Victor and Damon kept talking.
Nothing about training.
Nothing about fights.
No mention of business, schedules, media, or anything tied to the world that usually surrounded them.
It was just a normal conversation.
They talked about the house. Some renovations Victor was considering. A small story about Macey's latest obsession with a cooking show. Even a few memories from early days at the gym, back when Damon first started showing real discipline.
It felt easy.
And for Damon, that was rare.
Eventually, the voices from the other room grew louder, footsteps, light laughter, until the women returned, sweeping back into the room like a small whirlwind.
Svetlana had a little glow to her, her smile soft, cheeks slightly flushed from all the attention.
Aoife, the traitor, acted like nothing had happened.
No greeting skipped. No hug dodged.
She went straight into talking to Damon like they'd already exchanged hellos.
Like she hadn't completely ignored him at the door.
