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Chapter Text

Detective Grayskull sighed deeply, slouching in her worn brown leather office chair, tapping her pencil against the desk with a rhythm that matched her mood. She barely reacted to the aggressive slam of a hand on the plastic screen that separated her area from the visitor’s desk, only raising her eyes in mild irritation.

“Detective Grayskull,” came the stern voice of her coworker, Bow, standing tall with his arms crossed.

She groaned, not bothering to sit up. “What are you doing?”

His initial mood seemed to shift positively, and he studied her, picking up on her lousy mood. “Not now, Bow. I’m so bored,” she added, dragging out the last word as if it could fully express her frustration.

Detective Grayskull had just finished filing what felt like an endless stack of contracts for the state—her brain on the verge of melting from the sheer amount of dull legal paperwork she had to slog through as part of the job. It was one of those tasks that came with being a detective, and it was easily her least favorite part of the day.

She could handle chasing down leads, solving cases, or interrogating suspects, but dealing with the bureaucratic mountain of “legal crap” was soul-crushing. After hours of scanning and signing documents, she slouched deeper into her chair, tapping her pencil on the desk out of boredom.

No wonder she had been so grumpy when Bow had shown up, slamming the desk and snapping her out of her trance.

Bow’s face suddenly lit up with excitement, a grin spreading across his face. “Well, I’ve got something that’ll cheer you up!”

With a flourish, he pulled out a massive chunk of files and papers from the desk, grabbing them in one hand and slamming them onto her desk again with a loud thud.

‘So that’s why he did that before.’

Grayskull blinked, staring at the stack with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. “Seriously?” she muttered, though she couldn’t entirely hide the flicker of interest that had sparked at the sight of all that paperwork. Maybe the boredom wouldn’t last much longer after all.

“Okay, listen Adora, I know what you’re thinking…” He agreed with her face as he stared at the files along with Adora.
“But look!”

The files and papers were slid under the small cutout in the screen.

Adora swiftly inspected the files and her mouth dropped to the desk. Wide-eyed, she started looking through each news report, studying everything closely.

One of the news reports read:

A wave of terror has gripped the small town of BrightMoon as residents claim that the streets are no longer safe due to an unsettling rise in violent murders and disappearances. Once a quiet and peaceful community nestled near the woods, BrightMoon is now at the center of a chilling mystery that has left local authorities perplexed and fearful.

Over the past three months, the number of murders has sharply increased, with several victims found under disturbing circumstances. Reports suggest that many bodies bear strange, puncture-like wounds on their necks and appear to have lost significant amounts of blood, though there is no clear sign of how it was drained. This eerie pattern has fueled wild rumors among the townsfolk, some whispering of supernatural causes, while others fear a particularly deranged killer is on the loose.

“These attacks aren’t normal,” said Mara Grayskull, a local butcher whose cousin was the latest victim found on the outskirts of town last week. “People don’t just lose blood like that. It’s like something is feeding on them.” Grayskull, like many others, has refused to walk alone at night, a sentiment echoed by nearly every resident.

Adding to the sense of dread are the recent disappearances. Several locals, mostly young men and women, have vanished without a trace, with only a few of their belongings found near the thickly wooded areas surrounding BrightMoon. Search efforts have yielded little result, leading to growing fear and suspicion in the town. “We’ve had no answers,” said Sheriff Weaver, who admitted that her department is stretched thin trying to handle both the investigations and the growing unease among the population. “This isn’t like anything we’ve dealt with before.”

Though authorities remain tight-lipped on the specifics, an anonymous source close to the investigation has hinted that the drained blood found at several crime scenes is unlike anything they’ve ever encountered. “There’s no sign of struggle, no weapon marks beyond the bites. It’s like the life was simply pulled from them,” the source said. Despite these bizarre details, officials are urging the public to remain calm and avoid unnecessary panic.

Nevertheless, fear continues to spread as nightfall in BrightMoon brings an almost suffocating silence. Windows are shuttered tightly after dark, and once-bustling streets have emptied long before sundown. Local businesses have taken the precaution of closing early, with some residents even fleeing to neighboring towns.

Elderly residents have whispered of old folklore coming back to haunt the town, speaking of ancient creatures that feed on the living. Such talk has been dismissed by authorities, but for many in BrightMoon, the uncanny nature of the murders has sparked a return to these superstitious beliefs.

“We just want answers. And we want this to stop,” said Mary Rosemary, whose younger sister disappeared two weeks ago. “Nobody is safe here anymore. We’re living in fear.”

While investigations continue, locals are left to wonder if the horrors plaguing their once peaceful town will ever end—or if something far more sinister is lurking in the shadows of BrightMoon.

“Is this… serious?” Adora asked, her voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with shock as she stared at the newspaper clipping.

Bow nodded, his expression grim. His usually calm demeanor was gone, replaced by an unsettling mix of fear and certainty. His eyes said what words couldn’t: Yes, this is real.

Adora noticed one of the names-
Mara Grayskull.
Her great grandmother, long gone now.

Perhaps she had a diary? Some kind of source? Maybe if she asked grammy Razz..

“They even spoke to the local priests back then,” Bow said, voice hushed. “They thought the devil himself had come to BrightMoon. Super creepy stuff.”

“But why now?” Adora asked, her brow furrowing. “This is 1942. That’s… decades ago. Surely, they handled it back then, right?”

“No,” Bow replied, shaking his head, his voice trembling ever so slightly.

The cold night seemed to grip them tighter as a gust of wind howled through the old stone walls. Bow’s hair stood on end, as if the air itself had turned haunted. He glanced around, as if something unseen might be watching from the shadows.

“Someone just reported a body found in the old church,” he continued, voice low. “Completely drained of blood, skin turned grey… and bite marks. Exactly like the murders from ’42.”

Adora’s heart pounded in her chest, the weight of his words pressing down on her. Whatever had haunted BrightMoon back then—it wasn’t over. It had returned.

“And there’s so many files.”

Adora found herself lost in paperwork, slipping her hands through endless reports until she stumbled upon a document titled,

WOUNDS AND TREATMENTS

In a mixture of horror and disbelief, Adora’s eyes darted across the grainy black-and-white photographs spread out on her desk. The images were haunting—bodies with strange, distinct bite marks carved into the sides of their necks, right at the pressure points. The pictures were hard to decipher; the poor quality and the sickly grey tone of the bodies only made the gruesome details more disturbing.

One image made her stomach twist. A man’s face, mutilated beyond recognition, lay twisted in agony. His fingers were mangled, contorted unnaturally, as if posed—either as a grotesque warning or part of some sick game. Adora shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the discovery pressing on her chest. Whoever—or whatever—was behind this wasn’t playing around. And they had stayed hidden for centuries, slipping under the radar even in the 1940s.

But then her gaze froze on something. Her breath caught in her throat. The date at the bottom of one of the photos read: 1638.

Her heart skipped a beat.

“BOW!” she called, voice cracking with urgency.

Bow came sprinting into her office, his eyes narrowing as they locked on the horrific images. His face tightened with a grimace, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

“Wait. Is that…” he started, leaning closer.

“They’ve been around for centuries,” Adora said, barely able to believe the words herself.

“I only saw that first report. How is this possible?”

The cult, or whatever had been preying on BrightMoon, wasn’t a recent phenomenon. This terror, this blood-soaked mystery, had roots far deeper than anyone had realized.

——

Chapter Text

Adora sat alone in the purple and red restaurant, her fingers tapping nervously on the table as she glanced at the door. She was waiting for her best friend, Bow, who was always punctual. It was unusual for him to be late, and the fact that he hadn’t arrived yet stirred a sense of unease within her. Adora tried to shake off her anxiety, convincing herself that maybe something had come up—traffic, a last-minute errand, or perhaps he simply lost track of time. But as the minutes ticked by, her mind started to wander down darker paths.

The restaurant buzzed with activity around her, a mix of laughter and the clinking of glasses that typically filled her with a sense of warmth. The vivid colors of the decor were meant to create an inviting atmosphere, but tonight they felt almost suffocating. Adora couldn’t help but let her gaze drift around the room, scanning the faces of the patrons. The dim lighting cast shadows that shifted with every movement, adding an air of mystery to the place.

Suddenly, a chilling thought crossed her mind: someone in here was a murderer. The idea seemed absurd, yet it gripped her with an unsettling intensity. She shook her head slightly, trying to dismiss it. After all, this was just a restaurant, a casual spot where people came to enjoy a meal, not a crime scene. But the more she looked, the more her imagination began to spin wild tales.

She found herself inspecting the women ordering from the bar, each one a potential suspect in her growing narrative.

With each woman that caught her eye, Adora’s mind wove a complex web of motives and secrets. It was ridiculous, she knew that, but the waiting was gnawing at her, and her imagination filled the void with the most extreme scenarios.

Seeing what she had seen had done a number on her. She hadn’t slept much last night; instead, she spent hours obsessively ensuring her house was as secure as possible. After all, she was a prime target—the town detective. Each creak of the floorboards in her house echoed in her mind as she replayed the moments from the investigation that had shaken her to her core. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders. She had checked the locks on every door and window twice, running through every worst-case scenario in her head. The world outside felt like a predator lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike. It was exhausting, and she could feel the toll it was taking on her mental state..

As she continued to wait, her anticipation turned to impatience. The longer Bow took, the more she felt trapped in this bizarre mental exercise. The restaurant’s atmosphere began to shift, the laughter and chatter feeling increasingly distant. She shook her head again, trying to clear her thoughts and focus on something—anything—other than her spiraling imagination.

The waitress passed by, and Adora quickly ordered a drink to distract herself. As she waited for it to arrive, she glanced once more at the bar. The tall blonde was still there, chatting animatedly, her laughter ringing out like a siren’s call. Adora’s gaze flicked to the woman with the bob—now engaged in a serious conversation with a man at the end of the bar. And the woman in the black dress still leaned languidly, her sunglasses masking whatever thoughts were brewing behind them.

Adora took a deep breath, trying to center herself. She needed to trust that Bow would show up soon. Until then, she would have to push aside the dark narratives swirling in her mind and focus on the vibrant reality around her—however strange it may be.

That was, until she saw who was at the bar.
A woman with brown, wild hair and black, sharp nails in an oversized outfit that seemed to suit her perfectly. Adora’s mouth was agape, and she watched the woman holding a glass of red wine and chatting to a group of people Adora hadn’t met before. She knew she had to approach her after Bow arrived.

Adora found herself watching the woman endlessly chat away to her peers. She wanted to look at the other women, but her eyes refused to turn away from the breathtaking sight.

Time seemed to slow down as she hopelessly let her mind wander whilst admiring the woman. All of her striking features stole Adora’s attention like a diamond vault, and all of her prized possessions were hers.

Suddenly, they locked eyes. The woman, still talking, shot her a grin that was both smug and warm. For a suggestive split second, her eyes widened- an invitation to Adora.

Adora was completely frozen in her little booth. She was completely alone, and felt her face go beet red and eyes widen. What was she meant to do? Play it cool? Wink? Ignore her????

The woman just kept the gaze, not letting go. Adora noticed, after looking at the woman’s lips, that she had still been talking to her friend the whole time, but her friend didn’t seem to notice her entire head pointed at Adora.

The woman turned her head, still looking at Adora for a couple seconds before continuing her day.

——

After a long period of watching another woman like a creep, Adora noticed Bow hurry into the restaurant, panting heavily. His cheeks were flushed, and he looked like he’d sprinted the entire way.

“Sorry I’m late,” he blurted out, leaning forward with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. Adora noticed his puffy, red face, but didn’t bother to mention it- after all, he’d just been running, and could probably do with a seat.

“No, it’s fine! Bow, sit,” Adora urged, grateful for his arrival but still feeling the residual tension from her earlier thoughts. She motioned toward the empty seat across from her.

Bow straightened up and his energy lifted at the sight of the lemonade Adora had ordered for him sat on the table. “Thanks,” he said, plopping down into the chair and reaching for the glass. The chilled drink was a small comfort, and he took a long sip, relishing the refreshment.

Adora watched him, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. “You look like you just ran a marathon,” she joked, trying to lighten the mood as she pushed away the unease that had settled in her chest during her solitary wait.

“Yeah, well, I got held back a little,” Bow replied, a hint of tension in his out of breath voice as it cracked unexpectedly.

“Why?” Adora asked, her brow furrowing as she sensed something was off.

Bow seemed to avoid her gaze, his eyes flickering around the restaurant, searching for an escape from the conversation.

“Bow?”

He adjusted his collar, a nervous habit Adora had picked up on a long time ago, and cleared his throat. She could see him weighing his words, eyeing her as if he was trying to gauge how she would react.

“What?” she urged, her concern deepening.

“I saw it for real this time.”

Adora didn’t have time to think and gasped, a mix of shock and dread washing over her. She caught a few glimpses of people at the bar staring at her reaction, and Bow immediately hushed her, glancing around to ensure their conversation remained private.

That seemed to fuel Bow’s demeanour.

“I saw a dead body, completely empty, Adora. I saw…” He trailed off, his voice shaky.

“I’m so sorry, Bow,” Adora said softly, her heart aching for him and her own memories. She knew being the bigger person was crucial in this situation, and she had to lock away anything that wouldn’t help him. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air between them, the gravity of the situation settling in as she reached out to place a comforting hand on his.

She noticed it was shaking, and so Adora applied a little pressure on his hand to make it stop. It worked a little, and she kept her eyes pointed at his. Bow was staring at the wooden imprints on the table, scrambling for a thought.

“I want to call Glimmer.”

——

The sparkly-haired girl had just finished her coffee when her phone buzzed on the cluttered countertop. In all honesty, she hated working as a barista. It was mundane, the same repetitive motions day in and day out, but it paid the bills while she chased her real passion. Still, she sighed and glanced at the caller ID. When she saw the name, her heart skipped a beat.

“Bow! What’s up?” she answered, trying to sound cheerful despite the twinge of anxiety creeping into her stomach.

Bow didn’t usually call her, so this was a perfect invitation to send her mind spiralling.

“Glimmer…”

She didn’t like the way he called her name. It felt heavy, laced with a sense of urgency. He sounded unsettled, as if he wanted to confess something to her. Glimmer felt a wave of confusion wash over her, and her curiosity piqued.

“Bow?” she prompted, her voice dropping to a whisper, sensing something was off.

“You know the case?”

Her mind drifted back to that case—the one that had haunted her every thought since the day she’d uncovered it. At first, she had been proud, eager to prove her skills and dive into something so complex and mysterious. But once the truth had begun to reveal itself, the weight of it became unbearable. It wasn’t some thrilling mystery or a plot from a fantasy novel left beside her bed; it was real. Horrifyingly real. The details flooded back. The crucifixes, oddly arranged at each crime scene, as if mocking any sense of religious salvation. The bite marks, not jagged like an animal’s but too clean, too precise to be anything human. They had found victims with no blood, bodies as pale as death itself, with dates ranging across centuries—cases from decades and even hundreds of years ago that seemed eerily connected.

“What about it?” she asked, slightly relieved. Just work stuff, totally not Bow fulfilling her dreams and asking her out… Wait, what? Why was she even thinking that? She shook the thought out of her mind, feeling a wave of embarrassment creep up. This was Bow—her friend, her partner in crime-solving. Not someone she should be daydreaming about in the middle of a serious conversation. But the more she tried to push it away, the more it lingered, a quiet voice in the back of her head she couldn’t quite silence. “Bow?” she pressed again, her tone more serious now, waiting for him to answer.

“I saw a dead body. Completely empty of blood. Completely naked.”

Wait, what?

“Wait, what?” She blurted out, almost spilling a coffee as her hands shook with disbelief.

“It’s true, Glimmer!” Bow’s voice trembled, his words cracking with the weight of what he had seen. On the other end of the line, Glimmer could hear the raw panic in his tone, the fear that had clearly overtaken him. The reality of the situation hit her hard, like a punch to the gut, as Bow’s sobs began to break through. Adora’s voice filtered faintly through the receiver, trying to comfort him, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the growing sense of dread in Glimmer’s chest. Her heart pounded in her ears, the steady rhythm quickening as the gravity of the moment sank in. Everything around her blurred—her dull barista job, the droning hum of the café—it all melted away, leaving her with nothing but the sound of Bow’s voice and the overwhelming weight of his words. The adrenaline coursing through her veins was a jarring contrast to the mundane routine she’d been living just minutes ago. How could things shift so suddenly? One moment, she was immersed in the monotony of work, and the next, the world felt like it was closing in, the horror of the case now bleeding into every part of her life.

“I’m coming home! Just hang in there Bow!”

‘Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.’

——

Glimmer rushed through the rain-soaked streets, her thoughts still swirling with Bow’s distressing words. The downpour blurred the world outside her windshield, turning the city lights into streaks of color as she navigated the slick roads. She couldn’t shake the heaviness in her heart, the worry gnawing at her insides. It was late, nearly 10:30 PM, and her shift had just ended, but the urgency of Bow’s confession lingered in her mind.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a figure stepping onto the road—a person in a long trench coat and a fedora, barely visible in the shadows. Her instincts kicked in, and she slammed on the brakes, her tires screeching against the wet pavement. Heart racing, she swerved just in time, narrowly avoiding a collision. Glimmer barely caught a glimpse of the figure as they stumbled, the brim of their hat casting a shadow over their face.

She threw the car into park, adrenaline coursing through her. Pushing the door open against the rain, she called out, “Hey! I’m so sorry!” But as she stepped out into the storm, the figure had already vanished into thin air, as if they’d never been there at all. The rain fell heavily around her, drenching her clothes and hair, the cold seeping in as confusion settled in. Who was that?

Glimmer quickly glanced around, her heart pounding in her chest. She scanned the dimly lit street, peering into the shadows, but there was no sign of the figure. She looked back at her car, feeling a strange compulsion to check the backseat, as if the person might still be there. But when she looked, it was empty, just the damp upholstery and the faint scent of rain-soaked fabric. Her anxiety grew as she stepped back outside, looking toward the nearby forest. There, she noticed muddy tracks leading away from the road, disappearing into the dense trees.

Shaking off the strange encounter, Glimmer got back in her car, her heart still racing for reasons she couldn’t fully explain. As she drove home, her thoughts flickered between Bow’s broken voice and the mysterious figure. What had she just seen? It felt surreal, but there was no time to dwell on it—she needed to be there for Bow.

——

When Glimmer struggled and fumbled while picking out the front door key from the strangely exaggerated amount of bundled keys on one ring, she heard footsteps approaching. Each jingle of metal echoed ominously in the stillness of the night, mingling with the sound of rain pounding against the pavement. The key slipped from her fingers and fell into a puddle, splashing water onto her jeans as she cursed under her breath.

Frantically, she glanced up, her heart racing. The footsteps grew louder, and a sense of urgency washed over her as she finally located the right key and turned it in the lock. The door creaked open, and she hurried inside, her wet hair sticking to her forehead.

But as she stepped into the warmth of the entryway, she met Adora’s eyes, which were fixed on her with a look she hadn’t seen in a long time. It told her everything she needed to know, and by the sight of the crumpled tissues in Adora’s hands, it wasn’t good.

Glimmer set her bags on the floor and hung her keys on the table, noticing how Adora seemed to be picking at her nails anxiously. With a small nod of encouragement, Adora led Glimmer to the living room, where Bow was curled up under a blanket, staring blankly into the distance, lost in a void of nothingness.

“Hey,” she whispered softly, trying to shake off the remnants of her strange encounter. Bow looked up, his expression shifting from sadness to something more vulnerable as he leaned into her hand on his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry I worried you,” he murmured, his voice hoarse.

“No, no,” Glimmer said, shaking her head as she knelt beside him. “You don’t need to apologize.” She squeezed Bow’s hand, her mind flickering back to the figure she had almost hit on the road. She felt an unsettling urge to share her experience, but she decided against it for now; Bow needed comfort, not more confusion. Instead, she focused on being there for him, knowing Adora would help guide them through the uncertainty together.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Glimmer asked gently, though she could sense he wasn’t ready.

Bow shook his head, the corners of his mouth pulling into a faint, grateful smile. “Not right now. Just… being here is enough.”

“Okay,” Glimmer said softly, her heart aching for him.

“You want tea?” Adora offered, standing up and patting the seat beside Bow as a gesture for Glimmer to sit down.

They noticed Bow nodding, his eyes still vacant.

“I feel like this is stupid,” Bow announced, cradling the full mug between his hands and staring at the floor.

“Of course it’s not,” Adora explained. “Bow, I can’t even imagine what you’ve seen—in color, I mean.” She joked lightly, hoping for some sort of chuckle, but Bow didn’t seem to acknowledge it.

“Was anyone there?” Glimmer asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Bow grimaced in response.

“No,” he replied, his gaze dropping further.

“Where was it?” Adora urged, her concern etched across her features.

“Near Thaymor motorway’s cemetery. There were crosses everywhere and…” His entire body shuddered. “Even in the bodies. The bones were exposed in a cross shape.”

Glimmer’s lips parted, a chill creeping up her spine as the weight of his words sank in. She exchanged a worried glance with Adora, who looked equally shaken. The imagery Bow described was haunting, and for a moment, the air in the room felt heavy with unspoken fears.

“Bow…” Glimmer began, searching for the right words, “You don’t have to carry this alone. Whatever you saw, we’ll face it together.”

He looked up at her, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and she could see how desperately he needed to be reassured. Adora returned to her side, wrapping an arm around Glimmer’s shoulders, silently supporting them both.

“Just know that whatever happens, we’re here for you,” Adora added softly, squeezing Bow’s shoulder gently.
“You can tell us anything.” She added.

Bow nodded slowly, the tension in his body easing just slightly as he absorbed their words. In that moment, they formed a fragile bond of solidarity against the storm, both outside and within. The rain continued to lash against the windows, but inside, the warmth of their connection began to push back against the chill of fear that loomed over them all.

——

After what felt like an age of staying by Bow’s side and drinking an unhealthy amount of tea with Adora, Glimmer finally checked the clock.

12:30 AM.

She leaned forward, trying to lock eyes with Bow, only to find his eyelids drooping heavily. He was completely asleep, much to their relief. Glimmer took a deep breath, determined to lift herself off the couch without making any noise at all, while Adora quietly sipped her tea, a slight smile on her face at Glimmer’s struggle.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“What does it look like?” Glimmer replied, her voice barely audible as she fought against the creaking sofa.

Finally managing to extricate herself, Glimmer tiptoed over to Adora and whispered urgently, “I need to talk to you. Like, right now.”

Without hesitation, Adora set her cup down and followed Glimmer into the next room, closing the door behind them.

Once they were alone, Glimmer took a steadying breath. “So, on my way home, I had this… encounter,” she began, her heart racing at the memory. “There was a man— well, I couldn’t make out who it was. But he was wearing a fedora and a trench coat. I think- it’s hard to tell through the silhouette.”
Adora seemed invested, so she continued.
“I almost hit him with my car.”

Adora’s eyes widened. “What? Are you serious?”

“Yes,” Glimmer confirmed, pacing slightly as she recounted the details. “I slammed on the brakes just in time, and I am so grateful for those things, but when I got out to check if he was okay, he disappeared. I mean, poof, gone. It was like he wasn’t even there.”

Adora looked stunned, processing Glimmer’s words. “That sounds insane. Are you sure you didn’t just imagine it?”

“I’m not crazy, Adora! There were muddy tracks leading off into the woods, evidence that someone was there.” Glimmer ran a hand through her damp hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “It felt unnatural. It was too surreal to be just a trick of the mind. And plus, it was raining, so the tracks couldn’t have been there long or they would’ve been full of water or washed away.”

“A-Are you sure?” Adora stammered, her brow furrowing in concern.

“Yes, Adora,” Glimmer insisted, the urgency in her voice rising. “I swear it happened.”

Adora shook her head slowly, her mind racing with possibilities. “But… how? It doesn’t make sense. Are you serious?”

“Adora. I couldn’t have just imagined it; it’s too concrete.” Glimmer reasoned.
“There’s no way someone just disappears like that.”
Adora was dumbfounded, and struggling to gather the right words. If what Glimmer was saying was true then..

“It felt like something out of a horror movie,” Glimmer said, her voice lowering to a whisper. “I mean, Bow is already going through so much. I didn’t want to add to his distress with this… this bizarre encounter.”

Adora stepped closer, her expression serious. “You know this whole case has been anything but normal. It makes sense that something like this could happen. It’s like all the rules have been thrown out the window.”

Glimmer nodded, the weight of Adora’s words sinking in. “This isn’t just about a cult anymore, is it? This feels like something deeper—something we can’t even begin to understand.”

“No, it’s not,” Adora replied, her voice steady but laced with fear. “Whatever is going on here, it’s unexplainable, and we need to be careful. There’s more to this than we’ve uncovered.”

“Exactly. I’m worried about Bow, but I can’t shake off the feeling that we’re being watched or manipulated by something we don’t understand.”

Adora’s eyes narrowed, and she glanced back at the closed door. “Then we need to keep this between us for now. We can’t let Bow know—he’s already fragile. We have to protect him from this.”

Glimmer sighed, the tension in her chest easing slightly as she felt the strength of their partnership. “Agreed. We’ll figure this out together, no matter what it takes.”

They exchanged determined looks, a silent agreement forming between them. Outside, the rain continued to pour, but in that small room, amidst the shadows, they found a flicker of resolve against the encroaching darkness.

Chapter Text

It had been two weeks since the day Bow had seen… bodies. The memory, though still haunting, no longer rattled him as intensely during the day. But at night, when the world went quiet and the shadows crept in, the images returned. They played in his mind like a broken reel, relentless and vivid.

Tonight, Bow was especially uneasy. Earlier, he’d eaten some cheese—a silly habit he believed might spark nightmares. “Don’t be silly, Bow, you’ll be fine!” Glimmer had reassured him with a smile. Her voice, soft and soothing, was always a comfort, even if it couldn’t erase the gnawing fear inside him. It was nice to hear her laugh, even for a moment. Bow knew he always loved hearing her voice. But as soon as the lights went out, that warmth faded, leaving only the cold reality of his memories.

Lying in bed, he tried to focus on the faint hum of the ceiling fan, but his mind wouldn’t quiet down. His thoughts spiraled, dragging him back to that night, the night he wished he could forget. It was late, and he was driving through the darkness, his headlights cutting through the pitch-black night. The road ahead was straight and narrow, leading to the town center, flanked by dense, towering trees. To anyone else, it might have looked like any other road, but to Bow, it felt ominous, like the beginning of a horror film.

That’s when he saw it—a strange lump in the middle of the road. At first glance, it seemed like roadkill, maybe an unfortunate deer or some other animal. But something about it made him stop, his curiosity overriding his instinct to keep driving. The closer he got, the more his stomach churned. His breath caught in his throat as he realized what he was looking at. It wasn’t an animal. It was a human arm, lying there grotesquely, torn and mutilated, the bones exposed and dangling in a way that made him want to scream.

Bow’s knees buckled as he stumbled to the side of the road, nausea overtaking him. He threw up, gasping for air between retches. The stench was unbearable, thick and sour in the cool night air. But even as his body convulsed, his mind struggled to process what he’d seen. Why was there a human arm here? How? His mind barely had time to form the question when he saw it—the rest of the body. And another one. Piled together, crumpled like discarded dolls.

His blood turned to ice. Every nerve screamed at him to run, to get away from this nightmare. His legs moved before his mind could catch up, and he bolted for his car, barely registering the slam of the door as he fumbled with the keys. The engine roared to life, and within seconds, he was speeding down the road, leaving the grisly scene behind. But no matter how fast he drove, he couldn’t escape the images burned into his brain. He knew, even now, weeks later, that those bodies would follow him forever.

When Bow gasped, tears welling in his eyes, he bolted upright, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. The relief of finding himself back in the familiar warmth of his bed was immediate, but fleeting. His pulse still raced, the images from his nightmare clinging to his mind like a cold, stubborn fog. He reached for his phone, hoping the small distraction of checking the time might calm him. The screen lit up in the darkness, reading: 2:58 AM.

He sighed, letting his body collapse back into the mattress. The room felt heavy, thick with the weight of his fear, but also eerily still. His heart continued to thump hard in his chest, the remnants of the nightmare refusing to let him go. As the minutes ticked by, Bow realized sleep would not come easily tonight. His thoughts churned, unwilling to settle. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the bodies—broken, lifeless, stacked on top of each other.

His first thought was Glimmer. She always had a way of calming him, of making sense of the chaos in his mind. He imagined her voice, soft and steady, telling him everything would be alright. The thought brought a fleeting sense of peace, but it quickly vanished. ‘But that’ll wake her up. I don’t want to wake Glimmer,’ he reminded himself, frowning. She had been through so much with him already—he couldn’t drag her into his nightmares.

He lay there, staring at the ceiling, his body pressed deep into the bed, but there was no comfort in it. He was exhausted, every part of him felt heavy with fatigue, yet his mind refused to rest. His heartbeat quickened again, his chest tightening with that same suffocating anxiety. I can’t sleep like this, he thought, his frustration growing.

Without another second’s hesitation, Bow flung off the covers and leapt out of bed, the sudden movement jolting him into action. The cool air hit his skin as he stood, pacing in the dark room, trying to shake the feeling of dread that had settled deep within him.

Hesitant, yet driven by the gnawing restlessness that had overtaken him, Bow’s hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment. His fingers curled around it, and with a cautious twist, he began pulling the door towards him. The hinges let out a soft creak, and he winced, holding his breath as if the sound alone might wake the whole house. Bow shifted onto his tiptoes, moving with as much care as he could manage as he crept down the hallway, past Adora’s room.

He paused briefly, hearing the soft rumble of Adora’s distant snore through the door. A small, involuntary chuckle escaped him. It was moments like these that reminded him there were still pieces of normalcy in his life, still bits of comfort, even when everything else felt so upside down. But that brief flicker of lightness faded as quickly as it came. He continued on, his feet making no more than a whisper of sound against the floorboards.

When he reached Glimmer’s room, he was met with the familiar sight of the rainbow painted on her door, the word Glimmer proudly beneath the arch. Something about it always made him feel safe—a reminder of who she was, always radiating hope even in the darkest moments. He hesitated again, his fingers lingering on the handle, but then gently pushed it open.

The room was cloaked in shadow, and for a moment, Bow could barely make out the shape of her bed. His eyes strained against the darkness, scanning for her. But to his surprise, Glimmer wasn’t lying down. She was already sitting up, her silhouette barely visible in the dim light. The sight made him freeze in the doorway, his heart skipping a beat. He couldn’t see her face, but somehow, she already seemed to know he was there.

“Bow?” her voice was soft but carried a note of surprise, tinged with concern. “Is everything alright?”

“Glimmer,” he whispered, the sound of her voice washing over him like a wave of relief, though a small part of him wondered why she was awake. It felt like a strange coincidence, almost as if she had been expecting him. He crossed the room quickly, the silence between them heavy, and sat on the edge of her bed, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion.

“I…” he started, the words caught in his throat, unsure how to say what he was feeling. The darkness seemed to weigh even more heavily on him now, pressing down on his chest.

Glimmer reached over and switched on the lamp beside her bed, casting the room in a warm, gentle glow. The light made everything feel softer, less intimidating, but it also illuminated Bow’s face, revealing the depth of his turmoil. She stared at him, her brow furrowing with concern as she took in his expression.

“I saw it again,” he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air between them, laden with the unspoken horror he had been carrying. Glimmer didn’t need him to explain further; she knew exactly what he meant. She could see it in his eyes, the haunted look that had been there since the night he found the bodies.

Without a word, she shifted closer to him, her presence offering silent comfort, a safe place for him to let the weight of it all out. She placed her hand gently on his, her fingers warm and reassuring against his cold, trembling skin. The simple gesture sent a wave of calm through him, though his heart still raced beneath the surface. Her touch was steady, unshaken, grounding him in a way that made him feel like he wasn’t entirely lost in the storm of his thoughts. She didn’t rush to speak, didn’t try to fill the silence with meaningless words. Instead, she just held his hand, the quiet between them thick with understanding.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered softly, her voice carrying a deep sense of empathy. But it wasn’t just the kind of automatic sympathy people offer when they don’t know what else to say. Glimmer’s words were heartfelt, layered with the weight of everything Bow had been through, everything she knew he was still carrying inside him. She wasn’t just apologizing for his nightmares, or for the horror of what he had seen—she was sorry that he had to bear this at all, that he was still suffering when all she wanted was to ease his pain.

Bow stared down at their intertwined hands, the soft glow from the lamp making the scene feel oddly intimate, almost peaceful. But inside, he felt like a dam was about to burst. He hadn’t allowed himself to talk about it, to really let anyone in since that awful night. He had bottled it up, trying to manage the nightmares and the constant, creeping dread on his own. But now, here with Glimmer, in the stillness of the room, it was as if her presence alone had unlocked something in him. He could feel his defenses cracking, the weight of the memories pressing harder against his chest.

“I can’t get it out of my head,” he finally admitted, his voice barely more than a whisper. His eyes remained fixed on their hands, as if looking at her would break the fragile composure he was trying to maintain. “Every time I close my eyes… I see it. Those bodies. The way they were just… there. In the road. Like someone had tossed them aside.”

His voice wavered, and he squeezed her hand a little tighter, as though the pressure might somehow keep the rising flood of emotions at bay. But the words kept spilling out, faster now, like he couldn’t stop them. “I keep thinking—why were they there? How did it happen? Who were they? And why… why did I have to be the one to find them?” His breath hitched, and for the first time, his voice cracked with emotion. “It’s like I’m stuck in that moment, over and over again, and I don’t know how to get out of it.”

Glimmer listened, her heart aching for him. She wished she could offer some kind of solution, some magic phrase that would take all the pain away, but she knew it wasn’t that simple. Instead, she shifted closer, pulling his hand into her lap, holding it with both of hers now. She looked at him, even though he still couldn’t meet her gaze, and spoke softly.

“Bow, you don’t have to go through this alone,” she said, her voice steady but tender. “You don’t have to keep it all inside. I know you’re trying to protect everyone else, trying to be strong for us. But you don’t have to be strong all the time. Not with me. I’m here. We’re all here.”

Bow swallowed hard, his throat tight. A part of him wanted to believe her, to let himself lean on her fully, but another part still held back, afraid to be vulnerable, afraid to relive the trauma he had been desperately trying to suppress. But something in Glimmer’s voice, the sincerity of it, chipped away at that fear.

She continued, her tone soothing but firm. “What you saw… no one should have to go through that. It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to feel like it’s too much. But I promise, Bow, you’re not alone in this. We’ll get through it together. Whatever you’re feeling—anger, fear, confusion—you can talk to me. You can share it with me.” This time, she squeezed his hand hard.

For a moment, the room was silent again, and Bow felt like he was balancing on a knife’s edge. He could feel the swell of emotion rising inside him, the tears that had threatened to spill earlier now dangerously close. His mind screamed at him to hold it together, to keep it all in like he always had, but with Glimmer sitting beside him, her hand in his, he didn’t feel quite as afraid to let go.

He finally lifted his eyes to meet hers. They were full of warmth, unwavering in their support. And in that moment, something broke inside him, the walls he had built to protect himself crumbling under the weight of his grief. He let out a shaky breath, and before he could stop himself, a tear slipped down his cheek. Then another. And another.

“I’m scared, Glimmer,” he admitted, his voice cracking as the tears began to flow freely now. “I’m so scared.”

Without hesitation, Glimmer pulled him into a hug, wrapping her arms around him tightly. She didn’t say anything—she didn’t need to. Her embrace said everything. Bow clung to her, his body trembling as he let the flood of emotions pour out, the fear, the sadness, the guilt. It all came rushing to the surface, no longer contained by the walls he had tried so hard to keep up.

“I know.”

And for the first time in weeks, Bow felt a small sense of relief. Not because the memories had disappeared, not because the nightmares were over, but because he didn’t have to carry them alone anymore. Glimmer was there, and somehow, that made all the difference.

“Bow, do you want to sleep here?” Glimmer asked gently, her voice barely above a whisper, as if the very air around them might shatter the moment.

He thought for a second, his heart racing at the vulnerability of the suggestion. But the comfort of her presence was undeniable, wrapping around him like a warm blanket. He nodded softly, a small gesture that felt monumental. She smiled, a small, tender smile that lit a spark in his heart, flickering warmth through the chill of his lingering fear.

Together, they crept under the sheets, the fabric enveloping them like a cocoon, creating a safe haven away from the haunting memories that had plagued Bow. They lay side by side, both staring at the ceiling, lost in their own thoughts. Bow felt a mix of gratitude and uncertainty; the heaviness in his chest had not entirely lifted, but having Glimmer close made it a little easier to breathe.

In a moment of instinct, he lifted his arms out from under the covers to wipe his face, trying to erase the remnants of tears that had streaked his cheeks. One arm was occupied, while the other lay in the middle of the bed, an invitation, a bridge between them.

Glimmer, sensing his need for connection, reached for his hand, her fingers sliding between his with a gentle assurance. This time, their hands were completely intertwined, fingers laced together, creating a bond that felt stronger than words. The warmth of her touch spread through him, melting away the tension that had built up inside him.

It helped more than he could have imagined. Even in the silence, he felt a sense of calm settle over him, the rhythmic sound of their breathing syncing in a comforting rhythm. Bow closed his eyes, allowing himself to focus on that connection, the way their fingers fit together perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle coming together after being scattered for too long.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice quiet but sincere. He could feel the weight of the world slowly lifting, if only just a little. He didn’t know how long they lay there, but time seemed to stretch in the darkness, each second a gentle reminder that he wasn’t alone.

Glimmer turned slightly, propping herself up on one elbow to look at him. “You don’t have to thank me,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. “I’m here for you, Bow. Always. You can lean on me whenever you need to.”

His heart swelled at her words, and he turned to meet her gaze. In that moment, all the fears that had once seemed insurmountable felt a little less daunting. Bow took a deep breath, feeling the rhythm of their shared heartbeat in that quiet space. The horrors of the past still lingered at the edges of his mind, but with Glimmer beside him, it felt like he had found a way to face them.

“Can you stay awake with me for a bit?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Just until I feel a little more… normal?”

“Of course,” Glimmer replied without hesitation, her smile reassuring. “We can talk, or just sit here. Whatever you need.”

As they settled back into their comfortable silence, Bow found himself sharing stories from their childhood, little memories that brought back warmth and laughter. He recounted the time they had gotten lost in the woods during a summer camping trip, how they had turned it into a grand adventure rather than a disaster. Glimmer joined in, laughing and adding her own details, her voice a soothing balm against the sharp edges of his memories.

With each story, he felt more at ease, the shadows of his mind retreating just a bit further. The weight of his earlier fears began to dissipate, replaced by the familiar comfort of shared laughter and the warmth of their connection. Glimmer’s laughter echoed softly in the room, a sweet melody that danced through the darkness, reminding him of the light still present in the world.

“Glimmer,” he said, breaking the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. “I think I’m going to sleep now.”

“Okay,” she replied, turning her head slightly to look at him. Her hair spilled softly against the pillow, framing her face in a way that made his heart skip a beat.

“Do you feel better?” Glimmer asked, her voice a soothing balm in the quiet room.

“Yeah, thank you,”

They held eye contact for a moment, an unspoken connection passing between them. The vulnerability of the night hung in the air, wrapping around them like a blanket.

“And I’m sorry I barged in,” he added, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his tone. “I didn’t even expect you to be up.”

Glimmer chuckled softly, her laughter brightening the dimness. “You didn’t barge in, Bow. I was just surprised to see you.”

“Why were you awake?” he asked, curiosity mingling with concern.

“I was up because I was worried about you,” she confessed, her gaze steady and earnest.

A warm smile spread across Bow’s face at her words. It felt comforting to have someone like Glimmer in his life—someone who genuinely cared for him, just as he cared for her.

Glimmer turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness, but the absence of light didn’t dampen the warmth between them. They were still facing each other, the distance between them shrinking as the atmosphere shifted with the weight of their emotions.

“I care for you a lot, Bow,” Glimmer said softly, her voice almost a whisper.

Feeling a rush of courage, she shuffled closer, cradling the bottom of his chin gently, tilting his face toward hers. Before Bow could process what was happening, she leaned in and kissed him softly.

Bow was speechless. Her lips felt amazing against his, sending sparks through him that ignited every nerve ending. It was as if time had slowed; he didn’t want to overthink it or pull away. All he could do was kiss her back, pouring every bit of his feelings into that moment. It felt like an eternity, and he didn’t care. Bow wanted this moment to never end.

When she finally pulled away, he opened his eyes to see her looking at him with a small, dreamy smile that glimmered in the darkness. His heart swelled with joy, disbelief dancing at the edges of his mind.

“Goodnight, Bow,” she said, her voice soft and inviting.

“Goodnight, Glimmer,” he replied, still caught in the bliss of their kiss. The simple exchange held a weight that promised so much more. He could feel the warmth radiating from her, enveloping him like a cherished memory, one he wanted to hold onto forever.

As Bow lay back against the pillows, a sense of peace settled over him. The worries of the night melted away, replaced by a sweet anticipation for what was to come. He stole glances at Glimmer, her silhouette barely visible in the dark, and felt a sense of belonging he had never known before.

The silence wrapped around them, but it was a comfortable silence, filled with the warmth of shared secrets and budding feelings. Bow couldn’t help but smile to himself, thoughts racing with the possibilities that awaited them. It was this that allowed him to finally drift off into a deep, heavy sleep.

Chapter Text

Glimmer forced her eyes open as the early, golden sunrise clouded her vision. She blinked a few times, trying to clear the haze from her sleepy mind. That’s when she realized—her arms were around Bow, and one of his legs was draped over her.

Her heart skipped a beat as the events of last night replayed in her head. She’d kissed him.

Panic hit her. What am I doing? She couldn’t help but glance at Bow’s peaceful face, his soft breathing steady, completely unaware of the chaos running through her mind. He looked so comfortable, and for a moment, she felt reluctant to move. But then reality crashed back in.

She needed to get to work—and fast. The last thing she wanted was for Bow to wake up and face the awkwardness of this situation head-on. She wriggled her way out of his clutches, carefully lifting his leg off her as if it were a ticking time bomb.

‘Phew,’ she thought when Bow didn’t stir, still sleeping like a baby.

Slipping quietly out of bed, she rushed to get dressed, tiptoeing across the room. Every drawer she opened felt louder than a drum, and every creak of the floorboard made her wince. ‘Please don’t wake up, please don’t wake up,’ she mentally pleaded, feeling her heart race.

Her mind was spinning. What if he didn’t like her? What if she had completely ruined their friendship with that kiss? She didn’t have time to figure it all out, not now. She had to get to work.

Glancing at the clock on her phone, her heart dropped.

TEN MINUTES!?!?!?

Her eyes widened in disbelief. ‘For stars’ sake!’

Her panic levels skyrocketed. She grabbed the last of her things and tiptoed as fast as she could down the stairs. Luckily, Bow hadn’t stirred. She glanced out the window and spotted Adora in the garden, doing pull-ups with headphones on, blissfully unaware of Glimmer’s frantic rush. Adora always seemed to have her life together, meanwhile, Glimmer was an explosion of panic.

Glimmer’s hands shook as she nearly dropped her coffee in the kitchen, rushing to gulp it down. She couldn’t believe her own nerves—why was she panicking so much? It wasn’t just about being late to work. Her thoughts kept circling back to Bow, to the kiss, to what it all meant. ‘What if it changes everything?’ she worried, but there was no time for answers now.

With barely a glance back, she raced out the door, almost stumbling into her car as she tossed herself into the driver’s seat. Keys in the ignition, engine roaring—it took thirty seconds, and she was off.

Her fingers gripped the steering wheel tight as she zoomed down the street, checking the time with wide eyes. “Mom’s gunna kill me!” she whined to herself, imagining her mom’s stern face. She had six minutes.

Her mother, Angella, ran the local coffee shop, and Glimmer was meant to be learning the ropes to eventually take it over. Being late for shifts wasn’t just a minor slip-up—it was catastrophic in her mom’s eyes. Especially because Angella had also built a reputation of perfection with the bakery down the street. One late shift, and Glimmer could already imagine the lecture.

Great way to impress Mom, Glimmer, she groaned to herself, trying to focus on the road. But even as she rushed to beat the clock, her mind kept drifting back to the boy still sleeping in her bed.

Bow.

What on earth is going to happen when I see him again?

She felt her stomach do a flip at the thought of facing him later. Last night had felt so right in the moment—but now, everything seemed uncertain. Would he feel the same way when he woke up? Or had she just complicated everything?

Glimmer sprinted into the shop, the bell above the door dinging as she burst through. She was still catching her breath when she heard her mother’s voice.

“Glimmer! Just in time!” Angella called out with a smile.

Glimmer blinked, surprised. Well, that was unexpected. She was fully prepared for a stern lecture.

“You should’ve come earlier,” her mom continued, glancing at the clock. “Your shift starts in two minutes.”

Oh. Relief mixed with lingering panic as Glimmer realized she hadn’t missed her shift by the skin of her teeth. “Sorry, Mom,” she managed to groan, trudging around the counter and plopping down beside the coffee machine.

Her thoughts were still tangled up in a whirlwind—Bow, the kiss, her wild dash to work. She stared at the coffee machine, wishing her brain would calm down for a moment, but the mental storm refused to quiet.

“Everything okay, Glimmer?” Angella’s voice cut through her thoughts, and Glimmer looked up. Her mom was watching her with concern, probably noticing the deep purple bags under her eyes and her messy hair. Angella rarely asked personal questions during work, so the question caught Glimmer off guard.

“I’m fine, Mom,” she mumbled, offering a tired smile.

Angella raised an eyebrow but didn’t press. “Well, if you’re sure. Just don’t forget to make yourself a coffee if you need it. We’ve got a long day ahead.”

Glimmer nodded, already reaching for a cup. Her mind was still back in her bedroom, replaying that kiss over and over. She couldn’t shake the feeling of Bow’s lips, the way her heart had raced, how the world had seemed to stop for just that moment. Now, sitting in the brightly lit coffee shop, the whole thing felt like a dream—something distant, surreal.

As she stood there making coffee, her fingers tapping absently on the counter, she thought about Bow still fast asleep in her bed. What would he say when they saw each other again? Would things be awkward? Or had their friendship finally crossed into something more?

I care for you a lot, Bow. Her own words echoed in her head, making her stomach flutter. She hadn’t planned to say it. The kiss had just happened. It was spontaneous, but it had felt right. Now, though, she was left with a thousand questions, and no answers.

“Glimmer?” Angella’s voice snapped her back to reality.

“Yeah?” Glimmer responded, trying to focus.

“You zoned out for a second there,” Angella said gently, giving her a curious look. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Glimmer forced a reassuring smile. “I’m good, Mom. Just… didn’t get much sleep last night.”

That wasn’t a lie, at least.

“Well, drink up,” her mom said, gesturing to the steaming cup of coffee Glimmer had just made. “You’ve got customers waiting.”

With a small nod, Glimmer grabbed her coffee and took a deep sip, hoping the caffeine would help clear her foggy brain. Maybe all she needed was that second coffee.

———

Adora doom-scrolled on her phone, lazily curling a dumbbell in her other hand. Instagram felt particularly dull today—everyone was posting the usual autumn fare, pumpkins and Halloween decorations, while she sat at home doing… whatever this was. The monotony irritated her. She felt a twinge of self-loathing for resorting to her phone again, something she usually avoided. Phones seemed to drain focus, and if there was one thing Adora prided herself on, it was her ability to stay on task.

Her focus shifted when she saw Bow through the glass door in the kitchen. Finally, a break in the boredom. She jumped up, rushing over, a smile breaking across her face.

“Hi, Bow!” she greeted, excited to see him.

But something was wrong. The energetic Bow she knew seemed to have vanished. Instead, this Bow was sluggish, hollow-eyed—and to top it off, his complexion was disturbingly pale, like… a zombie. And it wasn’t even Halloween yet.

“Hi, Adora,” he grumbled through a mouthful of the breakfast bar she’d bought the other day, his voice rough like sandpaper.

Adora blinked, struggling to hide her shock. “You look…” she started, but trailed off, deciding against finishing that thought. His appearance was worse than usual, and that was saying something after the ordeal they’d gone through two weeks ago.

“I know,” Bow snapped, clearly catching her hesitation. He slumped down on the couch with a glass of water in hand, his whole demeanor radiating exhaustion.

Adora followed and sat next to him, her concern growing. “Bow, whatever this…” she gestured vaguely at his face, “is, you can tell me. I’m not going to judge.”

He sighed heavily, his gaze dropping to the floor, avoiding her eyes. After a long pause, he finally spoke, voice barely above a whisper. “Okay, okay. Last night, I was… well, upset, so I went into Glimmer’s room…”

Adora’s eyebrows shot up. “And?” she pressed, her curiosity piqued.

Bow winced, the tension in his body visible. “She…”
He looked up to the ceiling, as if asking the stars for strength.

“She kissed me.”

Adora’s gasp filled the room, the revelation hanging in the air like a bombshell.

——-

Glimmer couldn’t stand this job. Sure, it was only two days a week—Tuesdays and Thursdays, with holidays off—and the pay was decent, but that didn’t make it any more bearable. Working alongside her mom, the very person she was dying to get some distance from, took the shine off the whole deal. Every shift felt like an endless stream of lectures about responsibility or “learning the value of work.” Her patience was running thin.

“Welcome to Moon Café, how can I help you?” Glimmer mumbled, her voice flat as her eyes skimmed over the tall woman with short, snow-white hair who seemed to be staring blankly at the menu above.

The woman smiled brightly. “Hmm, I’m not sure. What do you think?”

Glimmer stifled a groan. Why did people always ask that? “Uh, I don’t know. A latte?” she suggested bluntly, just wanting to move things along.

“Sure!” the woman chirped, unfazed.

Glimmer turned to start on the order, grabbing a sharpie and the cup in one swift motion. “Your name?”

“Scorpia!” she replied, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

Glimmer rolled her eyes and scribbled on the cup with little care.

SKORPEA

‘Ehh, close enough. I don’t get paid for writing names anyway.’

She sighed, turning her back to the woman and began mechanically assembling the latte, bored out of her mind. It was just another routine shift at the café, with the same dull rhythm, but at least it was a step closer to the end of the day.

———

“And you’re still not dating? Seriously!?” Adora had been firing questions at Bow for what felt like an eternity. He had nothing pressing on his agenda, but if there was a way to escape her relentless interrogation, he’d jump at the chance.

“Why don’t you just find your own relationship? That way, you can stop bombarding me with these ridiculous questions,” he grumbled, irritation slipping through. Oops. The moment the words left his mouth, he felt a twinge of regret.

The expression on Adora’s face was priceless—she looked genuinely taken aback, as if the thought had never crossed her mind. “Well, no—”

“Why not?” he pressed, curiosity piqued.

She blinked, caught off guard. “I’m too busy.”

Bow couldn’t help but let out a laugh, the tension between them easing for a moment. “Don’t be ridiculous, Adora. You’ve been grilling me for half an hour! You’re not that busy.”

To his amusement, Adora fumbled for words, her usual confidence shaken. “I… I don’t know how.”

“Give me your phone.” Bow extended his palm, and Adora reluctantly smacked her phone into his hand.

He navigated to the App Store, typed something quickly, and then handed her phone back. “What did you just do?” she asked, a mix of confusion and intrigue in her eyes.

“Installed a dating app,” he replied nonchalantly.

“WHAT?!” Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Chill out, Adora. It’s just a suggestion.”

“You’re changing the subject! Why aren’t you with Glimmer yet?” Her tone was accusatory, but there was a playful edge to it.

“Maybe because she only kissed me LAST NIGHT? And, you know, she actually has a job,” he countered, rolling his eyes.

“Let’s go find her!” Adora declared, her excitement infectious, completely ignoring Bow’s attempts to deflect.

“Huh.”

By the time Bow fully grasped what was happening, they were already speeding downtown in Adora’s car. His heart raced faster than the engine.

“ADORA, YOU’RE CRAZY!” Bow practically shouted, panic rising in his chest. This was going to be a complete disaster. He was certain of it. His mind raced with thoughts of how to stop this—maybe he could just jump out of the car. It wasn’t a terrible idea…

“Bow, relax,” Adora waved him off with maddening calmness. “Just do what they do in the movies! It’ll be fineeee.”

“Adora, this is not a movie!” Bow squeaked, clutching the armrest like his life depended on it.

Before he knew it, they were parked in front of Moon Café, and his eyes zeroed in on a familiar figure at the counter—Glimmer. Her sparkling purple hair stood out like a beacon, and his stomach flipped. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple as he gulped.

The café was buzzing, filled with the low hum of conversations and the comforting clinks of mugs, but Bow’s world had narrowed to a single point—Glimmer.

When they stepped inside, Bow felt his feet moving forward, though his brain was screaming at him to run. The second their eyes met, his breath hitched. Glimmer’s expression mirrored his own: shock, disbelief, and a touch of dread.

Adora, sensing the tension, leaned in close, whispering awkwardly, “You got this. I’ll, uh, sit down over there.” She quickly made her exit to a table, leaving Bow standing in the middle of the shop feeling utterly exposed.

‘This is insane,’ Bow thought as he hesitated before approaching the counter. He barely managed to get her name out.

“Glimmer.”

Her eyes widened as she took him in, as pale as if she’d seen a ghost. “Bow? What—what are you doing here?”

“I—” He reached up, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, eyes darting to the floor. He was all nerves, unable to find the right words. “I need to talk to you. Outside.”

Glimmer blinked, clearly confused. “I… I can’t just leave. My boss won’t let me. You’ll have to say it here.”

The way she looked at him, so direct yet vulnerable, made his throat tighten. He stuttered, words jumbling together. “I… I…”

No. He couldn’t do it here. Not in front of all these people. He swallowed hard and shook his head. “No, I really need to talk to you outside.”

Glimmer tilted her head in confusion but finally relented. She glanced around, making sure no one was watching, before disappearing into the staff room. A few seconds later, she came rushing out, quickly following Bow to the parking lot.

As they walked, Bow’s mind spun out of control. Every step felt like a lifetime, and when they finally stopped, he lost all semblance of composure. The words burst out of him in a rush. “I love you!”

Instant regret washed over him. His expression twisted into one of pure horror, as if he wanted to take back the words the second they left his mouth. His face flushed, and he froze, waiting for her reaction.

Glimmer’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, it felt like time had stopped. Then, slowly, she took a step toward him, her face softening. “I… I love you too, Bow.”

The tension broke, and Bow felt his heart skip a beat. He could barely process what had just happened, but there they stood, hearts on the line, nothing between them but the honesty of their words.

He didn’t know what to do next.

“Bow, we need to properly talk when I’m finished, okay?” She smiled.

“Okay..” He replied, eyes still wide and thoughtless.

——

When Adora saw Bow walking back to her, beaming from ear to ear, she couldn’t resist teasing him. “What happened?! You look like you just saw a triple rainbow.”

“She loves me too!” Bow exclaimed, his face flushed with excitement.

Adora scoffed playfully, her smile growing even wider as she squealed, “Bow, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!” She reached out and shook his shoulders in pure excitement, making him laugh.

Bow sat down across from her, feeling lighter than air. The conversation flowed easily, full of playful jabs and jokes.

“So, what did you say to her? Was it some grand romantic confession or just your usual awkward self?” Adora teased.

Bow groaned, running his hands through his hair. “Oh, it was both. I practically blurted out ‘I love you’ and then wanted to crawl into a hole. But she said it back, so I guess awkward works for me!”

Adora laughed, slapping the table. “You are so lucky she’s into awkward. Most people would’ve just run the other way!”

Bow grinned, taking a sip of his drink. After a pause, he gave her a knowing look. “Adora. Did you sign up for that app?”

Adora raised an eyebrow, casually brushing it off. “Oh yeah, I did! It’s not a big deal though. I don’t think anyone’s going to match with me any time soon.”

Bow rolled his eyes. “You never know. Here, give me your phone.” He grabbed it from the tabletop and quickly opened the dating app, scrolling through the profiles with his brows furrowed. He stopped at one and held up the screen to show her. “What do you think of her?”

Adora barely glanced at it before shaking her head. “No, she’s a he, and not even gay, Bow.”

Bow furrowed his brow and looked at the profile again. “Oh.” Then his eyes widened, realization dawning on him. “Adora, you idiot! You set your profile to straight!”

Adora blinked in surprise, then groaned, leaning back in her chair. “Wait, what? Ugh, I knew I messed something up.”

Bow presented the phone to her with exaggerated flair, holding it up like it was some grand prize. “You need to set it to lesbian. Go on, you do the honors.”

Adora rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help smiling as she took the phone from him. “Fine, fine.” She tapped a button on the screen and smirked. “There. I’m officially gay.”

Bow chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “Welcome to the club.”

Adora laughed and leaned forward, scrolling through her profile again. “Okay, so what do I do now?” she asked, tapping a few profiles as they appeared.

Bow leaned in, peering over her shoulder. “Now, we see who catches your eye. What about her?” He pointed at a woman with ginger hair and bright eyes.

Adora squinted, then shook her head. “Nah, not my type. She looks like she’s way too into hiking.”

Bow laughed. “Fair. What about this one? She’s got a cool vibe.”

Adora considered for a moment, then smiled, intrigued. “Hmm, she’s cute. But… still not sure.”

They went back and forth, casually swiping through profiles and joking about each one. The conversation eventually shifted, flowing naturally into random topics. They started talking about their plans for the weekend, funny memories, and how Bow was going to make things work with Glimmer.

Adora eventually set her phone down, completely forgetting about it as their conversation deepened.

“So, you gunna marry her?” Adora teased with a smirk.

“Shut up, Adora. It’s not even been three hours yet. We aren’t even dating… yet.”

“Ooo, ‘yet,’ so you will date her?” Adora leaned in, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Well, I’m not going to say no to Glimmer…”

Suddenly, Adora’s phone dinged.

She glanced at it absentmindedly, but then froze, her eyes widening. “Uh… Bow?”

“What?” Bow asked, pausing mid-sentence.

She turned the screen towards him, revealing a little heart notification. “Someone just left me a heart.”

Bow’s eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face. “See? I told you!”

Adora blinked, still processing, before breaking into a wide smile. “Okay, let’s see her.”

Chapter Text

“No. Wait for Glimmer!”
Bow reached for Adora’s phone and snatched it before she could hit the notification.

“Why?” Adora scoffed, folding her arms.

“Adora, this is your girlfriend on the line here! I can’t believe you’d let Glimmer miss out on this,” Bow shot back, raising an eyebrow as if she’d completely lost it.

Adora rolled her eyes dramatically, clearly unimpressed by Bow’s concern. “Don’t be ridiculous, Bow. She’s probably not even my type,” she replied, flipping her hair in a dismissive gesture. Bow wasn’t convinced in the slightest, eyeing her knowingly.

———

Glimmer anxiously glanced at the clock again, wishing time would move faster. She was ready to bolt the second it hit 9:45. The minutes dragged on, and with each passing second, her frustration grew. She’d help one customer, check her watch, frown, help another, and repeat the cycle, her mood spiraling downward as the hands of the clock refused to cooperate.

Since her mother, Angella, decided a twelve-hour shift was “too easy,” she had cruelly tacked on an extra forty-five minutes for good measure. Glimmer hated it when the clock struck nine—everything felt like it slowed to a painful crawl.

Today was especially unbearable. The shop had just been restocked, which meant most of her day was spent in the back, wrestling with the annoyingly precise organization system her mother insisted on. It wasn’t just a small room; it was practically a warehouse with shelves packed full of meticulously labeled containers. Each trip to retrieve something felt like a never-ending scavenger hunt.

Her mother had tried, repeatedly, to explain her “brilliant” method of arranging the inventory, but to Glimmer, it was nothing short of insanity. It wasn’t alphabetical, nor did it follow any logical order she could grasp. To her, the whole system was pointless and infuriating.

As Glimmer tossed the last empty box into the disposal with a satisfying thud, she glanced at her watch one final time.

“YES!!” she squealed, the sound echoing through the stockroom as she bolted for the car park, not sparing a second to look back. This was it. The moment she’d been waiting for.

Her heart raced, not just from the excitement of finally being free from the drudgery of her shift, but from what lay ahead. The conversation with Bow. The conversation. She couldn’t stop replaying the kiss in her head. A single moment that had the power to change everything. She was almost certain today was the day they’d make it official. Almost.

——

“What’s the time?” Adora asked, glancing toward Bow, remembering she didn’t have her phone. He still had it after snatching it earlier.

Bow, holding Adora’s phone, lifted it to check the screen. “9:58,” he replied quietly, his voice carrying a slight edge of tension.

Adora’s eyes drifted to his hands. Bow was fidgeting, peeling off the corner of her phone case and snapping it back into place repeatedly. His leg was bouncing so aggressively it was hard not to notice the entire table vibrating with each movement.

“She’ll be here soon,” Adora assured him, her tone softening as she saw how anxious he was. Glimmer was always a sensitive subject, especially today. And if she was honest with herself, maybe she was a little on edge too.

But Adora had been watching this dynamic unfold for years. She knew Bow, and she knew Glimmer. She’d been passively third-wheeling their relationship before they even realized what was happening. It was obvious they were headed somewhere, and Adora hoped tonight was finally the night they figured it out.

“Bow.”
He looked up at Adora, his anxious fidgeting pausing for a moment.

“It’ll be fine. You’re gonna be a great couple,” she said with a reassuring smile, her voice full of confidence.

Bow exhaled softly, glancing down as a smile crept onto his face. “Thanks. I really love her. I…” He trailed off, eyes glazing over as he got lost in a thought that seemed to warm him from the inside. “I think I always have.”

Adora nodded, her smile growing warmer. Part of her was smug, knowing she’d been right about them all along. But more than that, she genuinely loved seeing their relationship blossom. It was cute, watching them finally figure out what had been obvious for so long. She totally wasn’t jealous of what they had—

Before she could finish that thought, the door flung open with a loud crash. A pair of pink eyes darted around the restaurant, searching, scanning the room.

Bow instinctively waved, his hand shooting up the moment Glimmer’s pink eyes landed on him. She caught his gaze and smiled brightly, picking up her pace as she trotted over to their booth.

“Hey guys,” Glimmer greeted, her voice light but carrying an undercurrent of anticipation as she slid into the seat across from them.

Adora, sensing the shift in energy, knew this was her cue to make herself scarce. It was obvious Bow and Glimmer needed space to talk, and if there was one thing Adora was good at, it was finding ways to slip out of awkward situations.

“Oh, uhmm, I actually left my… uh, my water in the car!” she stammered, scrambling for an excuse. “And I really need it because I just, err, burnt my tongue!” she added, gesturing vaguely toward her mouth.

Before either of them could respond, she bolted from the booth, making a hasty exit toward the parking lot.

“Genius, Adora. Genius,” she muttered to herself, feeling only slightly proud of her quick thinking. Now, it was up to Bow and Glimmer.

——

“Umm, okay,” Bow chuckled, a nervous laugh escaping as he watched Adora practically flee from the restaurant.

“You know fully well she’s giving us space,” Glimmer said with a gentle smirk, resting her chin on her hands as she stared at him, her pink eyes sparkling. There was a warmth in her gaze that made Bow’s heart flutter, but it also reminded him just how important this moment was.

He took a deep breath. His palms were sweating, and his heart was racing so loudly he could barely hear his own thoughts. This was it. The moment he’d been thinking about for what felt like forever. “About that…”

Glimmer felt a pang of panic rise in her chest. She could tell he was starting to veer off course, probably to talk about something unrelated, and that was the last thing she wanted. If they didn’t tackle this head-on, she was afraid the moment might slip away.

“Bow, did you mean it when you said you loved me, or were you just caught up in the moment?” she blurted out, her voice rushed and shaky. The second the words left her lips, she wanted to pull them back, but it was too late. Her heart hammered in her chest as she braced herself for his answer.

Bow blinked, taken slightly off guard. But then his expression softened, his eyes filling with sincerity. “Of course not, Glimmer. I love you, and I’ll say it a million times if you need me to.”

Glimmer’s breath caught in her throat. She wanted to believe him, but after years of being so close to him, it felt surreal to hear it. She couldn’t help but tease him, her lips curling into a small smile. “Unless you don’t love me?” she said, her voice lighter now, trying to hide the vulnerability behind her question.

“I do!” Bow laughed, his heart swelling with relief as he watched her giggle, her playful side easing some of the tension. But the gravity of the moment pulled him back in.

He straightened in his seat, nerves giving way to determination. His mind raced as he realized he needed to do this right. “Glimmer, I really need to ask you something.”

“Bow?” Glimmer’s teasing dropped away as she leaned forward slightly, her eyes wide with anticipation. This was the moment she’d been hoping for, yet part of her still couldn’t believe it was happening.

“Do you want to spend the rest of your future with me?” Bow asked, his voice steady but his heart pounding with every word. His eyes bore into hers, filled with a deep, quiet certainty.

Glimmer’s breath hitched. The question hit her like a wave, and she could feel the enormity of it. “Yes, Bow,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, her heart racing. “What are you saying?”

Bow smiled, the nerves melting away as he looked at her, really looked at her. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

For a moment, time seemed to stop. The restaurant faded into the background, and all that existed were the two of them. Glimmer’s heart exploded with joy, emotions flooding her all at once. It was as if the weight of every memory, every feeling she’d ever had for Bow, finally came crashing together in one beautiful, perfect moment. Fireworks didn’t just go off in her chest; they burst behind her eyes, and her entire body felt like it was lit up from the inside out.

“YES!” she squealed, her voice filled with pure, unfiltered joy. She threw herself forward across the table, her eyes sparkling, her whole face glowing. “Yes, Bow!”

To her response, he pulled her in by the shirt for their second kiss—this time, instead of being soft and tender, it was rough and longing, charged with the pent-up emotions of the past weeks. Bow felt as if the world around them melted away; the restaurant’s chatter and laughter faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in this intoxicating moment. Glimmer was the only person that mattered, her warmth enveloping him as he lost himself in the taste of her lips, sweetened by the cherry soda she had just sipped.

He deepened the kiss, pouring into it everything he had held back—the doubts, the fears, the desires—each touch igniting a fire within him. Glimmer responded with equal fervor, her fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as if trying to fuse their very souls. Their kiss became a dance of desperation and longing, filled with unspoken promises, as if the last few weeks of uncertainty had vanished in an instant. When they finally pulled away, breathless, Glimmer smiled warmly and was returned with one back.

——- Meanwhile…

Adora sat in the driver’s seat of her car, drumming her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel as she stared blankly at the flow of passing cars. She had no real idea when to head back inside, no way to gauge when Bow and Glimmer would have finished their conversation. For all she knew, they could’ve already wrapped things up, or maybe they were still in the thick of it. Either way, she was stuck.

“Ugh!” she groaned loudly, letting her head fall back against the seat in frustration. She kicked at the floor of her car, her mood worsening with each passing minute. “This is so annoying! Why did Bow have to take my phone?!”

Without her phone, she had no way of tracking the time. Bow still had it after snatching it earlier, and now she was paying the price for her well-intentioned escape plan. She couldn’t even fake-check the time or scroll through social media to pass the time. She was stranded in her own impatience.

Adora sighed deeply, crossing her arms and sinking lower into her seat. She felt ridiculous sitting there, playing the waiting game for a conversation she knew would change everything between her two best friends. A part of her was happy for them, of course, but the larger part of her? Well, it just felt… left out.

It wasn’t just that they were going to become a couple. She’d been third-wheeling them for what felt like forever, but this would cement it. She’d be the odd one out. She loved Bow and Glimmer to pieces, but if they officially became a couple, where would that leave her?

“I’m being ridiculous,” Adora muttered to herself, shaking her head. “This is a good thing. It’s what they both want. They deserve this.”

Still, she couldn’t help the pang of loneliness that came with it. Bow and Glimmer were her family, and she’d always been part of their dynamic. They’d always been a trio, and now… would it be different? Would she be pushed aside as the two of them figured out their relationship?

Adora squirmed in her seat, staring at the clock on her dashboard, not that it helped much. She didn’t even know what time she had left. “Should I just go back in now? What if I ruin the moment?” she muttered to herself, feeling a strange sense of helplessness wash over her.

She glanced at the restaurant, hoping for some kind of sign. But all she saw were a few people walking in and out, none of them giving her any clue about what was happening inside with Bow and Glimmer. They were probably having the moment right now, and here she was, stuck in her car like a clueless idiot.

Adora groaned again, this time louder, practically shouting into the empty car. “This is torture! What if it takes them forever? What am I supposed to do, just sit here?!” She let out a long, dramatic sigh and pressed her hands over her face, sinking into the leather seat.

Her mind wandered back to the look on Bow’s face when Glimmer had walked in. The way his whole expression had softened, how his entire body seemed to tense with anticipation. He was so nervous, so absolutely head over heels in love with her, and Adora could see it. She’d always seen it, long before either of them had ever said anything out loud.

And Glimmer… the way she had scanned the room, her pink eyes lighting up the second she saw Bow. Adora had known it was inevitable, but now, as she sat in the quiet of her car, the reality was finally hitting her. They were in love. And they were going to be together.

And she… was out here talking to herself.

“Great,” she muttered. “I’m becoming that weird person who talks to herself in the car. Perfect. I’m one step away from talking to my steering wheel.”

Still, Adora couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Bow and Glimmer finally figuring things out. She loved them both too much to be bitter about it. Maybe things would change, but in the end, this was something they needed.

She stared at the restaurant door again, debating whether or not to go inside, still without a clue as to how much time had passed. “Maybe five more minutes… I’ll give them five more minutes.”

Adora shifted in her seat, her gaze drifting toward the far corner of the parking lot where a group of people were gathered, laughing loudly and chatting with the kind of ease that only came with a big group of friends. There were at least eight or nine of them, all moving together like one giant mass of energy, completely comfortable in each other’s company.

She watched them closely, feeling a slight tug at her chest. The way they laughed so easily, their arms draped over each other’s shoulders, swapping jokes and stories—it looked so effortless. So simple.

A frown crept across her face. She couldn’t help it. For years, it had just been her, Bow, and Glimmer. And now, as things were about to change between the two of them, that familiar ache of being the third wheel began to settle in her stomach again. It wasn’t new; she’d felt it before. She’d always been stuck in between them, watching their bond grow stronger, knowing that if it ever came down to it, they’d choose each other.

And why wouldn’t they? They were in love.

Adora sighed heavily, her eyes lingering on the group of friends. If only they had a bigger friend group, like those people. Maybe then she wouldn’t feel so left out, wouldn’t feel like the odd one out in every situation. If they had more friends, maybe it wouldn’t just be Bow and Glimmer together, with her hanging on the edges.

Why didn’t we ever make more friends? she wondered, her frown deepening. She’d always told herself it was fine, that she was happy with just the three of them. But moments like this, when she was alone and left to wait, reminded her just how lonely it could be. If they had a group like those people in the parking lot, she wouldn’t be sitting here, wondering if she still had a place in Bow and Glimmer’s world once they became a couple.

Instead, she’d be laughing with everyone, part of a bigger group, no one feeling left out. If only.

But they didn’t have that. It was just the three of them, and soon it would really just be Bow and Glimmer. And that left her, well… exactly where she was now. Alone in her car, waiting.

“Okay, times up!” She decided, and got out of her car without a single thought.

—-

“Adora’s here! Finally,” Bow announced, his face lighting up the moment she approached the booth.

As Adora walked over, she quickly noticed the seating arrangement had changed. Glimmer was now cozied up next to Bow, leaving the spot where she’d been sitting empty. Her brain sighed internally, the visual confirmation of what she’d feared earlier hitting her square in the chest. Alone again on the opposite side.

Still, she pushed a smile onto her face as she slid into the seat. “Sooooo!” Glimmer began, her voice practically bouncing with excitement, a playful smirk on her lips.

Adora smiled back, already sensing what was coming.

“It’s official!!!” Glimmer squeaked, barely able to contain herself as she reached for Bow’s hand under the table.

Adora congratulated them, her voice warm and sincere. “I’m so happy for you guys,” she said, and for a brief moment, her words rang with a bittersweet note she hoped neither of them caught. Then, deciding to break the tension, she smirked. “And to be honest, I was getting sick of you two telling me how much you loved each other.”

Glimmer’s hand flew out to playfully smack Adora’s arm for that one, laughing as she did. “Oh, shut up!” she teased, though her eyes sparkled with joy.

Adora rubbed her arm, feigning pain with a grin. “Alright, alright. But seriously, can I have my phone back now?”

“Oh! Right. Sorry.” Bow quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out her phone. Just as he was about to hand it over, his eyes widened, and he gasped as a sudden realization hit him.

“Oh no,” he muttered, his face flushing slightly.

“What?!” Glimmer asked, now curious as to what had him so flustered.

Bow cleared his throat. “Basically, Adora has a potential girlfriend on her phone who left her a heart emoji, and I had to wait for you to see it, so we could figure out who she is!”

Glimmer’s eyes widened with excitement as she turned to Adora, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Oh, Adora. You’ve really got a lot of girls after you.”

Adora rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small laugh that bubbled up. It wasn’t exactly untrue. Six different people had sent her heart emojis.

Bow, sensing the moment of revelation, smirked and leaned in. “Let’s go through them. We’ll do it from newest to oldest so we can save the original mystery girl for last!”

Adora couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous this had become. “You guys are being ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head, though a part of her was curious too.

One by one, they scrolled through the girls who had messaged her.

The first girl, Yardine, had long, straight yellow hair that shimmered under the app’s artificial light, but almost seemed like straw. She was wearing a heavy layer of makeup; her bold eyeliner framed striking eyes, but her bright lipstick clashed horribly with her overly pastel outfit.

“Nope,” Adora said firmly, clicking her.

The second girl was overly enthusiastic and lived for social media validation, her profile filled with selfies captioned with cliches like #Blessed and #LiveLaughLove. She had natural ginger highlights in her brown hair that had waves near the bottom of it.

“Not my type,” she added, her lips pressing into a thin line as she passed another.

“Jeez, Adora. Brutal.”
“So, you’d date her?”
Glimmer scoffed, “Of course not!”
“Whatever, let’s just go to the next girl!” Bow tried to reason, and was successful to his surprise.

She had bright pink hair that looked as if it had been dyed in a hurry and awkwardly small glasses that barely held onto her massive nose. The girl’s bio was littered with phrases like “bad vibes only” and “I live for chaos.”

“Oh god, she could be my mom,” Adora said, grimacing at the sight, earning a laugh from both Bow and Glimmer.

“Surely..” Bow complained.

“She’s cute, but… no I’ve seen her before! I called her cute before!!” she shouted and slammed the desk in response to the next profile, which belonged to a girl whose perfectly curated Instagram aesthetic felt devoid of authenticity. Adora recalled how exhausting it could be to keep up with someone obsessed with appearances over substance.

The next girl mad everyone’s spines shake with a grimace. If she went to halloween looking like that, she’d be a great witch. She was dressed in all black and had warts all over her nose along with bright green, short hair.
“ARGH!”

“Goddammit, who are these people? Bow, what is this app?!” she exclaimed, her tone incredulous as they worked their way through the list.

Bow let out an awkward laugh, sheepishly scratching the back of his neck. “Mystery girllll!” Glimmer suddenly began singing, leaning into the final reveal as they scrolled to the last girl.

The phone wasn’t facing Adora, but instead the couple in front of her. As she scratched her chin, she watched their faces in hopes of some sort of indication that the next person wasn’t a complete weirdo.

And then—

“HOLY SHIT!” Glimmer shouted, earning a few sharp glares from nearby tables. Bow didn’t say anything at first, but his wide eyes and slightly parted lips said enough. Whatever was on that screen had left him stunned.

He wordlessly handed Adora the phone, and the second her eyes landed on the screen, her breath caught in her throat. She stared at the image in disbelief, her mind racing to catch up with what her eyes were seeing.

The girl on the screen was, without a doubt, the most beautiful person Adora had ever laid eyes on. She had thick, curly black hair that cascaded down her shoulders, wild and free, framing her face perfectly. Her mismatched eyes—one a brilliant yellow, the other a striking blue—stood out in a way that felt almost otherworldly, accentuated by the freckles that dusted her cheeks and nose like constellations. Her lips were full, soft, and the perfect contrast to her sharp, angular jawline, which, to Adora’s surprise, was even sharper than her own.

She stared, completely at a loss for words. The world seemed to tilt off its axis for a moment, as if everything had been leading up to this exact second.

“Oh. My. Stars,” Adora whispered, her voice barely audible as she continued to gape at the image before her.

———

Ding!

“I told you, they can’t resist it.” The same girl from Adora’s phone leaned casually against a sleek marble countertop in a kitchen that didn’t belong to her. She had a playful glint in her mismatched yellow-blue eyes. Her thick, curly black hair framed her sharp features, and she exuded a confidence that was almost intoxicating.

She had a smug smirk painted across her face, and was holding what seemed to be red wine.

“Damn, Cat,” a tall woman with striking white hair remarked, her gaze fixed on the phone screen resting on the kitchen island. She raised it slightly, her sharp features illuminated by the soft glow of the notification. “You got ‘em!”

“Mm-hmm.” Catra smirked, savouring the moment as she leaned back, clearly enjoying the attention.

She took another sip.

“Agh! This shit is off Scorp, what did I tell you about mixing?” She held out her glass and stuck her tongue out in disgust at the wine before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Scorpia, her tall frame slightly slouched with embarrassment, grabbed the glass and sniffed it cautiously. The foul scent made her gag. With a resigned sigh, she walked over to the open window in front of the sink and poured out the drink, the dark liquid swirling down into the alley below like spilled secrets.

“Sorry, Catra!!” Scorpia exclaimed, sucking in the air between her teeth as if the act of apologizing was painful. “I didn’t realize pigs go off so fast these days. Selective breeding is so annoying!” She shook her head, clearly frustrated by her own choices.

Catra chuckled, shaking her head in mock disapproval, her fangs glinting in the low light. “Tell me about it. You’d think they’d have figured out a better way to keep things fresh by now.” She pushed herself off the counter, her confidence radiating as she leaned closer to Scorpia. “Let’s get something better. I’m thinking something with a kick, not whatever that was.”

Scorpia’s face lit up and she let out a mini gasp.
“You mean…?”

Catra rolled her eyes, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “Yeah, yeah. We haven’t feasted on some in a week or so anyway.” Her tone was light, but there was an undeniable thrill in her voice as she considered the possibilities.