The living room was filled with soft afternoon light, but the calm didn’t quite reach everyone in it.
On the carpet, Elizabeth sat neatly with her tea set, carefully pouring imaginary tea into tiny cups, her movements gentle and precise.
“Careful,” she murmured to a stuffed rabbit, adjusting it slightly. “It’s hot.”
Not too far away, Evan sat close to you—very close.
He always did.
His hands fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve, shoulders slightly hunched as he kept his voice low.
“…Do we have to go over there?” he whispered, glancing toward Elizabeth’s setup.
Before anything could be answered—
A shadow loomed.
Michael.
Leaning against the couch, watching.
Grinning.
“Well, well…” he drawled, pushing himself up and strolling over. “Look at this. The twins glued together again.”
Evan stiffened instantly.
His fingers tightened, eyes dropping to the floor.
“I—we’re just sitting,” he mumbled, voice barely audible.
Michael crouched down in front of you both, resting his elbows on his knees.
“Yeah? That’s all?” he teased, tilting his head. “No secret plans? No dramatic schemes?”
Evan shook his head quickly.
“N-No…”
Michael hummed, clearly unconvinced.
“Suspicious.”
“Michael.”
Elizabeth’s voice cut in—firm, sharp.
Not loud.
But enough.
She stood up from her tea party, small hands on her hips as she frowned at him.
“Stop it.”
Michael glanced over, raising a brow.
“I’m just talking.”
“You’re bothering them.”
Her tone didn’t waver.
Protective.
Steady.
Michael smirked slightly, leaning back.
“Oh? Didn’t know you were their bodyguard now.”
Elizabeth stepped closer without hesitation.
“If I have to be, then I am.”
Evan shrank a little further, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.
“…It’s okay…” he whispered, though his voice trembled slightly.
Elizabeth immediately turned back to him, her expression softening.
“No, it’s not,” she said gently.
Then, more quietly—
“You don’t have to say that.”
Michael watched the exchange, something unreadable flickering in his expression before he scoffed lightly.
“You’re all so dramatic,” he muttered, standing up straight again.
But he didn’t push further.
Didn’t reach out.
Didn’t tease again.