In the depths of a 3 AM silence, Sunny's house had transformed from its usual quiet sanctuary into an unexpected refuge. The familiar space, typically shared by just Sunny and Nephis, now housed three additional occupants: Kai, Effie, and—most unexpectedly—Jet.
The house's generous proportions easily accommodated them all, its rooms offering both space and solitude when needed. From the kitchen, enticing aromas wafted through the air as Sunny worked his culinary magic. The smell of spices and perfectly cooked meat drifted through every room, promising comfort in the form of a late-night meal.
Future Saint, a manifestation of Sunny's unique abilities, hovered near Effie with watchful attention. The ethereal guardian's presence was both a practical necessity—preventing Effie's notorious tendency towards eating food before it was ready and a subtle display of Sunny's forethought.
Kai had claimed his usual spot in the oversized armchair, a piece of furniture that seemed to have molded itself to his form over countless visits. Notably absent was his typical fashion magazine, a detail that spoke volumes about the gravity of their current situation.
On the plush couch, Nephis allowed her exhaustion to show plainly on her face. The carefully maintained mask she typically wore for the world had slipped away, revealing genuine fatigue. Sunny, glancing from the kitchen, felt a wave of appreciation for this rare display of vulnerability. The fact that she felt safe enough here to let her guard down meant more than any words could express.
Beside her, Jet cut a striking figure of exhaustion. Her head lolled back against the couch's edge, eyes fixed unseeing on the ceiling above. Her military uniform, usually pristine, bore the marks of recent conflict—tears, bloodstains, and the general dishevelment that came from days of continuous wear. Her short hair splayed in every direction, defying any semblance of its usual order. The dark circles under her eyes told a story of sleepless nights and endless duties, visible even from across the room.
The living room lights cast a soft, warm glow over the scene, creating shadows that danced along the walls. A clock ticked somewhere in the background, marking time in a world that seemed temporarily suspended between day and night.
The group's collective fatigue hung in the air like a tangible presence, yet none made any move toward sleep. They had wordlessly agreed to weather this night together, each processing the day's events in their own way.
From the kitchen, the sound of Sunny's cooking provided a comforting rhythm—the steady chopping of vegetables, the sizzle of oil, the gentle clink of utensils against pans. These domestic sounds somehow made the extraordinary events of their day feel more manageable, more human.
Outside, the world continued its nocturnal existence, unaware of the profound changes taking place within these walls. Inside, five individuals bound by circumstance and choice waited for dawn, finding solace in shared silence and the promise of a warm meal.
The aroma from the kitchen grew increasingly tempting as Sunny worked his magic. The smell of perfectly seared meat mixed with fresh herbs filled every corner of the house. Steam carried the scent of roasted garlic and caramelized onions, making everyone's stomachs growl in anticipation.
When Sunny finally emerged from the kitchen, he carried a large pot of what appeared to be the most perfect stew anyone had ever seen. Rich, golden-brown broth sparkled with tiny droplets of fat, while tender chunks of beef seemed to melt at the mere touch of a spoon. Fresh vegetables added splashes of color—bright orange carrots, deep green herbs, and pearl-white onions that had soaked up all the flavors of the broth. On the side, he placed a loaf of crusty bread, still warm and giving off wisps of steam.
Future Saint, having completed its guard duty, drifted away from Effie as everyone gathered around the table. The portions were generous but thoughtfully arranged, each bowl filled to just the right level.
The first taste brought an immediate response—eyes widened, shoulders relaxed, and the exhaustion that had weighed them down seemed to lift slightly. Without speaking, they all began to eat with intense focus, spoons moving quickly between bowl and mouth. The bread was torn into pieces and used to soak up every drop of the rich broth.
Sunny joined them, falling into his chair with visible relief. He matched their pace, his own hunger finally making itself known after the long, stressful day. The warmth of the stew spread through their bodies, bringing comfort and renewed energy.
Effie, displaying her legendary appetite, worked her way through five full portions before finally sitting back with a satisfied sigh. The others watched with a mixture of amazement and amusement as she somehow managed to fit it all in her delicate frame.
Once the meal was finished, they migrated back to their previous spots in the living room. The food had done its work—they were more alert now, ready to tackle the serious discussion ahead. The comfortable chairs and couch welcomed them back, but this time without the desperate exhaustion of before.
Kai shifted in his armchair, leaning forward slightly—a sign he was ready to hear about the questioning. Jet had managed to find enough energy to sit up properly, her eyes now focused and alert rather than staring blankly at the ceiling. Nephis, though still tired, sat with renewed purpose, ready to share what had transpired with Anvil.
The room fell quiet, waiting for someone to begin the tale of what had happened in Bastion, and what it meant for all their futures. The soft light from the lamps cast gentle shadows, creating a safe space for what promised to be a complex and important conversation.
The clock on the wall continued its steady ticking, marking time in this moment of calm before they dove into the heart of the matter.
Sunny finally made his way to the living room, choosing to sit next to Nephis on the couch. The moment didn't go unnoticed—Jet's sharp eyes caught the subtle way they sat close together, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Effie's face lit up with a mischievous grin, barely containing the teasing remarks that were clearly forming in her mind. Kai watched with quiet satisfaction, happy to see his friend finally embracing feelings he had denied for so long.
The room hung in expectant silence, broken only by the gentle ticking of the clock and the soft hum of the heating system.
"So," Sunny began, his voice steady despite the weight of what he was about to share, "Nephis and I are getting married in a week."
The statement landed like a stone in still water. Three pairs of eyes widened in perfect sync—Jet's mouth actually fell open, Effie's grin froze mid-expression, and even Kai's usual calm demeanor cracked slightly. The silence that followed was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Before any of them could find their voices, Sunny continued, "Nephis will be adopted into Clan Valor, and I'll become her husband." He delivered these words with the same matter-of-fact tone one might use to describe the weather.
His eyes drifted to Kai, knowing his friend's flaw would instantly confirm the truth of his words. But Kai didn't need his truth-sensing abilities—Sunny's own flaw, his inability to lie, made the situation crystal clear. The look they shared spoke volumes about the reality of this unexpected turn of events.
"Where were we? Ah..."
[Several hours of detailed explanation and discussion passed]
The first hints of dawn were starting to color the sky when a soft knock interrupted their conversation. The clock showed 5 AM, and everyone in the room tensed slightly at the unexpected sound.
Sunny rose from his spot next to Nephis, his shadow sense picking up the nervous energy radiating from whoever stood behind the door. He could feel their hesitation, their fear of interrupting whatever was happening inside. Their anxiety leaked through the wooden barrier like water through paper.
As he walked toward the door, the others watched with tired but alert eyes, wondering who would dare visit at such an early hour. The floorboards creaked softly under his feet, each step echoing in the pre-dawn quiet.
The door opened to reveal Rain, Sunny's sister, standing in the pre-dawn darkness. Her presence wasn't entirely unexpected—news traveled fast, especially when it involved the appearance of the dream gate, Anvil's rise to sovereignty, and the other earth-shaking events of the past day.
"Hey," she said softly, her eyes scanning her brother's face with sisterly concern. "I wanted to check on you after everything that happened."
Jet watched Rain's entrance with quiet curiosity but held her questions. After all, she was a guest herself in Sunny's house, and she trusted his judgment enough to know that whatever was happening had good reason behind it.
Effie and Kai offered warm greetings, their familiarity with Rain evident in their easy smiles. Nephis also welcomed her, though her exhaustion was becoming harder to hide—the edges of her usual composure starting to fray ever so slightly.
A gentle smile spread across Sunny's face as he watched his sister shyly pull an empty chair closer to the living room table. The wooden legs made a soft scraping sound against the floor as she settled in. Sunny returned to his spot beside Nephis, their fingers finding each other and intertwining with natural ease.
Rain's eyes widened at this display of affection. She hadn't known her brother for long, but it was evident that he was not one to trust people that much. This open show of connection was so unlike him that it made her pause.
Something in her mind—perhaps an attribute she didn't fully understand—whispered that this moment carried more weight than she initially thought.
"You two seem... happy," she ventured, a hint of playfulness entering her voice. "What's next, are you getting married or something?" She laughed lightly at her own joke, but the laughter died in her throat as she noticed the serious looks everyone was giving her. Her jaw dropped, hand flying to cover her mouth in surprise.
The silence stretched for several heartbeats, broken only by the gentle ticking of the clock and the first morning birds starting their songs outside.
"Well," Rain finally managed, lowering her hand slowly, "that's... not what I expected." She blinked several times, processing this new reality. "When exactly did this happen?"
Sunny's face broke into a wide, genuine smile—the kind that reached his eyes and made them crinkle at the corners. It was a smile Rain hadn't seen in years, not since they were children.
"We're getting married in a week," he announced, his voice warm with an emotion she'd never heard from him before. "And your family is invited, of course."
The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for Rain's response. The early morning light was starting to creep through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor and highlighting the tired but happy faces of everyone present.
Rain leaned forward in her chair, studying the way her brother's hand remained intertwined with Nephis's. "So," she began, a mix of curiosity and amusement in her voice, "when did my logical, always-calculating brother decide to marry the Hero of the Crimson Spire?"
Effie snickered from her spot. "Oh, you should have seen him trying to pretend he wasn't staring at her during cohort meetings."
"I do not stare," Sunny protested, though a slight blush colored his cheeks.
"You absolutely do," Kai added calmly, not bothering to hide his smile. "Your shadow gives you away every time."
Nephis, despite her exhaustion, managed a small but genuine smile. The mention of her time at the Crimson Spire usually made people treat her with distant reverence, but here, in this room, she was just Nephis—albeit a very tired Nephis who happened to be holding hands with her future husband.
"Everyone always assumes I'm in charge," Nephis said softly, glancing at Sunny with knowing eyes. "They never notice who's really moving the pieces."
Rain caught something in that exchange—a depth of understanding between them that went beyond public perceptions. Her attribute tingled at the edges of her awareness, suggesting layers of complexity she couldn't quite grasp.
"You two have secrets," she observed, not accusingly but with genuine interest. "Big ones."
Sunny's smile shifted slightly, becoming both warmer and more guarded. "Everyone thinks they know who we are," he said carefully. "The hero who sacrificed herself and came back impossible strong. The quiet strategist who stays in the background." His thumb traced small circles on Nephis's hand. "They see what they expect to see."
"They see what they need to see," Nephis corrected gently.
Jet, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "I always wondered why you let people think you were in charge," she said to Nephis. "Now I'm starting to understand."
"It's easier," Sunny and Nephis said in unison, then shared a look that made Effie pretend to gag.
"Gross," she declared cheerfully. "You're already doing the speaking-together thing."
Rain watched her brother's face carefully. She had never seen him so unguarded, so willing to show his feelings openly. Whatever was between him and Nephis, it was strong enough to override his usual careful control.
"Time changes things," Sunny said quietly, and something in his voice made Rain's attribute buzz more strongly. "But some things stay constant." He looked at Nephis as he said this, and the weight of unspoken meaning hung in the air.
The early morning light continued to strengthen, painting the room in soft golds and pinks. Outside, the world was beginning to wake up, unaware that in this quiet living room, a future was being carefully, lovingly woven together—one that perhaps only Rain's attribute could begin to sense the true significance of.