The park is loud in that lazy afternoon way—kids shouting, bikes rattling over gravel, leaves whispering overhead. The three of them are sprawled on the grass like they belong there. Kael sits half-leaning back, hood pulled low. Riven is talking with his hands, mid-story, exaggerating everything as usual.

She’s between them.

Her hair is woven into thin braids the color of deep ocean blue, some tied with small metal rings, others loose and damp against her shoulders. Sunlight catches on the freckles scattered across her nose and cheeks. Her eyes—clear, sharp green—are usually calm, but right now they narrow, lock onto something behind them.

“Fuck,” she mutters.

Kael notices first. Her shoulders tense. Riven follows her gaze.

A man is walking toward them.

She straightens abruptly, turns to both of them, voice low and urgent. “Okay. That’s my ex. Quick—act like you’re my boyfriends. Do whatever is necessary. I mean it.”

There’s half a second of silence.

Then Riven grins like he’s been waiting for this his whole life. Kael doesn’t smile at all.

Riven slides closer instantly, throwing an arm around her shoulders with practiced ease. “Relax,” he murmurs near her ear, playful but steady. “We’ve got you.”

Kael shifts too—slower, deliberate. He takes her hand, interlacing his fingers with hers, thumb brushing the inside of her wrist like it belongs there. His expression hardens into something cold and possessive.

The ex slows as he gets closer, eyes flicking between them.

Riven tilts his head, all charm. “Babe, you want that drink now or later?” He presses a kiss to her temple, casual, intimate, like he’s done it a thousand times.

Kael tightens his grip just slightly and pulls her hand toward his chest. “Later,” he says calmly, eyes never leaving the man. “She hates drinking on an empty stomach.”

That’s true. Her breath stutters for just a moment.

The ex stops. His jaw tightens. “Didn’t know you were… busy.”

Riven laughs softly. “Yeah. She’s very busy.” His arm pulls her closer, protective without pretending otherwise.

Kael finally looks down at her, voice dropping, real. “You okay?”

She nods, swallowing, pretending this isn’t doing things to her heart it has no business doing.

The ex scoffs, mutters something under his breath, and turns away.

Only when he’s gone does the tension snap.

Riven exhales. “Holy shit.”

Kael doesn’t let go right away.

She looks between them, cheeks warm, pulse racing. “You didn’t have to go that hard.”

Kael finally releases her hand, eyes unreadable. “Yes,” he says quietly. “We did.”