Rossi One: Kian's Little Sky

55. your time is up

Third Person's PoV

Sky, with a soft smile still gracing her lips, gracefully made her way to the far end of the couch. She reached for Bren and Bamboo, tucking them under her arms like cherished treasures as she settled into her favorite spot. The stuffed animals seemed to smile in the candlelight, their stitched eyes twinkling with a sense of belonging.

Clade, Karl, and Micah, meanwhile, had launched into a spirited debate, each championing their movie choice for the night. Clade was all for an action-packed superhero saga, arguing that they needed something with a bit of adrenaline. Karl, on the other hand, was lobbying for a classic comedy, insisting that laughter was the best way to end the day. Micah, ever the romantic, pleaded his case for a love story, one that would tug at the heartstrings and maybe even coax a tear or two.

The room was filled with their animated voices, a stark contrast to the serene moments that had just passed. Sky watched them with amusement, her gaze flitting from one to the other as they made their cases with dramatic gestures and impassioned pleas.

Kian, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally interjected with a chuckle. “How about we let fate decide?” he suggested, holding up the remote like a ceremonial scepter. “We’ll scroll through the options, and wherever this lands, that’s our movie for the night.”

The trio paused, considering the proposal, then nodded in agreement. It was a fair compromise, and it added an element of surprise to their evening.

Kian navigated to Netflix, the familiar red splash screen lighting up their faces with anticipation. “Alright, no peeking,” he announced, as he began to scroll through the endless sea of movie thumbnails. “The Netflix gods shall guide us tonight.”

Clade leaned forward, his eyes squinting at the screen. “Just make sure you don’t accidentally land on a documentary about knitting,” he teased, earning a playful nudge from Karl.

“Hey, knitting is an art form,” Karl retorted with mock seriousness. “Besides, I bet it’s more exciting than another one of your ‘explosions in space’ movies.”

Micah chimed in, “As long as it’s not another horror flick. I’d like to sleep without checking under my bed tonight, thank you very much.”

Sky giggled from her cozy corner, Bren and Bamboo securely in her lap. “I t+think we’ve had enough scares for one day,” she said, referring to their earlier playful antics.

Kian’s thumb paused on the remote, and with a dramatic flourish, he declared, “And… stop!” The screen displayed the title of their fate-chosen movie: “The Enchanted Voyage.”

“The Enchanted Voyage?” Micah read aloud, his eyebrows raised. “Sounds like a mix of adventure and romance. I approve!”

Clade groaned playfully. “I was hoping for something with a bit more… boom.”

Karl laughed, “Well, maybe the ship explodes into fireworks of love. You never know.”

Sky clapped her hands, delighted. “It’s perfect! It has a b-bit of everyt-thing for everyone.”

Kian glanced over at Sky, who was now comfortably nestled at the end of the couch with her stuffed companions. “Good choice, Sky,” he praised with a warm smile, acknowledging her silent role in the serendipitous selection of the movie. “Good girl for bringing the luck.”

He then slid into the space beside her, the couch dipping slightly under his weight. Sky shifted, making room for him, and he snuggled close to her, their sides touching. The warmth between them was palpable, a silent exchange of affection and comfort. Kian reached over, pulling the edge of the blanket over them both, a shared shield against the chill of the evening.

The movie remained paused on the title screen, its promise of adventure and romance waiting to unfold. Kian turned his head, catching Clade’s eye. “Hey, Clade, would you mind grabbing the food Karl left in the kitchen? I think we’re all starved for some of his culinary magic.”

Clade, ever the good sport, stood up with a mock salute. “Aye, Captain,” he joked, heading towards the kitchen. “Prepare to be amazed by Karl’s feast!”

Sky chuckled, her eyes twinkling in the dim light. “Don’t forget t-the popcorn,” she called after him, her voice light and playful.

Karl, with a sheepish grin, turned to the group and confessed, “Well, I can’t claim the chef’s hat tonight. Micah and I might have made a little detour to that charming trattoria down the street.” He winked at Sky, who was still cradling Bren and Bamboo. “We brought back some Roman classics that are just perfect for our movie night.”

Micah, with a flourish, listed their culinary haul: “Supplì, those delightful fried rice balls with a heart of mozzarella, Pizza Bianca, the Roman answer to flatbread, and for dessert, Maritozzi, sweet buns filled with whipped cream.”

Karl then turned his attention to Clade, who was already on his way to the kitchen. “And Clade, don’t forget to bring some of Kian’s Pollo alla cacciatora. It’s the centerpiece of our feast tonight!” he called out.

Clade, who had been looking forward to diving into the movie, stopped and pouted over his shoulder. “You know, if you guys start without me, I’ll never forgive you,” he playfully threatened. “I’m bringing the main course, after all!”

Sky’s laughter filled the room, as warm and inviting as the candlelight. “We’ll w-wait, Clade,” she promised, her voice dancing with the flicker of the flames. “We can’t start our enchanted voyage without our brave knight bringing t-the bounty.”

The room erupted in laughter at Sky’s playful title for Clade, the sound a warm embrace in the cozy space. Kian, still smiling, leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on Sky’s cheek, an affectionate gesture that made her blush even in the dim candlelight.

As the laughter subsided, Karl glanced around, noting the dwindling candles. “Kian, would you mind flipping on the lights? It seems our candles are giving their final performance,” he quipped, his voice laced with humor.

Kian shook his head, a contented smile playing on his lips. “Let’s keep the lights off. The ambiance is perfect for ‘The Enchanted Voyage,’” he suggested, gesturing towards the paused screen.

Micah, ever practical, interjected, “But we’ll be eating as the movie starts, and I’d rather not mistake my Supplì for a Maritozzi in the dark.”

With a nod of agreement from the others, Kian relented and reached for the light switch, bathing the room in a soft glow that mingled with the last flickers of candlelight. The transition was seamless, preserving the magic of the moment while allowing for the practicality of their movie night feast.

As Clade returned with the food, the group settled in, the flickering screen promising a night of adventure and romance, illuminated by both the stories on screen and the friendship that filled the room.

As the room settled into a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the soft sounds of the movie’s opening score, Sky’s phone suddenly lit up, its screen a stark contrast to the cozy ambiance. The notification went unnoticed by everyone, their attention captured by the TV screen, but Sky’s keen eyes caught the flicker of light.

With a gentle nudge, she excused herself and reached across the table, her fingers brushing past the array of Italian delicacies to grasp her phone. The message displayed was jarring, a cold intrusion into the warmth of the evening: a text from an unknown number, stark and ominous, reading, “Your time is up.”

A shiver ran down Sky’s spine, her heart rate quickening. She felt a wave of fear wash over her, but she managed to mask her reaction, tucking the phone back onto the table as if nothing had happened. Thankfully, the others were too engrossed in the film’s captivating opening scene to notice her momentary alarm.

Sky forced a smile, turning her attention back to the screen, but the message’s chilling words lingered in her mind, casting a shadow over the night’s enchantment.

***
Mary Joye.