Laura prefers Axel's apartment.
She doesn't say that out loud.
She just shows up more often.
Tonight she knocks once and lets herself in when he calls "open."
She's wearing something different.
Not tailored.
Not structured.
Soft fabric.
Looser sleeves.
A color that isn't neutral.
Axel notices immediately.
He always notices.
"That's new," he says.
She looks down at herself.
"Yes."
"Feels different?"
She considers.
"Less restrictive."
He nods once.
"That's good."
It is.
Miso approaches without hesitation.
Laura bends down and lifts her smoothly.
She settles on the couch beside Axel, Miso curled against her chest.
This feels… natural now.
They put something on the TV.
Background noise.
Laura isn't watching much.
She's thinking.
After a few minutes she says, calmly:
"About the movie night."
He glances at her.
"Yes?"
"I kissed you."
"You did."
"In front of everyone."
He exhales faintly.
"Yes."
She tilts her head slightly.
"I don't see the issue."
He huffs a quiet laugh.
"There isn't an issue."
"You seemed surprised."
"I was surprised."
She studies him.
"We're together."
It's not phrased as a question.
It's observational.
A fact she believes has already been established.
He doesn't correct her.
"No," he says carefully. "We are."
She nods.
"Couples kiss."
"They do."
"In front of people."
"Sometimes."
She looks genuinely puzzled.
"Then it was appropriate."
He smiles faintly.
"It was just… not very us."
"Perhaps not before," she replies.
She adjusts Miso gently and leans slightly closer.
"But we are not 'before' anymore."
That lands.
He studies her profile.
The new outfit.
The relaxed posture.
The way she picks up Miso without hesitation.
She is different.
Freer.
She turns toward him.
"And I liked it."
He swallows slightly.
"The kiss?"
"Yes."
She leans forward and kisses him again.
He sighs softly against her lips before he can stop himself.
When they pull back, she watches his expression carefully.
"That," she says quietly, "was consistent."
He laughs under his breath.
"You're analyzing again."
"I am adapting."
He rests his forehead lightly against hers.
"You don't have to prove anything."
"I am not proving," she replies. "I am choosing."
That silences him.
The program continues playing unnoticed.
Miso purrs between them.
Laura settles closer, resting against his shoulder.
"Does it bother you?" she asks softly.
"What?"
"That I do not hesitate."
He considers.
"No."
It doesn't.
If anything, it steadies him.
She relaxes further against him.
"This feels like home," she says quietly.
He doesn't ask whether she means the apartment.
Or him.
He doesn't need to.
He wraps an arm around her carefully.
And this time—
there's nothing out of character about it.