The hotel room felt warm—not just in temperature, but in the way laughter bounced off its walls. Jay and Roy were busy dragging the mountain of shopping bags into one corner, muttering things about luxury brands they couldn't pronounce. Bella was on the balcony, arms resting on the railing as she looked out into the city lights. Annie sat close to Lukas on the plush couch, one leg tucked under her.
Lukas, still wearing the navy hoodie Bella gave him, ran his hand over the embroidery absently.
"This... is the first time in a while I felt grounded," Lukas said, voice soft, almost like he was speaking to himself.
Annie nudged him with her elbow. "You've been flying all over the place, time to land."
"Yeah," Bella called from the balcony. "We had to schedule an intervention before you turned into a permanent suitcase."
Lukas chuckled and stretched out his legs. His body was still tired from the Japan trip, but his mind felt strangely light.
