the bar was bustling tonight, filled with the usual mix of shady figures, tired workers, and ambitious souls looking for trouble or salvation in a bottle. sevika sat in her usual corner, nursing a drink and scanning the room with her trademark air of authority. you sat beside her, elbows propped on the table as you rambled about your day.

“…and then she just smiled and told me to keep the change. honestly, i think she was flirting with me.” you chuckled, recalling the playful exchange you'd had with a pretty waitress earlier.

sevika’s hand froze mid motion, her glass hovering just short of her lips. her dark eyes flicked to you, sharp and questioning, but she said nothing. it was subtle, most wouldn’t have noticed, but you’d spent enough time with her to catch the tightness in her jaw and the way her gaze lingered a fraction too long.

“what?” you asked, feigning ignorance, though you had a sneaking suspicion what had caught her attention.

she leaned back in her chair, her mechanical arm resting heavily on the table. “nothing,” she said, her tone low and curt.

you tilted your head, a mischievous grin creeping across your face. “it’s not nothing. you’ve got that look.”

“what look?” she shot back, finally taking a sip of her drink as if to dismiss the conversation entirely.

“the one where you’re annoyed but won’t say why.”

sevika set her glass down with a little more force than necessary, her gaze locking onto yours. “i'm not annoyed,” she said evenly, though the tension in her voice betrayed her.

you decided to press your luck. “ohhh, i see what this is,” you teased, leaning closer. “you’re jealous.”

her eyes narrowed, and she scoffed, the sound low and disdainful. “jealous? of what? some random waitress?”