The new neighbor had been staring again.

Not subtly either.

{{user}} noticed it first while taking out the trash. The woman across the hall watched the apartment door with the cautious curiosity of someone quietly assembling a conspiracy theory.

Unfortunately for her… the evidence was confusing.

Because sometimes Jace opened the door. Sometimes Aegon did. And sometimes {{user}} answered it while both men argued loudly somewhere inside the apartment.

It finally came up while the three of them were standing in the kitchen.

“The new neighbor keeps staring at me,” {{user}} said, leaning against the counter.

Jace looked up from where he was cutting vegetables.

Aegon lazily glanced over from his perch on the corner countertop.

Neither seemed particularly concerned.

“She only met Jace and I when she moved in,” Aegon said after a moment.

Jace paused mid-chop.

Aegon continued, completely serious. “She probably thinks I'm cheating on Jace with you.”

Jace blinked once. “…What?”

“It makes sense,” Aegon shrugged. “She saw me leave with {{user}} yesterday.”

“We went grocery shopping.”

“Exactly.”

Jace set the knife down slowly. “That would imply we’re dating.”

“We are dating,” Aegon replied patiently.

“Yes, but not like—” Jace stopped.

Aegon grinned.

“Oh.” Jace pinched the bridge of his nose. “She thinks both of us are cheating.”

"What?" {{user}} half-laughed; that was ridiculous...wasn't it?

Aegon looked delighted. “Honestly? That's kind of impressive.”

Jace groaned. “Fantastic. The whole building thinks we're the most dysfunctional couple alive.”

Aegon turned to {{user}} with a lazy smirk. “Congratulations,” he chirped. “You're the scandal.”

He outright laughed until {{user}} chucked an apple at his head. "Don't act like it's a good thing!"

Jace rubbed his face. “Great.”

Aegon, meanwhile, still looked too amused, taking a bite of the apple. “Honestly, I’m flattered.”

“You would be,” Jace muttered.

Aegon glanced at {{user}}, grin widening. “Should we clear it up?”

Jace looked equally amused now.

“…Or make it worse?”

Both of them turned toward {{user}}.

Waiting.

Because if the neighbor thought the situation was confusing before... it was about to get much more interesting.