Amelia finds out immediately.
She always does.
"You did not," she says, halfway between accusation and delight.
Sunny groans.
"Amelia—"
"No. No. This is historic."
Zane nudges Axel in the side.
"So it happened."
Axel doesn't deny it.
Theo looks up from his phone, already irritated by the volume level.
"You're all too loud," he mutters.
"Life is happening, Theo," Amelia shoots back.
Laura is sitting beside Axel on the couch.
Calm.
Unbothered.
While Amelia spirals through commentary and Sunny attempts to physically restrain her, Laura doesn't engage in the chaos.
She just listens.
Observes.
Zane watches her carefully.
"So?" he prompts gently. "Anything you want to add?"
Laura considers the room.
The noise.
The teasing.
The warmth.
Then she does something simple.
She leans.
Her head rests against Axel's shoulder.
Not shy.
Not hesitant.
Just natural.
The room goes quiet.
Even Amelia stops mid-sentence.
Laura doesn't look at anyone in particular when she speaks.
"Safe."
It's not whispered this time.
It's not accidental.
It's chosen.
Axel feels it immediately.
That word again.
But this time it's intentional.
His instinct is to hold it carefully.
To protect it.
He wants to be her safe.
Not because she needs saving.
But because she chose him as part of it.
Sunny moves closer.
Not crowding.
Just enough.
She places a warm hand gently on Laura's shoulder.
"Euphony Trio is safe," Sunny says softly.
Zane nods.
Theo exhales through his nose but doesn't argue.
Amelia wipes imaginary tears dramatically.
"Family once," she declares.
"Family forever," Zane finishes.
Laura lifts her head slightly and looks around.
Not analyzing.
Not calculating.
Just present.
For once, she doesn't seem to be evaluating whether she belongs.
She just does.
Axel rests his cheek lightly against her hair.
Not possessive.
Not claiming.
Just steady.
The kiss didn't fracture the group.
It didn't create tension.
It didn't rearrange loyalties.
It just clarified something that had already been true.
They are safe.
With each other.
And this time—
they all chose it.