“You know something, dude?” Bobby started, grinning like he’d already won a bet that never existed. “I thought you’d come back here. Cross your heart and hope to die!”

  “I—what? I never gave you permission to cross anything on my heart,” Vix replied flatly, already regretting every step he took beside him down the street.

  Bobby elbowed him lightly. “Come on, you can’t tell me clicked in that thick head of yours last time! Just look at yourself! Sleeves rolled up? Hair a bit messier? And—” He gasped dramatically. “Are those That’s one shade closer to white in my book!”

  “Stop. Talking.”

  Bobby cackled, nearly doubling over. “You kill me, man. You really do.”

  Vix sighed, knowing that only encouraged him.

  “So come on! I’m curious—practically dying over it! What made you come back?”

  “Look. I was to come here, alright?”

  “Uh-huh,” Bobby said, smirking. “And ordered to change outfits too, I see. Except for the gloves. Still rocking those stupid black gloves.”

  “No.”

  Bobby groaned loudly, rolling his eyes to the heavens.

  “So what then? Kai ordered you to ask me out on a two-man this time?”

  “Yes.” Vix deadpanned.

  Bobby blinked… then burst out laughing. “Pft—whatever, man. As long as I’m getting paid for this, that’s all the sweetness I need.”

  They stopped in front of a familiar two-story building. Neon light hummed faintly over the door.

  “The Carving Club,” Bobby said with a smirk, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Really changes a Vix every once in a while.”

  “Please. Can you not talk?”

  “Yes.” Bobby replied with a toothy grin—making absolutely no sense.

  Vix exhaled through his nose, shaking his head as Bobby took the lead and pushed open the door.

  The moment they stepped inside, the music hit—deep bass pulsing through the floorboards, lights flickering in sync with every beat. Vix was barely adjusting to the sensory overload before Bobby hooked an arm around his elbow and dragged him straight into the dance floor.

  “Hey! What are you—”

  “Shh! Watch this.” Bobby whispered with mock secrecy, eyes glinting.

  Before Vix could stop him, Bobby strode up to a girl swaying lazily to the music—and, with reckless confidence, reached out and

  She yelped, spinning around with fire in her eyes. Bobby, however, was already several feet away, conveniently admiring a wall like he’d been there the whole time.

  The girl’s gaze locked onto the nearest suspect—Vix.

  “Wait—!” Vix started, hands flying up in surrender.

  A perfect red imprint bloomed across his cheek.

  He sighed. “Of course…”

  Meanwhile, Bobby was doubled over behind the crowd, clutching his stomach and wheezing through uncontrollable laughter.

  “Why… did you do that?” Vix demanded, still rubbing his cheek.

  “So you could loosen up!” Bobby shot back proudly.

  “Th-that was— I could’ve gotten a charge on my record!”

  “No one does that! It’s a club! This stuff happens all the time to everyone! —Hey, how ya doin’, baby?” Bobby said, already losing interest in Vix mid-sentence as he slipped deeper onto the dance floor after another girl.

  Vix sighed, shaking his head. He didn’t care anymore. He was here for one reason—and one reason only.

  He turned toward the bar. The familiar bartender was there, wiping down glasses—the same man from last time. But not

  Not Alina.

  Vix approached quietly, slipping onto a stool. One seat away from where he’d sat before—his old spot was already taken. His eyes wandered, steady but searching, toward the back door. Every time it swung open, his heart jumped—just a little.

  The woman seated beside him glanced over, gaze lingering on his frame, studying him. Vix didn’t react. He didn’t even blink. He stayed perfectly composed, like he couldn’t feel the air between them shift—or wouldn’t let himself.

  “You here to see someone?” the woman purred, a sly grin curving her lips. “Or just here for a good time?”

  Her fingers trailed lazily from the top of Vix’s shoulder down his arm, tracing the fabric until they brushed against his skin. She let out a low whistle.

  “Wow… all this muscle,” she teased. “Seems like a waste not to put it to good use.”

  “Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s great. Really cool,” Vix replied flatly, not even glancing at her. He was too focused—eyes locked on the back door, waiting.

  The bartender noticed him then, freezing mid-polish. “What can I get you?” He leaned closer, squinting. “Oh. It’s you. ”

  He groaned and walked off before Vix could answer.

  Vix didn’t care. He barely blinked.

  He just kept watching the door.

  “Hey! Do you know who I am?” the woman beside him snapped, gripping his arm. “I’m a

  practically the hottest woman you’ll ever meet! The sexiest woman in this club! And if you don’t give me the attention I deserve, I—”

  The door opened.

  A familiar face stepped through, and Vix never once looked to his left at the squealing cow beside him.

  His mouth parted as a slow, steady breath left his chest. His head tilted slightly.

  There she was.

  She wore a long-sleeve red top. Her lips were parted just slightly, her expression calm and thoughtful as the man standing outside the door spoke—no, —her. She only nodded politely, eyes soft and steady as she listened. The dark depths of her eyes shimmered faintly, almost like there was glitter dusted inside them. And those thick, expressive brows—every shift in them told a story. Attentive. Submissive. Understanding. Learning.

  Vix didn’t realize he was staring. Or that his fingers had curled into a fist when she flinched at something the man said. He didn’t even question it. He just kept watching—utterly lost, as if he’d found an opera he could never turn away from.

  Then, at the perfect moment, she turned.

  Her gaze drifted from the man, her face caught between disappointment and despair—until her eyes found his.

  And just like that, she smiled.

  Her lips bloomed into color, the red modest lipstick shining like peonies opening in a gentle rain.

  Vix’s heart lurched. He looked away, cheeks flushed, pretending that just for this moment— was the reason she was smiling.

  He touched his neck, counting his pulse.

  Thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine… ninety-one, ninety-two, ninety-three…

  One hundred thirty beats per minute.

  When he looked back up—Alina was there.

  Close enough to touch. Her cheek resting in her palm, elbow propped on the bar, eyes fixed on him with that same disarming smile.

  “AH!” Vix yelped, jerking back in shock. His left fist flew up on instinct—

  and connected.

  The woman beside him toppled backward, crashing straight onto the dance floor at Bobby’s feet.

  Bobby looked down, blinking once before grinning. “Well… first time I’ve ever had a woman go head over heels for me. Not bad.” He winked ignoring the fact that he didn't know where she came from.

  Alina blinked, half startled, half amused by the chaos.

  “Um… anyway,” she said lightly, “I really didn’t think you’d come back here again.”

  “M-Me neither…” Vix muttered, still embarrassed.

  “Want your usual?” she asked with a giggle, then leaned closer to boop his nose. “You darn rectangle.”

  “I-I actually don’t want to drink. Really…”

  Alina sighed dramatically, head dropping forward before she whipped it back up, hair brushing across his face. Vix inhaled sharply—sweet, tangy, floral. Enticing.

  “Bummer,” she said simply, still smiling as her dark eyes stayed on him.

  Then a rough voice cut in behind her.

  “I told you to stop wasting time and get to serving!”

  The man from earlier grabbed her shoulder hard, spinning her around. Vix nearly choked on air at the suddenness of it.

  “I-I am! I was just serving this customer!” Alina stammered.

  Vix’s eyes widened. He wanted to speak, to intervene—but froze.

  Alina exhaled sharply, slapping the man’s hand off her shoulder. Her smile was gone.

  “I’m taking my thirty minutes.”

  The man huffed, fuming, before storming off toward the back. Alina rubbed her shoulder with a small wince, muttering under her breath. Then, looking at Vix, she simply said:

  “Come with me.”

  She walked around the bar and out the front door.

  Vix stood immediately, following without question.

  Outside, the air was cool. Alina stepped out onto the empty sidewalk, took a long breath, and coughed lightly.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Vix asked, his voice softer now.

  “Hm? Yeah, totally.” She hugged herself and smiled up at the cloudy sky. “It’s just… all those different perfumes and the constant smell of alcohol in the air.”

  “Oh yeah… it can be a bit much,” Vix said, fiddling with his gloved hands.

  “A bit much? I

  after every shift,” Alina scoffed with a laugh. She glanced at him again, her smile refusing to leave even as her eyes softened. “I don’t like drinking alcohol either, you know?”

  “You don’t?”

  She shook her head lightly, still smiling.

  “…Then why are you here?”

  “Huh?” Her brows furrowed as she scratched behind her ear. “What do you mean?”

  “You don’t like working here,” Vix said quietly. “You should leave.”

  “Oh…” Alina sighed, looking away. Her smile faded but never disappeared completely—just dimmed. “It’s just… this is all I’m really good at. I’m not magically inclined or all that smart. College costs too much, and I definitely couldn’t have afforded Kormadyne growing up. So…” She shrugged softly. “Here I am.”

  Vix watched her in silence. A dozen impulses pulled at him—to step closer, to comfort her—but he stayed perfectly still, as if held back by invisible chains.

  “…Sorry,” he murmured at last.

  “Don’t be.” Her voice lifted again, gentle and reassuring. “I’m glad you’re here. I wasn’t really having the best day.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  She turned fully to face him, and Vix found himself returning her gaze. This time, he managed a faint smile.

  When Alina caught it, she giggled, failing to cover her lips in time.

  “What?”

  “Nothing!” she said quickly. “I just remembered the last time you were here—you drank three glasses of dyed milk. Then the poles filled up, and you looked uncomfortable! It was so funny! Made my night.”

  “I was suffering,” Vix admitted, his voice half a mumble.

  “I think you looked cute.”

  “Please don’t start that with me.”

  Alina blinked, then flinched slightly. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to overstep.”

  “No… you’re fine. It’s my fault.” He sighed. “I should get going.”

  “But I just started my break!”

  Vix hesitated, meeting her eyes. She wasn’t pleading—just waiting. The small pout on her cheeks, the slight dip of her brows… there was respect there, not desperation. Still, for some reason, he couldn’t see clearly.

  All he could see was… .

  She hadn’t said it. But her expression said enough.

  Vix rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, exhaling. “…Yeah. You’re right.”

  Just like that, Alina brightened—not with a cheer or a squeal, but with that same quiet smile. Sweet. Genuine.

  “Thank you…” she said softly, eyes falling to the floor.

  “So…” Vix began, already regretting the words forming in his throat. “When do you… get off work?”

  He looked off to the side immediately, hoping she wouldn’t take it as a suggestion for

  “Well…” Alina thought aloud, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Today I won’t get off until after four.”

  Vix blinked. His gaze whipped back toward her. “At… four? That’s really late.”

  Alina’s posture shrank slightly; she wrapped her arms tighter around herself. Vix noticed the motion but didn’t yet understand why.

  “I— I’ve been needing some extra cash lately,” she admitted, her voice trembling around the edges. “So I asked my boss if there was anything I could do.” She hesitated, eyes falling away from his. “There was… and I’m gonna pick up the extra slack.”

  Vix tilted his head, confusion furrowing his brows.

  Alina wiped her eyes quickly, replacing the crack in her voice with another smile. “What?”

  He didn’t answer. He just looked at her—studying her face as if it were a puzzle he couldn’t solve.

  She giggled under his stare. “Dude. Are you about to shoot me with some kind of laser magic from your eyes?”

  “What? N-No!” Vix stammered, flustered. “I just— do you like milk?”

  “I’m lactose intolerant.” She chuckled.

  “Of course you are,” he muttered, dragging a hand down his face.

  The door behind them suddenly slammed open.

  “AHTMA! YOUR BREAK’S OVER! GET BACK IN AND SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS!” a different man barked.

  Both of them flinched.

  “Alright, alright! I’m coming, you nosy creep!” Alina shouted back, frowning.

  The man disappeared inside, and the door swung shut behind him.

  Vix blinked.

  “Well… I guess I gotta go,” she said quietly.

  “Yeah…”

  Alina turned slightly, her voice softening into something coyer. A blush colored her cheeks.

  “You know… if you ever plan on stopping by again,” she said, eyes glancing up at him through her lashes, “you should let me know. I’ll save my breaks for you.”

  “Alina… I don’t know. I really can’t guarantee that I’ll be back.”

  “…Why not?” Her voice was soft — respectful, distant, exactly how Vix preferred.

  “I just… I have responsibilities. I really can’t.” He hesitated. “Well, really… I just don’t know if I ever could.”

  “But you come today,” she pointed out gently.

  Yeah. He come today.

  Why did he come today?

  He’d lied to Bobby — claimed it was a two-man mission Kai set them up for when really, he just… wanted to be here. Why go through so much trouble for this?

  Vix blinked, dazed.

  “John.”

  Her voice broke through his confusion like Milo’s

  “I’m sure you’re some kind of council member for the Grand Majestry,” she said with a teasing smile. “You don’t look like an Enforcer, but you wear those weird gloves all the time…” Her gaze lingered on his hands. “But just know this — I want this. I want to save my breaks for you. If you can’t tell me when you can actually come, that’s fine. I guess I’ll just… keep holding onto my breaks until the days you finally show up.”

  “Alina! Don’t do that!”

  “What? Why?” she asked, genuine confusion in her tone.

  “Because… you’d just be hurting yourself.”

  “Hurting myself? How?”

  “Because… well…”

  “It’s something I

  to do,” she said, meeting his eyes with a quiet smile.

  She extended her hand toward him, palm down. Vix noticed the red of her nails first — the same subtle red as her lips. Not bright. Just… warm.

  “A-Are you sure?” he stammered. “That’s such a large sacrifice for… nothing.”

  “Dude.” She chuckled softly. “First off, it’s not a sacrifice. Secondly, not everyone sacrifices parts of themselves expecting something back. Sometimes you just do. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes people might die. Sometimes it might be a total waste. But in the end, we that what we do helps someone. Maybe it changes them. Maybe it inspires them. Maybe it just… grounds them for the one moment they needed in their… I don’t know, unstoppable life.”

  Her smile softened. “I’m not too smart, remember?”

  Vix blinked at her, slouched for a moment — then straightened. Something in his chest stirred. Her words cut through the haze like sunlight.

  “I’ll be waiting,” she continued, her hand still outstretched, unmoving. “…and I’ll keep praying it meant something.”

  “Alina… I really don’t know if I can…” Vix said again — but this time, his hand found hers.

  He let it rest there, his gloved fingers enclosing her smaller ones. She blushed from the unexpected warmth radiating through the November cold.

  “You’re so warm for such cold-hearted words…” she whispered.

  This time, blushed.

  The door burst open behind them.

  “ALINA! IF YOU DON’T GET YOUR ASS IN HERE—”

  “I’m coming, I’m coming!” she called back, releasing his hand. She rushed toward the door, then looked over her shoulder one last time — a small, glowing smile beneath the neon light.

  She waved her fingers at him before disappearing inside again.

  And Vix stood there, watching the door close — as if waiting for the world to make sense again.

  #

  Rin stared up at the ceiling.

  Her blanket was half-hanging off the bed, one corner dragging the floor. An arm lay draped across her eyes, the other lost somewhere in the tangled sheets. She sighed—long and low—as the images began to move again behind her eyelids.

  She’d been home three days early. Thanksgiving break hadn’t even started yet, but the duel had earned her a three-day suspension—same as Drenco.

  she thought bitterly.

  She didn’t want to be home. Not here. Not under Vix’s rules. He’d ordered soldiers—“knights,” as he called them—to escort her home every weekend for the rest of the year unless Chippy or Archas requested her at their place.

  She preferred those weekends. Waking up at Chippy’s house, learning how to fry eggs with Archas, laughing over burnt waffles. Sometimes… Chippy felt more like a sister than a best friend.

  Another sigh.

  This time, her mind drifted back to the second race. Chippy had won again, easily. Nothing strange happened—Drenco even took second place. Everyone cheered. Everyone celebrated. It should’ve felt nice.

  Instead, Rin just felt tired.

  A sharp twinge in her side pulled her from the thought. She winced, pressing a hand to her hip until the pain faded.

  Her lips curled into a small, guilty smile. She pictured Drenco’s face after losing—jaw clenched, pride shattered. It almost made her laugh.

  But then the memory shifted. Her duel with him—the clash, the chaos, her own magic flaring raw with everything she’d been holding back. She’d let herself speak through her spells that day.

  She’d also seen his eyes.

  He’d reacted fast—too fast. Stronger than she remembered.

  No… that didn’t matter. As long as she could keep him out of her way for the rest of the semester, she could—

  Wait.

  That look he gave her.

  Her eyes flicked open to the ceiling again, but she wasn’t seeing it anymore. She was seeing

  That fleeting expression—soft, uncertain, hurt. The same look he’d worn the day they first met, back when she thought he was kind. Loyal. Gentle.

  Before she’d learned better.

  It had flashed across his face again just before the duel—like a ghost of who he used to be.

  And for some reason… it wouldn’t leave her alone.

  Another sharp pain stabbed through her abdomen—quick, deep, and unrelenting.

  She winced, both hands pressing against her lower belly as a soft, pitiful groan escaped her lips.

  The ache didn’t fade this time. It curling inside her like something alive, pulsing and twisting. Rin tried rubbing the pain away, but it only grew worse, forcing tears into the corners of her eyes before finally, mercifully, easing up again.

  She sniffled, sitting up slowly. Her sheets were tangled around her legs, her blanket half on the floor. Swinging her legs over the edge, she stared at the carpet a moment before standing and shuffling toward the bathroom.

  Vix had painted it pink the day they moved in—walls and curtains. A single flick of his wand, one of his She never liked it that much. It was Chippy’s kind of color, not hers. Maybe he’d just assumed they were the same.

  But right now, that didn’t matter.

  The pain came again—a dull, dragging ache deep inside her stomach that made her bend slightly forward. Rin frowned, rubbing at her abdomen again.

  She turned on the shower, hotter than usual. Steam rose fast, fogging the mirror as she stepped inside. The water struck her back, rolling over her shoulders, soaking her hair until it clung to her cheeks and neck. The heat was comforting, almost grounding.

  Archas’s voice drifted faintly in her mind—

  Rin tried to breathe through the ache. For a moment, it worked—until another wave hit her harder than before.

  “Ah—!” she gasped, her knees trembling as she caught herself against the cold tile. Her hands clutched her stomach, the pain blooming in slow circles through her lower body.

  “Ow…” she whimpered, the word shaky and wet with tears.

  When it finally dulled again, she blinked down through the rising steam—

  and froze.

  A faint red stain trailed down her thigh, thin as watercolor, spiraling with the water toward the drain.

  Her breath caught.

  “…W-What…?” she whispered, voice breaking. “V-VIX?!” she screamed, pure panic shattering through her voice.

  From inside the kitchen, Vix stood half-awake at the stove, wearing a black tank top and stirring eggs with the kind of lifeless focus only the worst hangovers could produce. Except he didn’t drink.

  He hadn’t slept much. Not after last night.

  There were faint shadows under his eyes, his hair an unkempt mess that rivaled Rin’s own. He’d come home late after meeting Alina, and, to his relief, Rin hadn’t bothered him.

  Until now.

  The sound of her voice—high, broken, terrified—cut through the quiet like a blade.

  “V-VIX!!!”

  The pan clattered. The eggs were forgotten. He bolted from the kitchen and sprinted down the hall.

  “Rin?!” He called, pushing open her bedroom door. The shower was running, steam curling from under the bathroom door. He pressed his head against it, trying to listen through the water.

  “Rin?! What’s going on?! Are you alright?”

  “V-Vix!” she cried again, her voice trembling. “I-I don’t know! I-I’m bleeding!”

  “Bleeding?!” His pulse spiked instantly. His body moved before his brain did—he grabbed the door handle—

  —and his other hand shot up and punched himself square in the jaw.

  “W-Why are you bleeding?! Did you hurt yourself?” He said rubbing his right cheek.

  “I-I don’t know!” Her voice cracked, small and fragile. “It—it won’t stop! It’s all over my legs!”

  “Your… legs…?”

  He froze. His mind scrambled, trying to piece together what that meant.

  Then realization hit like a sledgehammer.

  “OH FUCK—OKAY—UH—DON’T MOVE! I GOTTA—I GOTTA MAKE A CALL!”

  He tripped over himself backing out of the room, nearly taking down a hallway chair in the process.

  “YOU’LL BE OKAY, RIN! JUST—JUST STAY RIGHT THERE! I KNOW SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT TO DO!”

  His voice cracked halfway through the sentence, and he was already sprinting for his communicator.

  Just as swiftly as he’d made the call through his communicator, Vix tossed it onto the counter and sprinted back to Rin’s room.

  “Rin! I made the call! Just hang on!” he shouted through the door. “T-The bleeding is—actually normal!”

  “Wh— When is bleeding ever normal?!” she shouted back, her voice caught somewhere between disbelief and tears.

  “Trust me! Someone who’s better at this is on their way!”

  He was pacing by the time a sharp knock echoed from the front door.

  He nearly tripped over himself getting there.

  “AIMEE! Thank god!” he gasped as he flung the door open. “She’s in her bedroom!”

  Aimee blinked once, then nodded—calm as always. “You did good calling me,” she said simply before following him down the hall.

  Once inside, she locked the door behind her with a soft click and got to work.

  Outside, Vix walked in frantic circles—living room to kitchen and back again—like a man waiting on news from a hospital OR. His hands were clasped behind his back, his hair even messier now from running them through it every thirty seconds.

  Finally, the door opened.

  Aimee stepped out with a sigh and a faint, knowing smile.

  “She’s alright,” she said. “I explained the basics. You’ve got some new responsibilities now, don’t you, Commander?”

  Her teasing tone earned her a deep exhale from Vix.

  “Oh thank god you were nearby, Aimee. I—I had no idea what to do.”

  “Judging by the track you’ve carved in the carpet, I’d say that’s accurate,” she said, shaking her head.

  She walked over to the couch, set her purse down, and pulled up a holographic display on her communicator. “I’ll stay a bit longer. Need to order a few essentials—pads, medicine, that sort of thing. Once they’re here, I’ll show Rin how to use them. And you, so you can help her next time.”

  Vix nodded quickly. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Aimee smiled faintly without looking up from the hologram tucking some of her translucent lavender hinted hair behind her.

  Vix took a breath, glancing toward the closed door. His heart was still racing—though this time, it wasn’t from panic. It was something quieter. Something like… care.

  He stepped closer and lifted a hand to the knob. Then he hesitated and knocked instead.

  “Rin?” he said softly. “Can I come in?”

  “Yes…” Rin’s small, wavering voice carried through the door.

  Vix entered quietly. The room was unrecognizable—neat, orderly, and calm. The chaos he’d seen earlier was gone. Rin lay tucked in bed, the blanket folded just right. She wore soft white sleepwear—something between a dress and pajamas—that he definitely didn’t remember buying. Probably Aimee’s doing.

  He exhaled in relief seeing her awake and safe.

  “Well,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “things got… a bit intense.”

  “Mhmm…” Rin murmured, looking away, her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment.

  “So… it’s official,” Vix continued awkwardly. “You’re a big girl now.”

  “I believe Mrs. Staffire called me a actually,” Rin corrected softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

  Vix paused—then chuckled. He needed that. He sat down at the edge of the bed, careful not to shake it.

  “Right, right. A

  now. A big woman? Honestly, who keeps track anymore?”

  “You're supposed to!” Rin pouted, folding her arms—then gasped as another cramp twisted through her abdomen. She hunched forward, hugging herself tight.

  “Ah. Hold on,” Vix said, standing immediately.

  He drew his wand, tracing small circles through the air. A purple light formed in his palm, expanding until it shaped itself into a snarling red creature—no larger than a basketball. It hissed and snapped its jagged teeth at him, but Vix didn’t flinch.

  Rin froze, eyes wide. “Wh-what is ”

  Vix didn’t answer. He pointed his wand at the creature and murmured a single word, his voice resonating like a soft hum through the air. “”

  A line of pale blue light struck the creature. Instantly, it stopped growling, its body going limp as it fell asleep in his hand.

  Then—gently—Vix placed the tiny beast on Rin’s abdomen.

  Rin’s eyes widened again. The creature was Incredibly warm. When she placed her hands over it, her fingers sank into its soft, downy fur. It purred faintly, and the heat it radiated spread through her belly, soothing the pain almost instantly.

  “I’ve knocked it out,” Vix explained, arms crossed in satisfaction. “It’ll keep you warm for about seven or eight days. Added a little extra potency—just in case. Don’t want it waking up and biting you while you’re trying to feel better.”

  Rin blinked down at the sleeping, furry ball curled on her stomach, then looked back up at him.

  “…Thank you,” she said quietly.

  “Don’t worry about that,” Vix said, waving his hand as if to physically push her gratitude away. “Seriously. I’m just glad you’re alright.”

  He stepped closer and, after a moment’s hesitation, placed a hand on her head—his gloved fingers brushing gently through her hair. Rin froze, cheeks going bright red, but the warmth of that touch spread deeper than she expected.

  A shaky sigh escaped her—one that trembled through her chest and even up his arm.

  Vix exhaled softly. “Look… I might not be the best at this,” he began, reaching into his pocket. “But—”

  He pulled out Rin’s communicator. He’d swiped it earlier, right after calling Aimee, knowing he needed to make a change. He handed it back to her, screen unlocked.

  “Keep this on you,” he said. “There’s a new contact saved in there. If you ever need me—really need me—just send a message to that one. I’ll come running. Got it?”

  Rin stared at it like it was a miracle. A way to actually reach him—her elusive guardian—on her own terms. Her eyes widened, shimmering.

  “…Really?”

  “Really.” He smiled faintly. “Now, take care. And let me know if you need anything. Aimee’s gonna hang around for a bit to… keep you updated. Teach you. You’re still a student, right, Miss ?”

  “Yes! I am!” Rin said proudly, puffing her chest a little.

  Vix chuckled at the sight. “Right. Of course you are.”

  He waved once before heading for the door. “Rest easy for me, alright?”

  When the door shut, Rin couldn’t stop smiling.

  She looked at the creature sleeping on her stomach, then back at her communicator.

  She remembered Steve. The way he’d once made her feel—safe, seen, cared for.

  This was different. Weirder.

  But somehow… it felt the same as having a dad again.