𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

let's talk, matt

No mission, no monster, no WCKD agent had ever prepared him for this.

The hallway outside Matt's room was quiet. Suspiciously quiet.

He'd just gotten back from drills with Luke and Hugo, tugging off his jacket, ready to faceplant into the bed. Instead, when he pushed open the door, someone was already sitting there.

Vivian.

In his chair.

Waiting.

Matt stopped cold. "Vivian. Uh... hi?"

"Close the door, Matthew."

Uh-oh. Full-name protocol.

He obeyed instinctively, like a soldier reporting to a General — which, ironically, was what she used to be. Except this time, the battlefield was... his bedroom.

Vivian crossed her legs, hands folded on her lap. Her eyes didn't narrow, but the weight of them was sharper than any blade. Still calm. Still terrifying.

"You and I need to talk."

Matt cleared his throat. "If this is about the pregnancy—"

"It is." Her voice was soft. Deadly soft. "My daughter told me. And I'm happy for her. Truly."

He dared a small smile.

"But just because I'm happy," she continued, "doesn't mean I won't kill you if you give me reason."

The smile vanished.

Vivian leaned forward, her voice dropping.

"Do you understand what Vicky means to me, Matt? I buried her once. I held onto her clothes like they could bring her back. I walked through fire thinking I'd lost my only child. And now... she's carrying a child of her own. A piece of her. A piece of you."

Matt's throat went dry. "I love her. More than anything."

"Then you protect her. Not just from bullets. From fear. From doubt. From the nights when she'll wake up crying and think she has to do this alone. From the world that tried to break us."

He nodded, every muscle taut. "I swear."

Vivian stood slowly. "She's already stronger than I ever was. But she's still my little girl. And now she's trusting you with the future of both our worlds."

Matt whispered, "I won't fail her."

Vivian smiled — not warm, but satisfied. She stepped closer, looked him over like she was taking measure of the man.

"Good. Because if you do..."

She patted his cheek.

"...I'll know."

Then she turned on her heel and exited, as silent as a shadow, the Queen of this apocalypse and every room she entered.

Matt collapsed onto his bed. "Jesus Christ," he muttered.

From the hallway, Hugo's voice echoed:

"Did she do the 'I'll know' thing?"

"Yup."

"Yeah, man. We've all been there."