They returned to her place. Fenix waited in the living room while Aura showered, trying to steady her thoughts.
Once she finished and left the bathroom, she saw him leaning against the wall, gazing outside the window.
He heard her footsteps and slowly turned in her direction.
"You can shower now," she mumbled, avoiding his gaze. "And you weren't exaggerating... when you warned me about what happens when you lose control," she added in a casual tone, to lighten the mood.
Fenix approached her, then patted her shoulder and whispered,
"I haven't lost control yet." Then he stepped away into the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, Aura sank, hiding her face against her knees.
The only sound in the apartment was the soft rattling of the washing machine and the water from the shower.
Minutes later, Fenix returned in a robe, a towel draped over his head. He sat beside her on the couch.
Aura wanted to move closer to him, but her exhaustion and soreness warned her against it.
"So... what do I need to do to go with you, if a fight happens?" she asked softly. Fenix sighed, lying back and closing his eyes.
"Let's just focus on the dinner with your parents for now," he replied. Aura glanced down at his hand, and despite everything, she still inched her hand closer until their fingertips touched.
"Alright," her voice barely above a whisper. He reacted quickly by closing the gap and lacing his fingers through hers.
"Is there anything I need to know?" Fenix asked, cracking his eyes open and looking in her direction. Aura's face tingled, so she turned her gaze towards the wall.
"It's been so long since I've seen my parents, so I'm not sure if I have any good advice," Aura replied. Fenix slid closer, the heat from his body radiating onto her.
"I'll accept okay advice," he remarked. Aura chuckled lightly.
"Fine. My mom seems very easygoing, but my dad seems bitter about missing our childhood, so... keep some distance from me in front of him." Fenix pouted.
"I can do that," he replied, as he rested his head on her shoulder, his damp hair brushing against her neck
"A-and," she began, "make it clear that you're serious about me... Also, if you can think of any stories from our time in the Academy, I think they'll like those."
He smiled lightly.
"I have plenty of those," he replied.
"Don't tell them anything embarrassing," Aura added. He gave no response, so Aura huffed and said,
"You better not!"
Fenix sat up, looking down at her with a smirk. There wasn't an inch between them now.
"How would you stop me?" he asked in a teasing voice. Aura swallowed hard,
"I'll bite you," she whispered. Fenix chuckled.
"I would love that," he replied, raising their clasped hands as his other settled on the small of her back, pulling her into his lap.
"Th-then I'll punch you," she muttered, her voice even softer this time. He lightly bit her bottom lip.
"Try," he taunted, confidently.
"... Please don't," Aura murmured. Fenix laughed, then stood, lifting her easily into his arms.
"Fine... I'll be nice," he said, carrying her into the bedroom.
Aura struggled to get out of bed the next morning. Her body ached from last night's events.
"Don't provoke him, today," she mumbled to herself, over and over. Fenix didn't stir, sleeping soundly.
Aura exhaled and focused her powers on recovering, moving her energy throughout her body until the soreness slowly faded.
Once she felt better, she stood up, transferred their clothes into the dryer, and left to get them breakfast.
Vision was sitting at a picnic table, outside the breakfast café, a scowl on his face.
"Hey, is something wrong?" Aura said. His face relaxed when he saw her.
"Just wondering if I made the right choice, deciding to stay here," he replied. She wavered for a moment, glancing between him and the café entrance before finally sitting down next to him.
"Why did you decide to stay?" she asked. He took a drink from his coffee cup,
"My brother is staying, and I don't have anyone else. Why would I leave?" he said, his tone bitter.
"Then... you made the right choice," she replied. Vision turned his gaze towards her and said,
"Explain."
Aura smiled softly.
"You love your brother, so staying here for him is worth it," she replied. Vision rolled his eyes.
"It's a love-hate relationship," he remarked. "You look good, by the way. I'm guessing that means you reunited with Fenix..." he added, his grip tightening around his paper cup.
"Yeah..." Aura's heart raced, and she was suddenly at a loss for words. "I need to get breakfast, see you later!" she added abruptly, while rushing into the cafe.
Vision watched her until she disappeared inside. He swore under his breath, tossed his cup into a nearby trash can, and walked away.
He passed by dozens of smiling people, their happiness only making him feel more alone.
He stopped at a fountain in the middle of the city, gazing at it, lost in thought.
"Do you like it?" A girl asked, appearing at his side.
Her sky-blue hair fell straight down to her ankles. She had a fair complexion and matching blue eyes.
"I don't have an opinion," he remarked dismissively. The girl forced a smile, though irritation showed through.
"I actually designed this fountain," she said. He scoffed and began walking away. She trailed after him, "Well, do you have any constructive criticism?" she asked,
"Yeah, you care too much," he replied, continuing his pace. That's when she moved in front of him and said,
"I worked hard on that! It purifies all the water you drink and bathe with, so you should show some respect!" she shouted, stomping her foot and squeezing her eyes shut. Vision paused, then he jabbed his finger into her forehead. She put her hands up defensively,
"Move," he stated firmly. Instead, she extended her arms and fortified her stance.
"No!" she shouted. Vision frowned deeply, both annoyed and confused.
"Fine... It's a pretty fountain," he said. The girl looked up at him, smiling cheerfully now, "But that's all," he added.
The girl blinked, stunned. Then he brushed past her and disappeared into the crowd.
Back at Aura's place, Fenix had her pinned to the couch.
"Where were you?" he interrogated. Aura shielded her face with the takeout bag.
"I was getting us breakfast!" she exclaimed. He groaned slightly, then got off of her and headed to the bathroom.
She stayed still until she caught her breath, then plated the food for them.
When he returned, he hugged her from behind and said,
"Bagels?"
"I also bought jam and butter, so you have options," Aura explained. He laid kisses on her cheek to her jawline, and she tensed, letting out a soft squeak.
A moment later, he released her and grabbed a bagel from the plate.
"Thanks," he said, taking a bite without putting anything on it, and walking to the dining table.
Aura sat across from him, a little shy but hiding it from her expression. She added strawberry jam to hers.
Fenix returned home. They reunited outside of Aura's parents' home.
She was wearing a simple, dark-green, A-line dress. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail.
Fenix arrived in an expensive-looking black suit, with a forest green, patterned vest underneath. It fit as if it had been tailored.
"You look fancy," she noted. He eyed her quietly as she stepped forward and straightened his tie.
"I felt like this was an event I needed to dress up for," Fenix muttered softly, stroking her cheek. Aura met his gaze then his thumb pressed to her bottom lip.
"I guess dinner with my parents is a big deal," she replied, blushing with her eyes avoiding his,
"Well yeah, we have to plan our wedding," he stated.
Aura gasped and took a step back,
"Is that why you're all dressed up?" she inquired, eyes scanning over his body once more.
Fenix closed the space between them.
"Of course... and next, you're going to meet my parents." Aura's anxiety spiked from just imagining it.
Pierce had such a powerful presence even from afar, and talk of marriage made the dinner far less casual than she had mentally prepared for.
"Let's not keep them waiting," Fenix said, wrapping his arm around her waist and leading her up to the doorway.
Aura was still too stunned to say anything. She didn't even notice her parents letting them in or remember sitting down at the table.
She only returned to reality when her mother called out,
"Aura... Aura! Are you alright?"
She stiffened in her seat and looked around, surprised by the sudden scenery change and the plate of food in front of her. Everyone at the table was staring at her, waiting for a response.
"I'm okay!" she answered, a bit too loudly to be believable. Then she picked up her fork, shoving a bite of food into her mouth.
"So, you want to hold the ceremony next year?" Sera asked. Aura paused in her chewing, surprised by how much she missed.
"Yes... in the summer," Fenix began, glancing at Aura, "it's her favorite season." he added while lifting a napkin to wipe her mouth.
Aura's face heated up and she swatted his hand away.
"You two are so cute," Sera remarked.
"No they're not!" Nicolai grumbled, chugging down his drink. Fenix turned his attention to Aura's father, then.
"... So can I call you Nick?" he asked, with his usual smile.
"No you can't!" Nicolai shouted, while slamming his glass down onto the table. The corner of Fenix's mouth twitched.
"How about, Mr. Nick?" he replied.
"Mister doesn't make it better!" Aura's dad yelled back.
"Then how about," Fenix's smile grew before he continued, "Father-in-law?"
Nicolai opened his mouth to retort but couldn't get the words out.
"Just call him Dad." Sera interjected. That's when Nicolai put his hands over his face and leaned back in his chair, looking defeated.
"Alright I will, Mom." Fenix replied. Both Aura and Nicolai groaned while Sera smiled at him sweetly.
"So how long have you been together? You're both still young, are you sure about this?" Sera questioned, with her gaze fixed on him,
"We've only been together for a few months, but... I've met enough people and gone through enough heartache to know that Aura is one of a kind. I can't see a future without her in my life, there is no one else for me," Fenix's answer caused Sera to raise her eyebrows and say,
"You're so committed in such a short time?"
"... The only way I know how to explain it is, before I met her, everything felt colorless. I didn't even realize how desolate my life had been until I met her." As he explained this he glanced over at Aura who fidgeted in her seat.
"Do you feel the same?" Sera asked, this time to her daughter. Aura trembled under the pressure and kept her eyes down on her, now-empty plate.
"... Yes... I felt like my world came alive after we met, and..." her voice lowered, "when he said he loved me, I hoped for a future, that I didn't even think was possible," Aura continued, her voice shaking, on the verge of tears, "I wanted a family... a comfortable life. Even though I knew it was forbidden. With him." Fenix reached under the table and held her hand.
"It's not impossible anymore," he noted. As soon as the words sunk Aura cried a little. She hurried to wipe her eyes.
Nicolai groaned, straightening in his seat and, everyone looked his way.
"I don't have the right to complain... he led the mission that changed our lives too. So I can't pretend I don't understand," he pointed to Fenix and his voice sharpened, "But don't think that means I won't kick your ass, if you ever mistreat her! She's my youngest daughter! I haven't seen her in twelve years and you're already trying to steal her away!" Nicolai shouted. Fenix maintained a polite smile, while Sera rubbed his shoulders and said,
"Don't be silly, love. No one is stealing her away."
"I... won't stop visiting," Aura said suddenly, "I want us to all be a family, to get together on holidays, and sometimes meet up just to talk... even after I'm married." she added.
Only then did her father relax, though he still folded his arms and turned towards the wall.
"I'm glad to hear that honey..." Sera said, still trying to calm her husband, "We both just want you to be happy."
"Would you... be willing to have another dinner later in the week to meet my Father as well?" Fenix asked, his expression turning more serious.
Nicolai's foul expression eased slightly and Sera nodded saying,
"Yes, just let us know a time and place." Nicolai said nothing... so he didn't object.
Aura helped clear the table. Once she returned to her seat, Fenix's hand stealthily found hers again, warming her cheeks and filling her with joy.
The rest of the night contained only lighter conversations, and laughter.
As they were leaving Nicolai pulled Fenix aside to the hallway. He had a scowl and shifted nervously before speaking,
"I don't... dislike you," he opened with.
"I feel the same," Fenix replied in a relaxed, easygoing tone. Nicolai sighed then reached out to pat Fenix's shoulder.
Fenix's mask faltered, his eyes dropping to the hand resting on him.
"Can you promise to always take care of her... and to not cut us out?" Nicolai asked.
Fenix hesitated for a moment before replying,
"Of course... after all, our children deserve grandparents."
Nicolai removed his hand and shouted,
"Children?!" Then he palmed his face and slumped over against the wall as if he'd just been struck. It took him some time to calm down, and Fenix watched him, this time with no expression at all. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!"
It was then that Fenix's smile returned but this one was genuine and bright,
"I'm sorry," he replied, his voice light. Nicolai sighed while slowly straightening his posture.
Silence stretched in between them.
"Then... you can call me Dad," Nicolai muttered, his face burning crimson. Fenix looked shocked and before he could respond Nicolai began shoving him down the hall towards the exit and yelling, "Don't say anything! Just get out!"
Once Fenix stumbled onto the porch, standing next to a startled Aura, Nicolai slammed the door behind him.