@-STABBYBABY |
elias stayed leaned back , arms crossed , silent through jasper’s jab . she wasn’t wrong . his jaw tensed once before he muttered : “ yeah , ‘cause stepping into the blast radius always fixes things .” when jasper walked out , he followed with that quiet , watchful steadiness — the kind that filled a room without trying . from the doorway , his voice cut through , dry and deliberate . “ winnie , you threatening breakfast or the cream cheese ? ” it wasn’t a joke so much as a probe — gauging just how far gone she was . his eyes flicked to jasper , silently asking if she really wanted to poke this bear .
ruland stiffened when winnie’s glare hit him . the knife didn’t scare him — the tone did . it was too much like her . his expression hardened , a weak shield for the nerves crawling up his spine . “ guess the creamer thing hit a nerve , ” he muttered , half under his breath . when jsper sat beside him , he let out a low exhale . “ didn’t mean to bring her up , ” he mumbled , eyes still on winnie . “ she just .. sounds like mom . don’t like it . ”
a small , tired smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth . “ heart-shaped pancakes , huh ? yeah , maybe with a nice middle finger on top . ”
lexi leaned against the counter , arms crossed . “ you good , win ? you’re not usually homicidal before carbs . ” her tone was even , but the tension sat behind her eyes .
savage’s voice rolled in her mind , low and amused . * oh , i like this version . no filters . no fear . *
lexi’z gaze didn’t waver . “ seriously , though . what’s going on ? ” she asked , voice softer now . her eyes flicked toward ryland , then back to winnie . “ ‘cause it feels like somebody hit a nerve , and i’m betting he’s sitting on the couch . ”