Music spills out from the back, something upbeat and summery, and the smell of salt and sunscreen hangs thick in the warm air. You can hear laughter before you even see anyone.

Pool. Beach. A sprawling deck scattered with loungers and coolers. And there—all of them, in various states of summer undress—is your entire friend group.

Mattheo’s already in the water, hair wet and pushed back, laughing at something Blaise just said. Draco’s sprawled on a lounger like he owns the place, which, knowing him, he probably thinks he does. Cassian’s on his feet near the grill, gesturing wildly, and there’s a half-full drink in his hand.

And Theodore.

You catch Theodore's eye across the deck, and you give him a small nod. He raises his drink in return, a quick, casual gesture that's somehow both nothing and everything. And then he looks away, back to the conversation, like it didn't happen at all.