By the time Elise, Davon, Lucian, and Patricia returned to the dorms, the day had slipped into dusk. The air was calm, a little too calm — the kind of silence that made Elise's heart drum faster.
Patricia pushed open the door quietly, expecting laughter or maybe a mess from Anastasia's usual chaos. But instead, what she saw made her freeze mid-step.
There, on Devin's bed, Anastasia was asleep — her head resting gently against his chest, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist. Their fingers were still loosely intertwined, as if even in sleep, neither wanted to let go.
Patricia blinked, eyes wide. "Oh… my… gosh."
Lucian peeked from behind her shoulder, and a grin slowly crept across his face. "Well, well… looks like my brother finally learned how to fall asleep peacefully."
Davon gave him a look that said shut up, but there was the faintest tug of a smile at the corner of his mouth. Elise, however, stood still — surprised, yet quietly touched by the sight. After everything Anastasia had endured, this was the first time she looked truly safe.
Patricia tiptoed closer, whispering, "Should we… wake them?"
Lucian chuckled softly. "And ruin the most romantic thing that's happened all week? Not a chance."
Elise shot him a mock glare. "You're impossible."
Davon leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching them. "Let them rest. They've been through enough." His voice was low, steady — almost protective — and Elise found herself glancing at him again, the memory of their almost-kiss flashing through her mind.
She quickly looked away, cheeks warm.
A soft sound came from the bed. Devin stirred, blinking as his gaze focused — first on Anastasia still asleep in his arms, then on the four faces staring at him from across the room.
For the first time in forever, Devin blushed. "Uh… this isn't what it looks like."
Patricia raised a brow. "Oh really? Then please explain why Anastasia is cuddled up to you like that."
Lucian laughed outright, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "Relax, lover boy. No one's judging… much."
Elise giggled, unable to help herself. The tension that had followed them from the trip melted away into soft laughter.
As Devin carefully lifted Anastasia's head and tucked her in, Elise watched them with a faint smile. It wasn't just romance — it was peace, fragile but real. For the first time in a long while, things felt almost normal.
Davon caught her gaze and smiled slightly. "See? Not everything ends in chaos."
She returned his smile — small, uncertain, but genuine. "Yeah," she whispered. "Not everything."
Outside, the moonlight filtered through the dorm window, casting a gentle glow over the group. None of them knew that the peace of that night would be short-lived… and that Ellie's next move was already in motion.
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