The First Glader

16

George scoffed. "Not bothering. Flirting very successfully."

Ada elbowed him. "George."

He grinned.

Gally ignored the humor entirely, focusing on Ada. "You okay?"

The question wasn't possessive. It wasn't jealous. It was simply protective, in a raw, instinctive way—like checking on a sibling after seeing them fall.

Ada softened. "I'm fine."

Gally held her gaze for a long second, reading her face like it was the only truth he trusted. Then he nodded, tension easing from his shoulders.

George muttered under his breath, "He's gonna be the death of me."

Ada stood, brushing dirt from her hands. "Gally, we're alright. Really."

Gally looked between them one last time, then let out a slow breath. "Okay. I just... needed to be sure."

George pushed himself to his feet, stretching as if shaking off the interruption. "So what, you gonna be Ada's personal bodyguard now?"

Gally blinked. "If she needs one."

George snorted. "She doesn't."

Ada sighed, stepping between them before things could escalate. "Both of you are impossible."

George's grin softened into something warm. "But you like me impossible."

Ada smacked his arm lightly. "I like you. The rest is negotiable."

Gally's lips twitched—not a smile, but the closest he'd come to one. "Good. If he's going to be around, I should know the rules."

Ada raised a brow. "There are no rules."

George shot Gally a smug look. "Hear that? No rules."

Gally deadpanned, "I'll be making some."

Ada rolled her eyes so hard Newt would have been proud.

The three of them stood there, awkwardly comfortable, the air thick with new understanding.

George reached for Ada's hand again, slower this time—checking.

She let him take it.

Gally saw.
Gally processed.
And though his jaw tensed, his expression said something like:

I'll allow it. But I'm watching.

And to Ada, strangely...

That felt like family.

Ada found Gally near the half-built shelter, sitting alone on a stack of lumber. The late-afternoon sun caught in his hair, bringing out the same warm gold she saw in her own when she caught her reflection in the pond. He wasn't working anymore. Just sitting, elbows on his knees, staring at his hands like they held answers he couldn't reach.

Ada walked over slowly, not wanting to startle him. "You disappeared after lunch."

Gally didn't look up right away. When he did, his expression softened—something it rarely did for anyone else. "Needed air."

Ada sat beside him, careful not to crowd. "From what?"

He huffed a small laugh. "Everything."

She nudged him lightly with her shoulder. "Everything is a lot."

Gally's jaw flexed. "I know I reacted weird earlier. With... George."

Ada folded her hands in her lap. "You didn't react weird."