Aurora Covenant's headquarters stood several blocks away from the KAMB complex. By the time they arrived, the afternoon sun had shifted lower across the city, spilling warm light across the glass doors of the building.
Lucien pushed the entrance open. The lobby lights flickered on automatically—a familiar space. Quiet. Home.
Mira stepped inside and immediately collapsed onto the couch. "I have decided something."
Garrick hung his jacket neatly on the rack beside the door. "That sentence usually means trouble."
Mira raised a finger dramatically. "Government meetings should be illegal."
Kaida walked past them toward the kitchen counter, still scrolling through notes on her tablet. "They're necessary."
"They're boring."
"Still necessary."
Seris filled the kettle at the counter. "I'll make tea."
Mira rolled onto her back across the couch. "You are the emotional backbone of this guild."
"That seems unlikely."
Orion had already disappeared upstairs without saying a word. No one questioned it. Kairos settled quietly in the armchair near the window, watching the street below.
Lucien stretched his arms over his head. "I'm starving."
Mira lifted her head slightly. "You're always starving."
"That's because I actually do things."
Kaida glanced up briefly. "You burn energy faster than normal."
Lucien pointed at her. "Archangel metabolism."
"That's not scientific."
"Sounds scientific."
Seris returned with a tray of tea. She placed a cup in front of Nox. "You didn't ask, but you look like you need this."
"...Thank you."
Garrick accepted one with a nod. "Appreciated."
Mira grabbed hers immediately. "You're saving lives."
Seris sat down calmly. "That was not the objective."
Lucien dropped onto the couch opposite Mira. The room settled into a comfortable quiet for a moment.
Then Mira spoke again. "So."
Lucien closed his eyes. "...No."
"I didn't say anything yet."
"You're about to."
Mira leaned forward. "You two walked side by side together."
Lucien pointed at her. "We walked home."
"That's suspicious."
"That's called normal."
Mira turned dramatically toward Nox. "Did he lure you with food?"
Lucien groaned. "Stop narrating."
Nox took a sip of tea. "He did mention food."
Mira gasped. "I knew it."
Lucien looked betrayed. "You're supposed to help me."
"I answered the question."
Seris rubbed her temple lightly. "Mira."
"What."
"You are interrogating them."
"I am observing."
Kaida didn't look up from her tablet. "You are creating unnecessary chaos."
Lucien stood up suddenly. "I'm getting actual food."
Mira pointed at him. "Bring snacks back."
"No."
"You're selfish."
"Yes."
Lucien grabbed his jacket from the chair, then he looked at Nox. "Come with me."
The room went quiet. Mira slowly turned her head. Seris closed her eyes. Kaida raised one eyebrow. Kairos looked mildly curious.
Nox looked up. "...Why."
Lucien shrugged. "Company."
"You have seven other people here."
"I like this one."
Mira slapped the couch. "Oh."
Lucien pointed at her immediately. "No."
"I didn't say anything."
"You're thinking it."
Seris sighed softly. "Mira."
But Mira was already grinning. "That sounded very specific."
"It was not."
Kaida calmly sipped her coffee. "It was statistically specific."
Lucien pointed at her. "You're banned from commentary too."
"Noted."
He looked back at Nox. "Well?"
Nox considered him for a moment, then stood. "...Alright."
Mira clapped loudly. "Progress."
Seris grabbed the back of Mira's shirt before she could stand. "Sit down."
"I'm supporting the moment."
"You're sabotaging it."
Lucien opened the front door. Nox followed him outside. Cool evening air greeted them, and streetlights flickered on along the road.
__
Behind them—the door to Aurora headquarters closed quietly.
From the second-floor window, Mira appeared instantly. Seris pulled her away by the collar. "Stop spying."
"I am invested."
Garrick sighed deeply from the couch. Kaida returned to reading. Kairos watched the street quietly.
And down the block, Lucien and Nox walked side by side toward the corner. Lucien glanced over. "You know Mira's going to interrogate us when we get back."
Nox nodded once. "That seems likely."
Lucien smiled faintly. "Still worth it."
Nox glanced at him. "...For food?"
Lucien looked ahead. "Sure."
And they continued down the street together.