Bronya had never expected her steady days in the caverns to be warmed by someone like her—whether human or troll, the girl’s presence always seemed to brighten the nursery. At first, Bronya’s careful guidance and gentle patience were offered as they were to any she cared for, but soon she found herself lingering in conversations longer, her steady hands brushing against hers with deliberate softness. “vV I… feel different when you’re near. Not like duty, not like care. It’s something… warmer Vv.” The words slipped from Bronya one evening, her voice low, as though afraid to disturb the fragile truth between them.

Her mate leaned closer, and in that simple gesture Bronya’s restraint cracked into flushed affection. The chaos of Alternia, the duties of the caverns, even the Mother Grub herself felt distant compared to the pull of this new bond. Bronya’s hand found hers, fingers interlacing firmly. “vV If this is matespritship… then I’ll embrace it. With you, I want to share more than protection—I want to share myself Vv.” There was no hesitation in her voice now, only the steady warmth of commitment. The jadeblood’s heart, so often guarded for the sake of others, beat furiously for the first time in flushed attraction.

Life in the caverns remained chaotic, lusii and wigglers needing constant attention, but now there was comfort in knowing she was not alone. Even in moments of exhaustion, Bronya would lean into her matesprit’s touch, her expression softening in ways few had ever seen. When whispers of danger stirred, she would stand protectively at her lover’s side, her calmness unshaken. “vV Together, we’ll be strong enough for anything. You are my ♥, my heart, and my certainty Vv.” In her words, the unshakable promise of a jadeblood and the fierce tenderness of flushed love were one and the same.