𝓒𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒, 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄, ᶻᵃʸⁿ ᵐᵃˡⁱᵏ

𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈. 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩?

𝐳𝐚𝐲𝐧s pov

the house felt like a strange kind of quiet without isobella here. it wasn't empty, but there was this kind of softness hanging in the air, almost as if everything was paused. i could hear valentina playing quietly across the room, her little voice humming some tune to herself. it brought a slight smile to my face. maybe there was something about this whole thing—about having people around—that i didn't mind so much.

she must have noticed me looking because her head popped up, those big curious eyes of hers fixing on me. "what are you doing?" she asked, tilting her head, clearly wondering why i had a guitar on my lap but wasn't actually playing anything yet.

"just thinking about what to write," i said, patting the notebook next to me. "but i could use some inspiration. wanna help?"

she looked up, excited to be included. "what do i do?" she asked, climbing onto the couch next to me and crossing her legs.

i handed her the notebook, mostly for show. "you tell me if anything sounds good." i gave her a grin, half-joking but half-hoping her innocence might actually bring out something fresh.

she squinted at the page, pressing her lips together like she was trying to figure it out. "what's it about?" she asked after a second, looking up at me with that straightforward curiosity kids have.

i rubbed the back of my neck, laughing a little. "it's... about someone who makes things feel different." i paused, considering how much to say. "someone who makes everything feel brighter, i guess."

valentina nodded, clearly giving it a lot of thought. "like the sun?" she offered, a small smile on her face.

"yeah, kinda like that," i said, surprised at how well she'd nailed it. "sometimes, when you meet someone, they make everything feel lighter. like you're not carrying it all alone anymore."

she looked pleased with herself and settled in beside me, as if her job was done just by being there. her small presence, so simple and easy, actually did bring something out, loosening me up. without thinking too much, i started strumming a melody, the words beginning to flow.

" yeah, you could be my wifе for real."

valentina looked at me, a little wide-eyed, and i realized i was singing out loud. i chuckled, then shrugged. "sorry, got a bit carried away there."

"i liked it," she said simply, giving me a nod as if that sealed the matter.

i smiled. it felt... good, just to be here, creating, even if it was a bit messy. it was honest, and it was me. without overthinking, i let a few more words spill out.

" only takes a woman to show you what it means to lovе "

valentina giggled, pressing her face into her hands like she knew something i didn't. "you're singing about mummy aren't you?" she teased, her little voice full of knowing.

i couldn't help laughing, a little embarrassed at being called out by a four year old. "yeah, maybe i am."

"i knew it," she whispered, like she was in on a big secret. "you reeeaaalllyyy like her."

there was no way to deny it. "i really do baby ," i said quietly, glancing down at my guitar as i strummed. "your mummy's different, she's someone you don't want to lose."

valentina grinned, apparently satisfied with my answer, and went back to her blocks on the floor, humming. i felt this kind of warmth settle in my chest, this unexpected contentment. i started playing a new tune, focusing on a few more lines, trying to get them right.

" i'm missing you tonight, yeah. i'm wishin' you were right here. cause when love's around "

i glanced over at valentina to see if she was listening, but she seemed to be absorbed in her blocks, building a little castle on the rug. still, just knowing she was there made the space feel fuller, like this was somehow a moment that mattered.

"what do you think, val?" i asked, curious if she had any more insights.

"it sounds good," she said, nodding decisively. "you should write it down."

"yeah, maybe you're right." i scribbled the words in my notebook, wondering if isobella would like it if she ever heard it. there was this strange, almost electric pull with her—something that made me want to be better, to let my guard down. i wasn't used to that. but with her... i didn't mind.

valentina peeked over again, watching me, her little face serious. "do you get scared sometimes?" she asked out of the blue, her voice soft.

the question caught me off guard. i paused, not quite sure how to answer. "yeah. yeah, i do," i admitted finally, meeting her gaze. "but then i think maybe it's okay to be scared sometimes."

she nodded, looking down, fiddling with her blocks. "i get scared too, but i think you're not so scary."

i let out a laugh, a deep one, more real than any laugh i'd had in a while. "well, i'm glad i don't scare you, val."

she went back to her castle, content with my answer, and i turned back to my notebook, letting the words flow, finding inspiration in the quiet and in her company. there was a line i'd been working on, and somehow, it came together now, as natural as anything.

"you could see it in my aura," i murmured, my fingers moving across the guitar strings. "you've been giving it your all, and i'm falling for you. "

the words felt right, like they were what i'd been waiting for. maybe it was isobella, who had somehow pushed her way into my life and my thoughts. but for the first time, the song felt whole.

ava speaks!

i fucking hate fireworks, curse bonfire night.

also zayn and valentina bonding time