Page 87 of Baseball and Shifters

I let my nails scrap lightly against his head and his eyes flutter. The pleased rumble that he lets out sends a wave of warmththrough the bond. As the first ridiculous gag plays out on the screen, laughter erupts around the room. I feel the quiet rise and fall of Bas’s chest and it centers me. The way his hand wraps lightly around my ankle, like he just needs to be touching me, makes me feel cherished and needed.

The warmth of my pack surrounds me and I love it.

This is peace. This is love.

The movie continues on, laughter bubbling up every few minutes. I find myself relaxing into it, surrounded by my guys, surrounded by safety.

When Derrick’s phone buzzes, he pulls it out of his pocket, his brows pinch together when he checks the screen.

“My dad,” he says, already rising to his feet. “I’ll take it in my room.”

The tension that pulses through our bond is subtle, but there. He presses a quick kiss to the top of my head before disappearing into his room.

“Time for snacks,” Lucas says, smacking the pause button and springing up from his place.

Bas gives me a lazy smile before stretching and following after him. “Be right back, Firefly.”

I smile at both of them, watching them work as a single unit to put together a snack board and drinks until Liam’s hand brushes against mine drawing my attention.

“Hey,” he says, his voice softer than usual, a little unsure. “Can I steal you for a sec?”

I blink, surprised but curious, and nod. “Yeah, of course.”

He stands and helps me off the mattress before leading me to his room. He doesn’t speak, just holds his door open, ushering me inside.

His room is tidy in a way that is so Liam. His bed is neatly made, the camera gear on his desk arranged with precision, not a speck of dust in sight. There’s something comfortinglypredictable about the clean lines and muted colors. Everything is functional, minimal, everything has its place.

He crosses to his desk and picks up his camera before grabbing my hand and pulling us both over to sit on the edge of his bed. I can’t help but notice the camera strap I got him for his birthday is attached to the body of the camera.

“I, uh… I never really said thank you for this.” His fingers toy with the strap, tracing the embroidery like it’s something precious. “I love it, Rachel. Like, really love it. It’s not just cool, it feels like me. And you saw that, saw me, when I didn’t even know you were looking. And I want you to know I saw you too.”

He thrusts his camera into my hands and shows me how to scroll through the photos. I start clicking through and every single one is amazing. Bas was right, he really has an eye for photography.

I scroll through a few nature photos, sunlight through trees, the beach where Lucas and I had our first big moment, the fountain in the quad surrounded by students hurrying on their way to class. Then I see me.

Smiling with Aubree in the quad.

Laughing at Lucas, Derrick standing protectively behind my back.

Sitting alone under a tree reading a book.

The photos continue and before I know it I’m all the way back to the first week of class. Before I bonded with Lucas. Before I knew any of them were mine. And still, he saw me.

My breath catches a little. “Liam…”

“I didn’t mean to be creepy,” he rushes out. “I just… when I see you sometimes it’s like I have to make the moment stay. You look peaceful, or powerful, or like you're about to say something sassy and put one of us in our place. And I wanted to hold onto that.”

I glance at him, my chest tight, eyes stinging with unshed tears. “You don’t make me feel watched, or stalked. You make me feel… noticed. Like I matter even when I’m doing nothing at all.”

His shoulders drop, the tension leaving him. “You always matter. That’s why I call you my Shadow Girl. At first, it felt like I couldn’t escape you, but then I realized it was more than that. You’re connected to everything. You’re why my photos have soul. You bring a depth to the world I didn’t know was possible.”

My throat feels too tight to speak, so I just lean in and press a soft kiss to his lip. It’s a gentle kiss, grounding me in the moment.

“I’m really glad you see me,” I whisper.

“Always,” he says, leaning his forehead against mine.

A knock at the door interrupts the moment, followed by Lucas’s voice. “Snacks are ready! If you don't get back out here and claim your spot I’m gonna snatch it up, Moonbeam.”

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