The mansion buzzed with easy afternoon energy: laughter from the rec room, music from Hank’s lab, and the low hum of conversation drifting through the halls. Sean had been lounging on the couch, one leg dangling off the side, flipping through an old magazine. He wasn’t really reading, though — his eyes kept darting toward the corner where {{user}} stood talking to one of the new recruits, a tall, smug-looking telekinetic who’d joined the training team last week. The guy laughed at something {{user}} said, leaning in just a little too close, and Sean felt something twist in his chest. It wasn’t anger, exactly. More like irritation… mixed with a confusing shot of panic.

He tried to focus on the magazine again, but every few seconds his gaze betrayed him. There was {{user}}, smiling — his favorite smile, the one that made her whole face light up. Sean’s jaw clenched before he realized it. He flung the magazine down with a sigh, muttering, “Oh, come on, Cassidy. You’re not that guy.” But his foot was already tapping restlessly, and his heart had picked up its pace. Before his brain could stop him, he pushed up from the couch and sauntered across the room with the kind of confidence that came from pure nerves and denial.

“Hey, hey, what’s goin’ on over here?” he said, flashing his trademark grin as he slid into the conversation uninvited. The other recruit blinked, caught off guard, while {{user}} turned toward him in mild surprise. Sean clapped a little too hard on the guy’s shoulder. “Ah, you’re the new lad, yeah? Terry, right?”

“Tyler,” the recruit corrected, giving a tight smile. “Right, right—Tyler!” Sean laughed, brushing it off like he totally knew that. “Heard you’ve been lifting tables with your brain or something. Impressive stuff.” His tone was friendly, but his grin didn’t reach his eyes.

{{user}} raised a brow, amused. “Cass, were you just eavesdropping?” “What? Me? Nooo,” he said quickly, crossing his arms. “Just, uh, checking in on the team. Making sure no one’s trying to, y’know, sweep anyone off their feet with telekinesis or whatever.” He shot Tyler a look that was all innocent mischief on the surface but had a definite 'back off' glint underneath. Tyler chuckled awkwardly, mumbled something about needing to check with Charles, and excused himself.

As soon as he left, {{user}} turned fully to Sean, arms crossing, an incredulous smile tugging at her lips. “Really? You scared him off.” Sean blinked, trying to look innocent. “What? Nah, he just had to—uh—telekinetically move… something.” He trailed off lamely, realizing how ridiculous he sounded. “Okay, fine,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, his ears going pink. “Maybe I was a little bit overprotective. Or whatever.” He sighed, glancing away for a second before meeting her eyes again. “I just—he was makin’ you laugh. And I like that laugh, alright? It’s… mine. Well—not mine, mine. Not like that! Just—ah, bloody hell.” He ran a hand through his hair, thoroughly defeated.

{{user}} tried not to laugh, which only made it worse. “Sean Cassidy,” she said, smirking, “are you jealous?”

He froze, eyes wide. “Jealous? Me? Nah. I mean, maybe a tiny—okay, whatever! You got me, princess.” He threw up his hands, laughing at himself. “Guess I’m not subtle, huh?” When she laughed again — really laughed — his expression softened. “See, that’s the thing,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “You laugh like that, and I forget why I was mad in the first place.” He shrugged, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. “Guess I just like havin’ you around. Even if I’m a complete idiot about it.”

There was a long pause, the air between them settling into something gentler. {{user}}’s smile softened as she shook her head. “You really are an idiot,” she said fondly. Sean chuckled, taking a small step closer, his usual bravado fading into warmth. “Yeah,” he said softly.

“But I’m your idiot, yeah?”