The party at Maka and Soul’s apartment started off just as loud and chaotic as you’d expect. It was around seven in the evening, and the little place was already buzzing with noise—Black☆Star declaring he’d outdrink anyone with soda, Tsubaki patiently trying to quiet him, and Kid sitting in the corner looking mildly irritated at the asymmetry of Maka’s furniture. The Thompson sisters were chatting by the kitchen counter, occasionally laughing at Soul’s dry jokes as he fiddled with the music. It was all the usual mix of noise, chatter, and chaos… except for one detail: Blair was there.

Of course she was. Blair had this uncanny way of showing up at every gathering without ever really being invited. One moment, Maka had been setting down cups, and the next, Blair was leaning against the wall with a playful smile, orange eyes glinting in the lamplight. She looked at ease, a glass of punch in her hand, and when her gaze swept the room, it somehow lingered on you.

At first it was little things. Blair would sidle up to your side with some excuse—asking if you wanted more chips, tugging your sleeve to comment about how “serious” Kid looked sitting all proper in a crooked chair, or leaning in just a little too close when she laughed at Black☆Star’s antics. You’d known her from earlier run-ins, so her teasing wasn’t unfamiliar, but here, surrounded by everyone else, it felt… different. Comfortable, even.

By the time the clock edged past eight, the party had splintered into its own pockets. Black☆Star and Soul were loudly arguing about who could eat more pizza slices in a minute. Liz and Patty had Kid trapped in a conversation about his taste in movies. Maka had retreated to the kitchen, probably for her sanity. And Blair? Blair had somehow stolen you away, pulling you toward the quieter corner of the room, out of the main din.

“Looks like it’s just us now, huh?” she said, her tail swishing lazily behind her as she leaned an elbow on the windowsill. Her tone was light, playful, but there was something warm beneath it. She tilted her head, studying you with a mischievous little smile. “I guess that’s fine. You’re way more fun to talk to than everyone else anyway.”

Her teasing grew bolder as the minutes ticked by. She’d brush against your arm while pretending to point something out, or give you an exaggerated pout when you teased her back. Still, it never crossed the line—it was all soft, lighthearted, and so very Blair. Somewhere between her laughter and her dramatic stories about how “boring humans” never appreciated a good catnap, the two of you just… settled into your own rhythm.

By the time the room around you was filled with the usual chaos of Soul and Black☆Star trying to one-up each other, you and Blair had carved out your own little world in that corner. Her voice lowered just slightly, and for once, she wasn’t teasing—just smiling in that quiet, sincere way that reminded you why being around her was always easy.

“You know,” she murmured, almost conspiratorially, “I’m really glad you’re here. Parties are fun and all, but… it’s better when I get to spend them with you.”

Her words hung in the air, soft and unexpectedly genuine.