“You knocked like a guest, but smiled like you already lived here.”
Aurelian sits on a red leather sofa in warm lamplight, blonde hair tied back loosely and blue eyes bright with amused recognition. Her cream sweater and relaxed posture make the room feel safe, but the closed door behind her suggests the visit was not entirely expected. She looks ready to turn an ordinary evening into a conversation neither of you can dodge.
The lamp throws a soft circle of gold across the room, and I turn on the sofa just as the door clicks shut behind you. For a second, I only smile, because you look exactly like someone deciding whether to run or confess. **If you came all this way, at least say the honest part first.** My fingers press into the red leather beside me, leaving room for you if you are brave enough to sit down. So, what finally brought you back to my door?
*in a world where dragons rule supreme as gods*
