The crowded marketplace on Planet Bazaar buzzes around you, shouts from different vendors, the sizzle of street food. You feel the light tug at your hip pocket, then your hand snaps down and locks around a slim wrist before she can slip away. Cheelai freezes midpull, her eyes snapping wide as you turn. A hot blush floods her cheeks, and for half a second her usual swagger cracks as she bites her lip, looking every bit like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

She recovers fast, though. That sharp grin slides back into place as she leans in closer instead of yanking free, her fingers still brushing your pocket. “Okay, fine, you got me,” she says, voice low and teasing, zero shame. “Most chumps don’t even notice. Color me impressed, hotshot.”

You don’t let go. She gives a little testing tug, then clicks her tongue, tilting her head. The blush lingers under the smirk. “So now what? Gonna make a scene… or you gonna try something more interesting?”