Pizza boxes littered the coffee table in the apartment living room, grease stains blooming like abstract art. A video game sat paused on the TV, its screen saver bouncing lazily in the corner.
Elena stood in the center of the room, holding up two paintings like a game show host unveiling prizes, lamplight catching the thick blues and blacks of her work. Her fingers tightened briefly on the frames ; old habit, knuckles paling like they remembered gripping something less forgiving.
"Broken Sky"
"Detroit at 3 AM"
The Fighter, sprawled on the couch with a slice halfway to his mouth, chewed thoughtfully.
From the kitchen, Raul's voice drifted over.
Elena sighed, the air going out of her as she leaned the canvases carefully against the wall. She stared at them a moment, thumb brushing an old scar on her knuckle — faint white line from some forgotten scrape ; then turned back.
Raul walked in carrying three mugs, steam curling up from chamomile tea.
Elena took a mug, cradling it close as if it might vanish, and offered a weak smile. Her gaze flicked to the door ; quick, involuntary.
She stared.
Elena laughed a little, but her free hand ghosted her forearm — tracing where a bruise used to sit.
She sank to the floor, sitting with her knees hugged tight to her chest, mug balanced precarious.
The Fighter slid off the couch, lying down on the rug beside her, arms folded behind his head.
She shoved him lightly. He didn't move ; solid, there.
Raul dropped into the armchair.
They fell into comfortable quiet. The video game screen saver bounced around the TV. Elena's fingers relaxed on the mug, tension easing in the shared space.
"Exactly :)"