The Supernova Effect

Chapter 12

Daisuke

I woke up to voices downstairs.

For a second I stayed still beneath the blankets, Nova curled halfway across my chest while sunlight slipped softly through the curtains.

Then I heard Sofia laugh downstairs.

Right.

I carefully slid out from under Nova's arm and headed downstairs still half asleep.

The kitchen smelled like coffee and pancakes by the time I walked in.

Sofia stood at the stove in one of my black hoodies with her red hair tied back loosely, flipping pancakes while music played quietly from her phone beside the sink.

She looked up immediately when she saw me.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"You were dead asleep so I figured I'd make breakfast before you two woke up."

I leaned against the counter watching her for a second.

"You know you didn't have to do that."

"I know."

She smiled slightly while setting a plate down.

"But I also know you forget to eat when you're stressed."

That made me pause briefly.

Then laugh quietly through my nose.

"Still bossy."

"Not nearly as much as our parents." She shrugs and I smiled half heartedly.

Sofia and I fit together naturally in ways that looked romantic from the outside.

But it wasn't romance.

It was familiarity.
Survival.
Years of understanding each other without needing explanations.

She sat across from me while I took a bite.

"This is good."

"See?" she smiled proudly. "I'm useful."

"You say that like I was gonna throw you out."

Her expression softened slightly after that.

"You'd be surprised."

Something heavy passed briefly across her face before she looked away.

And before I could respond—

I felt another presence enter the kitchen.

Nova stood near the doorway wearing one of my shirts again, curls messy from sleep and our night in the shower.

She blinked at us slowly. For half a second she just watched us.

Then her eyes flicked toward Sofia's hand resting near mine on the counter.

And I immediately recognized that look.

I stood and crossed the kitchen before she could spiral herself into silence again.

"Good morning, pretty girl."

She relaxed slightly when I kissed her forehead.

"Morning."

"Sofia made pancakes."

Nova gave me a look immediately.

"Remember what happened last time pancakes were involved?"

I groaned quietly.