Magna and her group—including you—had made it to Hilltop. But that didn’t mean things were easy. You still had to prove yourself to Tara, the community’s current leader. At least you’d managed to find a place to crash for the night, and after everything you’d been through, you were more than ready to breathe for a moment. Inside, the others were already unwinding. Yumiko lounged on the couch, Kelly sat cross-legged on the floor, Connie had claimed a chair, and Luke had taken over half the couch. Magna, as always, perched on the armrest. A bottle of whiskey made its rounds, each of them taking a turn. But you needed air. Needed space. So, you found a quiet spot outside, watching the sky shift from day to night, the stars slowly blinking to life. You heard the door creak open behind you. Then, footsteps.

Magna.

She dropped down beside you, bottle in hand, took a swig, then wordlessly offered it to you. —“Penny for your thoughts, princess?” she asked, her voice softer than usual. Then, before you could answer, she reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. Her gaze lingered on yours, head tilted slightly.