The first light of dawn begins to gently paint the sky in hues of pastels as birds flee, announcing the break of day.

As the rest of the world stirs awake, so do Finn and Thalia, sprawled on the shore where they had found themselves in the quietude of the night.

Finns eyes flutter open, adjusting to the delicate dawn.

Once he becomes aware of the sand beneath him, his initial disorientation fades.

He abruptly sits up, glancing beside him to find Thalia in a peaceful slumber as the rhythmic sound of waves lapping against the shore echoes in the back.

He extends a hand to shake her awake, receiving a prolonged whine.

"Come on! We need to go home."

With a yawn, she stretches before sitting up and rubbing his eyes, her tousled hair kissed by the morning breeze.

Finn stands up, grabbing Thalias hand to help her rise.

As they brush off the remnants of sand, her eyes remain glued onto him, as if awaiting something - perhaps an acknowledgement of his words from last night.

He takes notice to her staring, but chooses to ignore it. "How did we even end up here?"

"You fell asleep first."

The car slices through a breeze, messing up their hair while sunlight streams through the open windows.

Sat in the passenger seat, Thalia hesitates over putting her thoughts into words.

She keeps her gaze on Finn as he drives, watching how his hand is placed firmly on the wheel.

"So... how do you feel about Camille?"

He slightly raises his eyebrows at her inquiry, clearing his throat. "I like her, why?"

"Well, that's a vague fucking response." She snickers.

He chuckles. "What do you want me to say? I think she's really amazing. I'm open to making this work, even after I go home."

"How can you be so sure? I mean, you literally just met her."

Finn falls into silence, and Thalia can feel the poking sense that she has said something wrong.

"I'm sorry. If you really like her, then that's great" she smiles, "I'm happy for you."

He simply returns the smile with a nod, and doesn't speak any further. The rest of the car ride continues in pure silence.

As they're nearly about to reach home, Thalias phone buzzes with a text message.

"Oh!" She abruptly yells out, her eyes lighting up.

Finn flinches. "What? Who died?"

"No one. Jun wants us to swing by right now. They're finally letting us meet their girlfriend!"

He steals a glance at the brunette. "Oh wow, really? I was starting to doubt she was even real."

Steering the car, he makes a U-turn to reroute them to Junipers apartment.

Soft, muted light spills from a lone lamp in the corner, casting a warm glow over Junipers compact living room.

Thalia is sat on a well-worn sofa, adorned with plush throw pillows.

Finn sits beside her. A threadbare rug covers the wooden floor, where he taps his feet rhythmically.

"So," she begins, eyes fixed on the red haired girl facing her, "Lana, how did you and Jun meet?"

"Oh, we met a bookstore." She grins. Her voice spills out with a certain calmness to it.

Thalia can't help but furrow her eyebrows at the statement. "Since when do you read?" She gazes towards Juniper, who's perched on the armrest beside her.

They emit a nervous chuckle. "I'm not sure."

Thalia narrows her eyes, but pushes it past as Juniper simply behaving weird. It's nothing new.

As the conversation unfolds, Thalia takes the lead. She interrogates the poor girl, subjecting her to a barrage of questions.

Finn discreetly nudges Thalias leg with his own whenever her inquiries become overly condescending. For the most part, he remains quiet unless spoken to.

Gradually, Thalia begins to pick up on inconsistencies in the stories.

Once Lana mentions going on a trip to Bordeaux with Juniper last month, Thalias suspicions break the radar.

She leans forward, letting go of her relaxed manner. "Hold on a second. Jun told me they spent that time with their family."

The redhead begins to stammer. "Oh! Well... they did both. Visited their family and then took me to Bordeaux afterwards."

Thalia takes note to how Lana shoots a nervous look towards Juniper, silently pleading for assistance.

"Thalia, can't you just enjoy the moment without digging into details?" Juniper exhales.

"No." She crosses her arms. "Somethings not adding up here."

Finn feigns a cough, muttering "stop" under his breath. Thalia scoffs.

Before she's able to utter another word, Juniper throws her arms up. "Okay, fine! This... isn't my girlfriend."

Thalia swiftly turns her head towards them, furrowing her eyebrows. "What?"

"Lana is an actress. I hired her."

The room descends into silence, only to be broken by the sound of Finns high pitched giggles. Thalias jaw hangs open, hoping her ears have deceived her.

"You hired an actress to be pretend to be your girlfriend?"

Juniper sighs. "Yup."

"Was I believable?" Lana beams, her smile wide. "I've been practicing for this moment, it's kind of a warmup for this big part I have coming up on-"

Thalias expression shifts from confusion to mild annoyance as she rolls her eyes. "Alright. You can go now."

Making a shooing gesture with her hand, Thalia offers a feigned smile while Lana exits.

She turns back toward Juniper, arms crossed. "What was the point of that?"

"Thalia, I love you, but you always criticise the people I'm seeing until you scare them away."

"That's not true!" She huffs. "I'm just looking out for you. You're perfect, therefore you need a perfect significant other."

"Oh really? And were you just 'looking out for me' with Cora?"

"I saved you from falling in-love with a terrible singer!"

"I'm not kidding," they shift their gaze to Finn, "last year, I was dating this girl, and Thalia judged her singing skills during karaoke to the point where she ended up in tears."

Finn shoots a look at Thalia. She simply shrugs her shoulders in defence. "Nails on a chalkboard."

Juniper sighs. "Whatever. You can't meet my real girlfriend until you swear to be open-minded."

Bouncing her legs, Thalia ponders for a moment. "What if she's not good enough for you?"

"Give her a chance! I swear she's amazing."

"Alright, fine." Thalia rolls her eyes.

Juniper ends up inviting their girlfriend for dinner, prolonging Thalia and Finns stay.

The brunette skims her fingers along the slightly depreciated walls as her legs lead her toward the balcony, where her favourite spot in the apartment awaits her.

She glides the glass door open, shutting it behind her before stepping into the corner.

The balcony is draped with warm blinking fairy-lights, the same ones that adorn Thalias living room.

Finding the comforting presence of the violet blanket fort, she makes her way within. The fabric walls are adorned with patterns that resemble constellations.

Thalia holds her knees to her chest as she sits, observing the bustling city below.

Moments like these are her favourites - alone with only the moon, a sense of solace, and the city of Paris.

Solitude holds a special place in her heart, but being alone with Finn is the exception; he's the only company she could never get tired of.

Her concentration shifts once the noise of the door opening reaches her ears.

"Lia?"

A subtle smile graces her lips at the sound of Finns voice. She beckons, "I'm in here."

Finn finds his way to the corner, cracking a smile at the scene. He shifts inside the fairly spacious fort and leans against one of the plush pillows nestled in the corner.

She moves toward the opposite enclosure, and they sit in silence, facing one another.

Finding it difficult to maintain prolonged eye contact, Thalia keeps her eyes fixed on her hands as she fidgets with them.

Clearing his throat, Finn speaks, "so... three days, huh?"

Thalia swallows a lump in her throat. "Yeah."

"Time flies by fast."

She finally meets his eyes, intently watching the way they crinkle with that smile of his.

"Do you remember when we made our own fort?"

His grin grows wider with her inquiry. "Of-course I do. We had a mental breakdown cause we couldn't get it right."

A breathy chuckle escapes her lips. "And then we just had your dad do it for us."

"We still took all the credit."

Their light laughter dies down, filling the cozy fort with silence. The air is charged with a shared nostalgia, yet neither speak on it.

Finn lets his head drop back, his doe eyes focused on the ceiling of the den.

Thalia can't help but admire him, studying his features with pure love in her eyes. It's almost a habit for her - stealing glances at him when he's not paying attention.

Finn reaches for his phone once it buzzes in his pocket, finding a spam of texts from Juniper.

"Jupiter wants me to help them with dinner." he swiftly exits the blanket fort, leaving the cozy premises behind.

"I'll come too." She follows.

Finn narrows his eyes. "No way. You wanna help?"

"What? No." She scoffs. "I'm just coming to watch and yap in the corner."

As they stroll, Thalias attention lands on a particular aquarium positioned on a table. She shoots the goldfish a look.

"What are you looking at?" She rolls her eyes, earning a light chuckle from Finn.

"Be nice to jewel, she's been through a lot."

"Good."

The aroma of the home-cooked dinner fills the air as the four of them gather around the well-set dinner table.

Thalia leans back in her chair with arms crossed, scrutinising Junipers girlfriend with a signature scowl plastered across her face.

Juniper keeps their eyes directed at Thalia, cautious of how she behaves.

They sit beside their girlfriend, Adeline, who gingerly picks at her meal with a fork.

Adelines strawberry blonde curls cascade down her back, bangs swinging across her forehead. She wears an anxious smile on her cherry tinted lips.

The silence is deafening, occasionally penetrated by the clinking of utensils against plates.

Eventually, Thalia decides to speak. "So... do you have any secret talents, Adeline? Can you like juggle flaming swords?"

"I wish." She nervously giggles. "But no, no sword juggling. I can make a pretty cool pancake stack, though."

Thalia nods. "That's a talent I can get behind."

"A loves to bake." Juniper adds. "She makes the best cupcakes."

Adeline smiles, a shade of pink scattering across her cheeks.

Thalia studiously listens as Adeline narrates her stories, gradually beginning to let herself lose the critical expression.

Although Adeline appears to connect more easily with Finn than with Thalia, they still harmonize in energy.

They find common ground in their music and film preferences, which paints a smile on Junipers face.

As the minutes flee by, Finn receives a spurge of text messages that prompt him to rise from the noisy table.

"I'm sorry guys, I think I have to head out." He scratches the back of his head.

"Did something happen?" Thalia squints her eyes.

"It's Camille. She says it's urgent."

Finn halts in his tracks, turning back to glance at Thalia. "I'm sorry man, I know I said I'd give you all my time but her texts sounded really important-"

With a forced smile, Thalia waves him off. "No, It's fine! Go."

"Okay, thank you." He rushes through goodbyes before striding out of vision.

Adeline waits for the echo of the apartment door being shut to speak, "who's Camille?"

"His... personal friend." Thalia offers a feigned smile as Adeline nods in understanding.

Silence captures the table once more. Thalia nibbles on her bottom lip, trying to divert her attention from the persistent thoughts.

She knows there's no reason for her to be upset. If Camille needs help urgently, it's only right for Finn to assist.

But then, why does her heart feel weighed down? Why did her spurge of happiness fade the moment that he stepped away?

Adeline clears her throat. "Well, I brought a few bottles of wine for after dinner."

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

Stepping into the dim-lit apartment, Finn walks into the living room to find Camille sat on a palatial leather couch.

The flat emanates a gloomy aura, with rich and dark hues dominating the decor.

The charcoal walls are adorned with vintage tapestries, their intricate patterns barely visible in the muted light.

"What happened?"

She turns her focus toward him with a grin and gleaming eyes, rising from the couch to approach him.

"False alarm. I thought nova was missing, but she was just hiding beneath the couch."

Camille directs his attention towards the feline perched on the carpet. Finn releases a sigh and meets her eyes.

"Well, that's a relief."

He smiles as she wraps her arms around his shoulders, drawing him closer.

She plants a gentle peck on his lips, briefly withdrawing before reconnecting their lips in a more passionate embrace.

Finn succumbs to the temptation, allowing her to weave her fingers through his dark locks as he steadies his hands on her waist.

Managing to pull away, he stammers over his words. "Uh... I think I should head back to my, um, friends."

Running her fingers gently through his hair, she gazes up at him with shiny eyes that hold the power to make him risk it all.

"Just stay for a little while."

Her touch is irresistible. Though Finn is aware he should return to Junipers apartment, he finds himself captivated by her, losing track of time in the moment.

"How did we let this happen?"

Juniper rests their head in their hands while Adeline anxiously sits beside them.

Thalia, the most intoxicated one can be from wine, lies on the carpet below. Her tipsiness is evident in her loud rendition of 'bad romance'.

"It's alright." Adeline fidgets with her fingers in a nervous manner. "Finn will take her home soon. She'll be in good hands."

"I've never seen her this wasted," Juniper shakes their head. "Especially from wine."

"How amazing is my singing?" Thalia drawls, slurring her words. Attempting to get up, she tumbles back down with a thud, accompanied by a carefree "whoops!"

Her laughter fills the room as Adeline and Juniper exchange amused glances.

"Guys, seriously. I'm like... an underrated pop star," she announces dramatically.

While Adeline covers her mouth with a giggle, Juniper leans back, considering the melancholy beneath the careless drinking - a way to drown out the quiet ache of her unrequited feelings.

The echo of footsteps against the wooden floor catches their ears. Thalia turns to lock eyes with the tall figure.

"Oh my god! Guys look, it's Finn." Thalia draws out her words, immediately laying out the hint for Finn.

He sighs, lifting his eyebrows while he awaits an explanation from the couple sat on the couch.

"We thought she had it in under control," Juniper shrugs, "she's usually the responsible one."

Finn takes the impaired girls hand, uttering short farewells before stepping out of the apartment with her.

Radiohead plays softly in the cab as a drunken Thalia lies in the backseat, her head comfortably placed on Finns lap.

The faint hum of the engine and the distant sounds of the city merge around them.

The somber expression on Finns features highly contrasts with hers; Despite the hazy status of her brain, she still manages to sense that he's upset.

"Are you okay?" She slurs over her words, eyes flickering up at him as they struggle to remain opened.

He chuckles at her concern. "Yes, I'm okay. Are you okay is the real question."

She jerks her head "no" and shuts her eyes, allowing herself the slightest bit of rest.

"I should've never doubted Adeline. She is the sweetest person to exist." She states matter-of-factly. "That girl does not have one bad bone in her body."

"I agree." Finn nods absently.

Finn reaches his hand down to sweep the stray strands of hair away from her face, tucking her unruly front bangs behind her ears. He places his palm on her now visible forehead, checking her temperature.

"Am I sick, doctor?" She sniffs.

A smile graces his lips. "No, you're just fine."

His fingers absently brush through her hair, his immersed gaze fixed outside the window.

"I don't think you're okay, I think you're a liar." Thalia mumbles, receiving a nose breath from Finn.

"Maybe."

"Did something happen with... Camel?"

He hesitates, emitting a sigh. "Camille... she's amazing, you know? Perfect. But I'm messed up, man. My mind is not where it should be. I don't think I deserve her."

Thalias eyebrows crinkle as she tries to process his words through the haze of alcohol. "But why? You're awesome."

Finns lips twitch into a small smile. "I'm not as awesome as you may think I am. There are some... things, that I still need to figure out."

She lets out a soft hum, and a silence settles in the cab once more.

"Life is just way too complicated. Why can't it be as easy and nice as ordering pizza?" She abruptly states.

He chuckles at her profound soliloquy, returning to running his fingers through her hair. "Pizza is pretty great, I agree."

Ignoring his response, Thalia gazes at the ceiling of the cab and hums a familiar melody.

"Do you remember when I played a star during a school play? I was the brightest star, and look at me now."

Finn can't help but grin. "You're still the brightest star in my universe, Lia."

She sighs dramatically. "Life takes so many unexpected turns. Sometimes you end up drunk in a cab, lying with your head on your best friends lap and wondering where it all went wrong."

Closing his eyes shut to drown out the migraine, Finn tilts his head back with a slight smile.

"Or maybe it all went right."

The night air is cool as Finn guides Thalia from the cab to the entrance of her house.

Her steps are unsteady, but Finn supports her with a firm grip.

Upon unlocking the door, dull lighting welcomes them and the familiar scent of vanilla and lavender permeates the air.

Once they reach her extensive bedroom, Finn carefully eases her onto the mattress and kneels on the floor beside her.

He begins the task of removing her shoes, each delicate movement accompanied by a hushed hum of a song Thalia had been singing earlier.

"Why are you undressing me, Finn Michael Wolfhard?"

A faint shade of crimson spreads across his cheeks as he clears his throat, shaking off her implication.

"I'm taking your shoes off so you won't be uncomfortable, Thalia Verlice."

In mere seconds, she succumbs to sleep. Finn stands, his eyes dwelling on Thalias peaceful countenance.

His heart beats fast within his chest, speaking a sign to him as he watches her sleep - a scene familiar yet nuanced.

He admires the serenity that graces her features, her breathing steady and calm.

In this moment, Finn realises just how deeply Thalia has woven herself into the fabric of his life, a presence he couldn't bear to lose.

He'd move mountains for her, not out of obligation, but out of an innate desire to see her thrive.

Her laughter is his melody, her sorrow his burden to bear.

Secrets are a foreign concept to them. Throughout their entire history together, they've never hidden anything. Yet now, he's concealing something, and the tenor of it gnaws at him incessantly.

In fairness, he hasn't really lied. When she asked why he was upset, he offered a truthful response, albeit not the complete truth.

He admitted that his mind isn't in the right place for Camille, but he left out the crucial detail - it's fixated on someone else.

Someone it shouldn't be.

AUTHORS NOTE

Alexa play you are in love by T.S