The submarine rose into Vale’s hideout, the steady hum of its engines fading to silence.

We stepped off the ramp and onto the narrow wooden platform, the cool evening air wrapping around us. Misty followed a few paces behind me, her steps light and deliberate, while Rio walked on my other side, her arms crossed and her expression stormy.

“This is a bad idea,” Rio muttered, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

“What’s a bad idea?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

“Her staying with us,” Rio said, jerking her head toward Misty. “There’s not enough room.”

“She doesn’t have anywhere else to go,” I pointed out, keeping my tone calm.

Rio huffed, her steps growing heavier. “Vale has a million different hideouts. She could stay at one of those and Harris can babysit her or something. Anywhere but with us.”

“You really want to leave her with Harris?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rio didn’t respond, but her scowl deepened.

“She’s harmless, Rio,” I said, glancing at Misty, who was walking quietly beside us, her sharp gray eyes scanning the path ahead.

“That’s what you think,” Rio muttered.

I sighed, choosing not to argue further. We reached the path that led back to the village, the familiar sights of home coming into view as we approached. The small, cozy streets were just as I’d left them, the soft glow of lanterns casting warm light on the cobblestones.

As we neared my place, Piper was outside the bakery, her apron dusted with flour and her hands on her hips.

“Well, well,” she said, grinning as she saw us. “Look who decided to show up.”

“Hey, Piper,” I said, managing a tired smile.

Her gaze flicked to Misty, her grin widening. “And who’s this?”

“She’s—” I started, but Piper cut me off.

“Another cousin?” she asked, raising an eyebrow and pointing at Misty.

Rio let out a sharp laugh, her earlier tension momentarily forgotten. “Yeah, something like that,” she said, smirking.

Misty tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable, but she didn’t protest.

“Well, you’ve got quite the family, Ben,” Piper said, shaking her head. “Come on in. You look like you could use a good meal.”

She ushered us inside the bakery, the warm smell of fresh bread and spices wrapping around us like a blanket. The small dining area was quiet, the usual evening rush long gone.

Piper set a tray of sandwiches on the counter, gesturing for us to help ourselves. “Eat up,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. 

“Thanks, Piper,” I said, grabbing a sandwich and sitting at one of the small tables.

Rio plopped down across from me, grabbing a sandwich of her own, while Misty took the seat beside me. She hesitated for a moment before picking up a sandwich, her movements careful and deliberate.

We ate in silence. Piper bustled around the bakery, humming softly to herself as she tidied up for the night.

Misty glanced at me once, her gray eyes softer than usual, and I offered her a small smile.

After we finished our sandwiches, we headed upstairs to my place. By the time we reached my door, exhaustion had settled over me like a heavy blanket.

I opened the door, stepping inside and tossing my bag onto the floor. Misty entered next, her movements careful, while Rio lingered in the doorway, her gaze flicking between us.

“I’m going to sleep.” I said as I headed straight for the couch.

I kicked off my shoes, sank onto the cushions, and let out a long sigh. Within moments, sleep pulled me under.

And then, the sound of Rio’s voice jolted me awake.

“Get up!” she shouted, her tone sharp enough to cut through my grogginess.

I blinked, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. “Rio? What the hell?”

She didn’t answer, her voice rising in volume from the bedroom. “I said, get up!”

I stumbled to my feet, my brain still catching up to the situation as I made my way to the bedroom. Rio was standing in the middle of the room, her fiery hair practically glowing under the dim light. She was glaring at Misty, who was sprawled on the bed, her sharp gray eyes closed and her expression perfectly serene.

“She’s pretending to be asleep!” Rio snapped, pointing at Misty. “She took the bed!”

Misty didn’t move, her breathing slow and even, as if she were the picture of innocence.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Rio, it’s just a bed.”

“It’s my bed!” Rio shouted, turning to glare at me. “She can sleep on the floor!”

“Or you could,” I pointed out, regretting the words as soon as they left my mouth.

Rio’s glare intensified, and I raised my hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. Look, I’m too tired to deal with this right now. Either learn to share, or find somewhere else to sleep.”

“Share?” Rio repeated, her voice rising.

“Yep,” I said, already turning to head back to the couch. “Those are your options. Take it or leave it.”

Behind me, I heard her let out an exasperated growl, followed by the faint sound of something hitting the wall—probably a pillow.

I flopped back onto the couch, closing my eyes and willing myself to sink back into sleep

A few seconds later, I felt the couch shift slightly. My eyes snapped open, and I turned my head to see Rio sitting at the other end, her arms crossed and her expression stormy.

“Seriously?” I muttered, raising an eyebrow.

“She stole my bed,” Rio said flatly. “This is your fault.”

I groaned, closing my eyes again. “Fine.”

And with that, I finally managed to drift off to sleep.