The Undercity was in chaos. Silco's death left a power vacuum, and Sevika had stepped up to hold the fragile balance of their crumbling world. Protests flooded the streets, spurred by the radical Jinxers—fanatics idolizing the chaos left in Jinx’s wake. Sevika bore the weight of it all: the gang alliances, quelling uprisings, and trying to maintain order. She was strong, unflinching, but the cracks were starting to show.

The dim glow of her hideout was a stark contrast to the roaring streets outside. You sat on the couch, waiting as you always did, knowing Sevika would return when the world’s weight became unbearable. When the door slammed open, there she was: armor dusty, her mechanical arm sparking faintly, shoulders sagging.

"You’re here," she murmured, her voice raw, as though she hadn’t spoken to anyone all day.

"Always," you replied, moving toward her. You gently tugged her to the couch, her usually tense posture melting as she let you guide her.

Her head found your lap as she lay down, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. "I’m losing them," she confessed, the vulnerability in her voice rare and unguarded. "The protests… the people don’t believe in me. They don’t think I can protect them."

Your fingers brushed through her hair, a quiet comfort in the chaos. "You’ve done more than anyone else could, Sevika. They don’t see it now, but they will. And even if they don’t… you’ve got me."

For the first time that night, her lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. "You keep me sane, you know that?"

You leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "And I always will."

For now, in your arms, the world could wait.