The bunker's lighting system gradually brightened, mimicking the soft glow of sunrise. Warm amber light filtered through the room, casting gentle shadows across the tangled forms on Jason's bed.
Jason woke first, blinking slowly as consciousness returned. His right arm was pinned beneath Marissa's head, her hair spilling across his chest. Lily was curled against his other side, one leg thrown over his, her hand resting on his stomach.
He didn't move, savoring the weight of their bodies against his. Marissa stirred next, her eyes fluttering open to meet his.
"Morning," she whispered, a drowsy smile spreading across her face.
Her movement roused Lily, who yawned and stretched like a cat before settling back against Jason's side.
"Is it morning already?" Lily murmured, her voice thick with sleep.
Jason's mind flashed to the night before—Marissa's surprised gasp when she climaxed, Lily's gentle guidance, the three of them falling asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
"This is real," Marissa said softly, as if reading his thoughts. "Us. Together."
Jason leaned toward Lily first, drawn to her sleepy smile. Their lips had barely touched when she pulled back with a grimace.
"Ugh, morning breath," she complained, covering her mouth.
Marissa laughed. "Thank you for saying it first."
"What?" Jason feigned offense. "Are you suggesting my breath isn't minty fresh at 7 AM?"
"I'm suggesting," Lily said, poking his chest, "that we save the kissing for after toothpaste."
They untangled themselves reluctantly, the bed suddenly feeling too large as they separated.
"Dibs on the bathroom first," Marissa called, sliding out of bed.
"No fair," Lily protested. "You always take forever!"
"I do not!"
"Your hair looks like you stuck your finger in an electrical socket," Lily told Jason, ruffling his already chaotic bedhead.
"Says the woman with raccoon eyes from yesterday's mascara," he retorted, grinning.
They moved around each other with newfound ease, stealing glances and brushing against one another as they prepared to face the day.
"Later?" Jason asked quietly as they reached the door.
"Definitely later," Marissa confirmed, her eyes promising more.
• ────── ✾ ────── •
The breakfast table offered its usual spread—powdered eggs, reconstituted orange juice, and the bitter coffee that had become their morning ritual. Elaine was already seated when Jason arrived, Lily following minutes later, and Marissa last.
"Good morning," Elaine said, her knowing smile making Jason's cheeks warm.
"Morning, Mom," they responded in near-unison.
Jason poured coffee, his movements loose and relaxed. Lily's usual morning sleepiness was absent, replaced by a soft contentment that brightened her features. Marissa's hair was still damp from her shower, her skin glowing.
They moved through the familiar routine of passing dishes and filling plates, their fingers lingering when they touched, exchanging silent messages through brief contact.
"Did everyone sleep well?" Elaine asked, her tone innocent but her eyes sparkling.
Lily nearly choked on her juice. "Very well, thanks."
"Wonderfully," Marissa added, hiding her smile behind her coffee mug.
Jason caught his mother's eye and saw her satisfaction at their obvious happiness.
"We should talk later," Elaine murmured, leaning toward them as she reached for the salt.
Lily nodded. "Council session after breakfast?"
"Council session?" Marissa repeated, eyebrows raised.
"What else would you call our... meetings?" Lily whispered, eyes dancing with mischief.
Jason snorted. "The Council of Family Affairs?"
"I like it," Elaine decided. "My room, thirty minutes after breakfast?"
Under the table, Marissa's hand found Jason's knee. "I'll be there," she said, her voice steadier than it had been in previous discussions.
"We all will," Lily confirmed, her foot playfully nudging Jason's ankle.
"We have things to discuss," Jason said, his fingers briefly squeezing Marissa's under the table.
The connection between them felt tangible—a current of shared understanding that bound them together.
The atmosphere shifted instantly when Richard entered the kitchen. The easy laughter died, replaced by careful neutrality as he took his seat at the head of the table.
His eyes moved methodically from face to face, lingering on each of them. Jason felt the weight of his father's scrutiny, clinical and assessing. Richard's gaze paused on Marissa's flushed cheeks, Lily's relaxed posture, Elaine's quiet confidence.
A small, satisfied nod followed his inspection. He reached for the coffee pot with unusual focus, his typical morning distraction notably absent.
"Pass the eggs, please," he requested, his voice cutting through the sudden silence.
Jason handed the dish, and Richard's fingers gripped his wrist briefly before releasing.
"Jason," Richard said, spreading jam on his toast with precise movements, "I'd like to see you in my study after breakfast."
Jason's fork paused halfway to his mouth. "What about?"
"Just a follow-up to our previous discussion," Richard replied, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "Nothing to worry about."
Jason nodded, his mind already formulating responses. "Sure. After breakfast."
Conversation limped along after Richard's announcement. Lily made a halfhearted comment about the schedule. Elaine mentioned some daily routines. Marissa stared at her plate.
Richard ate efficiently, finishing his meal in minutes. He wiped his mouth, drained his coffee, and stood.
"Don't waste time too long," he told Jason, pushing his chair in with mechanical precision. "I have work to do today."
The moment he disappeared from sight, the tension broke. Collective sighs filled the room. Marissa's shoulders dropped. Lily pushed her plate away. Elaine closed her eyes briefly.
"Well, that was subtle," Jason muttered, setting down his fork.
"He knows," Lily whispered urgently. "How could he possibly know already?"
Elaine leaned forward. "Did anyone say anything? Did he overhear?"
"The cameras," Marissa realized, her face paling. "Do you think he's been watching us?"
Jason shook his head. "I don't know how, but yes, I think he knows."
"What are you going to do?" Lily asked, her hand gripping his arm.
"I'll handle it," Jason assured them. "This was his idea in the first place, remember? He can hardly condemn us for doing exactly what he wanted."
"But on our terms, not his," Elaine pointed out.
"Start the Council meeting without me," Jason said, standing. "I'll join you after I deal with him."
• ────── ✾ ────── •
Jason moved through the bunker's sterile corridors, his footsteps echoing against concrete walls. Each step brought him closer to a confrontation he'd known was inevitable.
His mind cycled through possible approaches—defiance, nonchalance, confrontation. None felt quite right.
What had started as Richard's cold calculation had transformed into something genuine. The tenderness in Lily's touch, Marissa's newfound confidence, Elaine's rekindled spirit—these weren't products of a breeding program. They were real connections forged in the crucible of their shared isolation.
Whatever Richard had intended, what had grown between them belonged to them alone. Their future—complicated, unconventional, but undeniably theirs—wasn't Richard's to control.
Jason straightened his shoulders, resolved. He would make that clear.
Drawing a deep breath, he stopped before the familiar door. His knuckles rapped against the metal, the sound sharp and final in the empty hallway.
Richard's room remained unchanged—clinically clean, meticulously organized, dominated by screens and equipment Jason couldn't name. Richard sat behind his desk, hands folded, watching Jason enter with unnerving calm.
"Sit," Richard offered, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Jason remained standing. "I'd rather not."
Richard's mouth quirked in what might have been amusement. He leaned back, studying Jason with the detached interest of a scientist observing an experiment.
The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken knowledge. Richard's posture radiated confidence—the certainty of a man who believed he held all the cards.
Jason waited, refusing to break first.
"You've moved faster than I anticipated," Richard finally said, his tone conversational. "Efficient."
"What exactly are you talking about?" Jason asked, though he knew.
Richard's lips curved into a smirk. "I'm talking about you, Lily, Elaine, and Marissa. Do I really need to explain further?"
Despite having expected it, hearing the words spoken aloud still landed like a physical blow. Jason's momentary shock gave way to determination as he met his father's gaze directly.
Richard's expression shifted to one of expectation, eyebrows raised, waiting for Jason's response.