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The Harrington's Cottage
Village of Ottery St Catchpole
- Devon, England
( July, 1995. )

                             𝑻he warm glow of the Harrington living room flickered as green flames burst to life in the fireplace. Lucille Harrington stepped out gracefully, dusting off her coat and setting down her bag with a satisfied sigh.

On the couch, Olympia practically launched herself upright, quickly putting some distance between her and George. Her cheeks flushed, but she attempted to look casual. George glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, smirking slightly but wisely staying quiet.

Lucille smiled as she took in the scene. "Oh, you're all still here! How lovely." Her sharp eyes scanned Fred and George before they could even open their mouths. "You're welcome to stay, of course."

Fred and George straightened up in surprise, speaking in perfect unison. "Really?"

"Yes, of course!" Lucille said warmly, gesturing toward the landline on the wall. "Just make sure you ring your mum and let her know, alright?"

Fred stood, already making his way to the phone with the air of someone completely accustomed to the routine. "No problem, Mrs. Harrington. George, want to take this one?"

George waved him off. "You're better at sweet-talking her. Go on."

Fred picked up the receiver, dialing the Burrow's number as Cassie flopped into a chair beside him. "Mum? Hi! Yeah, it's me," Fred began, grinning as he leaned against the wall. "No, everything's fine. George and I are staying at the Harringtons' tonight. Yep, she said it was fine. Oh, you already figured that? Brilliant."

Cassie nudged him playfully, and Fred shooed her off as he added, "Promise we'll be on our best behavior. Love you too, Mum. Bye!" He hung up, grinning at the group. "All sorted."

Just as the group settled back into their spots in the living room, the fireplace flared to life again, another burst of green flames illuminating the room. Edward Harrington stepped out, brushing off his coat and loosening his tie with practiced ease. His sharp blue eyes scanned the room, and a warm smile spread across his face when he saw the boys.

"Good evening, boys," he said, his voice deep and pleasant. "Are you staying?"

Fred grinned. "Looks like we are, sir. Your wife was kind enough to let us stay the night."

Cassie perked up from her chair, tilting her head toward her father. "Is that okay, Dad?"

Edward shrugged as he draped his coat over the back of a chair. "Of course. The more, the merrier." He glanced between Fred and George, his smile widening. "Though I'm guessing it won't be a quiet night with you two around."

Fred feigned innocence, placing a hand over his chest. "Us? Trouble? Never."

George leaned back with a smirk. "We're model guests, Mr. Harrington."

Edward chuckled, shaking his head. "Right. Well, just remember your definition of 'quiet' might not match mine." He turned to Olympia and Cassie, his brow lifting. "And you two—make sure these boys don't set anything on fire."

Olympia rolled her eyes with a smile. "Don't worry, Dad. We've got it covered."

"Good," Edward said, already heading toward the stairs. "I'm going to grab a cup of tea and head to bed. Don't keep your mother awake."

As he disappeared up the stairs, Cassie turned to Fred with a grin. "See? Even our Dad thinks you're trouble."

Fred gave a mock bow. "It's part of our charm."

Olympia rolled her eyes but smirked as she stood up. "You two want to get cleaned up? You can use the hall bathroom, and Atlas and Achilles have plenty of pajamas if you need them."

Fred stretched dramatically. "A shower does sound nice. I've been carrying the weight of my brilliance all day—it's exhausting."

George snorted. "Yeah, brilliance smells a lot like sweat, mate."

"Funny," Fred said, nudging him as they headed toward the bathroom.

As they approached the door, George picked up the pace, breaking into a light jog. Fred quickly realized what was happening and bolted after him.

"Oh no, you don't!" Fred yelled, reaching for the doorknob at the same time as George.

The two jostled against each other, arms flailing as they tried to squeeze through the narrow doorway simultaneously. "Move it!" Fred grunted.

George pushed back harder, smirking triumphantly as he wedged himself through the door.

"Hey I was born first! I'm in charge here bucko." Fred argued earning a snort of laughter from George.

"Yeah really holding onto those seven minutes huh bud, now bugger off." George grinned, pulling the door shut in Fred's face.

Fred stood outside, glaring at the closed door. "Fine, but you kinda forgot to grab clothes, genius."

There was a moment of silence, followed by a muffled curse from George. "Shit."

Fred crossed his arms, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Better ask nicely if you want me to grab you something."

"Fred, come on," George called from the other side of the door. "Just grab me a shirt and some pajamas from upstairs."

Fred tapped his chin dramatically. "Mhm... nah."

"You can't just leave me in here without clothes!" George argued, his voice echoing slightly through the door.

Fred laughed, leaning against the wall. "Oh, I absolutely can. Think of it as character-building."

"Fred, I swear—"

"Enjoy your shower!" Fred called, walking away with a grin as George groaned loudly from behind the door.

Olympia headed upstairs with Cassie, the two sisters grabbing towels and clean clothes from their rooms.

"I'm going first," Olympia announced as she stepped into the upstairs bathroom, leaving no room for debate.

"Fine," Cassie said with an exaggerated sigh, plopping onto the edge of her bed to wait. "But don't take forever!"

A while later, Olympia stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around herself as she grabbed her clothes. Cassie appeared at the door, already holding her things. "My turn!" she declared, slipping past Olympia into the bathroom.

"Yeah, yeah," Olympia muttered as she stayed behind in the bathroom to get ready. She changed into her pajamas—a lace tank top and a pair of shorts. They were comfortable, cute, and a bit breezier than her usual choice, but as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she hesitated.

Cassie's voice broke through the sound of the shower. "Olympia," she called teasingly, "are you putting on makeup?"

Olympia froze for a second before fumbling with the small blush compact she'd picked up. "Uh... maybe," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Cassie laughed, her voice ringing out from the shower. "Oh my gosh, you're so smitten for him!"

Olympia's cheeks turned a shade of pink that rivaled the blush she'd been applying. "Shut up!" she snapped, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her embarrassment.

"Can't even deny it!" Cassie teased, still laughing. "Are you planning to seduce him with your perfectly winged eyeliner?"

"I said shut up!" Olympia threw back, though a grin tugged at her lips. "And I don't even wear eyeliner!"

The two sisters bantered back and forth for a few more minutes until Cassie finally finished her shower.

Cassie stepped out, towel-drying her hair as her eyes landed on Olympia's outfit. She froze for a second, then raised her eyebrows. "Mum would kill you if she saw you wearing a tank top and shorts like that around the boys!"

Olympia smirked, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "Mum's asleep."

Cassie crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. A smirk spread across her face. "Who are you, and what have you done with the rule-abiding Olympia Harrington?"

Olympia rolled her eyes but couldn't hold back a small laugh. "I'm just comfortable, alright? Don't make a big deal out of it."

Cassie leaned against the counter, her smirk deepening. "Mm-hmm. Sure, it's all about comfort."

Olympia shot her a glare. "Go get dressed, Cass. Before I tell Mum you've been stealing her fancy shampoo again."

Cassie's eyes widened playfully. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me," Olympia said, smirking as she gathered her things and headed out of the bathroom, leaving Cassie shaking her head and laughing behind her.

Olympia had just finished braiding her hair, her fingers deftly weaving the strands into a neat, loose plait. She stepped out of her bedroom, intending to head downstairs, when she froze mid-step.

There, in the dim hallway, was George Weasley, sneaking toward Atlas's room. He was clad in nothing but a towel slung low around his waist that he held with one hand, his damp hair curling slightly from the shower. His eyes widened slightly when he noticed her standing there, and for a moment, the two just stared at each other in silence.

"I forgot clothes," George blurted out quickly, his voice a mix of embarrassment and defensive humor.

Olympia blinked, struggling to keep her composure as her gaze flicked from his face to anywhere but his bare chest. "Uh... right," she said, her cheeks burning. "Atlas's room is just—well, you know where it is."

George scratched the back of his neck, his signature smirk tugging at the corner of his lips despite the situation. "I do, thanks. Don't mind me. Just a bloke trying to survive poor planning."

Olympia folded her arms, biting back a smile. "You could've asked Fred to help, you know."

"Fred?" George scoffed, rolling his eyes. "The same Fred who left me stranded in the bathroom? Yeah, I'll pass on that. I'm lucky I got a towel at all."

She couldn't help it—she laughed, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable."

George took a step toward her, his smirk softening into something warmer. "Is that a compliment?"

"Not even remotely," she replied, though her grin betrayed her.

"Well, I'll take it anyway," he said with a wink, then gestured toward Atlas's room. "I should probably get dressed before your mum catches me like this. Unless you think she'll find it charming."

Olympia rolled her eyes but stepped aside, gesturing for him to go. "Hurry up before anyone else sees you."

"Yes, ma'am," George said cheekily, striding past her and heading toward Atlas's room.

As he disappeared into the room, Olympia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Shaking her head at herself, she muttered under her breath, "Get a grip."

But the faint smile lingering on her lips said otherwise.

Olympia retreated into her bedroom, her heart pounding a little harder than she cared to admit. She sat on the edge of her bed, pretending to busy herself with smoothing out her braid, though her mind was elsewhere—waiting for the sound of George coming back down the stairs.

A knock on her open door startled her, and Cassie's head popped in, her hair still damp and her expression curious. "You coming?"

Olympia looked up, trying to appear nonchalant. "In a minute," she said, her tone casual.

Cassie's eyes narrowed slightly, but she just smirked knowingly. "Okie dokie," she sang, disappearing back down the hallway and heading downstairs.

The quiet returned, and Olympia stood, pacing slightly. She heard the faint creak of a door opening, followed by footsteps on the stairs. She took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway just as George reached the bottom of the flight.

He glanced up, startled to see her suddenly emerge from her room. "Oh, hey—" he started, but his words were cut off as Olympia closed the distance between them in an instant, standing on her tiptoes and pulling him into a kiss.

For a moment, George froze in surprise, his eyes widening as her lips met his. But the hesitation lasted only a second before he responded, his arms wrapping around her waist as he deepened the kiss, a mix of surprise and delight in the way he pulled her closer.

When they finally broke apart, George blinked down at her, a crooked grin spreading across his face. "Well," he said, his voice slightly breathless, "I wasn't expecting that."

Olympia flushed but didn't back away, her voice steadier than she felt. "I figured I'd catch you off guard for once."

He chuckled, his thumb brushing lightly against her arm. "Mission accomplished. You've got my full attention."

She smiled, biting her lip slightly. "Good. Because I don't do this sort of thing often, you know."

George smirked, leaning down slightly so their faces were closer. "I'm not complaining."

From downstairs, Fred's voice echoed up the staircase. "Oi! George! Quit slacking and get down here. We've got plans to make!"

Olympia laughed softly, stepping back and giving George a teasing look. "Better not keep him waiting."

George groaned dramatically but kept his gaze on her, his grin unshaken. "I suppose I have to go before he starts shouting."

As he turned to head downstairs, he glanced back at her, his eyes sparkling. "By the way, you're full of surprises tonight."

Olympia and George descended the stairs together, her hand brushing his briefly before she pulled it back, a small smile tugging at her lips. George caught the movement and smirked to himself, enjoying her flustered energy as they stepped into the living room.

Cassie and Fred were already sprawled on the couch, a bowl of snacks balanced precariously on Fred's lap. Cassie was tucked under his arm, her legs stretched across the cushions as they munched on crisps and laughed about something.

"We have a grand idea!" Fred announced dramatically, sitting up straighter and nearly upsetting the bowl.

George raised an eyebrow, smirking as he crossed his arms. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

Cassie grinned, practically bouncing in her seat. "A blanket fort!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in excitement.

Olympia tilted her head, an amused smile forming. "A blanket fort?"

Fred nodded enthusiastically. "But not just any blanket fort—a masterpiece. The kind of fort that could be passed down for generations."

George chuckled, shaking his head as he plopped into the armchair. "You two really thought this through, huh?"

"Of course we did," Cassie said, grabbing a handful of crisps. "It's the perfect way to unwind. Fun, cozy, and it doesn't involve setting anything on fire, so Mum and Dad can't complain."

Olympia leaned against the arm of the couch, her arms crossed as she smiled down at her sister.

Fred grinned, gesturing around the room. "We've already scoped out the layout. Plenty of chairs for structure, a surplus of blankets upstairs, and enough snacks to sustain us for hours."

George leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Alright, I'm in. But if this fort isn't as impressive as you're hyping it up to be, I'm blaming you, Fred."

Fred clutched his chest, feigning offense. "You doubt my engineering skills? I'm hurt, truly."

Olympia laughed, pushing off the couch. "Alright, then. Let's get started. Cassie, grab the blankets. Fred, you and George can start setting up the chairs."

Fred saluted dramatically. "Yes, ma'am!"

Cassie bolted upstairs, her excitement palpable, while Fred and George began dragging chairs from the dining table, already debating the best way to arrange them. Olympia shook her head fondly as she went to grab some extra cushions, a warm sense of camaraderie settling over the group as they set to work on their impromptu project.

The living room quickly descended into a chaotic flurry of blankets, cushions, and whispered arguments over structural integrity.

Fred and George were busy propping up chairs at odd angles, draping blankets over the top to create a makeshift ceiling. Fred's enthusiasm was unmatched, though his tendency to overcomplicate things was drawing a series of exasperated sighs from George.

"This chair goes here," Fred said, yanking one from the dining table and placing it at an angle.

"That's going to collapse the whole thing," George argued, eyeing the precarious setup.

"Have a little faith, brother," Fred shot back, tossing a blanket over the top. The blanket promptly slid off and landed on George's head.

"I'm filled with faith," George muttered sarcastically, pulling the blanket off and tossing it aside.

Meanwhile, Cassie returned from upstairs with an armful of blankets and pillows, almost toppling over as she stumbled into the room. "We need more height on the sides," she said, dropping the pile dramatically onto the couch.

Olympia stood by the growing structure, her braid falling over one shoulder as she carefully adjusted the edges of a blanket to cover a gap. "If you two are done arguing," she said, glancing pointedly at Fred and George, "Cassie and I will handle the finishing touches. You're going to bring the whole thing down."

Fred gasped in mock outrage. "We're the architects, Harrington. You can't just come in and—"

"Do it better?" Olympia teased, a smirk playing on her lips.

George laughed, stepping back to admire what they'd managed so far. "She's not wrong. Maybe let them take it from here, Fred."

Fred grumbled something about ungrateful teammates but stepped aside, flopping onto the couch as Olympia and Cassie swooped in to tidy up the structure. Within minutes, the fort was complete—a sprawling, cozy haven with blankets draped perfectly, cushions piled high, and fairy lights strung through the top for ambiance.

Fred sat up, visibly impressed. "Alright, I admit it. You two are blanket fort prodigies."

"Naturals," George agreed, leaning against the arm of the couch as he admired their handiwork.

Cassie beamed, gesturing toward the entrance. "Well? Are you going to just stand there, or are you coming inside?"

Olympia ducked into the fort first, settling into the plush pile of cushions and pillows. "Come on," she said, waving them in. "It's even better on the inside."

Fred scrambled in eagerly, followed by Cassie, who claimed the coziest corner. George following behind.

The four of them settled into the blanket fort, the warm glow of the fairy lights casting soft shadows across the walls. Cassie grabbed the snack bowl, passing it around as Fred dug out a deck of cards he'd brought along.

"So," Fred said, shuffling the cards with a mischievous grin. "Who's ready for a game of Exploding Snap?"

"Only if you promise not to cheat," Olympia said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Cheating? Me? Never," Fred replied, his tone dripping with faux innocence.

George leaned back against a pile of cushions, his arm brushing against Olympia's as he smirked. "This should be good."

The night was shaping up to be exactly what they needed—fun, lighthearted, and far removed from the worries of the day.

As the game of Exploding Snap progressed, the blanket fort filled with laughter and the occasional yelp when a card went off unexpectedly. Fred was the loudest, whisper shouting protests whenever his cards exploded, while Cassie teased him relentlessly. Olympia and George sat next to each other, leaning back into the plush cushions, their knees occasionally bumping as they played.

"Careful there," George teased after Olympia jumped slightly when a card burst in her hand. "You're supposed to play the game, not let the game play you."

She shot him a mock glare, brushing soot off her fingers. "Oh, please. Like you've been doing any better."

"Better than you," George retorted with a grin, nudging her shoulder lightly.

Olympia raised an eyebrow, her competitive streak kicking in. "Oh, is that so? Because last I checked, you've lost twice in a row."

George leaned closer, his voice dropping just slightly. "Maybe I've been losing on purpose. Ever think of that?"

Her breath caught for a moment as their eyes met, his playful smirk making it impossible to look away. "Why would you do that?" she asked, trying to keep her tone steady.

He shrugged casually, though the glint in his eye betrayed the teasing intent behind his words. "Figured it'd be worth it to see you look so smug."

Olympia felt her cheeks heat, but she refused to let him win this round, even in flirting. She tilted her head, giving him a sly smile. "Careful, Weasley. That almost sounded like a compliment."

"Almost?" George leaned in just a little more, his voice warm and teasing. "I thought I made it pretty obvious."

Across the fort, Fred groaned loudly, throwing down his cards. "Alright, can we call it a night on Exploding Snap? I'm tired of losing to my little brother."

"Four fucking minutes bud." George quipped back.

Cassie laughed, tossing her cards into the pile. "Sure, Fred. Blame George for your terrible playing skills."

Fred flopped back against the cushions dramatically. "This game's rigged, I tell you."

Olympia glanced at George, who hadn't moved back yet. Their faces were still close, and she could see the faint freckles scattered across his nose. "Guess that makes you the winner tonight," he said softly, his gaze lingering on her.

"Guess it does," she replied, her voice just as quiet.

Fred, clearly oblivious to the tension between them, interrupted. "Alright, what's next? Fort stories? Pillow fight? I'm open to suggestions."

George finally leaned back, smirking as he turned his attention to his brother. "Maybe we should let Olympia decide. She seems to have a knack for winning tonight."

Olympia rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress her smile as she reached for the snack bowl, her heart still racing. Whatever came next, she had a feeling the night wasn't over yet.

Fred, ever the instigator, perked up with an idea as he grabbed a pillow from the corner. "Alright, I've got it—silent pillow fight. High stakes, no yelling, no loud noises, and no mercy."

Cassie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Silent pillow fight? How does that even work?"

Fred smirked, pointing dramatically at her. "You'll find out soon enough." Without warning, he swung the pillow lightly at her, catching her off guard. Cassie squeaked, but quickly covered her mouth, glaring at him.

"Fred!" she hissed, grabbing her own pillow. "You're going down."

Fred cackled—quietly, of course—while Cassie lunged at him, starting a muffled but chaotic exchange of pillow swats.

George leaned back, watching the chaos unfold with a grin before turning to Olympia, who was watching with amusement. "Think they'll take each other out?" he whispered, his voice warm in her ear.

She glanced at him, her smile widening. "Probably. But you know Fred—he'll fight dirty."

George chuckled softly, his shoulder brushing against hers. "Good thing I don't plan on playing fair either."

Before she could react, George grabbed a pillow from behind him and gently swatted her arm. Olympia gasped in mock outrage, stifling her laugh as she grabbed a pillow of her own. "Oh, it's on now, Weasley."

George smirked, holding his pillow like a shield. "Think you can take me?"

Olympia didn't respond—she simply swung her pillow, catching him lightly in the chest. George retaliated, but she ducked, giggling as she narrowly avoided his swing.

Oh, you're asking for it now!" George exclaimed, eyes narrowing playfully as he advanced, swinging his own pillow in retaliation.

The two went back and forth, the soft thuds of pillows filling the space as they dissolved into giggles and mock threats. Olympia, quick on her feet, managed to dodge his attacks, her hair flying wildly around her.

Finally, seizing her moment, she lunged forward, tackling George to the ground. He landed with a muffled "oof!" as she pinned him down, her hands gripping his wrists and knees braced on either side of his waist.

For a moment, the world seemed to still. Their laughter faded as their eyes met. Olympia's breath came in soft, quick gasps, her face hovering inches above his. George swallowed hard, his teasing grin faltering under the intensity of her gaze.

"Truce?" he whispered, his voice low and laced with a hint of nervousness.

Olympia tilted her head, a slow, mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Truce," she murmured, though the sparkle in her eyes suggested she wasn't quite ready to let him off the hook just yet.

"You're quick," George whispered, leaning in slightly.

"Quicker than you," she shot back, her eyes glinting with mischief. He rolled her off of him, the two sharing a laugh before a pillow landed right next to them.

The fight between Fred and Cassie had spilled over to their side of the fort, with Cassie landing a particularly well-aimed pillow at Fred's head. "Take that!" she whispered triumphantly.

Fred grabbed a spare pillow and lobbed it at George, who caught it with ease. "You're next, little brother," Fred said, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"Oh, I'm terrified," George whispered back sarcastically, his eyes narrowing. He swung his pillow at Fred, but Olympia, trying to avoid the chaos, accidentally got in the way and ended up getting hit instead.

"Hey!" she whispered sharply, swinging her pillow at George again. "I thought we were allies!"

"All's fair in love and pillow wars," George teased, his voice low and playful.

Olympia paused, her cheeks warming at his choice of words, but she didn't let it faze her for long. She lunged at him with her pillow, forcing him to scramble back into the cushions, laughing quietly as he tried to block her attacks.

Cassie and Fred paused their battle long enough to watch George and Olympia, exchanging a knowing look. Fred smirked. "Careful, George. She's tougher than she looks."

"Thanks for the warning," George replied, his grin never faltering as he glanced at Olympia. "But I think I can handle her."

Olympia smirked, raising her pillow threateningly. "We'll see about that."

The four of them dissolved into more muffled laughter and whispered taunts, the fort shaking slightly under their antics as they tried to keep their voices low. The tension between George and Olympia simmered beneath the playful chaos, neither of them entirely focused on the game as they stole glances at each other between swings.

"Shh!" Cassie finally hissed, pausing mid-swing as she looked toward the stairs. "We're going to wake Mum and Dad!"

Fred froze dramatically, holding his pillow in mid-air. "Do you think they'd come in here and join the fight?"

Cassie smacked him lightly with her pillow, and the group dissolved into quiet laughter once again, collapsing into the cushions of their cozy fort. Olympia found herself leaning against George, her laughter softening as she realized how close they'd ended up again.

The flurry of pillow fights and whispered laughter finally gave way to quiet exhaustion as the four of them sprawled out inside the blanket fort. The fairy lights cast a warm, gentle glow across the room, their soft twinkle reflecting off the cozy array of blankets and cushions. Fred and Cassie claimed one corner, still giggling softly as they piled up pillows to create makeshift beds.

"Alright, I'm officially done," Fred murmured, stretching out dramatically. "If anyone so much as pokes me, I'm hexing you in my dreams."

Cassie laughed quietly, rolling her eyes. "As if you'd wake up long enough to do anything about it."

Fred grumbled something incoherent, already half-asleep, as Cassie nestled into the cushions beside him. She threw a blanket over the both of them, and within moments, their corner of the fort fell silent.

Olympia lay back against the pile of cushions she and George had claimed, pulling a blanket over herself as she settled in. George stretched out beside her, his arm brushing against hers as he adjusted his position. For a moment, neither of them said anything, the sounds of Fred's faint snoring and the crackle of the fire filling the space.

Olympia turned her head slightly, catching George's gaze in the soft light. His expression was calm, but the hint of a smile played on his lips. Without a word, he shifted closer, draping an arm lightly over her waist. She didn't pull away—instead, she leaned into him, letting her head rest against his chest.

George exhaled softly, his fingers brushing idly against the fabric of her tank top as he held her. The warmth of the moment settled over them like the blanket they shared, their usual teasing and banter replaced by a comfortable, quiet closeness.

Olympia tilted her head up slightly, her voice barely a whisper. "You comfortable?"

George's lips quirked into a small smile as he rested his chin lightly against the top of her head. "More than comfortable," he murmured back. "What about you?"

She nodded, her own smile softening. "Yeah."

They didn't need to say much else. Olympia nestled deeper into his arms, her fingers absentmindedly brushing against his as they intertwined slightly. George's hand rested against her back, his touch gentle and steady, as if he was afraid to disturb the peaceful silence they'd fallen into.

The fire crackled softly in the distance, and Olympia closed her eyes, her breathing syncing with George's as she felt the steady rise and fall of his chest. Neither of them moved, their connection growing in the quiet stillness of the moment. Wrapped in each other's arms, they didn't need words—just the quiet comfort of being close.

As the fairy lights twinkled above them, George pressed a light kiss to the top of her head, his voice a soft murmur. "Goodnight, Olympia."

"Goodnight, George," she whispered back, her lips curving into a faint smile as sleep began to pull her under.