The wooden floors of the hallway turned to smooth tiles as he made his way into the kitchen, the morning light basking the room with a soft, golden glow. It was rather modern, sleek, and simplistic, just like the rest of the house—and comfortably below what he could now afford as an ascended.
Still a lot better than what a slumrat like himself should have expected to achieve, though.
But Sunny wasn't really one to care for such things, in general. At least not when it meant he could spend more time with her. He smiled, thinking of Rain, his little sister who was now his neighbour because of it.
'Definitely the right decision,' he thought fondly.
He continued past the kitchen island and cupboards, the fridge drawing nearer.
He had been living here for a while now, just enjoying the quiet life that accompanied having an actual job—a guest lecturer position at the Awakened Academy—ever since they came back from their Second Nightmare.
The carefree smile slowly disappeared.
When Nephis had come back too…
He shook his head, clearing the murky thoughts. He'd rather not think about that now. It was too early.
The fridge's soft light highlighted his pale features shortly after as he opened it—his stomach already growling in anticipation.
It was a rather sparse selection to choose from: Fresh bread, eggs, tasty left-over meat from a nightmare creature a few days ago, and a few vegetables. Sunny's stomach gave another protesting rumble.
All decent options, but…
Did he want to cook anything worthwhile…? It took effort and time. Usually, that wouldn't bother him. In fact, he loved to cook. Cooking was fun, after all.
But having no one to share his labour of love with, made it less appealing. At least that's how it felt lately.
That, and—
Sunny had been so busy for the past… almost two years now? Getting accustomed to his new life after Awakening and Ascending.
It had been hectic, adjusting to the chained isles, his Second Nightmare, the lecture job. Everything. All taking a toll on him.
Yes, there were some good moments, but mostly, it had just been… exhausting. His friends had even recently gone as far as to convince him to take things easy, apparently having thought the same. Ridiculous, the thought of taking a break.
And yet, he had begun to realise the insidious allure of a certain concept because of it. Embracing it, even, to a certain extent.
Relaxation. Or it's lesser adored equivalent, laziness.
So in short… he simply wasn't in the mood to create something extravagant or effort inducing. He sighed, reaching forward to close the fridge—intending to just grab something easy to make, when he felt a familiar shadow near the kitchen.
He stopped mid-motion.
Neph. His heart sped up a fraction. Laziness momentarily retreating once more. For some reason, he felt newfound motivation.
Maybe he could make something, after all…
Sunny started picking out a few things as Nephis entered. He sent a quick command—the shadows coalescing into an onyx platform that carried everything over for him towards the minimalist kitchen island.
"Hey Neph," he greeted, giving her a furtive glance as he walked by. "You hungry? I was just about to make something."
The dawn lights piercing through the window above the sink made her silver hair almost glow as she watched him intently. She had a certain tendency as of late, staring at him more than usual. Almost as if contemplating something.
It wasn't really a dazed look, just absentminded. He had known her for long enough to know when something was on her mind.
But he could still feel warmth spread over his face slightly under her stare, even if it was most likely nothing to do with him.
He wished he knew what it was.
Dangerous thoughts had started to surface, more than usual, and slipping into his mind like subtle tendrils of poison. Things that coiled around him, making him want to run away, and other times… wanted to surrender to.
The feelings.
Nephis was living with him until she got a place of her own, which meant it was getting harder and harder to deny them these days.
Especially with her so close by… always in easy reach.
Not that he minded… it was better than her being away. Or worse, still stuck alone in the Dream Realm. He suppressed an involuntary shudder.
"Morning," she simply responded, making her way over. She leaned back against the counter as she observed the ingredients, and then Sunny himself, once more.
Contemplating again.
Nephis stared at him for a moment too long, making him shuffle from one foot to another, before nodding in response; to what he didn't know. She was as direct as always, her exquisite face revealing little to nothing.
"What are you making?" she finally asked.
So she wasn't going to broach the matter today, either. He tried not to let it get to him. Maybe it was better that way, not knowing what it was.
"Nothing much," he said with a deceptively casual shrug, trying to appear normal. "Just a simple meat dish with potatoes on the side."
Her alluring, grey eyes, gained a glimmer in them at his words, her body leaning forward slightly—for once showing something other than her impassive facade.
"Do you… need any help?" she asked, and Sunny could swear he heard a tinge of excitement in it.
'Cute…'
Giving her a smile, Sunny started moving to get the utensils needed, feeling a bit more sure of himself. A pot, skillet, spatula, and wooden spoon all settled in their respective shadowy appendages.
"Of course, it'll make it easier." He didn't add that it would make him happier as well. "We can just make up the recipe as we go along." He paused, looking back at her. "Unless…"
Nephis didn't seem bothered, even though Sunny knew she was one for controlled order. Definitely acting strange today… more than usual. She started picking other ingredients from the fridge, the edges of her lips curling up into something that almost resembled the ghost of a smile.
She looked pleased, for some reason. Sunny wondered whether it was because she liked cooking… or because they were going to do it together…
Surely the former. Yes. Definitely the former.
"I'll start with the side dishes," she said, moving over to the kitchen island. Sunny himself shook his head slightly, taking a breath—trying to calm his slightly racing pulse.
The stove turned on with a satisfying click, the skillet soon set atop it—letting the butter melt inside so long.
Cooking always made him feel calm, helping clear his mind through the simple repetitive actions of following pre-ordained instructions. Something he needed to ground himself right now.
And yet—his heart wouldn't stop bouncing in his rib-cage. His skin couldn't help but heat up.
Seemingly oblivious to his plight, Nephis started peeling the potatoes, dicing them up into thinner slices after setting the water to boil in the kettle next to her.
Each of her actions were precise and methodical, reflecting her personality.
Why was she helping, though…? he thought to himself, watching the butter melt, the sizzling sound accompanying after. Neph didn't normally cook, although she did have quite the talent for it—far better than his. So, usually, he ended up being the one doing the cooking.
He started packing a few pieces of meat inside and up against the edges, making sure to fit as much as possible.
But she seemed to be enjoying herself this time. Something he hadn't known her to do. Enjoy much of anything other than sparring and fighting, that was.
A fluttery feeling sprang up in his stomach as he thought of how, even now, he was still learning new things about Nephis. Hopefully that would never change. It was nice. Becoming closer to her.
Then a thought struck him. Did she feel the same way about him?
He stole another glance at her.
She wore the same neutral expression as always, albeit with something that could count as a smile if viewed in the correct lighting.
Which it definitely was… The light seemed to want to make her stand out. There was no tension in her shoulders, no scrunched brow, and no rigid posture.
Relaxed.
That was what she was. In his presence, helping him do something he enjoyed.
And that made him happier than he would ever care to admit. 'Maybe she did feel the same,' he thought absentmindedly, leaning forward slightly, and taking in the pleasant aroma—trying to keep his mind clear.
Thinking about such things wouldn't lead anywhere. That was a lesson he had learned before. Yet… Nephis seemingly had other plans.
Nephis was done with the potatoes by now, having put them in the microwave with the boiled water, whilst Sunny was busy spicing the meat, turning them over in the skillet. She brought them over towards him, already out of the microwave—her side leaning against his slightly as she placed it next to the stove.
Sunny could feel the warmth of her body against his, the contact feeling a bit more intimate than he would have thought… He tried not to blush as he felt her warmth seep into him.
'No! Focus on the food,' he chided himself. 'She doesn't mean anything by it…'
It didn't help, his attention couldn't stay on the food. Only Nephis kept his focus. What was up with her today…
Sunny didn't move away.
So neither did she.
She stayed slightly pressed up against him, as if it was the most natural thing to do. If Sunny wasn't so focused on appearing normal, he might have noticed her face was turning slightly red as well.
Neither of them broke the comfortable silence that settled over them, almost as if in silent agreement not to ruin the moment. They continued cooking like this for a while, just basking in the act of being in each other's company.
No dangers of the Dream Realm nearby. No pressing matters to attend to. Just them.
A tantalising scent soon wafted throughout the kitchen, pervading the surroundings.
Sunny glanced over to see what Nephis was doing. She was finishing off adding in some mushrooms and diced onions into a pot, mixing them together with a wooden spoon before adding various spices.
He hesitated a moment, before reaching for a few of his own. His hands were a blur as he added numerous spices and herbs to the cuts of meat; crushed oregano and coriander, cumin and mustard seeds, and finally, a pinch of sugar.
Nephis liked things a bit sweet.
The aroma was tantalising by now, the butter having melted away and seeped into the meat. Just like his nervousness was slowly fading away.
Sunny didn't know how to feel about that. He knew being near Nephis had that effect on him—he would be a fool if he didn't by now—but, what he did realise, is that he wanted to know.
Even with the repercussions that would likely follow.
And so… with newfound bravery, he dared to ask.
"Is there something you want to…" Sunny trailed off, losing a bit of the courage he had managed to gather in her comfortable silence. Not knowing entirely how to phrase the question.
'Damnation!' he cursed inwardly. This wasn't like him, stumbling over his words. Feeling unsure and too scared to speak.
"Hm?" she asked, glancing over at him, and, for the first time, Sunny could see the faint reddening of her face. His heart sped up again of its own volition, his palms feeling slightly sweaty as he gripped the spatula a bit firmer than before.
Was she… blushing?
"I… I was just wondering…" Sunny's hands fumbled with the spatula. "…whether there's something on your mind?" A half-truth, yet he couldn't find himself asking the rest.
She seemed to stiffen slightly at that, pointedly looking down at her work instead. Tending to the cooking Sunny had momentarily forgotten existed.
'No! Did he ruin the moment? What if—
"I suppose so… I just. I have been thinking about making a certain decision. An important one."
Sunny's throat tightened, his tongue feeling dry all of a sudden.
"And that is…?"
Nephis put the lid on the pot after stirring, slowly turning to face him. This time, her eyes didn't shy away. Her gaze was resolute as it met his. But Sunny couldn't do the same.
He turned away again, focusing on cooking instead of holding the eye contact. A rushing sound started buzzing in his ears, making him feel slightly lightheaded.
Was it blood flowing? Why was it so loud?
Nephis stayed silent, looking at Sunny's slightly shaking hands, the dazed expression. He looked more unsure and vulnerable than she had ever seen him before. She didn't know which words to use to comfort; she never was any good with them.
But where she lacked in communication, she made up for in her actions. It made the need for words redundant.
Stepping behind him, her arms slowly went around his waist, her hands settling on his stomach. Sunny dropped the spatula in a jerky movement, dirtying the stove top, as a startled yelp escaped his lips.
His eyes refocused, his body stiff in her embrace as he stared ahead. The rushing sound increased.
"N-Neph…?"
Then, he felt the gradual, gentle tickling of her breathing on his neck as she rested her chin on his shoulder. Her arms tightened, just as his stomach did.
His face was completely red by now. Sunny had lost all pretences.
It felt warm.
Safe.
Right.
Everything he had wanted it to be.
"I love you."
Another jolt went through him at her words. His insides churning. And even though she didn't ask the question, he found himself providing one.
"I… I love you too."
Unable to lie, Sunny, for the first time, had accepted what he had known all along. Since even the Forgotten Shore.
Nephis released a relieved breath, her arms somehow tightening even more around his middle in response. Had she been just as worried as him? Did she have her own doubts?
There were a lot of obstacles in their way—but, Sunny found he was willing to work them though. If it was with her.
Did she feel the same…?
Sunny turned around in her embrace. The warmth receding from his back, but enveloping his front instead. As much as he liked being held from behind, he wanted to see her face. Her expression.
To make sure.
Angelic… She looked almost angelic, her beautiful features highlighted by the glow of the warm light seeping in. Her beauty couldn't be diminished by the simple clothes she wore.
Her eyes were deep sets of silver, captivating him—and full of something he had always hoped for.
Acceptance. Affection. Assurance.
Nephis started slowly leaning down, one hand coming up to cup the side of his face. The skin felt scorching under her touch.
Or was that him?
He couldn't tell.
Their lips met, and Sunny found himself melting into it. It was a chaste kiss. A simple promise of feelings. And yet it was more than enough.
Sunny leaned into her chest as their lips separated, forehead resting against her shoulder blade. "Are you sure—"
"Yes," she said firmly, interrupting. "More than anything."
Sunny had to hold back the tears from forming. His body shook slightly at the intense emotions, hands gripping her sweater with a steely grip.
He was loved.
He was wanted.
He was no longer alone.