Chapter 33:

  Warmth of a Family

  (Lucas's POV)

  My mother and father lived on the edge of City W in District 6. It actually wasn't far from District 5 where I had taken Elizabeth on our date. The district itself was actually rather safe, or at least as safe as one could be. It was overseen by one of the major guilds: Haven.

  Because of their diligence, all the Dungeons in the area were well-maintained and the safety of the residents were of top priority. In fact, it was honestly an incredibly peaceful district. It had a sort of old-school charm to it. Being practically adjacent to District 5, there were plenty of parks and small businesses to walk around and shop at.

  I remember when I was younger going off into the woods of the park behind where we lived. It was the only way I could find some peace and quiet sometimes. Plus, I often enjoyed the scenery. I could let my mind wander for hours. Now, after having moved out and living on my own for a while, I was returning for a visit.

  "It's quaint, isn't it?" I asked Maya as she opened the door for me to get out.

  "...It appears so, Sir," she answered, gncing over at the house, "Very...homey?"

  "Heh, come on, it only appears so?" I chuckled and offered my hand to Elizabeth, "What about you, Ellie? What do you think?"

  "It's very quaint, my dear," Elizabeth answered, taking my hand in hers and stepping out of the vehicle, "In a very comforting way. I never tire of seeing it."

  "I almost forgot about that..." I felt a little silly having asked the question, but at the same time, it was good to know, "You've probably seen this pce a thousand times."

  Elizabeth smiled amusingly and shrugged coyly.

  "Only a few," she joked, wrapping her arm around mine.

  "I admit, it does have its charm," Maya finally admitted with a slight smile, "Was this your childhood home, Sir?"

  "For the most part, yes, " I nodded in response to the question.

  The house in question was a beige-colored, two-story small home that was more like a cottage than an actual house. There was a small porch at the front with several pnts for decoration. A few hung from the eaves while some sat in pnters on the deck itself. It was surrounded by flowered shrubs and a freshly cut wn.

  It brought back many memories seeing it after so long. It wasn't like I didn't visit my parents. I had simply been so busy working that I didn't exactly have much time to. I made sure to call them every now and then, or send a text which was what I usually preferred. It was just easier and less stressful for me.

  My mother knew that, and that's why she text rather than called. She always took great care to ensure that my peculiarities and needs were seen to. It was why I genuinely loved my parents. They truly did care...a little too much at times, but they were good people. Smothering, but harmless.

  "Well...we should probably go say hello," I took a deep breath, half-dreading approaching the porch, "Maya, you're not allergic to anything, are you?"

  I was stalling a little, wanting as much free air as I could get. Between Elizabeth and Maya, and then my parents, I had to take any opportunity I could to taste the sweet freedom I had momentarily. The moment we entered the house, it would begin a cold war between everyone. I knew exactly how everyone would react.

  "Hmm, not particurly," Maya answered after a brief moment of thought, "When I was a child, I used to have difficulty eating seafood, but since becoming a Pyer, that has ceased being a problem."

  "Oh?" I raised a curious eyebrow, "I didn't know that was possible."

  "It is," Elizabeth chimed in amusingly, "It's not common, but it can happen. For the record, I'm not allergic to anything either."

  She cleared her throat, and for a moment I thought I saw her sulk, if ever so slightly.

  "Ah! I'm sorry..." I chuckled a little sheepishly before giving her a coy, teasing look, "You know, I was going to ask you next. Were you jealous?"

  "N-No!" she excimed unconvincingly before getting a little excited, "I mean...were you going to ask?"

  "Yes," I answered almost immediately, "You just didn't give me time to do so."

  I pyfully poked her in the side, causing her to blush slightly in embarrassment. Maya stifled a ugh, causing it to come out as an amused scoff. As Elizabeth gred at her, she looked away nonchantly as if she did nothing. It was adorable.

  "Well, regardless..." Elizabeth cleared her throat and composed herself, "You're stalling, my love."

  I grimaced as she said that, looking like I had just been caught red-handed.

  "Listen, I'm just..." I tried to find the words, attempting to look towards Maya for help.

  Only, I was shunned as she pretended not to see me and pet Azure instead who purred happily in her arms.

  "...You're both traitors," I sulked, suddenly feeling Elizabeth's finger under my chin, tilting my face to look at her smirking, sultry gaze.

  "You're just...what?" she asked curiously, her tone like a spider toying with its prey, "Enjoying the free air?"

  "Oh, come on!" I excimed in disbelief, "Ain't no way you can't read minds."

  "I can't," she told me, trailing her finger along my jaw, "But, I can read you."

  As she said that, she booped me on the nose and I immediately grew flustered and shy.

  "...You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I asked her, feeling the deep blush in my face.

  "Who, me?" she asked coyly, feigning ignorance before her expression turned dangerously hungry, "Absolutely, my love. You're just too cute, but, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

  I grumbled to myself as she pced an arm around me and pyfully squeezed my face.

  "Fine," I sighed, giving up, "Let's go, but py nice."

  "Don't worry," Elizabeth assured me, her tone and hold on me growing incredibly gentle and warm, "I like your parents. We've always gotten along before. We should again."

  "That's a relief," I honestly felt a weight leave my chest, though a knot had formed in my stomach, "I really want things to go well, Ellie. Not that they wouldn't. I don't expect a fight...not exactly."

  "I know," she chuckled, "You're worried about our personalities cshing over our territorial nature of you, right?"

  I gave her the most deadpan expression I could before she sighed and rolled her eyes.

  "I can't read minds," she reiterated with a humorous smile, "Regressor, remember?"

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah!" I waved my hand dismissively pyful, feeling a little silly.

  Almost immediately I was smothered by Elizabeth's embrace as she ughed lightheartedly.

  "You're too precious," she cooed, lifting me from the ground as she rubbed her face against mine.

  I struggled to free myself, though I did so half-heartedly. I was, in fact, quite happy about these circumstances. Perhaps being smothered wasn't so bad.

  -----

  (Maya's POV, Moments Later)

  Warmth. It was an almost foreign concept to Maya. Not that she didn't know or understand what it meant. Simply, she had rarely been shown it in her life. It just wasn't something her parents were capable of, let alone allowed.

  She was raised to be the perfect dy, and that meant having a cool indifference to most things. One had to be poised, aloof, and above all...distant. Their reasons for this were that she'd have to take care of all things in the household and couldn't be distracted by such things as "feelings". After all, the marriage they tried to arrange for her had simply been one of convenience.

  Maya had never truly known love, let alone the warmth that came along with it. There were exceptions, such as with her younger sister who, as Elizabeth had said, completely idolized her. However, even with her own sister, Maya didn't know how to handle something she had never learned how to deal with. That's why she was surprised when Lucas's mother warmly embraced her and invited them all in.

  She was a woman in her te fifties, yet still looked rather young with only slight crow's feet at the edge of her hazel eyes. Auburn brown hair fell to her shoulders. Her skin was touched by the sun, which she quickly learned was from her gardening outside. She had a little garden in the back that she tended. The moment Lucas knocked on the door, it had been flung open like the floodgates of a dam, and everything began to spill out.

  "Lucas!" her eyes sparkled at the sight of her son, "You've made it!"

  "Of course, Mother," he replied sheepishly, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek, "It's good to see you."

  "You too," she said before giving him an admonishing look, "Honestly, you should text more. I had to learn everything from Denise!"

  "Denny? That makes sense," Lucas was immediately cowed by the overwhelming pressure of his mother, "...I'm sorry, mom."

  She wasn't a rge woman, but had a presence that one would be hard to miss. Her eyes quickly took in Elizabeth, Azure, and Maya herself. Her smile was surprisingly warm and inviting, pushing Lucas gently aside to greet them each individually. Even ughing as Azure began to lick her face.

  "What a lively one!" his mother excimed with a hearty chuckle, "I'm Kathrine, by the way. Though please, just call me Kate. It's a pleasure to meet you both! Come in, I just got done gardening in the back! Lucas, you wouldn't believe the carrots we got this time! They're huge!"

  "Heh, are they now?" he asked, nervously chuckling as he motioned for them all to follow him into the house after his mother, "Did the tomatoes turn out well?"

  "Oh! Don't even get me started on those!" she decred in exasperation, "I swear, your father was going to have a stroke!"

  "Oh, no," Lucas fed into her energy expertly as only someone who had lived with them all his life could, "I'll make the funeral arrangements. It'll be tomato themed."

  "It's what he would have wanted," his mother agreed with a chuckle, "Come! Come! Your father is in the kitchen watching the food. Please, make yourselves comfortable!"

  The whole thing gave Maya whipsh. No sooner had they arrived than they were all seated in the living room sharing cups of tea and incredibly delicious brownies with rivers of caramel within. Maya had never seen Lucas so quick to devour something than in the moment he id eyes upon them. His mother already had a gss of milk ready for him to wash it all down with.

  Despite all of this, Maya never let down her guard. The house was just as small as it looked from the outside, and yet was surprisingly roomy. It wasn't cluttered at all, with everything being neatly pced on shelves or bookcases. Pnts hung from the ceiling or stood in vases in the corner of rooms to add a bit of green to an otherwise earthy pate.

  It looked to be an old, yet well taken care of home. It was almost disarming to her, the immediate smell of...home. Strange. Especially for Maya who didn't really have a sense of such things. Yet, if there was ever something to consider a home...this would be it.

  "Are you okay?" Lucas suddenly whispered in her ear, causing her to jolt slightly.

  "Yeah, I'm alright, Sir," she replied quietly, though gnced past him to his other side, "Are they okay?"

  Lucas gnced in the direction she looked and smiled with exasperated amusement. Since arriving, they had been here for about thirty minutes. Lucas, Elizabeth, and Maya were sitting upon a well-worn, yet comfortable couch in a cozy living room. In that time, Lucas's father, a man named Theodore, though he asked to be called Theo, had joined them. He was currently sitting in a well-used recliner and held a cup of tea in one hand.

  He was a slightly older-looking version of Lucas, though his hair was cut short and more of a blonde than Lucas's chestnut. His eyes were blue with an amber hue. He was fit, but much like his wife, was in his te fifties and his age was catching up to him.

  Of course, that wasn't what was drawing their attention at the moment. His wife, Miss Kathrine, sat in a simir recliner next to him, and both of them were looking at El with very kind, yet sharp eyes. They were currently assessing her. It felt like two birds of prey looking at a snake that was brought home by their baby chick, and they were still up in the air about whether it was a threat or not.

  "You have such a lovely home," Elizabeth commented sweetly, taking a sip of the tea they had offered her, looking completely unbothered, "You have to give me the recipe for those brownies. I don't think I've ever seen Lucas eat something so quickly."

  Lucas blushed as she nudged him pyfully.

  "What? They're good..." Lucas defended himself.

  Elizabeth smiled, love in her eyes as she touched her shoulder to his.

  "I know," she stated softly, "That's why I want to get the recipe. So, you can eat them whenever you wish."

  "Well, he's always welcome here," Miss Kathrine said just as sweetly, though an undertone of protectiveness permeated it, "I'll make him brownies whenever he wants."

  "Mom..." Lucas sighed with embarrassment, "You don't need to be baking every day."

  "And why not!?" she asked, looking offended, "What's so wrong with wanting to bake my precious, darling boy some brownies?"

  "Nothing, it's just..." Lucas sighed again, this time more heavily as he composed himself, "Mother, when was the st time you baked yourself something?"

  This gave her pause as Sir Theo gnced at her with wry amusement. This earned him a sharp smack in his arm from her.

  "What'd I do?" he asked, his voice gruffly deep, yet not harsh, "He has a point, honey. As much as I love your pies, I don't think I can eat another one. I'm gaining a gut!"

  "Oh, shush, you!" she spped him on the stomach pyfully, causing him to hunch in slightly, "You've already got one!"

  "Yeah! No thanks to you!" he retorted and the two of them ughed while Miss Kathrine rolled her eyes, "Honestly, I think you were right, Son. If you had stayed, you'd be twice your size by now."

  "And he should be!" Miss Kathrine decred with a huff, "I mean, look at him! He's practically skin and bones. Have you even been eating?"

  Maya raised an eyebrow as Lucas gnced towards her sheepishly before nodding.

  "Yes, Maya's ensured I've had plenty of food," he answered, his words genuinely kind, "I've been really grateful. Ever since Elizabeth assigned her to me, I've never wanted for food."

  There was a silence that permeated the room for a brief moment before Miss Kathrine spoke.

  "Hmm, Elizabeth assigned her, huh?" she was curious and suddenly protective, "You make a lot of money, Miss Falcrest?"

  "Mother..." Lucas groaned, "You know who she is, and Maya isn't just a servant. She's our friend, and a damn good one at that."

  There was something in the way that Lucas said that she was his friend which simultaneously warmed her heart and pained it at the same time. She had never had someone care about her like Lucas did. Even Elizabeth had never been as...pushy(?) as he was. She wasn't quite sure if that was the right term, but it was like he had gotten under her skin and wouldn't let go.

  "So, why does she act like a servant?" Miss Kathrine narrowed her eyes accusingly at Elizabeth before softening her gaze when she turned it on Maya herself, "It's alright, dear, you don't have to be so formal here."

  "Ellie isn't forcing her to be formal," Lucas stated defensively, a bit of a bite to his words, "She's-"

  "It's alright, love," Elizabeth interrupt him gently, pcing a hand over his, "I understand your mother's concerns, but Lucas is right. I've tried countless times to get her to rex more."

  If Maya wasn't so tense, she might have shrunk in on herself. El was right, she had tried many times to get her to rex, but it wasn't so easy. The only one who had ever gotten her to let down her guard was...she gnced towards Lucas, the tension in her shoulders rexing slightly.

  "I do apologize," Maya spoke up, bowing her head towards Lucas's mother, "I do not mean to make you uncomfortable, Miss Kathrine. It's just how I was raised. A hard habit to break, but..."

  She gnced once more at Lucas and then at Elizabeth before allowing herself a small smile.

  "They have truly been helping me," she expined, feeling the honesty in her words, "Luke has been more than kind enough to remind me, and..."

  Her words cut off as she saw Lucas's wry smirk and a glint of mischief in his eyes. She had said his name once more without any honorifics. He was annoyingly keen when he wanted to be.

  "Ahem, anyways," she attempted to ignore his smugness as she continued, "They've been good to me, and I couldn't ask for better friends. Truly. So, please rest assured...I'm alright."

  "Hmm," Miss Kathrine didn't quite seem convinced, but accepted her answer nonetheless, "If that's how you were raised, but..."

  She seemed a little disconcerted by that, contempting something silently. Lucas gave Maya a knowing gnce of warning. Maya returned a slightly confused one before she was suddenly being taken by the arm. Miss Kathrine had moved faster than she thought possible, wrapping her arms around her own all while grinning warmly.

  "Do you mind helping me in the kitchen?" Miss Kathrine inquired, already pulling her out of the room, "Anyone who can get my son to eat properly must have secrets to share! I'd love to hear all about it!"

  "I, uhm..." Maya was immediately flustered, looking towards Lucas and Elizabeth for help.

  Unfortunately, her previous ignoring of him asking for help had come to bite her in the ass. Elizabeth found it rather amusing, and Lucas...he mouthed "Go" while motioning for her to do so. A dread fell upon her, but somehow...she felt safe.

  There wasn't malice, and the hold Miss Kathrine had on her wasn't forceful. It was more...suggestive. As if she was asking without asking, and Maya was able to refuse at any point, but then...Lucas's expression changed at the st moment before she disappeared around the corner. She caught him looking at her with such a gentle, if not sympathetic, smile. Suddenly, she didn't want to resist.

  Something about it told her that he knew she would be okay and understood what his mother was doing. Gncing at Miss Kathrine, it finally clicked for Maya. They were worried about her. Somehow in that conversation they had picked up that her upbringing hadn't been a good one.

  Maya hadn't explicitly stated it, and no one else had said anything, but Miss Kathrine almost instinctively knew. They were being polite by not outright asking about it, but also wanted to help in some way. The best way that they knew how. Distraction and warmth. The love of a family.

  This filled Maya's heart with such tender endearment that she had no choice but to go along with them. In fact, she was now looking forward to helping cook with Miss Kathrine. She was beginning to understand what Lucas was saying about his parents. They were suffocating, but in the best of ways.

  Maya suddenly began to miss her sister. Perhaps Elizabeth was right...she should go visit her sometime soon.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV)

  Kate and Theo Avington, my parents and all-around good people. I was happy to see that my mother had caught on quickly to avoid the subject of Maya's past. I wasn't surprised, though, given the fact that my parents were well-versed in noticing someone with a troubled past. Some of the kids they fostered after moving here often had a chip on their shoulders.

  Denise, or Denny as she eventually asked to be called, was the one that my mother said told her about my current situation. She had been one such child. She was about a year younger than me and chronically online. Honestly, I was surprised it had taken this long for my parents to find out. I should have been the one to tell them, and so I felt a little guilty. This was tempered by the fact that everything happened so quickly.

  I often got swept up by things, and my parents knew that. Still, it was a little embarrassing. Denny had been a troubled kid. She didn't trust people. Her parents had completely abandoned her. Throwing her away like trash. It had been...rough.

  My parents took her in, as they did with a few others, but there had been tension right from the start. She kept to herself, stayed in her room, and often snuck out at odd hours of the night. My mother would wait up for hours just to make sure she got home safely. She never said anything to her. She simply waited with a warm meal and a kind smile.

  Eventually, Denny exploded one night, asking her why she was doing all of this. Why did she care so much for someone like her. It was...difficult. I remember waking up to the yelling and immediately rushed downstairs to the kitchen, but before I could enter, my father pced a hand on my shoulder and motioned for me to be quiet.

  He had woken up too and knew what was going on. I watched as my mother smiled kindly, pcing a firm, yet loving hand on Denny's shoulder. I'd never forget the words she said that night.

  "We all have our struggles," my mother told her softly, "It's not my pce to force you to tell me, but everyone deserves someone who'll be waiting to listen."

  I remember Denny crying then, unable to stop the flow of tears. My mother embraced her, patting her back and making soothing sounds. I was maybe...sixteen at the time? It felt like so long ago now, but thinking of it...I still recall that night quite clearly.

  After that moment, Denny began to open up more and more. She grew very close to my mother that they had actually thought of adopting her, but Denny politely declined. It was enough for her that they thought of her as a daughter. That someone actually wanted her. The offer, though, if I remembered correctly, was still open.

  It had been a very emotional few years, especially when she finally moved out a year before the gates appeared. She was the st of the foster kids to leave. Said she got some tech job somewhere but wouldn't say. I was so caught up trying to get my own life together so I wouldn't burden my parents that I never really asked.

  All that is to say, my mother knew how to handle those who didn't like talking about their pasts. She wouldn't push Maya, and in fact would do her best to make her feel as comfortable as possible. I was incredibly proud of my parents.

  "Hey, Dad?" I asked as I downed another of those delicious brownies my mother had baked.

  "Yeah, Son, what's up?" he inquired, taking a sip of his tea.

  "I was curious about something..." I looked around the living room, feeling rather nostalgic, "How long have we had this house for again?"

  "Hmm, about sixteen years?" he pondered for a moment, rubbing his chin, "No, wait...seventeen. You were eight when we moved here. Why do you ask?"

  I was already downing the rest of the milk my mother had left for me before leaning back into the couch feeling rather satisfied. Elizabeth looked to be amused by my antics, which made me feel warm inside. Just having her nearby was enough to sooth my nerves, but I did wish she wouldn't compete with my mother...and my mother wouldn't compete with her.

  I knew I'd have to have a talk with them eventually, but for now...

  "I don't know. Feeling nostalgic, I guess," I answered simply, running my hand over the familiar fabric of the couch, "A lot of memories here. It always surprises me that we were able to afford such a nice house. Small as it is...it's still a house."

  "Ha! Tell me about it!" my father ughed heartily, "It was a new development just being started, but it was surprisingly cheap! Plus, we got a good loan from..."

  Something dawned on me as my father spoke, his words beginning to grow distant. It was cheap, they got a good loan, and...it was a new development. That's right. How did City W grow so big in such a short amount of time? I never really paid attention to it, but when I lived here, the pce was being developed even before the gates appeared. My gaze slowly passed to Elizabeth, our eyes meeting in full understanding.

  "You-" I began, but Elizabeth pced a finger over my lips, silencing me.

  "Later, love," she whispered, producing some pills and something to drink, "Just know, I only wanted you safe and taken care of."

  I smiled softly, grateful for all that she's done, but it was nonetheless staggering every time I learned more. To think...she had helped my family secretly all this time. Perhaps, I didn't really need to worry as much as I did for our welfare, but...I was kind of gd she didn't make it obvious. Regression was time travel in a sense, and messing with variables could produce wildly different results.

  She protected and kept my upbringing as close to normal as she could. I had to wonder if the job offers my parents had gotten had come from her. It was obvious that this house, along with that curiously good loan, had come from her. I rested my head lovingly against her shoulder, feeling the headache that had been slowly approaching completely disappear as the pills took effect.

  "...Sounds like we got lucky," I stated as my father was still in the middle of his expnation.

  "Ah! Very much!" he excimed happily, "It was truly a godsend. I kept telling you, son, but we've been doing okay. So, if you want, you can-"

  "No," I immediately shut him down, "Whatever money you have is yours. I'm more than good myself now. So, please...let's not go there today."

  My father grumbled begrudgingly but agreed, crossing his arms in silent defiance.

  "Fine, but how about you tell me..." his gaze fell upon Elizabeth with a cool protectiveness, "How exactly did you two meet?"

  I felt Elizabeth wrap an arm around me and pull me close. I was more than happy to snuggle closer.

  "You may or may not know, but I'm a Hunter," Elizabeth answered, expining to my father a lie that we had come up with together, "As such, I sometimes show up at the Association. It was there that I saw him, and well..."

  She gnced down at me, desire and tenderness in her eyes. The look of a Yandere, though...she was holding it back if ever so slightly.

  "I became enamored with him," she smiled, kissing the top of my head softly, "He helped me with a few things, and we got to know each other. I love him, Theo. That's not going to change."

  As she said this, her gaze turned towards my father almost in challenge. As if she dared him to say something against it, but instead of flinching, my father met her with an equal amount of defiance. The two stared at each other for what felt like an eternity before my father finally sighed, seeming satisfied with whatever he had seen.

  "As you should," my father nodded sagely, "Anyone who wants to be with my son should at least be that devoted."

  "What?" I was genuinely confused, tilting my head curiously, "When did devotion come into this? I mean, she is, but..."

  My words trailed off as I looked between them. My father looked amused, and Elizabeth was giving me that look that told me she found me adorable. It was embarrassing and I felt myself blushing.

  "Fine, don't tell me..." I sulked with a huff and crossed my arms.

  Elizabeth's chuckle filled my ears and heart with its music, and I immediately felt her squeeze me affectionately.

  "Oh, don't be like that," she coaxed, holding me close, "He just wanted to be sure I truly loved you, which...I do."

  Something in the heat of her voice when she said that further deepened my blush.

  "I...love you, too," I replied, finding myself rather flustered.

  "Well, to be honest, we were worried," my father said as he cleared his throat, "When we heard from Denny, we were concerned you were being taken advantage of. After all, what does someone who has the entire world at their feet need from our son? You're often oblivious to the dangers around you, Luke."

  "H-Hey!" I protested the cim, but I couldn't truly deny the allegations.

  "Tell me about it," Elizabeth agreed with him, "I swear, if I didn't watch him, he'd run into traffic!"

  "I would not!" I excimed, genuinely offended at the accusation.

  "No, no...you would," my father backed her up and I felt like I was suddenly between two immovable mountains, "I mean, you have. Remember Nathan? Ran right into the street after him."

  "Hey! That's not fair!" I decred adamantly, "He did that. I simply...went after him."

  I wasn't exactly helping my case, but it wasn't like I was completely oblivious. Nathan was one of the younger kids that my parents had fostered before he got a permanent home elsewhere. He was barely a toddler when we had gone to a nearby park. We were rexing and pying when suddenly he disappeared.

  I was lucky enough to find him before the worst had happened. He had run into the road after a squirrel that crossed it. I sprinted, bolting for the intersection as cars zoomed by, barely slowing down. Some hit the brakes, but otherwise ignored the young boy. I scooped him up and ran back to safety. All the while, he ughed, not knowing the danger he had been in.

  "You make it sound like I'm blind," I pouted slightly, gring at the two of them.

  "You saved his life, but..." my father chuckled, pride in his eyes, "At the same time...you could have also been hit."

  "Not like I had a choice," I told him, "I couldn't let him get hit."

  "And if you both got hit?" he asked.

  "...Then I did my best," I stated defiantly, stubbornly trying not to give them this win.

  "Mhm, sure," he mused, unconvinced and knowing that he won, "We just worry about you, Luke, that's all."

  "Yeah...I know," I sighed, rexing back into the couch, "Still, I'm not a child."

  "No, you're not," he agreed with a nod, "But at the same time, you are. You're our child."

  His words were gentle and filled with love. Any defiance I had quickly dissipated as I couldn't be upset with them. Everything they said was technically true, but even so.

  "Now that was unfair," I mumbled, gring at him, "You know I love you guys and don't want you to worry. I'm not that accident prone."

  The immediately silence that filled the room and the skeptical looks from both my father and Elizebeth were enough to make me want to disappear into the couch.

  "...Shut up," I grumbled, crossing my arms even more, "I do my best, okay!"

  "I know, love," Elizabeth ughed lightly, suddenly finding myself cradled to her again, "And your best is one of the reasons I love you, but, I do wish you'd do a little less sometimes. I'd not have to baby proof our home."

  "Hey, I'm not the one who shot me with fruit!" I stated teasingly.

  "No, but you are the one who cut themselves twice in the span of a few seconds," she retorted, completely disarming me with the truth of that statement.

  "Yeah, well-" I began, but my father interrupted us.

  "You two are living together?" his question held a serious tone, "Isn't that a little quick? How long have you two been dating?"

  I looked at Elizabeth who released me reluctantly as we composed ourselves. Clearing my throat, I took a sip of my tea that had been sitting there. It was slightly sweet with a bit of a fruit undertone.

  "Uhm, about three months now?" I estimated, but honestly wasn't sure, "I haven't been keeping track...things have moved quickly, yes, but-"

  "Three months?" my father repeated in slight disbelief, "Lucas. Are you sure you should do that? I'm aware of who she is, but if it fails, you'll be-"

  "Father," I spoke firmly, interrupting him as gently as I could despite having to put my foot down, "I know. Can I ask you something?"

  My father looked at me carefully, seeming intrigued yet cautious.

  "...Of course," he said, motioning for me to speak, "You can ask me anything."

  "When you met mom, when did you know she was the one?" I asked with intent, holding his gaze earnestly, "When did it click for you. As if a piece of a puzzle that has been missing from your life finally fits. When the world just felt...right?"

  He was silent for a moment, averting his gaze awkwardly as he knew where I was going with this. I asked this because I knew the story of him meeting my mother very well. They told me about it a lot growing up. Always telling me that I'd one day meet someone who made my life feel complete, and when it happened, I would simply know.

  "If I remember correctly, Dad," I enunciated a little, causing him to wince slightly and look at me with knowing dread, "You and mom moved in together after, what...the next day?"

  My father shifted in his chair, disconcerted with the situation being turned on him.

  "Well, when you know, you know..." he attempted to defend, which was only weakening his case, "What if-"

  "Father," I sighed with a light chuckle, "Trust me. I know. Ever since Ellie has come into my life, nothing has ever felt more...alive. It's like my life, up until this point, had been so...stagnant. No offense to you or mom, but...I've never been happier than when I'm with her."

  I took Elizabeth's hand in mine, entwining my fingers with hers. I looked at her with a gentle gaze, my heart filled with all of my love and wonder for her. She blushed lightly, which was adorable.

  "So cute," I whispered, causing her to look away coyly.

  Satisfied for now, I turned my attention back towards my father, my expression hardening into an unshakeable resolve.

  "I love her," I told him bluntly, "That's never going to change."

  Elizabeth squeezed my hand, bring it to her lips and kissing the back of it softly. Her lips upon my skin sent tingles throughout my body, but even so, I held my gaze with my father. He quickly folded, sinking back into his chair with a sigh of defeat.

  "You don't need to convince me," he held his hands up, a knowing glint in his eye, "I can tell you two truly love each other...which makes this father incredibly happy. I've only ever wanted to see you flourish, and I'd not only be blind, but a damned fool, if I didn't notice the chemistry between you two."

  I felt like a whole weight had been lifted from my shoulders as I rested back into the couch once more. My father turned his attention towards Elizabeth in that moment.

  "You care for him," he stated, nodding in approval, "You know he gets headaches. I saw you give him pills to help, and he looks incredibly rexed around you. I'm easily swayed, but..."

  He then turned towards me, and I felt a chill run up my spine.

  "You will have to speak with your mother," he looked almost smug, knowing that he wouldn't be doing it, "You know how she is. It won't be easy for her to let you go."

  "She doesn't have to," I said with a light chuckle, "I'm not going anywhere, but I will be spending my life with Ellie."

  My father nodded with contentment, but I wasn't about to forget the fact that he wanted to throw me under the bus.

  "Oh, and don't worry," I assured him with a mischievous smirk, "I'll make sure she knows you already gave permission, and said I had to convince her to date Ellie."

  Immediately, his face went sck and pale as if he had seen a ghost.

  "You wouldn't dare," he whispered in horror.

  "Now who's oblivious to the dangers around them?" I smirked, standing triumphantly before leaning down and giving Elizabeth a kiss, whispering to her, "I'll be back, my love. I'm gonna check on Maya and my mother."

  "Of course, dear," she smiled brilliantly, lingering her hand on mine, "Don't keep me waiting."

  "Never," I replied with a loving smile before turning and leaving the room.

  -----

  Nikushimi