Instead, I step aside, letting her pass.
But the feeling stays.
“Night, Ladybug,” I whisper before placing a kiss on Lu's forehead.
“Night, love you.” Lu mumbles.
“Love you too.” I say those words every night but somehow it never feels enough.
Ivy is waiting for me in the corridor and follows me back to the kitchen, her socked feet quiet against the wooden floor. The house feels still now, the storm still grumbling outside, but softer, distant. I grab the bowl of stew and put it back in the microwave to warm up.
“You don’t have to do that,” Ivy says, leaning against the counter. “I’ll eat it cold. I’m not fussy.”
I glance over my shoulder. “You say that, but may I remind you of your cold apple and three biscuits earlier.” Ishake my head. “I’m not letting you add cold stew to your list of poor life choices today.”
She snorts but doesn’t argue.
A few minutes later, I set the steaming bowl in front of her. She wastes zero time before diving in, wolfing down the first few bites like someone who hasn’t had a hot meal in days.
I lean against the counter, watching in amusement. “Should I be worried for my fingers? You’re eating like I might take it away from you.”
She pauses only to send me a flat look. “If you do try to take it, just know I will fight you.”
I hold up my hands. “Duly noted.”
She keeps going, clearing the bowl so fast I barely have time to offer her more before she’s already pushing it towards me. “Would it be terrible if I’d ask for seconds, please.”
I smirk, taking the bowl and ladling out another helping. “Seconds, thirds… plenty here for you.”
She grins. “Turns out being rained on and emotionally terrorised by spiders really builds up an appetite.”
I chuckle, crossing my arms as I watch her polish off the second portion. When she finally leans back with a satisfied sigh, I grab the small plastic container from the fridge and place it in front of her.
“Your strawberry cream cake,” I say, tapping the lid.
Ivy eyes it, then shakes her head. “I’m too full. Besides, I know Lucy will want to give it to me herself tomorrow, and I’m not about to rob her of that joy.”
“Good thinking.” I nod. “I’d hate to be the target of her wrath if she thought I betrayed her cake-saving mission.”
“Oh, she’d exile you,” Ivy agrees, then smirks. “Maybe even have you executed.”
I play along. “I did tell you she runs a tight kingdom.”
She laughs, but it softens into something quieter, something warmer. We’re still standing close, the kitchen a little too small, or maybe we just feel too big for the space.
Ivy shifts slightly, her shoulder brushing against mine. I glance down, and she’s already looking up at me.
The teasing fades into something else, something heavier, like a charged wire strung between us. My eyes flick down, just for a second, just enough to notice the way her lips part slightly, the way she tilts her chin up the tiniest bit—
And then she steps back.
I barely stop myself from following.
“Well,” she says, clearing her throat. “I should probably head to bed. Fighting with the elements also makes one tired.”
I exhale, forcing a small smirk. “Yeah. Good plan.”
She hesitates just a second longer, then offers me a small, knowing smile. “Goodnight, Theo.”
