Barefoot, she padded down the hall, following the warm, sweet scent drifting from the kitchen which caught up with her halfway. As she reached the doorway, she stopped, lingering for a moment.

Bette stood at the stove, her movements sure and knowing as she flipped pancakes, the golden morning light spilling through the windows and casting her in a soft glow. Her black curls were still unruly from sleep, tumbling over her bare shoulders. The tank top she wore clung to the lines of her back, and her toned legs, bronzed from the sun, flexed subtly as she shifted her weight.

Tina took a breath, something tightening in her chest. She had known this body in every way possible, traced every curve, held onto it in love, in frustration, in desperation. And yet, standing there watching, she felt a strange distance between them, a space she wasn’t sure how to cross.

Bette must have sensed her presence because she turned slightly, a small smile touching her lips. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Tina replied, her voice quieter than she intended. She stepped further into the kitchen, letting her eyes flick around. “Where’s Angelica?”

Bette nodded toward the direction of the sitting room. “Augustine has her. She’s already been fed.”

Tina absorbed that, the slight weight in Bette’s tone, like part of the morning had already passed without her. Like she was coming into something halfway through.

She exhaled slowly, leaning against the counter. “You’re making pancakes.”

Bette smirked as she flipped another one onto the growing stack. “Figured it’d be a nice start to the day.”

Tina hummed, watching her. She wasn’t sure yet how this morning was going to unfold. But she knew one thing, she had missed Bette. Even when she was right in front of her

Tina gestured toward the sitting room with a small smile. “I’m going to get my morning cuddle.”

Bette’s lips curved as she nodded, something softer flickering in her expression. “Go on,” she said, flipping the last pancake onto the stack.

Tina lingered for a second longer, as if reluctant to leave the quiet space between them. Then, with a small breath, she turned and walked toward the sitting room, already anticipating the warmth of Angelica in her arms.