Three days passed in a haze of stolen kisses and brushed fingertips. Jason found himself catching Elaine's eye across the breakfast table, her lips curving into a secret smile that made his heart race. During the day, Lily, Elaine and Jason stole moments of intimacy: a grope here, a slap on the butt there as they passed in the hallways. While eating or watching movies, Lily's prolonged touches and smoldering glances promised unspoken desires that left Jason breathless and wanting more. The three of them had established their agreement, but finding time alone together proved nearly impossible. Richard's intense scrutiny, coupled with the unfortunate overlap of their duties and shifts, only served to heighten the frustration and longing between them all.
By the third day afternoon, Jason felt like a tightly wound spring. The weight of desire and secrecy hung heavy in the recycled air of the bunker.
Walking down the corridor after his shower, a towel draped around his neck and his hair still damp, Jason noticed Lily's door slightly ajar. He slowed his pace, hesitating. They'd agreed to be careful, to avoid suspicion. But three days of waiting had worn his patience thin.
He glanced down the empty hallway before approaching. Through the narrow opening, he could see Lily sitting on her bed, a book open on her lap. She'd changed into a thin tank top and shorts—her usual comfy attire. The soft light from her bedside lamp cast a warm glow on her skin.
Jason knocked gently on the door frame. Lily looked up, her eyes widening slightly before softening with recognition.
"Hey," he said, his voice low. "Can I come in?"
Lily nodded, setting her book aside. "I was hoping you might stop by."
Jason slipped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the air between them charged with three days' worth of restraint.
"I've missed you," he said simply.
Lily rose from the bed, crossing the small space between them. "Me too."
The moment her body pressed against his, Jason felt something inside him break loose. His hands found her waist, pulling her closer as their lips met in a hungry kiss. Lily's fingers threaded through his damp hair, her body arching into his.
"God, I've been thinking about this for days," Jason murmured against her neck, his hands sliding under her tank top to feel the warm skin of her back.
Lily gasped as his lips traced a path along her collarbone. "Me too. Every night."
Their kisses grew deeper, more urgent. Jason backed her toward the bed, their bodies pressed together, heartbeats racing in tandem. Lily's hands roamed beneath his t-shirt, her touch leaving trails of heat across his skin. When she tugged at the hem, he helped her pull it over his head, then captured her lips again.
The softness of her beneath him, the sweet scent of her hair, the quiet sounds she made as he kissed her—it was intoxicating. Jason felt drunk on her, on the feeling of finally having her in his arms after days of watching and waiting.
"Lily," he whispered, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. "When can we be together? Really together?" His voice was rough with desire. "I don't know how much longer I can wait."
Lily's expression shifted, a shadow of conflict passing over her features. She reached up, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw with tender precision.
"I want that too," she said softly. "More than you know."
Jason searched her eyes. "But?"
Lily sighed, her hand coming to rest against his cheek. "I'm worried about Marissa."
"Marissa?" Jason sat back slightly, though he kept his hands on her waist.
Lily nodded, her eyes serious. "I've been watching her these past few days. The way she looks at you when she thinks no one notices." She sat up, tucking her legs beneath her. "If we move forward—you, me, and Mom—I'm afraid we'll create a rift with her. She'll feel excluded, alone."
"You think she has feelings for me too?" Jason asked.
"I'm not certain, but I do believe so," Lily admitted. "And in this bunker, with no one else around... can you imagine how painful it would be to watch everyone else find connection while you remain isolated? We're all she has left, Jason."
Jason nodded slowly, his desire cooling as he considered her words. He took Lily's hand, intertwining their fingers.
"You're right," he said. "I hadn't thought about it that way. I've just been so..." He exhaled sharply. "I want you so badly it's hard to think straight sometimes."
Lily squeezed his hand. "I feel the same way. But we need to be smart about this. Patient."
"So what do we do?" Jason asked. "Wait longer?"
A determined look crossed Lily's face. "No. I think I should talk to her directly."
"About us? All of us?"
"Yes," Lily said, her voice gaining confidence. "I know my sister. I think I can find a way to include her that won't feel overwhelming."
"What did you have in mind?"
Lily bit her lip, then met his gaze directly. "What if... what if she watched us? The first time, I mean. Between you and me."
Jason's eyebrows shot up. "You think she'd want that?"
"I think observation might be easier for her than participation, at first," Lily explained. "It gives her control, a chance to process without pressure."
Jason considered this, surprised by how the idea affected him. "That's... unexpected. But if you think it would help her feel included rather than pushed aside... I'm willing to try."
Lily's expression brightened. "I'll talk to her tonight. After dinner, I'll suggest a movie night—just the two of us. That's when I'll bring it up."
"What about Mom?"
"You and Mom should skip movie night. Maybe you could spend some time together in her room?" Lily suggested. "I'll need space to talk with Marissa alone."
Jason nodded. "I'll let her know."
Lily leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Thank you for understanding. For being patient."
Jason kissed her back, lingering for a moment before reluctantly pulling away. "Just promise me it won't be another three days."
"If all goes well," Lily said with a small smile, "It could even be tomorrow."
Jason stood, retrieving his shirt from the floor. At the door, he turned back for one last look at Lily, her cheeks still flushed, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"See you at dinner," he said softly.
• ────── ✾ ────── •
Dinner that evening was a study in restraint. Jason caught Elaine's questioning glance when he entered the kitchen and gave her a subtle nod. Throughout the meal, he was acutely aware of every movement Marissa made—the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, how she laughed at something Lily said. Was Lily right? Had Marissa been looking at him differently all along?
As they finished eating, Lily stretched casually. "Marissa, want to watch a movie tonight? Just us sisters?"
"Sure," Marissa said, collecting the plates. "What did you have in mind?"
"I'll surprise you," Lily replied with a smile that only Jason recognized as nervous.
"I think I'll turn in early," Elaine announced. "I've got a bit of a headache."
Jason nodded. "I should finish that book I've been reading. I'm almost done."
As they all dispersed, Jason brushed past Elaine in the hallway. "Lily's talking to Marissa tonight," he whispered. "About everything."
Elaine's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded. "Come to my room in twenty minutes."
Jason watched as Lily and Marissa headed toward the movie room, Marissa chatting animatedly about something while Lily nodded, her posture betraying the tension she felt. They disappeared around the corner, and Jason turned toward his own room to wait.
In the movie room, Lily settled onto the couch beside Marissa, remote in hand. Instead of turning on the screen, she set it down on the coffee table and turned to face her sister.
"What?" Marissa asked, noticing Lily's serious expression. "Is something wrong with the system?"
Lily took a deep breath. "I don't actually want to watch a movie. There's something special I need to talk to you about."
Marissa's eyebrows drew together in confusion. "Okay... you're being weird. What is it?"
Lily locked gazes with Marissa, her heart pounding in her chest, and silently implored the universe to grant her the courage to reveal what she had to say.