Page 45 of Scattered Glitter

Sylus might seem like chaos in human form, but he’s a fucking genius, both with his head and his heart. He is emotionally astute in ways that can be unnerving like he’s cracked the code to understanding people before they even open their mouths.

There’s a flicker of something in his expression.Hope, maybe?Or simply patience, the kind that says he’ll wait as long as it takes for me to grab that line. Because that’s Sylus too. Beneath the jokes, the games, and the constant stream of nonsense, he’s steady in ways that make you want to trust him, even when trusting anyone feels impossible.

I clear my throat, trying to ignore the tightness in mychest. “Don’t get used to it,” I say, aiming for casual and landing somewhere closer to defensive.

He grins, sharp and crooked, like he knows I don’t mean it. “Oh, I never get used to anything. Life’s more fun that way.”

His words are light, but there’s a depth to his gaze that makes my stomach twist. It’s not pity but understanding—the kind that doesn’t need to be spoken out loud to hit like a punch to the gut.

Dammit, Sylus.

He always makes it harder to keep my walls up.

When Levi enters the kitchen next, his energy instantly fills the room. He’s humming softly to himself, that usual bounce in his step, his bleached blond hair perfectly styled into beach waves as he makes a beeline for me. Without hesitation, he leans down and kisses my cheek, leaving a sticky lip-gloss print.

I flinch, brushing him off. “Dove, we talked about this,” I grumble. “You can’t just kiss people randomly.”

“You say that every time, but you secretly love it.” Levi laughs brightly, then scrunches his nose. “Ugh, take a goddamn shower, will you?”

They understand my boundaries,for the most part.

I shoot him a look, but he doesn’t care. He never does. Across the table, Koen catches my eye, and there’s a look there—one that says,see? You belong here.

Do I?

I used to think so.

But without Oscar, the doubts are creeping back. I don’t deserve to be here. Losing her was proof of that. Oscar’s death? Just a second reminder of what happens when I get close to people.

Ezra steps in as quiet and composed as ever. He’s tall, but his presence never seems to take up too much space. Hisfeatures are sharp but refined. With wavy brown hair and eyes as dark as onyx, there’s a quiet intensity to him that always lingers beneath the surface.

When his eyes meet mine, something flickers there—something I can’t quite place—but it tugs at my chest all the same.

He’s not a fan of me.

Hell, I’m not either.

I turn away only to catch Levi staring at Ezra with a look of longing I’ve seen a hundred times before. It’s clear as day, but no one else ever seems to notice.

Ezra sits down next to Levi, glancing at him with an intensity in his eyes that turns to warmth.

“Eat while it’s hot,” Koen calls from the kitchen as small paws land on my thighs, claws digging in.

God, you’re only eight pounds. How the hell does that hurt so much?

Jinx’s purring rumbles through her small body as she curls up, making herself comfortable as if this was her rightful throne. She looks up at me with those green eyes, unbothered and very much at home.

Levi notices and calls me out immediately. “Hey, keep the damn cat away from the table. She’ll go after Pebble.”

“I will as soon as you keep yourdamn birdaway from the table,” I shoot back, feeling oddly protective of the cat in my lap that isn’t even mine.

Levi snorts. “The bird isn’t just a bird. Pebble’s the fucking star of the show.”

“Well, if only stars have the right to exist in this house…” I say a little too harshly but catch myself and let the words trail off as the implication settles.

“Of course not.” Levi’s grin falters for a moment, and his gaze softens, the amusement draining from his face. “Fine. You can keep your damn cat at the table, but if sheso much aslooksat Pebble for too long, I’m kicking her out.”

I glance down at Jinx, and her eyes barely glance at Pebble as if to say she’s too good to bother with a pigeon. I smile at that.

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