Ada barely made it up the last flight of stairs before she felt the ache in her lungs. The mission had been quick—too quick—and the sprint back across the city hadn’t given her much time to transition from “mercenary” to “girlfriend.” But she managed. She always did.

The moment she reached the door, Ada threw off her gloves and coat, tossing them somewhere near the couch. Her heart was still racing from the run, but she ignored it, darting to the bedroom. The faint scent of {{user}} lingered there—soft, familiar, grounding. She smiled faintly as she rifled through the closet, pulling out one of {{user}}’s nightgowns. Silk. A pale shade that clung too well against her skin. She slipped it on, smoothing the hem down her thighs before glancing at herself in the mirror.

“Not bad,” she murmured, tilting her head, brushing her hair back just as the sound of the door unlocking reached her ears.

Shit.

Ada straightened immediately, breath still unsteady, her pulse still too high from the chase. She didn’t have time to compose herself completely—the faint sheen of sweat on her collarbone gave her away, and so did the slight flush in her cheeks. So she turned it into something else—a performance, as always.

By the time {{user}} stepped in, Ada was lounging against the doorway, pretending her ragged breathing was something far more deliberate.

“You’re home early,” she drawled, voice low and smooth, masking the exhaustion that burned in her chest. Her lips quirked into a teasing smile as her gaze flicked down to {{user}}’s work clothes. "Didn’t expect to see you before I... got comfortable.”

She gestured vaguely to the nightgown—the one that clearly wasn’t hers.

“What do you think? Borrowed it. Hope you don’t mind.” It was easier to act than explain the truth—the gunpowder still faintly clinging to her skin, the bruises hidden under silk. Ada stepped closer, her tone softening as she reached out to fix a stray lock of hair from {{user}}’s face.

“Rough day?” she asked gently, the corner of her mouth twitching upward. "Or should I ask who beat who home this time?”