𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

under the stars 💫 a question of the future

The campfire popped, sending a little swirl of sparks into the sky. The group had settled into a quiet kind of peace, full from dinner, their laughter slowly softening with the rising moon. 

Bea leaned into Nico's side, her knees drawn to her chest beneath the shared blanket.

"Okay," Vicky said suddenly, her voice slicing through the silence with mischief. "Serious question. Bea. Nico. Hypothetically, how many kids are you two having?"

Bea blinked, caught mid-sip of her tea. Nico raised his eyebrows, already grinning.

Bea glanced at him and then smirked. "Hypothetically? One."

"One?" Nico feigned offense. "That's it? What if I want a whole soccer team?"

"You don't even play soccer," she deadpanned.

The others burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay," Bea said, giggling. "Maybe two. But they better inherit my sense of direction, not his."

"I heard that," Nico muttered, mock-wounded.

Nancy leaned over, whispering theatrically to Sonya, "Imagine a mini Bea with Nico's dimples. That'd be dangerous."

"Oh no," Luke said, shaking his head. "The world's not ready for that."

As the laughter faded, Bea turned to Nico. The glow from the fire made her amber eyes shimmer. Her voice softened. "I think... I'd like a little girl. Someday. Someone wild and bright. I'd name her after someone I loved."

Nico's teasing grin faded into something gentler. "She'd be lucky to have you."

Bea smiled, brushing her fingers against his. "She'd be lucky to have you."

He leaned in, pressing a quiet kiss to her temple. "Let's survive this first," he murmured. "Then we'll build whatever kind of future you want."

Bea closed her eyes for a moment, breathing him in, steady, warm, hers. "Deal."

Around them, the others had gone quiet, watching the exchange in respectful silence. The fire crackled again, steady and alive, as if echoing the silent vow between the two of them.

One day, they'd have that future. And they'd choose it together.