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Arthur didn't care what the passersby thought— it had nothing to do with him. He strode through the front door, beaming with pride for reasons even he couldn't quite explain. Standing in the living room, he shouted toward the second floor, "I'm back!!"
In less than ten seconds, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from above. A small head peeked out from the top of the staircase. "What's with the yelling? You're back, big deal!"
Her tone was sharp, but the flushed cheeks and the unmistakable gleam in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. She was clearly happy to see him.
Arthur looked up at Lily, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Lily, have you put on weight again?"
There was something about Arthur— a certain charisma that could ignite a fire in someone with just a few words, a glance, or a smirk. And right now, that charisma was in full force.
Lily instantly combusted. Waving a large ladle in her hand, she snapped, "Arthur! If you've got the guts, come up here! I'll make sure your own mother won't recognize you when I'm done!"
"Lily! If you've got the guts, come down here! I'll make sure…" Arthur shot back, ready to match her energy.
"Make sure what?" Lily's cheeks puffed out like a ripe, red apple.
"…Make sure I eat well, sleep on time, work hard, and become a productive member of society who contributes to humanity!" Arthur surrendered instantly.
"That's more like it… Wait, no!" Lily caught herself mid-sentence. "What does that have to do with me?"
"Nothing to do with you, but why do I smell something burning in the kitchen?"
"My cabbage!"
Lily's eyes widened, and she immediately turned on her heel, dashing back into the kitchen. As she disappeared, her voice echoed out, "Arthur, you're the worst!!"
Arthur, the so-called "worst," was very much alive and chuckling to himself as he climbed the stairs. He slipped into his house shoes, feeling the chill of the room. He frowned slightly.
The truth was, the neighborhood was a bit run-down, and the heating system in the house wasn't exactly cutting-edge. Watching Lily bustling around in the kitchen, Arthur started to say something but stopped himself.
Lily poked her head out of the kitchen, looking confused. "What? You're not trying to trick me into burning the food again, are you?"
"…Of course not. Never mind. We'll talk later." Arthur grinned. "Besides, it smells amazing in here. Are you sure something's burning?"
"Of course not!" Lily huffed, turning back to her cooking.
From behind, her white sweater and snug jeans accentuated her figure. Arthur's eyes lingered for a moment before he frowned. "Lily, maybe stop wearing such tight jeans?"
"Why?" Her voice floated out from the kitchen.
"They don't look good."
"You're saying I'm fat again?" Lily's tone was sharp.
"Fine…" Arthur sighed.
"What's fine? You're not calling me fat?"
"I'm saying I'll cook tomorrow!"
Arthur's response was dead serious.
Lily's pale face reappeared in the doorway. "Tell me, what did I ever do to you to make you want to poison me with your cooking?"
"Don't underestimate me! What I make isn't just food— it's medicinal cuisine!" Arthur retorted, indignant. "You know, one of my… colleagues, who had lost his memory, actually regained it after eating my cooking!"
"Why did your colleague lose his memory in the first place?" Lily's question was pointed.
"An accident," Arthur said. "Tony fell out of the sky and landed on his head."
"He survived? What's his head made of, vibranium?"
"That's not the point… The point is, he recovered."
"That just proves one thing," Lily's voice drifted out, tinged with exasperation. "Your food doesn't just stimulate taste buds— it traumatizes the soul."
"Then I'm a soul chef," Arthur declared, sitting down on the couch and flipping through a magazine while bantering with Lily.
Their conversations never followed a particular structure. They simply talked about whatever came to mind, drifting in and out of silence without any awkwardness. Arthur loved this dynamic— the ease of it, the comfort.
But as they chatted, Arthur fell silent again. Earlier, he had wanted to ask Lily if she'd like to move to a new place. But he'd stopped himself after just one word.
He didn't know how to bring it up. Lily had a way of dismantling his thoughts with a single sentence. He was afraid she'd ask, "What's our relationship? Why should I move with you?"
And if she did, what would he say?
Arthur pondered, but no matter how he spun it, he couldn't find an answer—at least not one that felt right for where they were now.
It was too dangerous. No matter how much confidence Odin or the Ancient One instilled in him, no matter what others thought, Arthur knew his life was a magnet for danger. The way things were now was already pushing the limits. If their relationship deepened, it could lead them both into a dark, inescapable abyss.
Thinking about it, he couldn't help but envy Peter Parker.
But then again, even Peter had nearly lost Gwen— if Arthur hadn't intervened during the whole Harry situation, things might have ended tragically.
"It's complicated," Arthur sighed deeply. "And what if she says no?"
"Dinner's ready!"
Lily's cheerful voice broke through his thoughts. She emerged from the kitchen carrying a large bowl of steaming, crimson broth. The rich, spicy aroma of the boiled beef filled the room, mingling with the sharp scent of chili oil and dried peppers.
"Careful!" Arthur jumped up, wanting to help but worried he might startle her and cause an accident.
"I'm fine, don't get in the way!" Lily set the bowl down on the table with a satisfied clap of her hands. "There, dig in!"
"Where are you going?" Arthur asked.
"To change my pants!!!" Lily shot him a glare before disappearing upstairs.
(End of Chapter)