The evening had settled in like a calm, velvet blanket over the Winters estate.
Dinner had been light, and now the three lounged in the cozy living room. The scent of lavender from the diffuser lingered in the air. The television played a documentary none of them was watching, and the atmosphere was the kind that needed no words to be understood. Peaceful, familiar, safe.
Stefan leaned into the corner of the couch, one arm resting behind Ruby who had her head nestled on his shoulder. Across from them, Rayna sat curled on the loveseat, legs folded under her as her fingers scrolled aimlessly through her phone. Her brows would occasionally crease, her thumb hovering over the screen before she set it aside again. Then moments later, she'd pick it up and check again.
She'd done it too much that even Stefan who hadn't been paying attention to her noticed.
