The Willett Legacy

“I’d like that,” he said. He kissed her then, not hurried, not desperate—just full. Like he was putting everything he felt into it without needing to explain any of it out loud. #ValGen3

He looked up sharply. “Come to my house,” she continued, trying to sound casual even as her heart raced. “I think it’s time you meet my parents.” She meant it playfully—but the smile that spread across his face was anything but casual. It was warm. Real. Almost shy. #ValGen3

He shrugged, pulling her closer again as if he could anchor himself there. “Nothing. My mom’s hosting a gala.” A pause. “I’m not invited.” Sora stared at him, disbelief and sadness mixing together. Before she could overthink it, the words spilled out. “Then come with me.” #ValGen3

The temptation tugged at her hard. She bit her lip, considering it for a moment before shaking her head. “I can’t. My dad already thinks my weekly sleepovers with ‘𝘋𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘵𝘢’ are weird.” He groaned under his breath but didn’t argue. He slumped slightly, accepting it even if he hated it. #ValGen3

Eventually, reality crept back in. Sora sighed, resting her forehead against his. “I have to go.” Mathias tightened his hold immediately. “I don’t want you to.” She laughed softly, arms looping around his shoulders again. “I know.” “Stay,” he tried, quieter now. “Just… stay the night.” #ValGen3

They stayed like that for a long while—close, warm, wrapped in steam and soft light—until the sky darkened fully and the evening settled in around them. #ValGen3

“What?” he asked quietly. She didn’t answer. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him again, gentler this time, as if she were still figuring out what the feeling meant. Maybe she didn’t need to name it yet. #ValGen3

Not rushed. Not demanding. Just… affectionate. A quiet thank-you for understanding her earlier. For listening. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her there, and she lingered, breathing him in. #ValGen3

Why she came all this way, week after week. He didn’t flinch at the parts of her she judged harshly. He didn’t tell her to be smaller or nicer or less complicated. He met her where she was and stayed. #ValGen3

Not in a way that made her self-conscious. More like he was quietly appreciating something familiar, something he didn’t take for granted. She moved toward him without thinking, arms sliding around his shoulders, pressing into his chest. #ValGen3

Sora slipped into the water first, the heat wrapping around her muscles instantly, loosening the last of the tension she hadn’t even realized she was carrying. Mathias followed, settling in across from her, and for a second he just… looked at her. #ValGen3

After a moment, he smiled down at her. “C’mon,” he said softly. “Let’s go to the jacuzzi, yeah?” Sora let out a small laugh, the kind that felt like relief instead of happiness. “Yeah,” she said, nodding. “That sounds perfect.” #ValGen3

Sora’s voice dropped to a whisper. “You really think that?” “I know that,” he said simply. She leaned into him then, the tension slowly loosening its grip. He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips—nothing rushed, nothing demanding. Just reassurance. #ValGen3

“People act like being selfish is always bad,” he went on. “But Dakota asked for space. You respected that. That doesn’t make you a bad friend.” His thumb brushed lightly along her jaw, grounding her. “And wanting to be somewhere you feel okay? That’s not wrong.” #ValGen3

Mathias chuckled softly—not dismissive, just warm—and reached out, lifting her chin so she had to look at him. “I think it depends,” he said. “Are you choosing yourself because you’re avoiding something… or because you’re trying to survive?” She blinked. #ValGen3

Her fingers twisted together in her lap. “But truthfully… I didn’t want to cancel on you.” Saying it out loud made it heavier. She covered her face with her hands. “I’m a horrible person. I want to be there for her. But I missed you too.” That last part came out quieter. #ValGen3

Sora exhaled, letting herself settle. “I think I’m selfish.” His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t interrupt. “Dakota isn’t doing well,” she continued. “I asked her if I should cancel coming here to be there for her. She said no. And normally I’d push. I’d show up anyway.” #ValGen3

He sat back and pulled her in, tucking her against his side. One arm came around her shoulders, grounding, familiar, and he rested her head against him before speaking again—softer this time. “Okay,” he said quietly. “What’s going on?” #ValGen3

Mathias stopped completely, watching her for a second longer than before. The irritation drained from his face as he took in the way she wouldn’t meet his eyes, the way her shoulders were tense instead of relaxed. He sighed and shifted, guiding her with him toward the head of the bed. #ValGen3

“Please don’t tell me it’s another cheer story.” And then, because that’s who he was, he leaned back in, brushing his mouth against hers again, clearly trying to pull her back into the moment, back into 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. Sora wasn’t having it. #ValGen3