The sky darkened to a deep indigo as Fina made the final adjustments to the pillows and blankets on her bed. Her nerves hummed with excitement and a touch of anxiety. This was her first real sleepover, and she wanted everything to be perfect—not just for her friends, but for herself. It was her way of reclaiming a piece of her life.

The doorbell echoed through the house, and Fina bolted downstairs, her socked feet sliding slightly on the polished floor. Her heart leaped with a mix of joy and nerves as she reached the door. She opened it to find her three closest friends standing there, their arms laden with goodies.

"Fina!" Mia's voice rang out as she stepped forward, throwing her arms around Fina in a tight hug.

"I missed you so much," Fina murmured, hugging her back.

Mia pulled away, her bright eyes scanning Fina's face. "I'm so glad we're doing this. It's been way too long."

"Agreed," Ethan chimed in, stepping forward with his characteristic grin. "And we're all stocked up." He held up a bag filled with chips, candy, and soda.

Fina laughed. "You've outdone yourself."

"Of course I did," Ethan said with mock arrogance.

Aiden was the last to step forward, his hands carefully balancing a basket filled with blankets, fairy lights, and a plush stuffed animal on top. "I thought these might help," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers.

Fina's cheeks warmed. "Thanks, Aiden. This is... really sweet."

"It's nothing," he said, his voice low.

Mia cleared her throat dramatically, grinning. "Alright, let's get this party started! Where's the fort?"

Fina led them upstairs, her excitement growing with each step. The four of them tumbled into her room, where Mia and Ethan immediately dove into fort-building mode.

"This needs to be structurally sound," Ethan declared, examining the pile of blankets and chairs.

"It's a blanket fort, not a skyscraper," Mia shot back, rolling her eyes.

Ethan ignored her, draping a large blanket over two chairs and tying it to the bedpost. "This is engineering at its finest," he said proudly.

"It's lopsided," Mia said, pointing to the drooping corner.

"That's called charm," Ethan quipped.

While the two of them bickered, Aiden quietly worked on stringing the fairy lights around the fort, weaving them through the edges to create a soft, magical glow. Fina watched him, her chest tightening at how thoughtful he was.

"Hey," Aiden said, catching her gaze. "You okay?"

Fina nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah. This is... nice."

"You deserve nice," he said simply.

Her heart fluttered, but before she could respond, Mia called out, "Alright, what's the first movie?"

Fina snapped out of her thoughts and turned to the stack of DVDs. "How about something light? A comedy to start?"

"Perfect," Ethan said, grabbing the disc and popping it into the player.

The group piled into the fort, which was now glowing softly from the fairy lights. Fina sat cross-legged next to Mia, while Ethan sprawled out on his stomach, munching on chips. Aiden settled beside Fina, his shoulder brushing hers.

As the opening credits rolled, Mia dug into her bag and pulled out a container of popcorn. "Special delivery!" she said, passing it around.

"Famous Mia popcorn," Ethan said, taking a handful. "This is why we keep you around."

"Rude," Mia shot back, tossing a piece of popcorn at him.

Fina laughed, the sound bubbling up naturally. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this light.

As the movie played, the group's laughter filled the room. Mia and Ethan kept up a running commentary, adding their own jokes to the scenes, while Aiden occasionally leaned over to whisper something to Fina that made her smile.

By the time the first movie ended, the group was deep into the snacks. Ethan had made a game of tossing popcorn into Mia's mouth, much to her frustration.

"You're terrible at this," Ethan teased after another miss.

"Maybe you're just bad at aiming," Mia shot back, throwing a popcorn kernel at his head.

Fina giggled, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much.

"Alright, what's next?" Aiden asked, picking up the stack of DVDs.

Fina leaned over to look, her shoulder brushing his. "Maybe an action movie?"

"Good choice," Aiden said, slipping the disc into the player.

The glow of the fairy lights cast a soft halo around the room, painting everything in warm golds and shadows. Mia and Ethan were snoring lightly in the blanket fort, their limbs tangled in a chaotic pile of pillows and blankets. Fina couldn't help but smile as she glanced at them, her heart swelling with gratitude for the friends who had come to mean so much to her.

Beside her, Aiden sat cross-legged on her bed, his hands resting loosely in his lap. The warmth of his presence was steady and grounding, even as Fina's emotions swirled.

"You look like you're thinking about a million things," Aiden said softly, breaking the silence.

Fina sighed, tucking her legs beneath her. "I guess I am. It's just... I've never had something like this. Friends, a night like this, where everything feels normal."

Aiden tilted his head, his eyes soft with understanding. "You deserve normal, Fina. You deserve so much more than that."

She looked down at her hands, picking at a loose thread on her pajama pants. "I don't always feel like I do."

His hand covered hers, warm and steady. "But you do. You've been through so much, and you're still here. That counts for something."

Fina met his gaze, her breath catching at the intensity in his eyes. "I don't know how you always know what to say."

He gave a small shrug, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I just tell the truth."

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the faint hum of the fairy lights. Fina hesitated, then leaned her head against his shoulder, letting out a long breath.

"Thank you," she murmured. "For being here. For always being here."

Aiden's hand moved to her back, his touch light and comforting. "You don't have to thank me. I want to be here. For you."

They stayed like that for a while, the quiet wrapping around them like a cocoon. Fina felt her eyes grow heavy, the weight of the day settling in her bones. But at the same time, she didn't want to move.

"Aiden?" she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

She hesitated, her fingers gripping the fabric of her pajama top. "Do you ever think about... us? Like, what we are?"

Aiden's hand stilled against her back. He tilted his head slightly, looking down at her. "All the time," he admitted, his voice quiet but steady.

Fina's heart thudded in her chest, her cheeks warming. "And?"

He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "And I think I really like you, Fina. More than just as a friend."

Her breath hitched, her eyes locking with his. "You do?"

"I do," he said softly, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face. "But I didn't want to push. I wanted you to feel safe first."

Fina felt her heart swell, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. "I... I think I like you too."

Aiden's smile grew, soft and genuine. "You think?" he teased gently.

She laughed quietly, her nerves easing. "Okay, I know."

They sat there for a moment, the weight of their words hanging in the air. Slowly, hesitantly, Aiden leaned in, giving her every opportunity to pull away. But she didn't.

Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, the kind that spoke of unspoken promises and the beginning of something new. Fina's heart raced, but for once, it wasn't from fear.

When they pulled back, Aiden rested his forehead against hers, his voice a gentle whisper. "You're incredible, Fina. Don't ever forget that."

Fina smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest. "You're not so bad yourself."

They both chuckled softly, the moment lightening.

As the night stretched on, Aiden shifted so they were lying side by side on the bed. Fina curled into him, her head resting against his chest. His arm wrapped around her, holding her close.

"You comfortable?" he asked, his voice low.

"Yeah," she murmured, her eyes drifting closed.

Aiden's hand moved in slow, soothing circles on her back. "Good."

Before long, the soft rhythm of his breathing lulled her into a peaceful sleep.

The first rays of morning light crept into the room, casting a golden glow over the scene. The door creaked open, and Alessandro's head peeked in, followed closely by Isabella.

They froze at the sight of their daughter curled up against Aiden, her expression peaceful.

"Should we wake them?" Alessandro whispered, his brows furrowing.

Isabella smiled softly, shaking her head. "No. Let her rest."

Behind them, the sound of footsteps signaled the arrival of Fina's brothers. Dante, Enzo, Antonio, Matteo, and Luca crowded into the doorway, their expressions ranging from amused to protective.

"Is he holding her?" Enzo whispered, his tone a mix of disbelief and annoyance.

"He's holding her," Dante confirmed, crossing his arms.

Antonio smirked. "I like the kid, but I'm definitely giving him a hard time about this."

"Don't you dare," Isabella said firmly, shooting them a warning look.

The brothers exchanged glances, but ultimately, they stayed quiet. For now, they could let this moment be.

As the morning light stretched further into the room, the muffled snores from the blanket fort began to quiet. Ethan stirred first, groaning as he stretched his arms out and accidentally smacked Mia in the face.

"Ethan!" Mia hissed, swatting at him as she sat up, her hair a tangled mess.

"Sorry," Ethan mumbled, rubbing his eyes. He blinked groggily, his gaze sweeping the room. When his eyes landed on Fina's bed, his eyebrows shot up. "Whoa."

"What?" Mia asked, turning to follow his gaze. Her jaw dropped when she spotted Fina curled up against Aiden, her face tucked into his chest and his arm draped protectively over her.



"They're—" Ethan started, his voice full of surprise.

"Adorable," Mia finished, her tone soft and teasing. She nudged Ethan's side. "Don't ruin this."

"I wasn't gonna!" Ethan defended, though his grin betrayed his amusement.

Mia crawled out of the fort and tiptoed over to the bed. "Should we wake them?"

Ethan followed, standing behind her. "I mean, it's kind of our duty as their friends to embarrass them, right?"

Mia glared at him. "No. Leave them alone." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Look how peaceful Fina looks. She never sleeps like that at school."

Ethan paused, his grin fading as he took in the scene. "Yeah," he said softly. "You're right. She looks... happy."

Mia smiled, her expression warm. "Aiden's good for her."

"Still, I'm taking a picture," Ethan whispered, pulling his phone from his pocket.

"Ethan, no!" Mia hissed, swatting at his arm.

He dodged her, snapping a quick photo before stepping back with a triumphant grin. "Relax. It's just for the group chat."

"You're the worst," Mia muttered, rolling her eyes.

Their whispered exchange must have disturbed the pair on the bed, because Aiden stirred, his arm tightening around Fina briefly before his eyes fluttered open. He blinked at Ethan and Mia, his expression shifting from groggy confusion to realization.

"Oh," Aiden said, his voice low and raspy.

Fina shifted against him, her brows furrowing as she slowly woke up. "What's going on?" she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

"Your friends are spying on you," Aiden teased, his voice soft.

Fina blinked, her cheeks flushing as she noticed Mia and Ethan standing by the bed. "Mia! Ethan! What are you doing?"

Mia grinned. "Watching true love blossom."

Fina groaned, burying her face in Aiden's chest. "This is so embarrassing."

Aiden chuckled, his hand moving to rub her back comfortingly. "It's not that bad."

Ethan smirked. "It's a little bad."

"Ethan!" Mia snapped, giving him a look.

"What? I'm just saying," he said, shrugging.

Fina sat up, her cheeks still red. She glanced at Aiden, who gave her an encouraging smile, and then back at her friends. "Fine. Laugh it up. But remember, I know all your secrets."

Ethan paled slightly. "Okay, okay. Truce."

Mia laughed. "You're so easy, Ethan."

"Whatever," he muttered, retreating to the blanket fort.

Fina shook her head, still flustered but smiling. Aiden reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You okay?" he asked quietly.

She nodded, her smile softening. "Yeah. I'm okay."

Mia perched on the edge of the bed, her grin turning mischievous. "So... are we gonna talk about this?"

"Talk about what?" Fina asked, feigning innocence.

Mia gestured between her and Aiden. "This! You two cuddling like an old married couple."

Aiden smirked, leaning back against the headboard. "We were cold. It's not that deep."

Fina bit back a laugh, nudging his side. "You're not helping."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Sure. Well, whatever it is, I ship it."

Ethan poked his head out of the fort. "Me too. Just don't get all gross in front of us, okay?"

"Gross like what?" Fina asked, crossing her arms.

"Like kissing," Ethan said, making a face.

Aiden laughed, his hand finding Fina's again. "Noted. No PDA in front of Ethan."

"Thank you," Ethan said, retreating back into the fort.

Mia shook her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You two are ridiculous. But seriously, Fina, you seem... lighter. Happier."

Fina's smile faltered for a moment, but Aiden's thumb brushed against her hand, grounding her. "I think I am," she admitted.

Mia's grin softened. "Good. You deserve it."

Fina glanced at Aiden, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Yeah. I think I do."