Chaptet 15: Sister-to-Sister Talk
The house was eerily quiet once the chaos of breakfast had died down. Yasha had disappeared into her room with Yuan, and Valerie was still lounging in the dining room, fiddling with her gravity orb. But I noticed Gaia, Bailey, and Paicey heading upstairs.
"I'll be in my room if anyone needs me," Bailey said softly, the quietest of us all, before disappearing.
Gaia turned to Paicey, her ever-calm demeanor cracking slightly. "You coming?"
Paicey nodded, but she looked at me first. "You good, Reese?"
I gave her a tight smile. "Yeah. Just tired."
It wasn't a lie. Physically, I was drained. Mentally? I had a little more to process.
I waited a few moments before heading to my room. It wasn't long before I heard a knock on my door.
"Reese? You in there?" Yasha's voice, as always, loud and unapologetic.
I swung the door open. "Yeah."
She grinned and entered, carrying a tray with a steaming mug of tea. "Gaia told me you looked like you were about to start exploding from everything." She glanced at me, her gaze softer than usual. "Thought you might need this."
I eyed the tea suspiciously. "What's in it?"
"Calming herbs," she said, sitting down next to me. "And a bit of my own special blend. You know, just to make sure you don't punch anyone today."
I took the mug with a grateful nod. "I'm not that bad."
Yasha raised an eyebrow. "Oh, please. You almost knocked Raiden's teeth out earlier. We all saw it."
I groaned, sinking back into my pillows. "Yeah, well… things are just messy right now. I don't know how to… deal with it."
Her tone shifted, more serious now. "You're talking about him, aren't you?"
I paused, then took a slow sip of the tea. It was warm, soothing, almost like a hug in a cup. "Maybe. But not just him."
Yasha tilted her head, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Yeah, I figured. You know we're all here for you, right?"
I met her gaze. "I just… don't know what I'm doing, Yasha. With him. With us. There's a lot of history. And I'm not sure I can deal with it."
She leaned back, her usual sass replaced with something softer. "He doesn't have to be your past, Reese. Just because there's history doesn't mean you have to keep repeating it. He's not the same person, and neither are you."
I swallowed, the words sticking in my throat. "I know. But still…"
Yasha chuckled, resting her feet on the edge of my bed. "You're such a softie, you know that? You're both so stubborn and messy, but you care. And honestly? That's all that matters. If you want him in your life, then let him be in your life. But don't be afraid to let go of the old stuff too."
I hesitated. "But what if it all falls apart?"
She shrugged nonchalantly. "Then it falls apart. You'll pick up the pieces. Like you always do."
My heart gave an involuntary flutter at her words. Yasha was always blunt, but it was those moments when she softened, when she actually listened, that made her words hit differently.
"Thanks," I said quietly. "I needed that."
Yasha grinned, her usual mischievous spark returning. "Of course. Now, drink your tea. Or I'll drink it for you. And I'm way better at being a hot mess than you are."
I laughed despite myself, sipping the tea as the warmth settled in my chest. It was nice. Being around my sisters, knowing they'd have my back no matter how messy things got.
The quiet was comforting.
Just as I was about to finish my tea, Yasha stood up, eyes glinting mischievously again. "Oh, and Reese? Just so you know, if Raiden messes up, I'll be the first one to knock some sense into him for you."
I raised an eyebrow. "You wouldn't."
She smirked. "Just wait until you see the kind of wrath I can bring. You won't want me to go all mom-mode on him."
I snorted. "I think I'll pass on that."
She winked at me before leaving, and as I sat there, I felt a little lighter. A little more ready for whatever came next.
I wasn't alone in this. Not by a long shot.
And maybe… just maybe… that was enough.
Swimming Pool Day (Unwinding after the battle)
The warm sun kissed my skin as I stepped out of the changing room and onto the poolside. Yasha's plan had been simple—spend the day in the sun, relax by the pool, and just forget about everything, even if only for a few hours.
I glanced around at everyone as they emerged from the changing room, each of them looking effortlessly cool or stunning, and of course, everyone's swimsuits matched their personalities to a tee.
Yasha
She always had a way of turning heads, even without trying. Today, she wore a bright yellow bikini with thin straps and a high-waisted bottom, giving her a flirty, confident vibe. The matching sarong she tied around her waist fluttered in the breeze as she walked, and her sunglasses were the final touch to her laid-back yet chic look.
Valerie
Valerie, the one who always looked like she stepped out of a fashion magazine, had chosen a deep purple halter-neck one-piece with subtle cutouts on the sides. It was elegant but sporty, and it perfectly matched her gravity-defying abilities. She looked like she could levitate right off the ground with the breeze in her hair.
Ophira
Ophira was always the quiet but fierce one, and today, she wore a black tankini with a sleek, almost minimalist design. The top was a simple, strappy number that crossed over her back, while the bottoms had high sides. There was a quiet strength to her, even in her swimsuit, and it showed in the way she carried herself.
Gaia
Gaia, who always had that calm, serene air about her, wore a soft green and white floral bikini with a matching kimono-style cover-up. The colors looked natural on her, as though she belonged in a garden, and the way the fabric billowed around her made her look like a gentle breeze.
Bailey
Bailey, the quiet and thoughtful one, chose a dark blue one-piece with thin straps, simple yet flattering, hugging her form in all the right places. There was nothing flashy about her look, but it was undeniably graceful, just like her.
Paicey
Paicey's swimwear screamed fun. She sported a neon pink two-piece with bold geometric patterns, showing off her energetic, unpredictable nature. The vibrant colors seemed to match her fiery personality, and she wore it with her usual mischievous grin.
The Boys' Swimwear
Raiden
Raiden, ever the confident one, was wearing a black boardshort-style swim trunks that reached just above his knees. The trunks had a subtle red and silver tribal design on the sides, matching his no-nonsense attitude. His natural fair skin made him look like he just stepped out of a magazine shoot, and I tried very hard not to stare.
Yuan
Yuan, always the calm one, wore a light blue rash guard and matching swim trunks. His look was simple, functional, and made it clear that he was here for a chill day, not a fashion show. But somehow, even in the simplest outfit, he managed to look effortlessly handsome.
Beck
Beck had opted for gray and navy patterned swim trunks, paired with a loose tank top he wore over them. His rugged yet laid-back vibe was on full display, and his tousled hair gave off the perfect beachy vibe. He looked like he belonged on a surfboard.
Gared
Gared wore black boardshorts with a subtle dark blue gradient. The look was cool and understated, reflecting his usual reserved nature. It didn't scream for attention, but his build did the talking for him—strong, tall, and undeniably attractive in a quiet, understated way.
Vayden
Vayden was the wild card, so it was no surprise to see him sporting a bright orange and green floral-patterned swim trunks that practically screamed "vacation mode." The bright colors were bold, just like his personality, and there was a playful edge to him today as he adjusted his sunglasses with a cocky smirk.
Percy
Percy, always the calm one with a sense of elegance, wore dark green trunks with a simple, clean design. There was something about his look—minimalistic but classy—that made him stand out among the others. Even in swimwear, he looked composed and effortlessly cool.
As everyone found their places by the pool, I couldn't help but feel the tension from the past days start to melt away. The laughter, the easy conversation—it was like we could all breathe again.
Yasha, as expected, dove straight into the water, her bright yellow bikini gleaming in the sunlight. "Come on in, guys!" she called out, splashing water at the others.
I watched her for a moment, then caught Raiden looking over at me. His expression softened when our eyes met, but it quickly turned into a playful smirk. "You're gonna jump in, Kitten?"
I rolled my eyes, walking up to the edge of the pool. "Maybe, if you stop calling me that."
He raised an eyebrow, the smugness still evident. "Only if you admit you're actually enjoying my company."
I threw him a look but couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood today."
With that, I took a running leap into the pool, sending water flying everywhere. I could hear Raiden laughing as I resurfaced.
"Nice cannonball, Reese," he teased, but I could hear the lightness in his voice.
For a moment, everything felt simple. No battles. No stakes. Just us.
It was a moment of peace.
I floated on my back for a moment, eyes closed, letting the sun warm my skin and the sounds of laughter echo around me like a lullaby. The water around me shifted, and I didn't need to look to know who had approached.
Raiden's voice was low, teasing but softer than usual. "You look like you're actually relaxed for once."
I cracked one eye open and squinted at him. He was treading water beside me, hair damp and slicked back, a little smirk tugging at his lips. "Don't ruin it, Whitlock."
He chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it." Then he paused, a rare moment of silence passing between us before he added, "You deserve to breathe, you know."
That one sentence made my chest ache in a way I didn't expect.
Before I could reply, a wave crashed into both of us—courtesy of Yasha, of course.
"Stop flirting and join the game!" she shouted, tossing a beach ball toward us.
We ended up playing a chaotic, laughter-filled version of water volleyball. Valerie kept floating midair using her powers and cheating. Paicey shrieked sonic waves every time she missed. Beck transmuted the ball into a watermelon once, just for laughs. And Percy summoned a small dragon that decided it wanted to be the referee.
It was mayhem. Beautiful, healing mayhem.
After an hour or so, people began retreating to the poolside to rest. Some grabbed snacks. Others lay on the lounge chairs under umbrellas.
I sat at the edge of the pool, legs still submerged in the cool water. Raiden sat beside me, arms loosely draped over his knees, watching the way the light rippled across the surface.
"You ever wonder how long we can keep doing this?" he asked suddenly, his tone quieter now, stripped of teasing.
"Fighting?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Every day."
He glanced at me, his gray eyes more open than I'd ever seen them. "You scare me sometimes, Reese."
I raised an eyebrow. "Gee, thanks."
"No, I mean—" He looked down at the water. "You carry so much. You never stop. You never let people help."
I swallowed, unsure how to respond. Because it was true. Because he saw me too clearly.
"I don't know how to let people help," I said quietly.
He looked over again. "Well... learn. With me."
And there it was again—that almost-confession. That strange, slow-burning thing between us that hovered just beneath the surface.
I didn't say anything. I just leaned my shoulder against his for a second, brief and quiet.
He didn't move away.
And for now, that was enough.
"I didn't have all the answers. But in this quiet, peaceful moment, I knew I didn't have to. Not yet, anyway."