Innocently Stolen

Chapter 22

The food court opened up in front of the three women, brighter and slightly louder than the rest of the mall. The hum of conversation layered over the clatter of trays and the sharp hiss of something frying nearby. The scent of everything—sweet, salty, greasy—hung in the air all at once.

Elowyn slowed slightly.

Her fingers tightened just a little around Scarlett's sleeve as her eyes moved from one place to the next. Signs stacked on top of signs, glowing menus, people shifting in loose lines that didn't seem to follow a clear pattern.

Too many options.

Scarlett noticed the hesitation but didn't comment on it, letting her keep hold of her sleeve as they walked a little further in.

Nadia, however, was already watching her.

"What are you in the mood for?" she asked, her tone easy, like there was no pressure behind the question.

Elowyn looked up at the signs again.

"I don't know."

Her voice was quiet, not distressed—just stuck.

Her eyes moved again. Pizza. Chicken. Sandwiches. Pretzels again. Something with rice. Something with noodles.

Nadia followed her line of sight.

"Okay," she said gently, stepping just slightly closer. "Let's make it smaller."

Elowyn shifted her attention back to her.

"Do you want something hot or cold?"

"Hot."

"Soft or crunchy?"

Elowyn thought for a moment.

"Soft."

Nadia gave a small hum, scanning the options before nodding toward a place ahead.

"Pasta? Or something like rice?"

Elowyn's eyes landed on the pasta place, considering it for a long moment.

"...pasta."

"Alright," Nadia said. "We'll do that."

Scarlett glanced over. "That actually sounds good."

"It does," Nadia agreed.

Elowyn looked between them. "You're getting the same thing?"

"Yes," Scarlett said simply.

They moved toward the pasta place together, the line short enough that they didn't have to wait long. Once they reached the front, Nadia picked up a laminated menu and placed it directly into Elowyn's hands.

"Take your time," she said.

Elowyn held it steady, her eyes moving slower now, more focused without everything shifting around her.

Mac and cheese.

Her gaze stopped there.

Nadia watched her for a moment before asking gently, "What do you want?"

Elowyn lowered the menu slightly.

"Mac and cheese."

"Okay," Nadia said, just as calmly. "Do you want anything else with it?"

Elowyn hesitated for a second, then shook her head.

"Just the mac and cheese."

"Drink?"

"No, I have my water," Elowyn raised her hand showing the bottle.

"Okay."

Nadia stepped forward then, her attention shifting to the cashier.

As she ordered, Elowyn reached into her bag and pulled out a small crochet wallet, stitched in soft colors and decorated with tiny flowers. Her fingers went to the zipper as if she was already preparing to pay for her meal.

Nadia's hand came up gently, blocking the motion before Elowyn could get it open.

"I've got it," she said, quiet but certain.

Elowyn looked up at once. "I can pay."

"I know you can," Nadia replied as she paid. "I've got it."

Elowyn crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "You're just like Seraphina."

That made Nadia's mouth curve.

"Seraphina doesn't let you pay?"

"No, and it's dumb. Do you want to know why I think it's dumb?"

Nadia glanced down at her, amused already. Elowyn had her nose scrunched up like she was genuinely offended, though it only made her look more endearing rather than angry.

"Why's that?" Nadia asked.

"She took me for ice cream the other day, and she paid. I could understand that," Elowyn said, words coming faster now. "But when I asked her if I was the one who invited her, would she let me pay, and guess what she said?"

Nadia's mouth twitched. "What did she say?"

"No! She said no," Elowyn complained, hands moving as she talked. "Isn't that the dumbest thing you've ever heard? That's not how invitations work. If I invite someone, then I should get to pay. That's basic logic."

A laugh slipped out of Scarlett behind her, though Elowyn kept going like she hadn't noticed. "And she just acted like it was normal. Like I was the weird one for asking."

Nadia looked past Elowyn then, toward Scarlett standing just behind her.

Scarlett was watching with clear amusement, already laughing quietly to herself. The expression on her face said she found the whole thing much funnier than she was letting on.

Nadia looked back down at Elowyn and smiled again. "She sounds very committed to being unreasonable."

Elowyn nodded sharply, as if that was exactly the problem. "Yes. Exactly."

"I do have to apologize Elowyn, but if Seraphina didn't want you to pay when you were with her, what makes you think she would be fine with you paying now?"

"Are you scared of her?" Elowyn squinted up at the woman in accusation.

"No, I'm just respecting her wishes," Nadia laughed.

The cashier called their order number, and the sound pulled Elowyn's attention toward the counter.

She watched for a second as Nadia and Scarlett moved to pick up the tray and drinks, the annoyance softening into something more like resigned acceptance.

Her hands stayed near her bag, fingertips brushing the edge of the crochet wallet once more before she finally let her arms drop.

"Where do you want to sit, love?" Nadia asked.

Elowyn scanned the area again, slower this time. Her eyes moved past a few occupied tables, past the noise, settling toward the back where it was quieter.

She pointed lightly. "There."

Nadia followed her line of sight and gave a small nod, already adjusting her path.

As they got closer, Scarlett glanced at the high table, then over at Elowyn.

"Es muy alto para ella," she said under her breath to Nadia.

Elowyn spun around so quickly, it made both women flinch.

"It's not that high," she frowned, already climbing onto the chair with a small huff. She pulled herself up, adjusting her position with a stubborn sort of determination before settling.

"I apologize, Ellie. I assumed it would be too high for someone who is only four feet tall."

"I'm 5'1," Elowyn scowled. "And a half."

"I'm just a teasing doll," Scarlett shot her a wink as she took the seat across from her, setting the drinks down before easing the bags off her arm.

"We've only just met the girl, Scar. Cut it out," Nadia placed the tray in front of Elowyn, careful as she slid the bowl of mac and cheese toward her.

The heat curled faintly into the air.

Elowyn didn't respond right away. Her attention had already shifted, completely claimed by the bowl in front of her.

"You understand Spanish?" Nadia asked after a moment.

Elowyn gave a small shrug. "Well, yeah."

"How did you learn, if you don't mind me asking?" Scarlett chimed in.

Elowyn picked up her fork, eyes still on the food. "My grandparents didn't speak English very well when I was younger. So I learned from them, I guess."

Scarlett and Nadia exchanged a look before settling their eyes back on the girl across from them.

"Are you surprised?" Elowyn questioned.

"A little," Scarlett answered truthfully.

Elowyn tilted her head. "Is it because I look white?"

"What? No—"

Scarlett was cut off by the sound of the girl's infectious giggles.

"That was a joke," Elowyn pointed out, glancing up briefly. "Well... kind of."

Scarlett gave a helpless chuckle and leaned back in her chair. "I can see why Phina has taken a liking to you.

Elowyn poked at her mac and cheese. "Is that good?"

"It is," Nadia said, setting her drink down. "She doesn't accept new friends easily. You must be special."

Elowyn shrugged, not meeting their eyes, the smallest flicker of color rising in her cheeks.

"Does she make you nervous?" Scarlett asked, voice light, teasing.

Elowyn's fork stilled halfway to her mouth. "Sometimes," she said softly.

Nadia smiled in that knowing, kind way of hers and reached for a napkin. "She makes everyone a little nervous," she said, folding it once, precise and neat.

That made Elowyn let out a small sound of agreement.

"Understandable," Scarlett said. "She used to glare at the delivery guys like she was conducting a cross?examination."

"Now she just raises an eyebrow," Nadia added. "Growth."

Elowyn giggled at that, covering her mouth.

For a moment, the table felt easy—the noise of the food court dulling into the background.

Scarlett had moved on to fishing through one of the bags balanced on her chair, making a small disapproving sound at a slightly dented shoe box while Nadia quietly stole a sip from Scarlett's drink when she wasn't looking.

Elowyn watched the exchange, her eyes flicking between them, quietly entertained.

Scarlett caught her gaze and smiled. "We're not usually civilized company, I should warn you."

"I can tell. Especially with you," Elowyn mumbled, narrowing her eyes at Scarlett which earned her another laugh from both women.

Nadia said. "She's worse when she's bored."

"I'm delightful when I'm bored," Scarlett said, unbothered. "Just ask Phina."

At the mention of the name, Elowyn's head turned toward the walkway leading back into the mall.

Two familiar shapes were cutting through the flow of shoppers—a tall woman in dark colors moving with unhurried precision, and William, animated as ever, gesturing with a free hand as though trying to explain something for the fifth time.

"They're back," Scarlett murmured, and for just a second, amusement tugged at her mouth before she hid it behind her cup.

Seraphina reached them first, since William stopped to pick up a menu at a sandwich shop.

Her gaze flicked briefly toward Scarlett and Nadia, then landed on Elowyn. For half a heartbeat, her expression softened. "Is it good?" She asked quietly, watching as the girl rocked slightly while eating.

Elowyn nodded with a mouthful of the pasta.

"Im back," William announced once he approached the table.

"So, how was the initiation?" Elowyn asked, still believing that's what happened.

Nadia and Scarlett looked up at Seraphina with a knowing smirk, but said nothing.

"It was good, though I don't know why you had to be all intimidating in the beginning," William glared at Seraphina. "You poser."

He immediately regretted his choice of words the moment Seraphina cast him a look that promised murder.

"Just kidding," he chuckled nervously, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm going to order my food."

"You're not going to eat?" Elowyn looked to Seraphina who now sat beside her.

"No, I had lunch before this."

Elowyn let out a soft "oh", her attention returning to the food, leaving the table quiet for a moment.

"We're already in October," Nadia said, more to herself. "I keep forgetting how fast the months jump."

"Tell me about it," Scarlett said.

"Elowyn, Seraphina told us your birthday is coming up, you got any plans for that?" Nadia asked.

Elowyn tilted her head in thought. She didn't recall telling the woman when her birthday was.

"No. I usually just hang out with Will and my dad." She then turned to Seraphina, "how do you know my birthday?"

"I just know," Seraphina shrugged, stealing a sip of Elowyn's water.

"Well, that's not suspicious at all," Scarlett said sarcastically, wincing when she felt the woman kick her under the table.

When William returned, tray in hand and grin restored, conversation shifted easily to easier ground—shoes and fabrics, color and fit, the kind of casual talk that seemed to orbit around the three older women like gravity.

"She convinced me to buy another pair," Nadia said, gesturing at Scarlett with mock accusation.

"They were on sale," Scarlett said, unapologetic. "And they matched her skirt."

"It was a twenty?percent?off coupon," Nadia complained. "That's not a reason."

"It's the only reason," Scarlett countered.

William dropped into his chair, pointing his fork at her. "She's right. Leaving them would've been a hate crime."

They all laughed, the sound cutting softly through the food?court rumble.

Elowyn didn't add much, but she kept her gaze between them—Scarlett's sly smile, Nadia's half?disbelieving smirk, William's hand gestures that somehow fit every sentence he said.

When she did speak, it was to ask short questions that made them laugh again—quiet, curious things that carried her usual directness.

Scarlett had just finished describing a trial where she'd broken a heel mid?closing argument, earning gasps from both Elowyn and William.

"What happened?" Elowyn asked softly, watching her with wide eyes.

Scarlett grinned. "Won the case anyway," she said. "But I walked funny for the rest of the afternoon."

"You didn't trip?" Elowyn asked, incredulous.

"I have dignity," Scarlett quipped.

"Barely," Nadia mumbled, earning herself a light elbow to her side.

Scarlett glanced at her watch, then swiveled to William, eyes bright. "There's a store I didn't get to earlier," she said. "You're coming with me, but I'm not going to be responsible if you walk out with a shirt that costs more than your laptop."

William grinned. "That's basically my life right now."

"Are you okay here? Or do you want to go home?" He asked Elowyn.

"Actually, since you're already here, I need to take you somewhere," Seraphina cut in before Elowyn could answer. "That is, if you're staying."

"I can stay for a little bit. But not too long, I'm getting kind of tired."

"Perfect," Seraphina stood up, gathering her and Elowyn's bags.

"I'll go with Scarlett and Will," Nadia walked off.

Seraphina led the way, remembering to slow her pace so Elowyn wouldn't be scrambling to keep up with her.

As they walked, Elowyn's gaze drifted over the shops until it snagged on the bright screens and game cases in one of the windows. She slowed, curiosity flickering across her face.

Elowyn looked up at the sign as they walked past. "Do you play video games?" She smiled.

"No."

"I knew it," Elowyn grumbled. "You seem too fancy for video games."

"What?" Seraphina chuckled.

"Where are we going?" Elowyn asked, already moving onto the next topic.

"To a store."

"I know that," Elowyn giggled.

Seraphina stopped in front of a fancy looking store, signaling for Elowyn to step inside.

Elowyn let out a tired sigh. She was absolutely done walking around clothing stores. She'd been doing that with William long enough.

"This shouldn't take long, don't worry," Seraphina reassured, noticing the girl's tired look. "We just need to get you what you need, then we'll be done."

Elowyn paused mid-step, "Me? Are we going to just walk around, because I can't afford anything here."

"Who said you're paying?"

The girl rolled her eyes.

"I told you to stop doing that," Seraphina scolded.

"Or what?" Elowyn challenged, feeling a bit annoyed with the woman and her logic of paying.

Seraphina's eyes widened in brief shock before her jaw tightened. She had never expected the girl to be this defiant.

Interesting.

"Are you just going to stand there?" She called over her shoulder as she walked away.

Elowyn huffed, then followed the green eyed woman deeper into the shop.

"I don't want you spending your money on me," Elowyn muttered under her breath, echoing the woman's earlier words with a faint mimic of her tone.

"Elowyn," Seraphina's voice dropped in warning.

"Fine," Elowyn sighed.

"I came here to get you a new coat."

"I have one already," Elowyn pointed to the article of clothing on herself.

"Yes, one that constantly gets the zipper stuck and has a hole."

"I sewed the holes," Elowyn frowned, inspecting the pockets.

"You sewed the two near the pockets. You still have another one on the left sleeve, near the elbow," Seraphina pointed out.

"What!" Elowyn flushed, lifting the sleeve.

Sure enough, there was a hole there.

"I didn't know about this," she murmured.

Elowyn only looked up again when Seraphina held out the new one she planned on buying.

"This is the one I was going to purchase, but if you don't like it, we can look for something else."

Elowyn took the coat in both hands. It was cream colored, the outside smooth and soft to the touch, the inside even softer, lined with a plush fabric that brushed lightly against her fingers.

The golden buttons were small and neat, lined down the front in even spacing, glinting faintly under the store lights.

It looked warm, structured enough to hold its shape but neither stiff nor heavy, like it was meant to sit comfortably on her shoulders instead of pulling at them.

It was beautiful.

"Do you like it?" Seraphina asked softly.

"Yes, but..."

Elowyn's eyes traced over the jacket, then lifted to the spot where it had been hanging, searching for a price tag—but there was none to be found.

"I know what you're doing, Elowyn. Don't make your decision based on price."

"I— you know what? You're very annoying." The girl let out in frustration.

"Am I?" Seraphina smirked.

"Yes!" Elowyn huffed.

"I apologize princess, but I'm still getting it for you."

Seraphina took the coat gently from Elowyn's hands, holding it close for a moment before turning toward the sales associate. "I need this in a small, please."

The associate nodded and disappeared toward the back, returning with the correct size a short moment later. Seraphina tucked the jacket under her arm, glancing over her shoulder toward Elowyn, who had gone quiet, fingers curled into her sleeves.

Returning to her side, she froze. Elowyn's eyes were wet, her shoulders trembling just enough to catch Seraphina's attention. A soft sniff escaped her, barely audible over the faint store music.

"Elowyn?" Seraphina's voice was careful, low, closer than before. She crouched slightly, keeping her hands visible, empty, and non-threatening. "Hey… what's wrong?"

Elowyn blinked rapidly, trying to blink the tears away, but they kept coming. Her lips pressed together as she shook her head.

Seraphina's heart tightened. She hadn't expected this. All she had wanted was to help, to make it easier, and yet—somehow, in her single-minded focus on getting the coat right—she never stopped to think that she may be crossing a line.

Seraphina stayed crouched beside her, keeping her distance just enough so Elowyn didn't feel crowded. She let her voice stay soft and steady. "Elowyn?" She exhaled lightly, trying to steady herself, "I didn't mean to upset you."

Elowyn's hands fisted in her sleeves, shoulders still shaking. The girl's small frame made Seraphina's chest tighten further. She wanted to reach out, but she stopped herself. Instead, she mirrored her own calmness, speaking like a quiet anchor.

"I just wanted to help," she said. "But I see now I might've rushed you."

Elowyn shook her head quickly, the movement small but insistent. "I'm sorry," she whispered, voice barely audible.

"You're not the one who needs to apologize," Seraphina said gently, letting the words hang.

Averted, Elowyn's gaze stayed on the floor, tracing patterns in the tiles. "I… I'm not rushed. It's just…" Her fingers curled tighter into her sleeves. "…I don't understand why you're being nice to me."

The admission made Seraphina pause, her chest still tight, but for a completely different reason.

Has no one ever truly been kind to her outside the three men in her life?

Seraphina let the words linger, her gaze tracing the small, telling movements of Elowyn—how her shoulders huddled in on themselves, how her fingers pressed at the back of her hand, raw from scratching when she was nervous or overwhelmed.

She had noticed the habit long ago, the way Elowyn seemed unaware of the marks it left.

Slowly and cautiously, Seraphina raised her hands and let them hover near Elowyn's, giving the girl a moment to register her presence. When Elowyn didn't pull away, Seraphina's fingers closed lightly around hers, gently but firm enough to keep them from returning to the back of her hand.

"Let's not do that," Seraphina whispered, holding onto the small fingers in her hand. "You're hurting yourself."

"I'm being nice because I want to," Seraphina said after a moment.

Elowyn kept her head down and eyes fixed on the floor.

"And if that feels strange, that's okay. You don't have to understand it yet."

Seraphina's eyes drifted from what little she could see of the girls face down to their hands, smiling at the way Elowyn was now twisting the rings on her fingers.

"If you don't want the coat, we'll leave it. That's completely okay. If you do, we'll take it. Either way, nothing changes."

Elowyn said nothing. She just kept her head down, her focus fixated on playing with the woman's rings.

Seraphina watched that closely, then spoke again, just as quiet. "Look at me for a second."

Elowyn shook her head, too embarrassed to meet Seraphina's eyes.

"Elowyn…" Seraphina's hum floated softly, almost melodic. When the girl didn't acknowledge her, she rested her index and middle fingers beneath her chin, raising it slowly until their eyes met.

"There we go," Seraphina smiled as the hazel eyes she'd been waiting for lifted to meet hers.

"Let me be nice to you?" The woman playfully tilted her head, successfully drawing out Elowyn's precious giggles.

Elowyn's sight dropped, landing on the coat tucked in Seraphina's arm. Her fingers twitched slightly, unsure.

"Will you allow me to buy this for you?" Seraphina followed her line of vision.

Elowyn hesitated a moment, then nodded.

Seraphina motioned for Elowyn to turn, gently guiding her as she helped remove the old coat.

Her hands paused mid-motion as Elowyn's arms slipped free of her jacket. A pale, jagged scar traced the girl's upper arm, near the shoulder. She didn't say anything, didn't react outwardly, but a quiet knot of concern began forming.

She guided Elowyn gently into the new coat, careful not to rush, careful not to touch the girl or startle her. Her eyes flicked to the scar again, lingering just a moment, and then she forced her attention back to the jacket.

Elowyn shifted slightly, unaware, tugging at the sleeves to settle them properly. Seraphina kept her hands steady, keeping the moment calm even though the thought of that mark hovered silently in her mind.

"Does it feel okay?"

"Yeah," Elowyn smiled, looking down at the soft fabric on her body.

"Look up," Seraphina tilted Elowyn's head up once more so she could button everything properly.

"Very pretty," Seraphina hummed, stepping back.

"It is," Elowyn said, sliding her hands into the front pockets.

"The coat is nice too," Seraphina added, already moving toward the front of the store.

Elowyn followed, staying close, calmly watching as the cashier rang up the jacket.

Until her eyes caught the number that popped up on the small screen.

"I change my mind—"

Before she could say any more, Seraphina's hand came up, covering her eyes.

"Seraphina!" Elowyn exclaimed, moving the woman's hand away.

"Yes?"

"That's flipping crazy! Are you crazy!?"

"Slightly," Seraphina finished paying, nudging the girl to the exit.

"That— you could buy like a gazillion ice creams with that!"

"Is everything always about snacks with you?" Seraphina chuckled.

"Most of the time."

Seraphina shook her head fondly. "Come with me to the restroom."

Elowyn begrudgingly followed, since she needed to use it anyway.

They walked to the restroom in a quiet drift, the mall noise fading the moment the door swung shut behind them. It was empty, the tiled space bright and still, with only the low hum of the lights and the drip of the faucet when Seraphina turned it on.

Seraphina motioned lightly toward the sink. "Stand here for me."

Elowyn hesitated, confused, but stepped up to the counter anyway.

"I need to use the restroom," Elowyn frowned.

"You can use it after this," Seraphina moved closer, taking both of the girl's hands in her own.

Elowyn glanced up. "What are you doing?"

"Just let me help," Seraphina said softly.

She lowered Elowyn's hands under the running water and used her thumbs to gently clean away the irritated skin, slow and precise so it wouldn't sting more than it already did. Elowyn watched in silence, shoulders still a little tense, but she didn't pull away.

Once the skin was clean, Seraphina shut off the water and reached for a paper towel, patting Elowyn's hands dry with the same careful attention. Then she opened her purse and pulled out a small first aid kit.

Elowyn blinked at it. "You carry that around?"

"You never know when you might need it,"

Seraphina said, quiet and amused.

She opened the kit, took out a little tube of ointment, and smoothed a thin layer over the scratched skin. After that, she chose a bandaid and wrapped it over the worst spot, pressing it down gently to make sure it stayed.

"There," she murmured, giving Elowyn's hand one last soft squeeze before letting go. "Better."

Elowyn looked down at her hands, then back up at Seraphina, still clearly trying to understand how she'd gone from panicking over a coat to standing in a bathroom while Seraphina was playing doctor for no clear reason.

"Go use the restroom," Seraphina tilted her head toward a stall.

No movement was made. Elowyn stood there, looking at the stall, then back at Seraphina.

"Can you get out?" She said suddenly.

"I am out, Elowyn." Seraphina raised a brow.

"No. Like... out, out," Elowyn stressed. "Can you just wait outside?"

"Okay..." Seraphina furrowed her brows. "Is everything alright?"

"I just don't want you to hear me pee," Elowyn said truthfully.

Seraphina let out a breath of a laugh in disbelief, then turned to walk out.

Elowyn exhaled, adjusting the sleeves of the coat automatically, fingers brushing over the fabric again like she was reminding herself it was real. For a second, she just looked at it—at the clean lines, the way it fit her shoulders, the soft cream color against her skin.

Then she finally moved to a stall.

When she was done, she stepped out and went straight to the sink, turning on the tap and letting the cool water run over her hands. She rubbed lightly, careful around the bandaged spots, watching the way the water slid over her skin before disappearing down the drain.

Once her hands were clean, she reached for a paper towel, drying them slowly before tossing it into the bin. Her fingers lingered at the edge of the counter for a second, then dropped back to her sides.

She glanced once at her reflection, offering herself a small, shy smile—then turned and headed for the door.

Seraphina was waiting not even two steps away from the door, leaning lightly against the wall just outside the restroom, posture composed, attention drifting idly through the passing crowd.

The moment Elowyn stepped out, that attention shifted, landing on her without hesitation.

"There you are," she said, straightening.

Elowyn walked over, stopping just in front of her. "I'm done."

"I can see that," Seraphina smiled.

Elowyn looked at her for a second longer, then down at the floor, her hands slipping into the pockets of her new coat. "…thank you."

Seraphina didn't comment on it. She just reached out, brushing a barely-there touch over Elowyn's sleeve, smoothing it once before letting her hand fall away.

"Come on," she said. "Let's go find the others."

They didn't have to look far.

Scarlett's voice came first, sharp and animated, followed by William's dramatic protest and Nadia's quieter amusement layered between them.

They rounded the corner to find the three of them gathered just outside a storefront, shopping bags shifting between hands.

"Well look who it is," Scarlett said immediately, spotting them. Her eyes dropped to Elowyn, taking in the jacket with a quick, assessing glance. "Oh, that's nice."

"It is," Nadia agreed, her attention lingering just a second longer, something softer behind it before she looked back up. "Looks like you survived."

Elowyn gave a small shrug. "Barely."

William leaned over slightly, peering at the jacket like it was a pot of gold. "That looks expensive. How much did it cost?" He whispered to Seraphina.

Seraphina didn't even look at him. "None of your business."

"That means it's expensive," he muttered.

A quiet pause settled over them then, the kind that came naturally when a moment was winding down.

Nadia glanced between them. "We should probably head out," she said. "It's getting late."

"Yeah," William agreed, straightening. He looked over at Elowyn. "Ready?"

"Yeah."

Scarlett stepped forward first, reaching out and pulling Elowyn into a hug.

Elowyn froze, completely squished up against the woman.

"Scarlett!" Nadia spat, pulling the woman off Elowyn.

Scarlett blinked, caught off guard by Nadia's sharp tone. For a brief second, she just stood there, confused, before realization hit and her expression shifted.

"Oh—" she said quickly, stepping back. "Elowyn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

Elowyn glanced up at her, still a little stiff from the surprise, but she gave a small shake of her head. "It's okay." She hadn't been uncomfortable or mad, just startled by it.

Nadia's gaze moved over to Seraphina, whose eyes burned green, locking onto Scarlett with an expression that was less fury and more something else—something tight, almost petulant, like a child watching someone else get the last cookie.

"It was nice meeting you properly," Scarlett said at last.

"You too."

Nadia followed, gentler, resting a hand briefly on Elowyn's arm instead. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

"Okay."

"Alright, let's go before I spend more money I don't have," William clapped his hands together once.

"Goodbye, William," Nadia smiled as the man came to hug both her and Scarlett.

He turned toward Seraphina next, arms open and a sly smile playing on his lips, only to have her hand land firmly on his forehead, shoving him away.

"Not a hugger, I see," Will rubbed his forehead, hearing Nadia's and Scarlett's laughter behind him. "It's okay, I'll respect it," he held his hands up, backing away.

They began to split off then, the group naturally breaking into smaller directions.

Elowyn lingered for a second.

Her attention shifted back to Seraphina, like she wasn't entirely sure what to say.

"…bye," she said, quieter this time.

Seraphina held her gaze for a moment, something unreadable passing through her expression before it settled back into something composed.

"Goodbye, Elowyn."

"Thank you, again. For the coat," she smiled shyly, then turned, following William as they headed toward the exit.

The evening air hit differently when the doors slid open—cooler, quieter, the noise of the mall dropping away behind them. The parking lot stretched out in front of them, lights casting long reflections across the pavement.

William unlocked his car with a quick click. "Passenger princess," he gestured, opening the car door for Elowyn.

Elowyn rolled her eyes but got in anyway.

The drive was easy. For a while neither of them said much. Elowyn leaned her head back against the seat, fingers tucked into the sleeves of her coat, occasionally brushing the fabric like she still couldn't quite get used to it.

William glanced over once. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she said after a second. "…just tired."

"Fair."

"By the way, did you tell Seraphina my full name?" He asked.

"No. Why?"

"She knew it. The full government name."

"Oh." Elowyn paused.

"What's that look for?"

"She knows my birthday is coming up as well. I don't remember telling her that either." She admitted.

"Okay," he said slowly, "that's either impressive… or mildly terrifying."

He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, thinking it over for all of two seconds before his mouth curved.

"I'm gonna go with impressive, because I like being alive."

A small, tired laugh slipped out of Elowyn at that.

She sank a little further into the seat, head resting back as her grip loosened in the sleeves of her coat.

Her eyes drifted shut without much resistance, and within a minute, she dozed off.

?

Elowyn's name came back to her first, faint and distant, like it had to travel through something thick before it reached her.

"…El… hey—Ellie."

Something cooler brushed her cheek for a second before it was gone. Then again, a little firmer this time.

"Hey. Wake up."

Her lashes fluttered, the world slowly pulling back into place in pieces. The soft glow of the dashboard. The quiet of the car. The night pressing in through the open door.

William was standing there, one hand braced against the top of the door, the other hovering like he wasn't sure if he should try shaking her again.

"There you go," he said, easing back slightly when her eyes finally opened. "We're here."

Elowyn blinked up at him, still heavy with sleep, her thoughts slow to catch up. "…oh."

She pushed herself upright, the movement a little uncoordinated as she adjusted to being awake. Her hand instinctively went to grab her bags off the car floor, but she found nothing.

That's when she noticed it—William already standing there with all her belongings in hand.

"…you took my bags," she mumbled.

"Yeah," he shrugged, like it was obvious. "You looked dead. Figured I'd be a gentleman."

Elowyn gave a small, sleepy squint at that but didn't argue. Instead, she leaned over, stealing back her lego bag from the man before stepping out of the car.

The cold night air brushed softly against her face, drawing a small smile from her. Her hands stayed tucked in her pockets, fully shielded from the chill inside her new coat.

She adjusted her grip on the Lego bag handle that was shoved into her pocket while William moved ahead toward the door, already digging his keys out.

The lock clicked, the door swinging open as he pushed it wide with unnecessary flair.

"I'm back!" he announced loudly, stepping inside. "I know y'all missed me—"

He barely got the words out before his mother appeared, shoving him aside without a second thought.

"Move."

She went straight for Elowyn, pulling her into a tight hug.

"There's my girl," she said warmly, arms wrapped around her like it was second nature.

Elowyn sank into it easily, her grip loosening on her bags as she hugged her back, completely comfortable.

William, now off to the side, blinked at the scene, rubbing his shoulder. "Every time," he muttered.

"Have you been eating well?" Mrs. Bennett continued, not paying any mind to her son. "Are you hungry? I can make you some dinner right now if you'd like."

"I just ate, thank you," Elowyn smiled.

"Ellie? Is that you?" A deeper voice rang out from the kitchen. "How have you been?" Mr. Bennett asked, pulling her into a hug.

"I've been good."

Mr. Bennett's attention shifted mid-hug, his eyes landing on the coat properly for the first time. He gave a short, appreciative look, one hand still resting lightly on Elowyn's shoulder as he stepped back.

"Fancy," he said, tone warm.

Elowyn's face went a little pink almost immediately. She adjusted the sleeves like she needed something to do with her hands.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Mrs. Bennett looked between them, smiling as she finally took in the coat as well. "Oh, that suits you so well, sweetheart."

"It was… picked out for me," Elowyn added, still a little shy about it.

"Good taste, whoever did," Mr. Bennett said, turning back toward the kitchen.

"You sure you don't want anything to eat, Ellie?" He called over his shoulder.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Alrighty, there's some leftovers in the refrigerator if you change your mind. We also have some frozen pizza, the ones you like."

For a minute, the house slipped into easy motion again—familiar sounds from the kitchen, William dropping his keys into a bowl near the door, the soft shuffle of feet as everyone settled back into their spaces.

Mrs. Bennett lingered near Elowyn for a moment longer, hands gently adjusting the edge of the coat as if checking it was sitting right.

"You must be tired if you've been out all day," she said softly.

"Yeah," Elowyn admitted. Her shoulders dropped slightly with the honesty of it.

"That settles it then," Mrs. Bennett said, stepping back. "Go rest, sweetheart. We can catch up properly tomorrow."

Elowyn gave a small, grateful smile. "Okay."

William lingered by the stairs, glancing up like he was weighing whether to make a dramatic announcement or behave himself for once. He chose neither—just jerked his head upward instead.

"Come on, sleepy," he said, already turning.

William led her to his room like he has many times before, pushing the door open with his shoulder.

Inside, it looked exactly as it always did—messy in a way that somehow still had order to it, like everything had a place only he understood.

He crossed to his dresser and pulled out a folded stack of the girl's clothes from a drawer she claimed long ago.

"Here you go," he said.

Elowyn walked in, placing her bag down near the bed before picking up the clothes.

"Go shower," Will said, "you look like you're about to pass out any minute now."

"Okay," Elowyn said, already walking away.

William leaned against the doorframe for a second, watching her like he was making sure she was actually okay.

?

The bathroom light clicked off somewhere down the hall, and a moment later the bedroom door eased open.

Elowyn stepped inside slowly, still half wrapped in that post-shower fog.

Her hair had already been blow-dried, soft and slightly uneven in the way it always ended up when she did it herself—fluffy at the ends, a little too neat at the top, like she'd tried to rush the parts she couldn't see properly.

She paused just inside the doorway for a second, as if checking she was still upright enough to keep moving.

William was already in bed.

He had clearly showered downstairs at some point while she'd been gone.

Hair damp at the ends, shirt replaced with something loose, one arm tucked behind his head while the other rested across his stomach.

The room light was low, warm against the mess of his space, soft enough to make everything feel slower than it really was.

His eyes landed on her immediately.

"…you look like you're about to fall over," he said.

Elowyn made it two steps further into the room before stopping again. "I'm fine."

Her voice said otherwise. Small. Dragged out by exhaustion.

William shifted, sitting up a little more. His hand came out from under the blanket and tapped the empty space beside him on the mattress, a simple invitation without any pressure behind it.

"Come on, let's go to sleep."

Elowyn didn't walk to the bed; instead, she sleepily waddled toward Will's dresser, gently setting her new coat on top.

The bed dipped when she finally climbed up, her movements slow and slightly uncoordinated, almost as if she was drunk.

William silently laughed at his best friend, then adjusted the blanket, pulling it back just enough for her to slide under.

Elowyn settled onto her side, curling into a fetal position instinctively. Her eyes managed to stay open for all of three seconds before she reached for the blanket, dragging it up and over her head until she was fully covered.

William glanced over at her and without second thought, grabbed a spare blanket, draping it over her as well.

"You good?" he asked quietly.

A soft, barely-there sound came from her in response—something between agreement and surrender.

Her eyes closed fully this time. It didn't build slowly, it just… happened. Like someone had switched off a light without warning.

William watched for a moment, then exhaled through his nose, careful not to move too much as he settled back against his pillow.

"Yeah," he murmured to no one in particular. "That's about right."

The room fell into stillness again, broken only by the faint settling of fabric as Elowyn shifted once, then didn't move at all after that.

William stayed awake just long enough to make sure she was comfortable before sleep finally pulled him under too.

"Night, Ellie."