(Apollo & Adelaide) The silence stretched. Not awkward, but weighted. Like the pause before a storm chooses whether to break or pass. Her brows drew together, not in disbelief, but in something closer to concern. “Apollo,” she said softly. “That isn’t funny.” “I am not laughing.” She swallowed. Her gaze dropped, just briefly, to the spot where his hand rested on her thigh, fingers curved possessively but not tightly. Then back to his face. “You don’t mean that,” she said, quieter now. “You can’t.” Apollo’s mouth curved. Not cruel. Not teasing. Something like weary honesty. “I do not speak carelessly,” he replied. Adelaide lifted herself, pulling up to sit on his thigh so she could see his face without craning. Her arm came over his shoulder, fingers sliding into the thick hair at the back of his neck. The sheer fabric pooled and parted, falling from her leg like red smoke against black stone. The movement brought her closer, changed her angle, her body waking in small,
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