--- The night after ---
Kori didn't knock.
Raizen was half asleep when the attic door opened without a sound. She slid inside the attic, window shining a strip of city light across her cheek.
Raizen blinked, and Kori was already leaning over his bed.
Close enough that the first thing he saw was her grin. The second was the cool of her breath.
"Rise and shine, darling" she murmured. "Midnight walk."
Raizen's eyes snapped open properly. She was so close he almost headbutted her.
Kori didn't lean back. Of course she didn't. She tilted closer by a fraction, almost amused.
"Careful" she whispered. "Forehead kisses cost extra."
Raizen's mouth opened, still trying to completely wake up and apologize at the same time.
Kori tapped his lips with one finger. Soft, rude but effective.
"Shh" she whispered. "We're sneaking past a very judgmental sleepy audience."
