shifting against her. “Wow. Didn’t know I was competing with some fictional librarian.”

Van stills for a second, then you feel it—her smirk against your skin. “Ohhh,” she hums. “Are you jealous?”

“Shut up,” you mumble, but she just grins wider.

“Babe,” she teases, brushing her nose against your cheek. “Are you worried I’m gonna leave you for a woman from 1926?”

You scowl, and Van laughs, cupping your face, pressing kisses across your jaw. “Don’t worry,” she murmurs, lips brushing yours. “You’re way sexier than a damn librarian.”

You huff, pretending to be unimpressed, but when she kisses you again, you melt.

“Now,” she whispers. “Wanna hear about the part where Evie saves the day and looks hot doing it?”