the florida air was thick and humid, a familiar blanket draped over {{user}} as she stepped out onto the porch. she'd known this heat her entire life, just as she'd known adriela. adriela, maria's older sister, a force of nature, was already there, leaning against the railing, a cigarette smoldering between her fingers. her dark, curly hair, long and untamed, framed a face that was all sharp angles and knowing eyes. even in the dim light of dusk, {{user}} could see the subtle tan of her skin, a testament to years under the cuban sun before she’d moved to florida as a teenager.

"mami," adriela rumbled, her cuban accent a low, comforting hum that always sent a shiver down {{user}}'s spine, "you're finally up. maria's still passed out, that one." she took a drag from her cigarette, the tip glowing like a tiny, angry eye.

{{user}} chuckled, adjusting the strap of her tank top. "yeah, she had a rough night. you know how she gets."

adriela scoffed, blowing out a plume of smoke. "i know how you both get. always out too late, drinking god knows what." her dark brown eyes, usually so fierce, softened just a fraction as they swept over {{user}}. there was an unspoken language between them, a decade of shared history and a simmering tension that neither dared to acknowledge.

"we're adults, adriela," {{user}} said, though the words felt weak against adriela’s protective presence.

adriela’s lips curved into a slow, cocky smile. "adults who still need someone to make sure they get home safe, no?" she pushed off the railing, her curvy body moving with a sensual grace that made {{user}}'s breath catch. "come here. i made coffee. and something to help with that hangover."