Episode 58: Terms of Acceptance

I don’t like meeting new people.

This is known.

Documented. Respected.

Ignored.

“Just a dinner,” Diana says.

“…That’s worse.”

Her hand adjusts my collar. Straightens it.

“Behave,” she murmurs.

“…I always behave.”

She gives me a look.

“…Fine. I behave selectively.”

“That’s what I thought.”

The Vonreichsin estate is… excessive.

Expected.

I stand slightly behind Diana.

Shadow positioning.

Optimal.

They notice me anyway.

Of course they do.

“Beckett,” Viktor says warmly.

Too warm. Suspicious.

“…Hello.”

Monica is worse.

She crosses the room and immediately pulls me into a hug.

System alert.

I freeze.

“…Too thin,” she says, hands already fussing with my coat.

“I am not—”

“You are.”

Diana watches.

Amused.

“…You’re enjoying this,” I mutter.

“…Immensely,” she replies.

I embrace it.

Because it’s them.

Because she’s there.

Later, Malcolm approaches.

Quiet.

Careful.

“…You like JRPGs?” he asks.

“…Yes.”

Silence.

“…Good,” he says.

That’s it.

That’s the conversation.

…Acceptable.

Annalise is less subtle.

“You’re exactly her type,” she says.

I stop.

“…I’m aware.”

She grins.

Diana taps her on the head with a book.

“Don’t be insufferable.”

“…You started it,” Annalise mutters.

Dinner is quiet.

Structured.

Controlled.

I don’t speak unless necessary.

I don’t look unless required.

And yet—

No one pushes.

No one demands more.

They adjust.

…That’s new.

By the time we leave, I’m still distant.

Still reclusive.

Still—

myself.

But as Monica hugs me again—

and Viktor nods with quiet approval—

…I don’t pull away as quickly.

That’s enough.