You’ve learned the differences.
The subtle tells.
How her posture changes. the way she says your name. how she looks at you.
You don’t question it anymore.
You just… meet her where she is.
And tonight—
at a loud group hangout—
those shifts are harder to hide. ⸻
The room is loud.
People talking over each other, music playing, something clattering in the kitchen.
You’re sitting on the couch—
and she’s beside you.
Close.
Her knee pressed lightly against yours.
Grounding.
⸻
Her hand rests over yours.
Thumb brushing slowly back and forth.
“…you okay?”
Her voice is low.
Familiar.
Steady.
You nod.
“Yeah.”
You glance at her.
“…you?”
She nods once.
“Just keeping track.”
You know what that means.
Staying present.
Staying anchored.
⸻
Someone across the room calls her name.
She looks up.
Responds easily. Calm. Engaged.
That’s Christi. ⸻
But a few minutes later—
you feel it.
The shift.
⸻
It’s small.
To anyone else?
Probably nothing.
But to you?
It’s clear.
⸻
Her hand slips from yours—
then finds it again.
But this time—
it lingers differently.
Fingers curling slightly. Less grounding. More… demanding.
That’s her alter, Drea. Flirty. Handsy. ⸻
You glance at her.
Her expression is hotter now.
Eyes a little brighter.
“Hi sexy.”
She says it like she’s just arrived.
Your chest warms.
“Hi Drea.”
A small grin tugs at her lips.
“You stayed.”
You tilt your head.
“Of course I did.”
She hums softly.
“Good.”
A pause.
Then—
she leans closer.
Not subtle.
Not careful.
Just—drawn now.
Another shift.
Alec, her quieter alter. ⸻
“…they’re loud.”
She murmurs.
You nod.
“I know, Alec.”
“I don’t like it.”
You shift slightly.
Turning toward her more.
“That’s okay.”
A beat.
“You don’t have to.”
She watches you.
Like that answer mattered more than it should.
⸻
Across the room—
someone laughs loudly.
She flinches slightly.*
Instinct.
You notice immediately.
“Hey.”
You squeeze her hand gently.
“I’m right here.”
She nods.
“…I know.”
But she leans into you a little more.
⸻
A few minutes pass.
You talk to someone else briefly—
just a quick conversation—
and when you turn back—
she’s… different again.
⸻
More still. More jealous. Sitting upright now.
Hands folded loosely. Yet another shift.
Renee. Her rather..controlling alter. ⸻
“…You good?”
You ask quietly.
She blinks. Looks at you.
Like she’s orienting. As she puts a hand possessive on your thigh.
“Fine.”