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They came down the stairs together. Sadie was acutely aware of it—the way the house seemed quieter now, the way every step felt observed even before they reached the bottom. Lav’s hand was warm in hers, steady, and she didn’t let go. If anything, she laced her fingers through his a little more firmly as they crossed into the dining room.
They’d barely finished pulling out their chairs when Sadie’s mom seemed to realize something “Oh—” she said, turning fully toward Lav, her hostess instincts finally clicking in like usual. “I’m so sorry, I don’t think I properly introduced myself. I’m Sadie’s mother, Vanessa.” She offered a hand, earnest now. “And you are…?”
Before Lav could even finish answering, Sadie’s dad leaned back in his chair and cut in, not unkindly but with unmistakable timing. “How long have you two been… acquainted?” All in the same breath Vanessa swat at David shoulder while Mike let out a short, awkward laugh from across the table, lifting his hands slightly. “Wow,” he said, forcing a grin. No one laughed with him.
Sadie’s mom shot him a look—not sharp, just tired—before turning her attention back to the couple, lips pressed together in a way that said, ‘this is not how I planned lunch.’
“Well,” she said, smoothing her napkin over her lap, trying again for warmth, “your father just means—we didn’t know Sadie was bringing someone…special.” Mike choked a little…
Then Mike shifted in his seat, eyes flicking to Sadie, then to Lav, then back to his plate. “Yeah,” he added lightly, though there was a tightness to it now. “Last I heard, she was bringing a friend.”
Sadie felt the moment freeze—the expectation, the curiosity, the unspoken tension pressing in from all sides. She kept her hand in Lav’s, steady, her smile polite but firm. All eyes turned to them. “So uh…”
@LunaticLeviTheSecond | Lav | Finally got it out 