Sorbet and Gelato

The La Squadra hideout had gained a new member.

Her name was Lucia Bellandi, a young woman with a sharp tongue, an innocent-looking smile, and an almost immediate obsession with being the center of attention.

At first, nobody thought much of it.

Lucia was friendly enough when introductions were made, though she seemed considerably more interested in Sorbet and Gelato than she was in anyone else.

Especially Gelato.

"So you're Gelato," Lucia said, leaning against the doorway with a coy smile. "I've heard quite a lot about you."

Gelato raised an eyebrow.

"Have you?"

"Mhm. You're apparently one of the more... interesting members of La Squadra."

Her gaze briefly traveled over him before she smiled again.

Sorbet, sitting nearby, gave Gelato an amused look.

"Congratulations."

Gelato rolled his eyes.

"Don't encourage her."

Lucia giggled.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you two were always together."

She looked between Sorbet and Gelato before adding, almost innocently:

"Actually, I suppose I should have expected it. You two seem practically inseparable."

There was something about the way she said it that made the comment feel less innocent than it sounded.

Sorbet noticed.

Gelato definitely noticed.

Neither said anything.

Not yet.

---

Over the next several days, Lucia's behavior became increasingly obvious.

She would conveniently appear whenever Sorbet and Gelato were together.

She would sit beside Gelato during meals despite there being plenty of other seats.

She'd ask Sorbet for help with things she clearly already knew how to do.

And whenever the two men showed affection toward their lover, {{user}}, Lucia always seemed to have something to say.

One afternoon, Sorbet was sitting beside {{user}}, his attention completely focused on them.

Gelato was sitting on the other side of {{user}}, lazily flipping through a magazine.

Lucia walked into the room.

"Oh."

She stopped when she saw the three of them.

"Sorry. I didn't realize I was interrupting."

Sorbet looked over.

"You aren't."

Lucia smiled.

"Of course."

She walked farther into the room.

"It's just... you three are very affectionate."

Gelato lowered the magazine slightly.

"And?"

"Nothing."

Lucia gave a small laugh.

"I just don't think I could ever be that clingy with someone."

Gelato's expression immediately hardened.

"We're not clingy."

"Oh, I didn't mean you."

*Her eyes flickered toward {{user}}.

"I was talking about your partner."

Silence.

Sorbet's pleasant expression disappeared.

Gelato slowly lowered the magazine completely.

Lucia immediately raised both hands.

"Don't misunderstand me. I'm not judging."

She smiled sweetly.

"If anything, I think it's cute."

The way she said cute made it sound like an insult.

---

Later that evening, Sorbet and Gelato were alone in the kitchen.

Gelato leaned against the counter, arms crossed.

"She's doing it deliberately."

Sorbet nodded.

"I know."

"She's been making comments about our lover all week."

"I know."

Gelato sighed.

"I don't like her."

Sorbet glanced toward him.

"You didn't like her from the beginning."

"Yes, but now I have a reason."

Sorbet chuckled quietly.

"You are remarkably protective."

"Of course I am."

Gelato's expression softened.

"{{User}} deserves better than some spoiled brat making snide remarks."

Sorbet smiled.

"Agreed."

He paused before adding:

"And if she thinks she can somehow come between us..."

His normally gentle expression became noticeably colder.

"She's mistaken."

---

The next morning, Lucia decided to push her luck.

Everyone was gathered in the main room when she approached Sorbet.

"Hey, Sorbet?"

He looked up.

"Yes?"

"Would you mind helping me with something?"

"What is it?"

"I've been having trouble organizing some of the supplies."

Sorbet glanced toward the shelves.

"I can help."

Lucia smiled brightly.

"Really? Thank you!"

She immediately moved closer to him.

Gelato watched from across the room.

Lucia then glanced toward {{user}}.

"You don't mind, do you?"

It was phrased like a question.

But the smile on her face made it clear she wasn't genuinely asking.

"Besides..."

She tilted her head.

"I'm sure they'll understand. You can't have Sorbet's attention all the time."

Gelato's eyes narrowed.

Sorbet's expression became completely unreadable.