Page 111 of Lavender and Honey

"Well, well," he drawls, a grin spreading across his face as he takes in the scene before him. "Breakfast for two? How romantic."

I feel heat rise to my cheeks, but before I can stammer out a response, Elias throws a dish towel at Soren's head with surprising accuracy. Soren catches it deftly, his reflexes quick despite his relaxed posture.

"Behave," Elias admonishes, though there's no real heat in his tone. "We're just having some toast before heading out to the greenhouse."

Soren's grin softens slightly as his gaze shifts to me. Despite his teasing, there's genuine warmth in his eyes, a concern that matches what I've seen in Elias and the others. "How are you this morning, Lavender girl?" he asks, the nickname rolling off his tongue with casual affection.

I fiddle with my mug, still not entirely comfortable with direct questions about my emotional state, especially from the most unpredictable member of the pack. "Better," I say finally, deciding that honesty is the simplest approach. "Not great, but... better than yesterday."

Soren nods, seeming satisfied with this answer. "Good," he says, moving further into the kitchen with that barely-contained energy that seems to define him. "One day at a time, right?" He opens the refrigerator, peering inside with exaggerated interest. "So, greenhouse duty today? Finn will be jealous—that's his domain, you know."

"We're just doing some basic maintenance," Elias explains. "I thought it might be a good activity for Lydia. Hands-on but peaceful."

Soren emerges with a carton of orange juice, which he drinks directly from despite Elias's disapproving look. "Smart thinking," he says, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Plants are good listeners. Never interrupt, never give unsolicited advice." He winks at me over the carton. "Unlike some people I could mention."

Despite myself, I feel a small smile tugging at my lips. There's something about Soren's irreverent energy that cuts through tension like a knife through butter. "Are you including yourself in that category?" I ask, surprised by my own boldness.

Soren's eyes widen in mock offense before he breaks into a delighted laugh. "She's got bite this morning! I like it." He caps the juice carton and returns it to the fridge, ignoring Elias's exasperated head shake. "And for your information, I give excellent advice. It's not my fault if people are too stubborn to take it."

I shake my head, taking a sip of my tea, Soren was always so unpredictable but his company was always warm and comforting.

“So, you plan to monopolise Elias for the rest of the day?” Soren asked, a grin on his face as he knows he is going to get a rise out of the two of us with his teasing. Feeling confident I let myself play his game.

"I take full responsibility," I say, keeping my face as solemn as I can manage. "I've developed a diabolical plan to monopolize Elias's time through strategic gardening requests."

Elias chokes on his tea, clearly surprised by my willingness to play along with Soren's game. Soren's eyes widen briefly before his grin turns positively wolfish. "She admits it!" he crows, pushing away from the counter to circle the island like a prosecutor approaching a witness stand. "A confession! And what, pray tell, do we get in return for the loan of our precious Omega? Hmm? We run a very tight ship around here, you know. Resources must be allocated properly."

I feel my lips twitching despite my attempt to maintain a straight face. There's something infectious about Soren's energy, about the way he treats everything like it's both the most important and the most ridiculous thing in the world simultaneously.

"Soren," Elias says, his tone warning but his eyes amused. "Lydia doesn't need to 'trade' anything for my time."

"No?" Soren asks, raising an eyebrow. "Seems unfair. I have to bribe you constantly." He turns back to me, stage-whispering loudly enough for Elias to hear. "Last week I had to promise to clean the bathroom for a month just to get him to make that chocolate cake I like."

"That's because you're a menace," Elias says mildly, not looking up from the dishes he's rinsing. "Lydia, on the other hand, is a delight." I hide my smile behind my mug, observing the easy dynamic between them.

"A delight?" Soren repeats, his voice rising in mock outrage. "I see how it is. One bat of those pretty blue eyes and you're wrapped around her finger. I've been trying the same thing for years with no success." He flutters his eyelashes at Elias, the effect comical with his angular features and mischievous expression.

Elias turns from the sink, drying his hands on a dish towel, and gives Soren a look that's somewhere between exasperation and fondness. "That's because you're about as subtle as a brick through a window, Soren. Lydia understands being subtle."

"I understand subtlety," Soren protests, his lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout. "I'm extremely subtle. Just ask Finn. He says I'm the most subtle person he's ever met."

"He was being sarcastic," Elias says dryly. "You were covered in purple paint at the time, if I recall."

"It was an artistic statement!" Soren insists, throwing his hands up dramatically. "The purple represented the inherent dichotomy of—"

"Of you not watching where you were going and knocking over an entire bucket of paint?" Elias finishes, his eyes twinkling. "Very deep. Very philosophical."

I can't help it—a laugh escapes me at the mental image of Soren covered in purple paint, probably with the same expression of indignant innocence he's wearing now. Once I start, I can't seem to stop, the laughter bubbling up from some place inside me I thought had gone dormant. It feels rusty, unpracticed, but genuine. Both men turn to look at me, surprised by the sound.

"She laughs!" Soren exclaims, looking delighted. "And it's at you, not me. I consider this a personal victory."

Elias rolls his eyes, but he's smiling too, his expression soft as he watches me. "It's good to hear you laugh, Lydia," he says, the simple honesty in his voice catching me off guard. "Even if it's at my expense."

I manage to compose myself, though my cheeks hurt from smiling—an unfamiliar sensation after yesterday's tears. "Sorry," I say, not feeling sorry at all. "You two are just... entertaining."

"We try," Soren says with a theatrical bow. "Breakfast and a show, that's the motto around here. Speaking of which—" He turns to Elias with renewed interest. "What's for dinner tonight?"

Elias sighs, though there's no real annoyance in it. "I haven't decided yet. But since you're so curious, you can help with the meal planning later." He turns to me, his expression softening. "Ready for the greenhouse? We should head out while the morning light is still good."

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