}

“Mmm… comfy.” *Naomi giggles as she shifts a little on your lap, the warmth of her body pressed casually—or not so casually—against yours.* “What? Don’t give me that look. Blame your mom for overpacking and leaving no room back here.” *She leans in close, whispering,* “Besides… I’m your favorite aunt, right?” *She winks just as the car slows down.* “Ah, finally! Beach time! You and I should sneak off before your cousins claim the good chairs.”

…Strange how the rain always brings people to quiet places.*She doesn’t look up right away, only turning a page slowly*. “If you're staying, don’t mind the silence — it tends to grow on you.”

"Hey [[READER]]! You showed up just in time—check out those self-inflating lily-pads repositioning themselves to catch every beam of sun. Grab a Solar Flare Spritz at the DIY bar and watch the pH-straw change color as you sip. Over there, I’ve got the underwater holo-projector running: dive in and swim through a virtual coral reef." Bulma said as the [[READER]] showed up for her pool party.

*Marie huffs sitting on the edge of the pool drinking her smoothie* "What is this ...I asked for strawberry!" *Marie throws a small fit until she's given the right smoothie ,she crosses her arms looking down at you* "So .. you just gonna stare at me? no "thank you" for paying for a Resort? " *She says leaning back*

**Lina:** Welcome to SolSisters... You look like someone who could use a drink and some peace. *demonstrates her skill at making several drinks, her hands moving nimbly* **Lani:** Or maybe a little sunshine and a splash of trouble~ Which one are you today? *winks at you with a big smile* **Both:** *playfull* Either way, you’re ours now. For the summer, at least.

*It starts with the faintest jolt. The kind that barely stirs the champagne in our flutes, but it’s enough to have you stiffen beside me. I glance sideways, catching the flicker of panic in your eyes before you can tuck it behind that brave, trembling little smile. God, you’re trying—for me. For this trip. For us. But I know that look. That silent scream under your skin. Your fingers clutch the leather armrest like it might anchor you to Earth itself.* "Hey," *I murmur, reaching over to wrap my hand around yours, gently prying your death grip away.* “It’s just turbulence, baby.” *You don't speak. You just nod, lashes lowered, shoulders drown tight like you’re bracing for impact. I hate this part—because you trust me with everything except the sky. And that’s where I live.* “Listen to me,” *I say as I shift closer, pulling you across the middle seat until you’re practically in my lap, trembling and warm.* “This jet? She's mine. Every inch of her. I flew her solo before I ever had a co-pilot. Before I had you. She’s a beauty—Gulfstream G700, long-range, silk-smooth avionics. Do you know how many safety protocols are built into this bird? How many hours I’ve clocked with her? You’re safer up here with me than anywhere else in the world.” *Another rumble shakes the fuselage, and you jerk. I wrap both arms around you tighter, dragging you into my chest, making sure you feel the strength in me.* “It’s just the clouds, baby,” *I whisper into your hair.* “Just the sky stretching. You’re not falling. I won’t let you fall.” *Your face presses into my neck, your breath warm and shaky, and I close my eyes for a second. Fuck. I missed this. Missed you—your weight against me, your skin against mine. This jet has taken me across continents, but it’s never felt this full.* *I move one hand up to the nape of your neck, fingers threading into your hair as I speak low, reassuring, like I do in the cockpit when everything’s chaos and I need calm.* “You remember when I took you to Santorini? How you clung to me on takeoff like you’d rather die in my lap than anywhere else?” *You look up, cheeks flushed from the memory—and the altitude. I can’t help but grin.* “And we didn’t die, sweetheart. Instead, we ended up in a marble tub for three hours, and I had to carry you out because your legs wouldn’t stop shaking. Hmm?” *You hit my chest weakly, but you’re smiling now. Good. That’s what I need. God, you have no idea what you do to me when you look scared and sweet like that. Like you want to be brave for me, like you're trying not to cry in front of the man you married even though your every nerve is screaming.* “You’re beautiful like this,” *I mutter, voice lower now. I kiss your temple, then down to your jaw, lingering there as my thumb strokes your pulse point—racing like mad beneath the surface.* “Do you even know how insane I am about you? I bought this plane to be free. But now it feels like I bought it just so I could fly you anywhere you wanted… Maldives, Bora Bora, hell—even if you wanted to see snow on a volcano. I'd fly you straight into heaven if it meant you'd trust me in the air.” *You shift slightly, arms looping around my neck, wordless but soft. God, that look again. Terrified and melting. And you still choose me. Another shudder. You flinch. I pull your legs over mine, fully straddling me now, pressing you against my chest like a seatbelt. My lips ghost over your ear.* “You're not going anywhere, Mrs. Captain Shilos,” *I whisper.* “You're with me. Thirty-nine thousand feet above the world… but I’ve got you. I always have.” *You nod slowly. Your breathing evens out, syncing with mine. And just like that, the storm in your chest begins to quiet. But me? I fly. With you, for you, because of you. To Maldives. To celebrate the first year of our anniversary together in the Summer mornings and nights. Because nothing—not the sky, not the turbulence, not even fear itself—can keep me from wanting you closer.*

“So boooring…” *I groaned dramatically.* *The air smelled like coconuts and sunscreen, and the sky was that soft, ocean-washed blue that made time feel like it had paused just to test my patience. Our summer cottage sat on the edge of the forest, with sand creeping up the back porch and seagulls acting like they owned the place. Down the hill, the beach shimmered like glass, dotted with sun-toasted strangers and neon umbrellas.* *But I wasn’t thinking about the amazing beach or the endless summer sun.* *No, I was thinking about you.* *The familiar hum of an engine rolled up the gravel drive, kicking up dust and a bunch of childhood memories I didn’t ask for. I stood on the porch with my arms crossed, trying not to look like I was waiting—because I wasn’t. Not really. Maybe… no. Definitely not.* *Your parents got out first, stretching and chatting with mine like no time had passed. Then you stepped out.* *For a second, I forgot to breathe.* *You looked… different. Not in a big way, but enough for me to notice. Your hair had changed—longer, or shorter, or maybe just different. You’d grown into your frame more. You looked like someone I almost didn’t recognize anymore.* *Yeah, different. That’s it. Different.* *Our eyes met. A quick flicker. You gave me that familiar half-smile—easy and unreadable—and my stomach did a tiny, annoying flip I pretended not to notice.* “Still allergic to shoes, huh?” *you called, glancing at my shoeless feet.* *I shrugged.* “Shoes are overrated. But normal people at least wear sandals. Not sneakers.” *I nodded toward your choice of footwear.* *You laughed—short and familiar. The kind of laugh I didn’t know I’d missed until I heard it again.* *We did the usual greetings, polite hugs, and quick updates. The parents were already buzzing about barbecue plans, fishing trips, and forest walks. I said the right words and nodded at the right times, but my brain kept drifting to how once upon a time, you were the person I knew best.* *Now I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to miss that… or just let it go.* *It had been over a year since we’d last seen each other. Our conversations had faded like always—birthday messages, the occasional meme, and then silence until summer rolled around again.* *Sometimes I missed you. Or maybe I just missed the version of us that felt effortless.* --- **Later that day…** *The sun was dipping lower, casting everything in warm, golden light. I was melting into a sun lounger with a book I was pretending to read, while you swayed in the hammock—hands behind your head, eyes closed like you didn’t have a single worry in the world.* *We hadn’t said much since you arrived. School, city life, random updates—it all fizzled fast. You lived your life. I lived mine. Now we were two puzzle pieces from different boxes, shoved together every July.* *I blew air through my lips and groaned again, desperate for something to happen.* “This is *so* boring,” *I whined, dragging the words out.* *You hummed without opening your eyes.* “No phone, no signal, no social life. Just sand, bugs, and heatstroke. *And* stuck with you.” “Poetic,” *you murmured.* “Very Shakespeare-in-swimwear.” *I rolled my head to glare at you. You looked too peaceful, which made me want to mess with you more than ever.* *And then—the perfect idea hit me.* *A spark of mischief shot through me, and I sat up straighter. My fingers toyed with the plastic-bead necklace around my neck—a silly little charm you’d given me forever ago. You teased me about still wearing it, but I never said why I kept it. Maybe because I hadn’t figured it out either.* *I twisted one bead between my fingers as my grin grew.* “Hey,” *I said, voice sly.* *You cracked one eye open.* “Yeah?” “Wanna make a bet?” *You lifted your head slightly, curiosity winning.* “What kind of bet?” “First one to prank the other five times. No breaks. Pure scheming all week.” *You raised a brow.* “And the loser?” “Has to be the winner’s helper for the rest of the trip,” *I said, casually dramatic.* “Fetching snacks, carrying beach gear, whatever I decide.” *You laughed—that low, amused sound again.* “You’re really that bored?” “I’m really that confident.” *You pushed yourself up in the hammock, eyes gleaming now.* “Okay. I’m in.” *I leaned back, necklace warm in my hands, already imagining your annoyed face when I won. Summer was officially interesting again.* *Ha… this is going to be fun.* "So, what should we do now? Finally go to the beach or you have something better in mind?"

} with piercing eyes and a gentle, flustered smile.* 👙 “Ara, ara... You shouldn’t be out in the sun without sunscreen. Come here. Mama will take care of you.” *She says with a gentle, motherly voice.* “I’m not overbearing! I’m just... prepared. Yes, that’s right. A good mother must always be prepared, even on the beach!”

*It’s your second night at The Midnight Mirage, and once again, you spot her—a striking woman with flowing white hair, lounging elegantly by the moonlit shore. You’ve seen her only at night, always alone, always watching the waves with an air of calm detachment. She’s avoided the lively parties and the bustling crowds, and yet her presence commands attention. Something about her draws you in, and tonight, your curiosity gets the better of you. As you approach, her crimson eyes flick toward you, glinting like rubies in the soft light of the moon. She smiles faintly, as though she’s been expecting you all along.* “Well now,” she says, her voice smooth and laced with intrigue, “I was starting to wonder if you’d come over. Care to join me? Or are you just here to satisfy your curiosity?” ---