The lounge was quiet that evening, save for the crackling of the fireplace and the occasional rustle of a book as Laura idly flipped through the pages. Fie was draped over her, lying on her back against Laura's chest, her legs dangling off the armrest of the couch. She stared lazily at the ceiling, her arms folded across her stomach.

Laura shifted slightly, glancing down at her. "You're awfully quiet tonight."

Fie tilted her head just enough to look up at Laura. "Just thinking."

"About?"

Fie was silent for a moment before blurting out, "Do you think Duvalie the Swift ever thought of taking her armor off, so she'd be even swifter?"

Laura blinked. "I… suppose that's possible? Though I imagine she'd argue her armor is an integral part of her role as a knight."

Fie hummed thoughtfully. "Still, can't be that aerodynamic."

Laura chuckled softly. "Fair point. What else is on your mind?"

Fie stared at the ceiling again. "Do you think one day we'll be able to fight Ouroboros villains without teaming up on them and thinking "we got this", only to find they were holding back the whole time?"

Laura sighed. "If that day comes, I'll be pleasantly surprised. Their strength is unnerving, to say the least."

"Yeah," Fie murmured. "It's like, we're strong, but they're all, 'Oh, I used one percent of my power, I almost worked up a sweat, but good job anyway.'"

Laura laughed at Fie's mocking tone, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder. "It's frustrating, but I suppose it's also what makes them such formidable foes."

"Still lame," Fie muttered, then grinned as another thought popped into her head. "Do you think Alisa fell for Rean right when he tried to help her and got her chest in his face for his troubles?"

Laura's lips twitched, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and embarrassment. "It's hard to say. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the start of her feelings. Rean does have a knack for leaving an impression."

Fie snorted. "Understatement of the year."

Fie let out a contented hum at the touch but quickly broke into a mischievous grin. "Another quandary. If McBurn tried, do you think he could fart fire?"

Laura's hand froze for a moment as she processed the question, and then she let out a deep laugh. "What on earth makes you think of these things?"

Fie shrugged. "I mean, he's the Blazing Demon, right?"

Laura shook her head, still laughing. "I can't say it's a question I've ever considered, but knowing McBurn, he'd probably find it beneath him."

"Or he'd act like it's the most normal thing in the world," Fie countered. "Just like 'Boom. Alright, this is lame. Smell ya later'."

Laura's laughter grew, her hand returning to Fie's hair. "I think you've officially outdone yourself."

Fie chuckled softly, tilting her head back to look up at Laura again. "You love it."

"I do," Laura admitted, her voice warm and fond. "You always make me smile."

Fie smirked, closing her eyes and settling more comfortably against Laura.

And with that, the two of them stayed there, the fire crackling softly in the background as they enjoyed the quiet comfort of each other's company.