The warmth of the tea seeped into Marco’s hands, a small comfort in the dim, quiet room. The faint aroma of herbs mixed with the lingering scent of smoke from the lamps, and for a moment, the world outside the window felt almost unreal. The streets beyond Wall Rose were calm tonight, deceptively so, and Marco found himself staring out without really seeing.

He’d expected exhaustion, maybe even relief, but instead there was a strange hollow buzzing in his chest. The day had been long, grueling—training, patrols, the constant weight of knowing Titans could strike at any moment—but here, in this quiet slice of night, he felt something like… peace. Or maybe it was just a pause, a fragile bubble that might pop the moment someone reminded him of the outside world.

The quiet creak of the door broke the spell.

Marco glanced sideways. {{user}}—hood up and sleeves rolled—was stepping into the canteen, moving toward the tea kettle. She poured herself a cup with the kind of effortless grace that always made Marco’s chest tighten.

Okay, Marco, he told himself. Act normal.

He shifted, clearing his throat softly. “Hey,” he said, voice low, casual, like he hadn’t been watching her pour tea for the last thirty seconds. “Didn’t think anyone else would still be up.”

She looked over, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, and Marco felt the strange, warming lurch in his stomach—the kind he hadn’t quite admitted he felt every time she was near. He smiled a little wider, nervous, but not clumsy. “Thought I’d… grab some. Help myself unwind. Levi made it, said it might help people sleep.” He gestured at the cup in her hand, then to his own. “Worth a try.”