The breakfast Lyra made was simple, but it was exactly what Selene needed. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air as Lyra carefully placed the tray on the nightstand. There was a plate of toast, perfectly buttered, along with a few scrambled eggs, a touch of salt sprinkled just right. A side of fruit, sliced berries, melon, and an apple wedge, added a burst of color to the morning spread.
Selene looked at the plate with a wide grin, her heart doing a little flip at how thoughtful the breakfast was. Lyra was not exactly the type to be overly indulgent, but there was something special about this moment. It was subtle, but Selene could tell it was not just a casual gesture. It was Lyra letting her in, letting her see a part of her that was not just about the books and the quiet.
"Well, well," Selene said dramatically, sitting up with a teasing smile. "Look at you, being all domestic. If I did not know any better, I would say you have done this before."
Lyra gave her a flat look, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward. "You are lucky I am not charging you for this," she said dryly. "But I figured you might need something to soak up all that alcohol."
"Alcohol?" Selene said, feigning innocence. "I do not know what you are talking about. I am perfectly fine."
Lyra raised an eyebrow at her, but did not push it. She took a seat beside Selene, watching as Selene immediately reached for the coffee, bringing the mug to her lips with exaggerated care.
Selene's eyes closed for a moment, savoring the warmth of the drink. "Mmm," she murmured, as if tasting something exquisite. "This is perfect," she said, her voice full of exaggerated appreciation. "You, my friend, are a culinary genius."
Lyra chuckled softly, but Selene was not finished. She picked up a slice of toast and took a bite, chewing slowly as she exaggerated the enjoyment, making sure every movement was drawn out for dramatic effect.
"Now this," Selene said with an exaggerated sigh, "this toast, this is the stuff of legends. It is like... the perfect balance of crisp and buttery. This, right here, is a work of art."
Lyra gave her a skeptical look, but she could not help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "I think you have had a bit too much to drink last night."
"Oh, no, no," Selene said, waving her hand in mock seriousness. "This is the kind of toast that should be served at fine dining establishments. You could charge twenty bucks for this. Easily." She paused, giving Lyra a playful glance. "Home cooked is always the best. I do not know why people bother with restaurants when they could have this."
Lyra laughed, shaking her head. "You are being ridiculous."
"Am I?" Selene grinned, leaning in a little closer, still holding the toast in her hand. "Because I am pretty sure this is the best toast I have ever had. Better than anything I have had in a fancy café. And those scrambled eggs," she said, taking another dramatic bite, "pure perfection. You are hiding some secret talent, Lyra. I bet you have got a cookbook tucked away somewhere, do not you?"
Lyra chuckled again, her eyes softening as she watched Selene with that playful glint in her eyes. "I do not have a cookbook, but I might just start one now, 'Cooking for the Drunk and Hungry.'"
Selene laughed, delighted by the easy banter. She reached out and grabbed another piece of toast, taking another exaggerated bite as if it were the most delicious thing in the world. "I would buy that cookbook. No question."
The morning passed slowly in a comfortable silence, interrupted only by Selene's goofy comments about the food. She took another sip of her coffee and sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay," she said, holding up a hand. "I think I have officially eaten my weight in perfection. I might need a nap after this."
Lyra smiled softly at Selene, shaking her head. "I am glad you like it," she said quietly. "You are being a little... over the top, but I will take it."
"Over the top is my middle name," Selene replied with a wink. "But seriously, this was exactly what I needed."
Lyra did not say anything for a moment, just watching Selene with that soft, unreadable expression. The air between them had shifted, just slightly. Maybe it was the comfort of the breakfast, or maybe it was just the softness of the moment, but Lyra felt something in her chest loosen, something she had not even realized had been so tight for so long.
The playful energy between them felt natural, easy. For the first time in a while, there were no walls between them. Selene had done something so simple, yet it had broken down the barriers Lyra had carefully built around herself.
After a few more moments of comfortable silence, Lyra spoke again, her voice a little softer than before. "Do you want to talk about last night?" she asked, her tone tentative but genuine.
Selene's heart skipped a beat. She had been expecting Lyra to bring it up eventually. The kiss. The distance. Everything.
But instead of feeling uncomfortable, Selene just smiled, her voice playful. "Well, if you mean the part where I made perfect toast and perfect coffee and was being my usual charming self, sure, we can talk about that."
Lyra's lips twitched, and for the first time since the kiss, she did not look like she was retreating. "You are unbelievable."
Selene winked, clearly trying to lighten the mood. "But I am your unbelievable, right?"
For a moment, Lyra did not answer. She just looked at Selene with something in her eyes, a softness, maybe even a trace of affection. Then, with a small sigh, Lyra looked down at her coffee.
"Yeah," Lyra said, almost too quietly. "You are."