lonely heart - k.bishop

t w e l v e

The warmth of the LARPers' apartment hit Eden and Kate as soon as they stepped inside, a stark contrast to the biting chill of the evening outside. The space was alive with the comforting glow of Christmas lights, twinkling in rhythm with the holiday music playing softly in the background. The scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air, mingling with the unmistakable aroma of something delicious baking in the oven.

Kate instantly lit up, her eyes wide as she took in the festive scene. "This place is awesome," she breathed, her excitement contagious as she pulled Eden further into the apartment. Eden, ever the stoic, offered a small, appreciative smile, but she couldn't deny that the cozy, chaotic energy of the space was starting to warm even her cold, well-guarded heart.

Missy, one of the LARPers, was already in the living room, adjusting a piece of her costume when she looked up and saw them. "Hey!" she greeted, her voice bright with enthusiasm. "You're just in time!"

"For what?" Eden asked, though she already had a feeling she knew where this was going. She watched as Kate's eyes zeroed in on the racks of costumes spread out across the room.

"For some costume fun!" Missy replied with a grin, clearly delighted by Kate's interest. She gestured to the array of outfits, each more elaborate than the last. "We're getting ready for our next LARP session. Want to try some on?"

Kate didn't need to be asked twice. "Absolutely!" she exclaimed, already shrugging off her coat. Eden, meanwhile, hovered by the doorway, her hands shoved deep into her pockets as she watched Kate dive into the costumes with childlike glee.

Missy chuckled, handing Kate a Viking helmet with horns so large it looked like it could tip her over. "Here, try this one on first."

Kate placed the helmet on her head, the weight of it making her stumble a bit. She turned to Eden, striking a pose. "What do you think?"

Eden couldn't help but smile, a genuine one this time. "You look ridiculous," she teased, but there was a fondness in her tone that Kate didn't miss.

"That's the point!" Kate shot back, grinning as she adjusted the helmet. She spent the next half hour trying on various costumes, each one more outlandish than the last. There was a pirate outfit complete with an eye patch and a plastic sword, a medieval knight's armor that clinked with every movement, and even a full elf getup, complete with pointy ears and a fake bow.

Every time Kate emerged from behind the makeshift dressing screen, she struck a dramatic pose, and every time, Eden found herself smiling despite the low hum of anxiety that had been her constant companion these last few days.

The costumes were ridiculous, yes, but there was something about seeing Kate so happy, so carefree, that made it impossible for Eden to keep up her usual walls. She laughed more than she had in weeks, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she watched Kate twirl and dance around the room in each new outfit.

"You're really into this, huh?" Eden remarked as Kate showed off yet another costume, this one a Renaissance-style gown that looked like it had been pulled straight out of a Shakespearean play.

"I love it," Kate admitted, her smile softening as she met Eden's gaze. "It's just...fun, you know? It's like, for a little while, you get to be someone else. Someone brave, or strong, or just...different."

Eden nodded, understanding more than she let on. "Yeah," she said quietly. "I get that."

Missy, who had been watching their interaction with an amused smile, suddenly perked up. "Hey, Grills is about to make a batch of snickerdoodles," she said, glancing at Eden. "You wanna help him out?"