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Chapter Text

Zane woke up as the sunlight was thrown into his room by Garroth throwing open the curtains “time to wake up baby brother!” yelling in Zanes ear before Garroth pulled zanes blanket away when he tried to cover his face within his blanket groaning of his tiredness as Zanes vision was flooded with light from the window rubbing his eye before reaching out for his phone as his phone shine his eyesight looking at the time ‘ 6:48 ‘ and he thinks to himself ‘ way too early to wake up ‘ and it’s a sunday which made it worse to be awake this early “Garroth..it’s too early” he said before he mumbled under his breath a cuss word before being begged to come down for together breakfast

Garroth had made a success to beg Zane out of his bed and come have breakfast downstair with laurance, Zane was still in his PJ's white with pink accent with little red strawberry patterns on his pants he didn't care what he was in garroth was in a sweatshirt and sweatpants for Irene sake, Zane dragged himself out of his bed going across his room to the bathroom and splashed his face with water in an attempt to make him a bit more awake barely worked,

He dragged his feet to the stairs. He could smell burning weird, he tried to ignore it but the smell of something burning was lingering…' wait did garroth say have breakfast? But both of them can't cook..-' Zane thought to himself and it clicked so he ran down the stairs finding the kitchen…intact…but burned pancakes on some plates well that explains it, but how did the kitchen not burn down like every time they attempted to cook?

"Oh hi Zane'' Laurance greeted Zane from the couch "is this why you wanted me to have breakfast with you two so I can cook for you?" Zane asked whilst glaring at his roommate and brother on the couch "uhhh…" garroth was a bit awkward about it "it was Garroth idea" Laurance accused pointing at garroth "Hey!" Garroth yelled as Zane give him a glare but sighed and went back upstairs to grab his repice book and apron

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Is Zane even good at cooking?" Laurence asked looking over at garroth not even sure of this so called 'plan' of his Garroth gave Laurance a reassuring look but Laurance shall believe it once he sees it "c'mon Laurance give it a try I've had his cooking before when we were home alone in highschool Zane use to always cook and it was amazing!" Laurance was skeptical for obvious reasons but it's worth a shot…maybe let's hope so or we are getting overpriced take out again but he trusts Garroth…

okay but maybe not in this situation, zane? Good at cooking? HAH Laurance would think it was a joke, no really he would have thought it was a joke if Garroth wasn’t the one telling him this. Well he still thinks this may be a joke on his behalf but that’s his judgment and he hasn't exactly known Zane for well Zane.

As Zane looks in his bookshelf up stairs in his room as the two roommates are down stairs he sees a book with a hard cover pulling it out and blowing the dust off its surface as he pulls the ribbon on the book pulling the book open looking through the options he has for breakfast he found a particular one Garroth was very fond of when he use to cook for breakfast when both parents would be off on a business trip they use to get along so well when they were pre teens when their parent aren’t around well most times not all the time.

Zane went over to his closet and took out an apron tying the shin string made out of fabric around his neck and waist as he grabs the book and goes down stairs spotting Garroth and Laurance in a corner huddled up,

Zane stopped in his tracks looking around trying to find what they were huddling up for but found nothing “what are you both doing?” Zane asked, standing on the stairs looking over to the huddling roommates “BABY BROTHER SAVE YOURSELF!!!” Garroth yelled, making Zane much more confused so he looked over to them and saw a little spider on the ground “you're scared of that little guy?” Zane asked as he stepped off the stairs and near the other two “SHUT UP ZANE THAT THING CAN KILL US!!” Laurance said clearly being dramatic so Zane picked up the spider as it crawled up his arm “oh please it’s harmless”

Zane looks at the spider on his arm and lets it be as Laurance and Garroth get away from the spider. Hopefully the spider isn't radioactive or he might just end up as a Spiderman. Zane goes to the door and let's the spider outside so his roommate and brother don't keep screaming and being dramatic about a spider the poor thing was actually adorable he would have kept it as a pet but he's not really a homeowner right now so yea that's another story for another time

Zane put his book on the kitchen counter and took out a bowl from the rack taking out ingredient for scrambled eggs with Zanes own little touch as Garroth likes to say it

Chopping up an onion and taking out tomato paste with 4 eggs which should be enough for everyone and some cheese

Zane cracks the eggs into the bowl he had grabbed and adds 6 tablespoons of tomato paste grading the cheese into the batter of eggs, adding a bit of the chopped up onions as he adds black pepper and salt as he mixes the batter.

Garroth and Laurance sit down at the table as Garroth watches but Laurance only observes, ‘sure the two of us can burn a kitchen down but wouldn’t Zane be more likely to burn the kitchen on purpose? ‘ Laurance thinks to himself

“Here” Zane said as he placed the plate of soft scrambled eggs with rice on the side “wait we had rice?” Laurance asked quite confused he hasn’t even seen Zane cook the rice “yes we have rice Laurance” Zane said in a monotone voice taking his seat at the table

“We did?” Garroth asked looking over to Zane, Garroth hadn't even known they had rice until this morning. Zane looked unamused. Garroth hasn't been very observant when it comes to the groceries they buy so that might have been how he missed the fact they have rice in the house.

___________________________________

As they finished up breakfast Laurance took the plates and put them in the dishwasher. He has to admit it was pretty good but that was scrambled eggs. Can someone really mess that up?

Flashback

…

“Garroth..HOW DID YOU ALMOST BURN DOWN OUR KITCHEN BY TRYING TO MAKE SCRAMBLED EGGS?! HOW DID YOU MESS UP THIS BAD???” Laurance asked loudly whilst looking at Garroth then back the burnend stove and the mess it left in the kitchen

“I DON’T KNOW OKAY!! I WAS NEVER ALOUD NEAR A STOVE IN MY PARENTS HOUSE I’M SORRY” Garroth said realizing maybe this was why he was forbidden near a stove top or to even cook simple water unless he uses the microwave to do so.

…

End of flashback

‘Okay maybe you can mess up scrambled eggs really badly’ Laurance thinking to himself whilst biting his lip, he puts the plates away in the dishwasher and he hears Zane and garroth gasp from the living room, they were watching something

Laurance went over to the two to see what they found; it was an announcement for a beauty pageant? “What’s so special about a beauty pageant?”

Laurance turned his attention to the two brothers and Garroth and Zane were glaring at him Zane a bit more in disbelief and Garroth mainly shocked “what? Did I miss something?” he asked clearly confused

Zane sighed and took a minute to breath before saying something “well this wasn’t just some beauty pageant Laurance you’d know if you join the groups sunday marathons, it’s the yearly ‘star mezz gala pageant’ held every year at new locations which would be kept unknown till it’s sign up day, and before you ask yes it’s a big deal the winner can win up tp $10,000 and it airs all around nationwide as it’s own show so you’d also be all over tv” Zane explained but one sentence echoed through Laurances mind ‘the winner can win up to $10,000’ he’d be rich if he won

“And no-” Zane couldn’t finish his sentence when he was rudely interrupted “where do I sign up?!” Laurance demanded to know where this sign up is “well the sign up is online, why do you ask?” ZAne asked obviously suspicious for what Laurance needs to know of this info “no reason!” laurance said as he rush up the stairs

Zane looked over to Garroth who was skeptical “ does he even know the website where the sign ups are held?” Garroth asked, raising an eyebrow Zane just shrugged and Dragged Garroth up stairs into his room to sign the both of them up, if they both are going to split this money the both of them are entering this event.

But what Garroth doesn’t know is what he has gotten himself into as Zane will be his teacher on how to uphold the knowledge of these pageants. Garroth isn’t one to know much about beauty pageants, so he’s learning from the best of the best!from his baby brother of course!!

_______________________________

Meanwhile with aphmau

“OH..MY..IRENE !!” aphmau said out loud alerting Lucinda Katelyn and Kawai chan who were with her at that time since she didn’t have anyone to talk to, since Aaron was at memory therapy with Melissa “WHAT?! DID SOMETHING HAPPEN APH?!” Katelyn asked why Aphmau was yelling “yea what happened?’ Lucinda asked, coming into the room behind Katelyn, “oh, sorry! I was looking on instagram and saw the ‘star mezz gala pageant’ was held near us this year!” aphmau said showing her phone to the girls in the room

A digital poster on the pageants instagram with a purple background gold stars and white text with light lavender as an accent color “and why is it so special?” katelyn asked unamused as she looks at Aphmau katelyn could hear kawaii chan and Lucinda gasp behind her in disbelief

“What? What’s so unbelievable?” katelyn asked turning around to the girls behind her Aphmau cleared her throat which made katelyn turn around “well Katelyn since you had missed many sunday marathons with the group I shall explain” Aphmau says in a weird matter which had made Katelyn a bit confused

“My lady Katelyn the ‘star mezz gala pageant’ is one of the most known pageant around the world as it upholds a new location every year! The competition goes far beyond just a mall pageant, contestants have a chance to win $10,000! And it’s held near us which means we can participate this year!!”

Now she has everything against pageants but $10,000?! She can’t say no to that!, so the girls gather up and make their master plan on how to win.

And Laurance? Well he’s watching tips and tricks on youtube to see what advice he may just find for this pageant

____________________________________

As his roommates Zane stared at the ceiling tiredly as if the ceiling had pulled the energy he had that day out of him, he was a whole different person behind close blinds. Sure he was excited for the pageant but he’d forgotten how burnt out he can get when it comes to pageant

It wasn’t only the pageant, he has daily task to do and he’s tried his best to open up but he was always so isolated back then and it just doesn’t seem right he was always so bitter

He’s been so stressed and paranoid since the loge and then starlight it was supposed to just be a normal summer trip but it just ended up so messy and traumatic he had barely knew how to cope with it and now he’s crying to himself

Just great it is great but it wasn’t. He knows it wasn’t great. It gets better but he can’t always wait around for it to get better

He took one of his pillow covering his face with the pillow as he cry himself to sleep

____________________________

As the neighborhood goes quite Travis and Lucinda met up, that morning Lucinda had asked Travis to come over to her place, she didn’t say why but she said it was important matter

“Hello Travis I’m glad you can come up” she said letting Travis “uh yeah you needed me?” he said stepping inside “yep I have theories and I want to know if it may be true” she said stepping over to her pile of books taking a spell book and opening it to a specific page

“a ..theory? About what? And what’s the spell book for/? Didn’t you say you…you know” Lucinda chuckled quietly before handing the spell book to Travis “the spell book isn’t for me it was something I found and I think it would have been really useful to prove my theory that’s all” Lucinda said as she goes back to the table grabbing a potion as it glows with purple aura giving Travis a bit feeling of deja vu

“Is it..safe? You both know that we don’t have the best history with mystery potions” he said a bit hesitant of this ‘theory’ “Right, well let me explain” she said setting the potion back on the table

“So we both know how you have that other form which made me curious if you may have your own form of that other form, so I went digging and I unfortunately had to ask my mom if she knows anyone like you, since she’s well pretty immortal. But when I asked her she knew someone maybe an ancestor of yours but that’s how I came to my little conclusion”

Travis looked at wide eyes, he would question it but can he even find words to even ask?

“Okay I’ll let you process that for a moment. I still have something I found that I can’t open so maybe you could open it? I’ll go grab it”

Lucinda walked up stairs leaving Travis alone staring at the spell book he started flipping the pages stopping a when he found a letter slipped in between the pages he took the letter and put the spell book down

_______________________

The letter reads

“Dear Lucinda I wish this letter finds you well”

‘I knew what I was getting into, but if you don’t hear further from me
It is safe to assume I may have not made it
I can only send this letter out to you due to the magic shortage I have.
Do understand that as that demons ancestor it was meant to be
I was bound to be hunted down and killed
But everytime and every moment I have had with every one of you
Were the best times I knew
Thank you for the fond memories you all have given me

Take care of each other just cuz I.m gone doesn’t mean it’s the end
You all have many journey to come across and to unfold

And as I said thank you

letter By Travis valkrum

_______________________

Woah woah, what?! By..me? I don’t remember writing the letter and it looks so old and wrinkled up it was almost like I had some sort of historic counterpart like an ancestor maybe? It’s just odd why does Lucinda even have a letter like this?

Travis puts the letter back in the slips of the pages and turn the pages back to the one Lucinda had opened when she had gave it to him

Shortly after Lucinda came down she brought a hardcover book with a familiar feeling to it but Travis shrugged it off like he didn’t feel it

“Sorry it took so long I missed place the book” lucinda said chuckling a bit putting the book on the table

Travis played along and chuckled a little also “No worries really, I get it I misplaced a load of things too” he said as he giggled

“Yeah I guess we all misplaced things often sometimes my mom misplace her memories if you get what I mean” Travis blinked at her a bit concerned but nodded

“Okay so can you try to open this book?” She asked, picking up the hard cover purple book from the table, handing it over to Travis as she took the spell book from him. Travis looked at the book for a moment and something came back to him, something a memory. It wasn’t his that for sure or at least him from this time, it felt out of place like it wasn’t supposed to be there and from an older time

It didn’t feel right to him to have this out of place memory. It was not something he should remember yet something brought it to his attention to remember to remember something that never happened, maybe those tales of reincarnation his father used to tell her were true maybe but it’s hard to believe.

And it would have been harder to remember to believe if he hadn’t dug through his dads work office and basement that were full of book with info on relics reincarnation the divine warriors stuff like that, maybe he wouldn’t even believe it at all of the thought of reincarnation of the stuff at starlight haven’t happened and he didn’t dig through michael's research

But he did so it was as unbelievable as it would be to someone who didn't experience starlight and the weird stuff they’ve been through.

He’d been so lost in his own thoughts he hadn’t even realized Lucinda was calling out his name “travis!” she said again making Travis jump slightly “ Sorry! I got lost in my thoughts” he said apologizing to Lucinda ever since starlight he had always had a tendency to zone out and get lost in his thought a lot more often, it sometimes even concerns the others of their group

Lucinda sighed he worried her there for a second “It’s alright, I just haven’t gotten use to you zoning out or getting lost in your thought tho I fully understand why you do it” Lucinda said picking up the purple potion on the table and puts it elsewhere

“So…can you open the book” Lucinda asked looking over to Travis before turning back and now Travis who’s attention shifted back to the book in his hand. He pulls the lock off from the book opening it there were many familiar aura it was almost weird

Travis quickly closes the book and puts the lock on its place as Lucinda turns around to Travis “any luck?” she asked Travis motion his head ‘nope’ Lucinda looks almost disappointed but just sighed “well that sucks” her voice was much more monotone then before

Travis tilted his head to the side a bit confused “something wrong Lucinda? And why is the book so important anyways?” Travis asked “It’s nothing really Travis don’t worry about it” which had only made Travis much more curious about what the book was about “hey can I borrow the book actually ?” Lucinda was quite surprised Travis asked to borrow the book, what would he use it for?

“What for? You can’t open the book it’d be useless” Travis wanted to know what was in the book but he’d have to lie about it,and he wasn’t the best liar but he has gotten better “I wanna see if I can maybe do something to open it”

Lucinda was silent for a minute and nodded “sure go for it” Travis is debating between whether he had gotten better at lying or Lucinda was really suspicious of his behavior. “Oh also you can go home now if you’d like my theory didn’t work” Lucinda said and Travis nodded

“Oh okay, I’ll be going no if I wanna keep my sleep schedule at its max” he said giggling, Lucinda let out little chuckles it was a bit funny.

Travis said his goodbye and went home with the book

“He must’ve remembered something if he’s taking that book back with him” lucinda says to herself as she closes the door to her house “he wouldn’t just go with that book for no reason, I’ll have to keep an eye out for him” Lucinda says as she take the spell book and steps into her brewery

Putting the spell book on the counter opening to a page where she had kept a letter from someone she remembers from her immortal life, the last encounter with the son of the demon warlock was only a letter teleported with short use of magic to locate her and send a crow her way

she grips the letter in the hand it was the lasting known of his being they were all convinced for him to be dead but he hadn’t he has ancestors and now been reincarnated to be someone she knows once again, but it will never be the same it never will things changed and she’s changed too.

She let go of the grip on the letter, putting it back in the book as she sighed. She takes the purple potion and pours it into a little shallow bowl taking out a picture of Travis and spreading the potion all over the picture and signature hanging it with the others to let all the pictures dry

She steps away from her station, with magic the prose would have been much easier to do, but the slower way will do for her after all she has all the time in the world

Lucinda steps away from her station turning the light off in her brewery stepping outside as she pulled the door closed, going up stairs to her room turning her lights before pulling out her laptop powering it on, as Lucinda switches the light to the little star lights on her ceiling turning off the main light and bringing a pillow to her chest and a blanket over her as she turns netflix on

_______________________________________

As Travis slipped into bed he felt a really bad headache which had just showed up right when he was about to sleep which he’d found odd. Maybe it was the book he borrowed from Lucinda?

He takes the book from his bedside and opened it looking at information some pages were a bit smudged but that were no problem of his at all

Most were clearer than others and he hadn’t mind it but the further he got into the book the pages looked much more smudged and it just looked like a blur of words to him so he stopped but the headache did not go away

Which was getting getting a bit unbearable it wasn’t worse than the possession but this made him feel really light headed and dizzy and it feels like needles are stuck up the back his head it was hurting his head, his vision is even starting to get blurry, it wasn’t a headache anymore this was torture.

Travis sinks his face into a pillow and it was not helpful at all in fact the stinging pain felt like blades trying to cut through his head which may be a bit dramatic but it was the only way he could describe it the pain was bugging at him, he put another pillow on top of his head trying to reduce the pain it wasn’t helping much but it somewhat helped at least bearable enough for him to fall asleep.

______________________________________

Travis felt a sharp pain in his chest as he woke up finding himself under a tree with flowers around him. It was odd.

He doesn’t know where he was but it felt peaceful the pain in his chest was gone now feeling like a void as of some part of him was missing

There were whispers, cries, and echoes. He looked around trying to find someone anyone but he was alone

But a whisper echoes through his mind ‘your relic’ it was a clear echo but what it had ment did not make sense to him. He knows of a relic but he’s never been a relic before

But his mind brought him back to a letter Lucinda had that had his name written onto, was it possible? Maybe, but even so where would the relic be

Maybe it’s possible his dad has had the relic in his office? He hadn’t explored everything in his office so it would make sense or the most sense at least

Purple flash in his face as he closed his eye shut and he goes unconscious

Chapter Text

The sun soon rose as it shone through Garroth's window waking him of his sleep before his door was thrown open, literally his door is now on the ground laying on the hard wooden floor "Garroth wake!- oh you're awake, well that makes it easier. Get up and clean up and go get dressed we're going to the mall" Zane said as he grip a bag at his shoulder

"isn't it too early?" Garroth asked rubbing his eyes as he yawns, "no it is not, it's never too early to get a dress, and you should have thought about 'too early' before waking me up yesterday" Zane said in a monotone voice as he steps out of Garroth's room leaving the door on the floor

Garroth sighed

He dragged himself outta bed and let himself take a warm shower

He got himself dressed in a t-shirt with jeans and a jacket thrown on mainly white with gold rims and accents

Garroth got a small bag with a folded bag in that bag taking his phone off the charger as he look at the time ' 7:02 ' very early

Garroth went down stairs and saw Zane standing close to the door eyes on his phone before turning to Garroth as he hears the stairs creak with footsteps

"You ready?" Zane asked, putting his phone in his pocket, garroth nodded but stopped for a moment before leaving "where's Laurance?" Garroth, Zane turned his head over to Garroth "oh Laurance? He was binge watching youTube and just fell asleep when a checked on him a few minutes ago"

Zane explained, it was a bit weird but hey Laurance is Laurance

Garroth and zane stepped out of the house and garroth closed the door behind him as the two brother get a taxi to get to the mall

______________________

As the brothers arrived at the mall it wasn’t as flooded with people as Zane would have thought but there was no harm to get to the mall early to find a good dress.

Garroth had to a brief glance at Zane before the two enter the mall

They got to ‘mero rose’ a popular clothing store that take perspective on the perfect dress for anyone that step foot in their store

At the entrance they were greeted by one of the workers “good morning gentlemans,I’m guessing you two are looking for a dress of choice?” the worker asked politely “yes but we were looking on to get that customize dress program you have to find the perfect dress for me and my brother”

Garroth slightly smiled at Zane calling him brother, he hadn’t gotten use to Zane doing it

“I see well I’ll get you to our dressers right this way gentlemans” as they were guided the two looked across or to their side to see the dress they have on display and to be guided to a room with lovely decoration with hanging plants.

Two other people step into the room as they were asked a few question and were given a sheet of paper to fill out as they roam the store

____________________________

As Zane and Garroth explore Zane had his back turned to a beautiful dress admiring its beauty before someone had bumped into him

“Oh I am so sorrrr- ZANE?!” the voice said before Zane turned around to find Lucinda staring at him in awe, most likely shocked that he’s in a store that has specialties in dresses but especially their in a Mero rose store,

“Oh Hello Lucinda” Zane said, greeting her as her gaze moved to Garroth slowly as Garroth wave awkwardly at this sudden encounter “WA- WHO- WHAT?! WHY ARE YOU BOTH IN A MEERO ROSE STORE?!” and there stand katelyn in confusion in her eyes flabbergasted

“Oh hey Zane!” aphmau said pushing past katelyn before smiling and waving over at Zane

Both Lucinda and Katelyn turned their heads sharply towards aphmau “guys..?” aphmau said as she felt the air get dense “you knew he’d be here?!” katelyn said practically yelling as she glares at Aphmau and Aphmau looked over to Lucinda also glaring at her “He he…” Aphmau said before running and hiding behind Zane “wha- AGH APH WHAT THE HECK?!” zane exclaimed, he wasn’t about to be destroyed by this because Aphmau didn’t tell them he’d be here in mero rose looking for his and Garroths perfect dress

‘How many others on the street are even here at Mero Rose finding a perfect dress?’ Zane asked himself

“What are you guys doing here?!” asked another voice from behind Zane, he turned around to find Gene there staring at them wide eyes with sasha, and Zenix behind him

Zenix peeked over Gene's shoulder but Sasha was too busy on her phone to look at the others “what are WE doing?! WHAt ARE YOU DOING?!” katelyn screamed

“Uh what does it look like?” Gene said as he looks at katelyn holding up his dress request for the pageant

This is so complicated now so many people he knows are competing in the pageant he can understand of course the prize is $10,000

But he hadn’t thought this many people would join it. After all Zane was always one to be part of small time pageants here and there

But hey it just makes it much more competitive for everyone's determination to win

______________________

The encounter with the other groups had been one awkward meet up, like that one spider man meme pointing at each other.

As Zane and Garroth hand in their paper for the dress they had gotten themselves measured for the dress taking on the sizing room to make it fit to their liking while answering some questions to customize the dress

Picking out and matching the dress to their liking wasn’t the hard part, it was waiting for a test dress it would take up to 2-3 weeks for the both of the dresses to be finished but

And yet still would still need to be adjusted to their liking if they wanted to add anything else to the dress once the test dress is finished

Yes the pageant may be in 6 weeks but time passes a lot faster when it comes to this kind of event. Which is most likely easier to pass time usually

__________________

As garroth takes off his shoes in front of the door as he enter the house to be greeted with screaming

…wait screaming?!

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

OH SCREAMING SHOOT THEY LEFT LAURANCE HOME ALONE

Garroth turns to the kitchen and finds it on fire, causing zane to run upstairs and grab a fire extinguisher from his room as he spray the fire with it as Laurance clings to Garroth making Garroth slightly flustered

Zane out of breath from panic was just glad they didn’t come home to late or else the house would have been burnt to a crisp

“Hehe..sorry-” Laurance said trying to to giggle as little

Zane sighed as he turned to Laurance “that was not safe. And you shouldn’t have done that and you should’ve taken the leftovers from yesterday”

Laurance blinked owlishly at Zane “there were leftover from yesterday” if had known he wouldn’t have even tried to cook

“Yes there were left overs Laurance” Zane said over aggressiveness on laurence's name

And so Laurance just smiled awkwardly

But garroth smiled and giggled a little

Garroth had a warm smile across his face which made Laurance smile at the thought of seeing that smile everyday would be enough sun and warm to keep him alive sometimes.

Heh what silly thoughts right? Heh even if he thinks that Garroth would never feel the same way about him, and besides he doesn’t want to destroy their friendship

He hates to admit it but he’d liked Garroth for a long time and kept himself distracted by going after the ladies which had worked for a while but now there was no one in their way. Why was he still scared of this feeling of..love ?

This is pathetic, he’s gone straight to the point when it comes to the ladies but this ? It was different because he'd known Garroth for so long he’s not really sure what to do and if he asked Garroth out and gets rejected

It would be awkward between the two of them

But he shook the feeling off it was just another barrier in their friendship it wasn’t important just another useless feeling of love

It’ll go away…right ?

Eventually it has to go, letting go is apart of life, it’s never easy but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible

It’ll just be painful letting go but it was the best thing to do sometimes

He could feel tears forming in his eyes it was stupid he knows it is “ I’ll be up in my room I’m feeling a bit tired “ laurance said excusing himself from the other two

Laurance had made his way up stairs closing his door shut, Garroth and Zane both looked at each other worried about Laurance

“You think he’s okay?” Garroth asked looking up the stairs “he’ll be better than you being so red Garroth” Zane said in a joking manner which made garroths face red “ but I hope he is okay “

Yea, Garroth hopes Laurance is okay too, maybe even Great someday

Where he’s happier than ever with someone he loves more than a friend, heh maybe one day even he can move on from a love he’d kept close to him for years,

but love doesn’t last forever even Garroth knows that

true love may not be real he would want Laurance to be his true love.

It may be selfish of him but, he likes to think maybe one day it would be their love story.

_________________

Laurance shut the door he hadn’t known what he was thinking, why did the thought of being rejected made him tear up ?

Was it cuz he knows he’ll never get to have a love story of his own with the one he truly loved?

Maybe that was it and it hurts to know that even if it’s selfish for him to think that

But he wants to have a love story with the one he truly loved but all he can do is imagine it cuz it’ll never be real.

It was stupid but he had wanted it for so long, but could never do it

He knows limits, and there are limits to friendships and the limit was love

Friendship was friendship and love? well it was love, romantic love

Something you couldn’t expect of a friendship, romantic wasn’t an element of friendship

He was just loving someone so close to him he doesn’t want to lose ever

_____________________

Garroth opened his window looking outside as the birds chirped in the morning air. It was nice, truly it was a part of him just felt hollow like some part of him was missing

Maybe it was true a part of him was too afraid to ask something he’d asked before but he still couldn’t do it

And he can’t do anything about it he didn’t want to ruin something he has with someone so special to him

He’d rather keep it to himself even if it mean hurting than tear apart a friendship bond they’ve had for so long

He doesn’t want to be sailfish about his feelings Laurance should be available to be his friend without feeling awkward around him

And he doesn’t want to lose him

No. not after everything

______time skip______
       { 2;15 pm }

Laurance got out of his bed as he fix his hair, looking in the mirror he looked terrible, at least his eyes weren't as red as it was before

Fixing his hair and putting on another pair of clothes he opened his door to hear talking from downstairs

Laurance headed to the stairs and over heard the brothers talking

“Garroth you’ve got to tell them eventually” Zane said in a ‘ I’m tired of this conversation’ way

Laurance was confused what was Zane talking about?

“I knoooow I just don’t know what to do! And besides I don’t know if they like me back! What if I ruin our friendship?” Garrooth said protesting

Oh. Laurance should’ve known of course Garroth liked someone else.

Laurance turned around from the stairs and back to his room, closing the door behind him.

Garroth deserved love in his life, even if it wasn’t him

He should be happy about it !

…

Right?

He should be

But he isn’t

Why isn’t he happy?

He should be happy Garroth found someone

But he just felt

…

Hollow

_____________

Garroth didn’t really want to talk about it but the only person he can turn to was his brother

Gathering the courage to talk to Zane about

well

How he feels

“uh..Zane I wanna talk about something” Garroth said nervously as Zane looked up from his book getting up from his bed “where are you going?” Garrothe asked confused as Zane stand in front of him

“Down stairs let’s go have this talk” Zane said as the two walk down the stairs with garroth walking behind Zane Sitting on the couch with Zane beside him “You can start when you would like” Zane said

Garroth sighed and explained about how he’s been feeling and the whole laurance thing

Zane listened closely to his brother as he explain his problems and worries,

Listening was easy but comfort wasn’t something Zane was particularly good at.

Garroth knows that so he couldn’t ask for more even knowing someone like Zane was listening to him about his problems that was enough for Garroth

Listening to him hugging him and trying his best to comfort him.

It was a side of Zane Garroth hasn’t seen for so long he’d almost forgotten how kind and warm hearted Zane could be sometimes

“Garroth you’ve got to tell them eventually” Zane said softly looking at his brother

“I knoooow I just don’t know what to do! And besides I don’t know if they like me back! What if I ruin our friendship?” Garroth said frowning

“I can assure you it won’t” Zane Said trying to reassure Garroth

“How would you know?” Garroth said a bit skeptical of Zane

“Garroth I may have one eye but it’s a sharp eye, I see how you both look at each other” Zane said as he remember sometimes they were looking each other as if they were boyfriends which was too many times

“And besides I’m much more observant than you Garroth” Zane said stretching the saying of the ‘you’

“Right right, I almost forgot how observant you were little brother” garroth said

“I never- you know what forget that” Zane sighed

“Do you wanna make a move? Cuz if you stay at the middle you won’t make anything out of it speaking from experience” Zane said putting a hand on Garroth’s shoulder

“I know I should, but I wanna take it slow maybe it be a first date and not a first kiss speaking from your experience” Garroth said looking at Zane who was unamused

“Yea sure from my experience” Zane said almost annoyed

“Gehehege” garroth giggled letting Zane sigh

“Also aren’t you at least surprised?” Garroth asked Zane

But Zane was grinning under that mask of his

“oh my dear dear brother, the only one surprised would be vylad from how much money he now owes me” Zane said before laughing

Oh irene it was that obvious that his brothers made a bet about it?! Without his knowledge!

How rude

He could’ve made Zane win the bet faster if they had just asked

“How much did you both bet on..?” garroth asked

“Oh you'll see in a couple weeks” Zane said smirking

“But if you do want to take it slow than yeah it’s best to take it slow rushing isn’t going to take you anywhere,try hanging out with him one to one alone maybe somewhere a park cafe anything really”

Zane advised and that wasn’t a bad idea at all really and it wouldn’t rise suspicion but would let him built up the courage to ask

Yea that’s what he’ll do. he can ask Laurance tomorrow maybe if he’s feeling any better

_________________

As lucinda walk around the streets she felt something

An aura, no a presence

An out of place presence. Something feels off of this presence but it also felt so welcoming and familiar yet so unfamiliar to her

Was it just her imagining it?

No you can’t imagine an aura or an unfamiliar presence it’s just not possible

And yet she’s lived so long that she forgot so many familiar warm presence

It was truly upsetting. But she can’t turn back time, can she now?

Something pulled her out her mind the air it was colder and the white clouds were gray and the wind has started to blow her hair into her face

Leaving lucinda to go inside

Chapter Text

Travis stared at himself in the mirror trying to remember something anything, but nothing his head was pounding, and his body was aching when he woke up and it didn’t help he was out of breath.

It wasn’t a nice feeling at all

But

It was the uncomfortable feeling of hollowness under his skin, like a piece of him was missing.

Travis stare himself in the mirror trying to find something missing

There were flashes of another man, white hair emerald green eyes, dressed in a black coat with a scarf wrapped around his neck with fingerless gloves

It was as if he was looking at himself just another time in another era of this society they live in. it can be true, no such accusation would be put aside cuz it sounds ‘crazy’ or ‘impossible’

The impossible has been done, besides crazy? They’ve gone through worse things, reincarnation wouldn’t be so crazy of an accusation

They fought an ancient demon for Enki sake

‘It wouldn't be unbelievable to be a reincarnation of someone from the past. Maybe it’s true maybe it’s not, who’s to speak it isn’t true

Heck for all I knows I could have an alternative version of me where I’m some sort of prince, or a love god or- something

We’re getting off topic’ Travis thought to himself

Travis sighed as he look away from the mirror to his left side before tumbling backwards onto the floor

“DANTE! You can’t scare me like that!! How long have you been there?” Travis asked Dante as he push himself off the floor

“I just got home like 5 minutes ago Trav, you were zoning out so I wanted to see how long it’d take you to realize and I’ve been here for 2 minutes” Dante said sitting on a wooden stool he’d dragged from down stairs

“Why did you bring a stool up here? Couldn’t you have just sat on my bed?” Travis asked looking at Dante a bit confused

“I could’ve done that…but I didn’t think about that” Dante said a bit skeptical on why he didn’t just sit on the bed

But instead he goes down stairs pick up a stool from the kitchen Drag it up stairs and drag it across the hall a bit to Travis room

He should’ve thought of that. But he didn’t

“Eh doesn’t matter” Travis said, shrugging it off “anyways what’s up?”

“Oh right I came up here for a reason! Uh I brought home lunch it’s burgers they didn’t have tacos at cold dice” Dante said shifting his pose

“Awe, well burger will do, I can cook tonight. Believe it or not I’ve improved in cooking” Travis said giving Dante smile as the two walk down the stairs

But Travis realized that Dante said ‘lunch’ was he zoned out for that long? He could’ve sworn the sun was just coming up a moment ago

Weird…

_____________________

As Lucinda steps into her house the aura shifted, it was cold and powerful there was many things off putting about said aura, it was oddly faded and far from her which had been quite interesting

Lucinda wanted to know where this aura comes from she wanted so badly to know

So she went around looking but found nothing of use in her house. Nothing that would admit this aura

Which is most likely a person and not an object since there is a strong pull to the aura itself

Lucinda walked over to her window, closing the blinds turning around and letting out a sigh
“ I don’t know where this aura comes from but it feels familiar right uwu?” Lucinda asked her companion “oh who am I kidding you wouldn't know it was millennials ago” Lucinda said walking away from her window

“But then again, the aura feels descently new so maybe deja vu” Lucinda said to herself unlocking her potion brewery lab

“I have a long night ahead of me” Lucinda said closing shut the door to her brewery

“But It’ll be for a good reason”

Lucinda slipped on a pair of goggles strapping them onto her head

_______________

“I know big brother, see you soon”

Vylad hung up.

he’d had gotten of a call with his older brother checking up on him and catching up with him and all brotherly stuff

It was always nice when his older brothers do that. It's always been a sense of comfort for him.

Well at least for a bit it was until the bet thing came up. Now he owes Zane big time…Hooray..!

___________

Meanwhile with the shadow knights

“I think we did something wrong” Gene said as the light shined in his face

“You think?” sasha said in a sarcastic tone of voice “Gene you burnt down our kitchen” sasha says pointing out the burning parts of the kitchen with Zenix panicking with a fire extinguisher

“I can see where I went wrong”

Sasha raised an eyebrow at Gene “really? Cuz you also almost broke a laptop that I owned just because it was lagging a bit."

Gene looked sasha for a moment before cursing under his breath

______________

“Thanks for lunch Dante” Travis said to Dante as Dante stood up “yeah no problem man” Dante said before going up the stairs leaving Travis alone

But was he alone? Maybe maybe not. He doesn’t feel alone but he’s alone

Travis looked around the room trying to find anyone but nothing there was no one else in the room with him.

Travis looked over to the clock. ‘ 2;34 pm. ‘ He should head to the old office he had needed to grab some things from there

Travis went up to his room taking five folded cardboard box to take with him with a bag of his own to grab anything smaller

Getting a ride to an old office.

_____________

Travis pulled out a keychain that has multiple different keys attached to it. Travis fiddled the keys attached trying to find the one that would unlock the office building
Travis found an oxidized dark green copper key hidden in between the other keys fitting the key in and turning it until he heard a click sound

Pushing the door following its motion inside the office

A dark room filled with many boxes and an unsettling feeling.

That feeling lingers as Travis went in further,It may have just been his mind messing with him, but; it just felt like something was. Wrong

Everything felt off, like the oddly cold temperature even with the sun shining bright outside as if it can set fire on a piece of paper. It was hot out there but there was a cold breeze in the room

But something came over him, it felt like someone was there with him. A spirit maybe like ghost? Who knows, maybe his mind was playing games with him once more. But the aura he felt says otherwise

It was just something. Or someone. It felt familiar. Yet so unfamiliar to Travis

He couldn't quite get a grip on it before he heard a crash from another part of the office.

The sudden noise made him jump, and look over to it’s direction trying to decide to go or not

And he goes hoping for the best that is not death.

…
..
.

________

…
..
.

Laurance had been locked away in his room since morning not feeling like interacting with his two other roommates due to the conversation he overheard yesterday.

He wasn’t supposed to even hear it. Why was he still so hurt? It wasn’t a big deal, he shouldn’t be upset over something so small, but it still hurt. He doesn’t understand why.

…

Why does it hurt so bad to think about? It’s not like he had a chance.

.
.
.

But it still hurts knowing that he’ll never be available to be the one he loved for so long.

It was stupid. He hated it!

.

He hated how Garroth has messy goldenish hair

He hated how Garroth would gently wake him up

He hated how Garroth would hold him when he falls

He hated how Garroth has crooked spiky tooth

He hated how Garroth softly speak when he’s excited

He hated how Garroth would softly snore when he has him around

He hated how Garroth’s ear would perk up everytime he comes home

He hated how Garroth…

He…

He hated how Garroth can brighten his day just by being there

He hated how Garroth would go along with his flirts

He hated how Garroth always cared for him

He hated how Garroth would take care of him when he fell sick.

..

He really Hate’s Garroth.

But why does he know every single thing he loves..?

It was weird, he shouldn't feel this way. It was selfish, Garroth loves someone else. That someone that isn’t him..

But.

Even then.

He just wants to see Garroth happy. That’s all he cared about. the love of his life to be happy, even if it means not being with him.

He just wants to see him smile.

Which is why he should get out of his room, Garroth might be worried for him, he’s refused breakfast and refused to come out of his room

_____

. . .

. .

.

Laurance walked down the stairs to find no one there. He knew it was quiet in the house, a bit too quiet but he still didn't check

He sighed and walked over to the fridge, finding a note. It reads

'Hey Laurance! Me and Zane had to run to an aren. We'll be back by 5:46 pm there's leftovers in the fridge don't burn the house without me <3 and stay safe

Hope you read this !

From your one and only. love, Garroth <3'

Laurance smiled at the note, it was written with splotchy blue pen, With a cursive like hand writing

Garroth was always so caring and kind. Maybe even too kind for his own good at times, but that's just one of the reasons Laurance fell for him.

He was truly enough sugar for him<3

____

Travis stood in the room alone.

There was no one there and yet he heard a crash from here. It had seem like some things were knocked over, but most likely from lost of balance since many that fell was in a Stacks

But something told him there was something else. Or someone else, the aura didn't leave it was stronger

Maybe it wasn't even an aura, it felt like a strong power was pulling him closer. It felt weird

Almost unsettling

Travis jumped once he turned around, it was something he didn't understand.

A second ago no one stood there but now he sees a white hair man with a black cardigan thrown over his shoulder with a fluffy scarf around his neck, meditating on the floor

Travis looked puzzled for a moment as if it wasn't even real, but then again reincarnations are most likely real. So this can be a past him?

It sounded insane but hey, some of the fought an ancient demon how insane was it to think reincarnations are real?

But even then, how is he seeing him? And why here of all places

The man opened his eyes looking up till they met eyes, the man has soft lime eyes instead of that emerald green eyes he has

They stared at each other in silence, "you can see me?" The man asked in a low tone of voice

Travis was confused but it seemed right "yes, I can." He said looking at the man as he stood up "who are you?" Travis asked as the man looked at him

The man chuckled " I'm you just at another point in time" he said walking past Travis.

Travis turned his head, attention attached to the older version of himself "how can I see you?" Travis asked as the man picked up a small box.

The box was a shade of ice blue, it didn't fit in with the many other boxes. "Contentions" the man said carrying the box over

Before giving it to Travis. He was confused on how he was able to touch it or even hold it but doesn't question any further

"I don't understand?" Travis said looking at his older self "it's quite simple. We both are connected by magic waves that flow through both our generation bloods" the older figure said

"What is the box for? And how come I can hold it?" Travis asked the older figure

With a hum the figure said "well it's a gift, something I once held that I now pass down to you" The figure said setting a hand on Travis's shoulder

"What is it?" Travis asked looking at the figure "you will know soon. But all you need to know for now is that the box holds value of something irreplaceable" the man said

"How come I've never seen you?" The younger man asked "well. I've never gone far from where my recil lies" the older man said looking at the box

Travis looked down at the box and back at the other man eyes wide "wait. Are you like a ghost?" The younger man asked

And the other nodded "you can say that, with absorbing my relic we would share a mindset where I can take control of the body that holds my relic at times they're willing to give control " the figure explained

"Huh. Interesting.." Travis said opening the box within it was a book and three tiny jewelry bags, two glowed a light green, and the other with nothing

"You said your relic. But there's two glowing bags?" The younger figure said "well one is mine the other is enki's" the man said casually

Travis closed the box and put the things inside it in the bag he had brought.

_____

"I'm so confused right now…-" Dante said as he watched Gene kicking his dishwasher

"Don't be he's just mad our dishwasher isn't working" Zenix said snickering as he was behind this

"Hey, has anyone seen my phone? I need to call my cousin. Like I really need to call him" Sasha said looking around the room for an answer

"Wait, when did you have cousins?!" Gene yelled out from the kitchen but he continues to kick the dishwasher until it will work which is not going to work

"I only have one cousin. Never really mentioned them since I just found out a year or so ago, we had more in common than I thought so we kept in contact" Sasha explained

"Now, have any of you seen my phone or not?" The three shook their head "dammit waste of time I'll just ring my phone up with my other phone" Sasha said going up stairs

"How come she's rich enough to have a second phone???" Zenix asked with Gene just shrugging

______

After ordering Garroth sat down at their table with Zane in front of him. "So.. What is this about?" Garroth asked Zane as he sat in the cafe's environment

Zane looked at Garroth for a moment before sighing “well, since we had that talk last night. I’ve been brainstorming some ideas, you did say you wanna try to maybe try to bring Laurance to someplace special..well”

Zane stopped for a moment as if he was waiting for something before speaking again “well, I may have stalked around his instgram to find his bucket list accidentally found his bucket list while scrolling on instagram. It was back from highschool he posted it, pretty sure there is still one specific place he hadn’t gone to eve now”

Garroth listened while Zane spoke intrigued of what place Zane spoke of “the palace back then was called Phoenix Garden. Now it’s called ‘Deveined phoenix Nature’ I found it’s instagram of the place and it was absolutely beautiful. Might just take Aph there on a weekend” Zane said with Garroth’s eye sparkling with what information Zane just said

“So. what do you think?” Zane asked Garroth, snapping him out of his mind “well.. I’d need to ask Laurance on a date first and I don’t know how I should do it” Garroth said to Zane

Zane hummed “well. You can be straightforward and ask him directly, or do it with any oblivious way you have in mind? It's not my place to plan out how you ask him out I only with finding places for dates” Zane said taking a sip from his latte

“I think I know how to ask him out..” Garroth said letting a smile slid onto his face catching Zane’s attention with curiosity

_____

Laurance sat on the couch laptop open with heated up leftovers most likely made by Zane. he can’t lie, it was actually a really nice mac and cheese and not rubber textured at all which was a surprise in itself honestly

The cheese was melty, and what made it easier was the fact that Zane left instructions on how properly heat it up step by step instructions which was a most definitely something needed

Laurance heard a car stop just in front of their house. Laurance looked at the time and back at the car. Garroth and Zane stepped out, it was a lot earlier then when Garroth said they’d come home

Laurance put the bowl he used into the sink and going back on the couch, turning to the dorr as it opened “oh, you guys came back earlier” laurance said observing the two “oh yeah, the eran was actually cut short” Garroth explained

Before Laurance said something else Garroth spoke again “if you need me I’ll be in my room” Garroth said speeding up the stairs. It made Laurance worried. Did something happen? Garroth was acting different

Laurance turned to Zane and saw him once he looked over to the kitchen unloading some stuff. Laurence closed his laptop and picking it up taking it up to his room before closing the door behind him and set his laptop on his bed

Chapter Text

The place was a void just black hole where there stood two figures both with snow White hair, both facing each other sitting in the black void of nothingness

"You know..this is actually peaceful" the younger man said "Mediation is always a lead to calm" the older man said

"Maybe taking that relic without a thought was a good idea.." Travis said looking up at the other him

The other let out a laugh with the other's statement "but do know, with a relic comes power. And I held many of my own that may just end up in your hands"

The older man said looking at his younger self with the younger nodding in understanding

" once they develop in you, I will try my best to train you to use these powers with ease, so no incidents happen" the older man said trying to comfort the younger man

" I am looking forward to it" said Travis and void faded back to him alone in his bedroom

Travis sighed and looked around him, he felt like he's seeing everything with new eyes. What he didn't know is that the statement was much more true then he would expect

Travis heard a notification come from his phone picking it up to see a text from Aphmau on his home screen

'Hey Travis! I've been meaning to ask if you wanted to hang out? It's been a bit since we hung out and I'm free today so I wanted to spend it with my not alone buddy!'

The text reads, it made Travis smile knowing that aphmau wanted to hang out. And it has been a while

'Hey aph! I would love to hang out today^^! '

Travis sent back to aphmau. Travis put his phone aside and got some decent clothes he could wear and he did find something decent

A white t-shirt with a lime green cardigan with golden highlights and his hair pulled back in a man bun, with blue jeans that had some flower prints on it

Walking out his room. With Dante out with his brother somewhere Travis has to take the house keys with him, lock the door behind him with him stepping out the house

Aphmau stood In Front of his house and looked at the door as it opened. For a moment she was completely stunned while Travis walked to her

"You okay aph?" He asked looking at aph confused

aph backed away a little which made Travis feel unsettled looking around

"I should be asking if your okay.." aph said looking Travis eyes meeting with a concerned look on her face

Travis tilted his head to the side, confusion filled his thoughts "what do you mean?" He asked

"Have you not seen your eyes?" Aphmau asked looking at Travis puzzled

Travis blinked owlish at aphmau "No? Why.." he looked at aphmau concerned with what she talked about

"Uhm..Travis, your eyes are pinkish lavender " aphmau said pointing at his eyes

Travis couldn't believe what he just heard. He looked down at his hands and started walking back to the shared house with aphmau following behind him

Unlocking the door with aphmau closing it behind him and following him to the bathroom where Travis was staring at himself in the mirror

Eyes filled with disbelief of this new found shade of eyes he never had. Confused of how this even happened.

Aph put a hand on his shoulder softly squeezing it, "we'll figure it out okay?" Aphmau said staring into the mirror

_________

Garroth stared at his ceiling as if it's done something he didn’t like, sighing before he heard a knock on his door. Looking up at his door and getting of his bed as he stepped onto the ground standing up as he walked over to his door

Opening it. There stood his little brother , Zane let himself in as Garroth closed the door behind him taking a seat next to Zane on his bed leaning his head to the side resting on Zane’s shoulder

“You found the tickets?” Zane asked, looking over at his brother, Garroth shook his head. Zane frowned Under the mask trying to comfort his brother. Zane had gotten tickets earlier for him and aphmau but aphmau doesn’t know that

So Zane did the logical thing when your brother is going on a date but can’t find tickets.

“How about you take mine? I Have two tickets to the place I got yesterday, I was going to take aph there but..we can wait, and besides aph wants to go to an amusement park, so you’d need this more than me” Zane sid smiling under his mask with Garroth looking up at him

“Are you sure Zane? You spent your money on the tickets” Garroth said lifting his head from Zane’s shoulder “you can pay me back later” Zane said taking up his backpack and opening the front pockets,

Zane pulled out two paper tickets to the place before handing them to Garroth. “You really didn’t have Zane..” Garroth said looking at Zane “I didn’t have to, i wanted to” Zane said smiling under his mask as Garroth took the tickets out his grip

“Thanks baby brother” Garroth said, pulling Zane into a hug with Zane sighing and hugging Garroth back “anytime big brother” Zane said under his breath

___________

Aphmau paced back and forth in Travis’s room with Travis’s gaze following her movement as she continue to pace around the room as he sat on his bed

“There’s nothing! We're at another dead end!” she groaned as she continued to pace in front of him. They’ve been trying to find anything that can connect to this, but there’s been nothing at all about this

Causing the range of frustration with aphmau. While Travis has been talking with his inner self of this problem, and they did find a possibility that there’s a strong feeling of magic magnitude

The lavender eyes could be an indentation of it even tho his past self would have become another form this could be his version of feeling a magic aura or magnitude, he also mention it most is affected by strong black magic

Which had been off putting at first, even then he tried to explain to aphmau but she pushed it down as she continue to research “we’re not hitting a dead end” travis said with aphmau turning to him

“I’ve been trying to say that I know what caused this” Travis said looking eye to eye into the caramel orange eyes of the woman, aphmau sighed and sat next to him

“Sorry I didn’t hear you out, it’s just..I felt like I had to do more than what i last did..” she said resting her head on the man’s shoulder

“You don’t need to apologize,none of this was mine or yours of all people you should know that, just because you weren’t strong enough doesn’t mean it was your fault.” slice filled the room as Travis stopped talking

“But..what if it was my fault?” she asked looking across the room at her reflection “what if I could’ve done more..?” she gripped her hand into a fist

“You tried your best didn’t you?” Travis asked, aphmau nodded. She did her best yet still failed.. “If you’ve done your best, then you've done your best. Doing your best doesn’t always mean you’ll win, but a light will shine eventually with hope”

Aphmau looked up at the man, ‘when did you get wise?’ she asked herself as she stared at the man “I guess..” she said falling back onto the bed

“What conclusion did you get?” aphmau asked Travis. He hummed

“well,I Remember reading something about strong magic magnitude, and how it can affect demons, warlock, witches, and other magical beings, how it affects demons are by changing their form or a certain parts, like for example the eye’ he said pointing at his own eyes

Aphmau shot back up from the lying position. Looking at Travis disbelief washing over her face “when did you become enki?” she said in a joking manner

Travis chuckled with her.

______

Laurance laid on his bed scrolling through his phone. He heard a sudden knock on his door. Well at least he knows it’s not Garroth. He would have just busted down his door instead of knocking

Laurance sighed, putting his phone aside, standing up and opening the door to find..no one? Huh, odd. He looked around and looked down to find a note?

It had neat hand writing in purple ink. Laurence picked up the not reading the cursive letters

‘Meet me at the downtown cat cafe.’

Laurance was curious of who this was. He look around the house to only find a note left my garroth in the same messy blue ink

‘ Hey laurance! Me and Zane had to get groceries and were also most out of everything! Be back soon. ;p ‘

He hated that stupid face Garroth always put, but yet he loves it’.

___

Laurance got dressed not in something really fancy. But something suited for going outside

A blue jacket thrown over his shoulder with a plain white shirt under the jacket with white jeans.

Laurance took a taxi to the place.

In the entry he noticed how nice the place was. And apparently he had a reservation? If someone wanted to talk to him they could’ve simply just talked and not go to some expensive place

Laurance sat down at ‘his’ table looking across to find a note. Well it was more like an envelope, on the outside it read

‘Enjoy yourself. Meet me outside when you’re done’

Now he was confused, it was odd

Laurance only got a few things before leaving. He looked around, he saw someone under a tree leaning on it. That was most likely the person..

Laurance sighed and approached the figure, the figure looked up at him as he walked over.

This is where he dies, he thought

The person had another envelope and was fiddling with it nervously. The nervous motion was almost familiar…

Laurance stood in front of the person before being met with the same saphier ocean blue eyes. Laurance’s eyes widen at the sights of Garroth

“What are you doing here?!” Laurance asked, shouting in an instant panic, but Garroth stayed silent before sighing “Laurance..I.I need to ask you something” Garroth said nervously looking down at the ground trying to hide the fact his face was pinkish red

Laurance’s heart beated faster as he heard Garroth speak. Did something happen, is he kicking him out?! What the hell was happening?! Every bad thoughts rushed through his head as sees Garrroth grip the envelope thigher

“Laurance..” he heard Garroth said slowly. Oh here it comes, Garroth hates him doesn’t he? “..Laurance..will you..go on a date..with me..” Garroth asked gripping the envelope

Just those words alone almost made Laurance collapse onto the cold concrete, was..was he dreaming? Was Garroth actually asking him the question that he had always wanted to hear..?

This can’t be real..was it..

“Garroth..pinch my arm” Laurance said looking at garroth. Garroth looked up at Laurance confused but obligated pinching LAurance on his arm

And it hurts..it actually hurts..Laurance could feel tears forming in his eyes as he smiled before wiping them away, he stepped closer hugging Garroth, before Garroth quickly hugging him back

“I would love to go on a Date with you” Laurance whispered in Garroth’s ear. He couldn’t believe it, after so long. It was actually becoming true..it was true..he doesn’t have to fake it..it was actually true..

He can’t even believe it..it was becoming true..

He loves Garroth..

..

From afar stood Zane smiling under his mask at the scene. Sure maybe he wasn't for romance,but that doesn’t mean he can’t support his brother right?

Chapter Text

The moonlight shone in the love birds face, they sat on a bench late at night with their arms around each other pulling the two close together, their faces highlighted with a smile. The brunette leaned onto the blonde's shoulder letting his head rest as the blonde ran his hand through the soft brunette hair as he hummed a tune

The brunette looked up and was met with a pair of gorgeous eyes that matched his own. The brunette smiled at the thought of this being real. Everything felt like a dream, not even real almost

But this was reality. It was truly a dream come true, and that's something that doesn't happen everyday, but experiencing it first hand. Was something that Laurance couldn't have never dreamt of

Laurence could feel the tears in his eyes, the warm feeling wrapping his heart with the feeling of Garroth close to him made him feel safe.

It feels like they're finally getting back the bond they once lost, and it felt comforting to know. That, no matter how far away or how long they've been apart they'll always find their way back to each other

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Travis didn't feel like himself, it felt off. It really did, just remembering the things he found at his dad's place, the logs, the research. And the albums everything was just, a mess in itself

The gifts from over the years made sense, the amount of emeralds. Why he could never see his own pictures as a child, why Terry had mood swings. everything lined into place, in a way he would've never imagined.

Tears felt his eyes turning his vision blurry. He wished that things were different, he wished that none of this happened, he wished that he could've spent more time with his dad, and he wished he knew of the memories taken from him.

But one can only wish

None of it could be stopped, but it can be fixed. Broken things can always be fixed, but it wasn't an object you could just glue back together. It was a lie that went on for years until the lie stopped

The lie hurt many, and even taking away the priceless life of others that didn't deserve it, everything felt like a mess. Nothing felt complete like it's just some unfinished puzzle

The way those potions were made and tested on others were messed up. But he was a child, he didn't know better, he doesn't even remember much, no. All he can think was to get what he wanted from his father, love and attention

Travis closed his eyes attempting to doze off into a peaceful sleep letting go of his worries, but instead he tossed and turned till midnight had striked. The house was silent as it could be, he could hear the voices clearly as they were talking. They spoke in an ancient language one Travis had mastered years before

After a while the voices stopped only becoming whispers of the night, he thought he'd finally slept once the voice stopped. But the next thing he knew was that he was in a void one like the one he visited before, taking that into count he sighed

Then he felt cold air against his skin. A figure of fog had started to form, one familiar the figure stood in Front of him as if he was looking at him

Travis felt his hand clamp into a fist anger washing over him as the shadow spoke "Greetings, Travis" the shadow saud stepping closer "why are you here? What am I doing here!?" The man shouted

The shadow stood and observed "you know anger won't help you" the shadow spoke before continuing "you can't escape from yourself for forever valkrum" said the shadow taking another step closer

"You're not me!" Travis shouted, his eyes flashing of its emerald green. "How would you know? You're nothing but a potion built up persona" the shadow stepped closer with everything sentence, but he couldn't move, Travis was stuck paralyzed in his place

"So what? At least I know how to act human!" The shadow chuckled as Travis had just said something stupid "anyone can act human if they tried hard enough" Travis stared at the shadow as it got closer to him. "You're nothing but a waste of air of the valkrum heir, you're nothing!"

"I am something! I've always tried my best to keep those around me safe, I'm always trying to keep others safety before my own! And I don't care what you say! What I have been doing for years, Caring for others, having fond memories of them and overcoming hard obstacles is what makes me human! And what you say doesn't matter!" The shadow stopped

"Then prove it." Said the shadow, "huh?" Travis said confused "Prove your worth valkrum. He's counting on it" the shadow spears into the fog as the fog lingered around him, with a strong pain it strikes suddenly. Travis's vision blurred as he fell

Dante put a pan on the stove ready to make the pancakes he had promised Travis to make, as he was about to turn the stove on, he heard a loud shattering sound from upstairs, the noise goes over Dante's mind before he panicked and ran upstairs

He swung the door open to Travis's room, Travis was panting, tears stain on his cheeks with his eyes shut, Dante ran to Travis's side placing a hand on his shoulder "hey,hey hey breath" Dante said

Travis tried his best to breath properly but struggled, Dante guided Travis to sit once his breathing took on a much normal pattern "what happened? Why is your hand bleeding?" Dante asked taking Travis's hand into his own

Travis looked down ashamed of himself, Dante walked behind Travis to his bathroom before coming back out with a first aid kit. "You don't need to tell me, I just wanna know you're okay" Dante said taking the cotton and started to whip the blood away

Dante noticed shards of glass embedded into Travis's skin, he looked up at the mirror finding it broken, Dante took out tweezers and started to take out each shards carefully while cleaning the wounds and scratches

Dante slid his finger on the wound before bandaging it, Dante looked at Travis and hugged him, he still had his eyes shut but that didn't matter. Travis hugged Dante thighly as if he was holding on for dear life which had pained Dante to think that Travis truly was holding on for dear life

After everything that happened with everyone, he just wants an ending, a happy ending where everyone can live their life with the one they love. But not every story end with a happy ending many endings fall with sacrifice and injuries, Dante just wished he had been there to help the others, he knows basic combat and could've been of help instead of stuck at home not even being able to help only watch

He just wishes he could have done more, but what's done is done, it can't be undone. Dante hugged Travis thighly as the two didn't speak a word to each other and just let the two rest leaving breakfast for later

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Meanwhile with Zane, he was on a call with Vylad. They spoke of moving into a house down the street on lovers lane, Vylad had lost the bet and as the signed paperwork stated, 'even if years later this bet shall go to the grave' which had meant that Vylad and Zane were moving into the same house

Zane had decided that Vylad was too far out in the city and needed to be closer, but Vylad didn't mind at all; he had been planning to move somewhere, he just hadn't known where to move. So when Zane brought up about moving into a house near the same street as the others Vylad had jumped on the idea and listened

Zane was someone you could sincerely trust when it came to managing money and counting equals, well most times at least you can trust him with it. But he will treat you as equal if you treat him the same way

And moving in with Zane comes with a pro of being driven to work since they worked at the same company and take shifts near each other's hours, and that had actually driven them closer than ever. And Vylad was happy to know that he can bond with Zane even if it's over the smallest of things

"Are your things packed?" Vylad asked Zane hummed at the question and looked over at his piled up box "yea I have, and you?" Zane shot back at Vylad. Vylad looked over to his boxes and suitcase "yea I'd say so, can you pick me up tonight?"

"Sure I can pick you up tonight" Said his brother on the other end of the call "I'll be there by 10" Zane said standing from the couch "Thanks big brother! See ya soon!" Vylad said happily before ending the call, Zane looked at his almost empty room. He just needed to pack some final things then he'll be good to go

Zane started packing the fragile things with a box inside encased with bubble wrap, he made sure to put the things slowly in one wrong move can break them. Zane closet the box but he didn't tape it, he wants to make sure he can check the box every time he needs to incase anything breaks

Zane slowly stood up and looked around his room, Zane quickly grabbed a jacket throwing it over his shoulder and grabbed the keys to his car. Zane locked his room and headed down stairs, Zane stopped at the front door, he shuffled through the shoe piles before finding his own, he quickly put them on and valcrowing the shoes on

While on the way there was traffic, really bad traffic. Zane texted Vylad that he might not be there on time due to the traffic jam, Vylad understood after he had been living in the city for a bit now

Everything was as normal as it could be, well. At least until something odd happened.

Zane looked up to the sky from his skylight than a bright light, he didn't know what it was but it flashed in his eyes blinding him. The next thing he knew was his name being called out to. The voice was familiar, but he couldn't put a finger on it

Red flashed in his eyes as the bright color blinded him once more, Zane felt dizzy and nauseous almost. He had slowly opened his eyes to realize that he was at Vylads apartment

He was confused about how he got here, Vylad came into Zane's sight and sat at the end of the couch "feeling any better?" He asked, before putting his hand to Zane's "yea I feel fine, why?" Zane asked back, Vylad was concerned, Zane could see it in his eyes

"It's just, you passed out and had a bit of a fever when you got here so I took you upstairs to my apartment" he explained, Zane felt a bit concerned himself, he hadn't even remember arriving or having a fever, lasting thing he remembers are the flashing lights in his face and his name being called out to

"Well, I still feel a bit dizzy and slightly nauseous. But that's all" Zane said sitting up "really? I'm surprised, the fever you had a couple hours ago was pretty high. But I am glad it went away fast" Vylad leaning back on the couch before resting his head on Zane's shoulder

"We'll figure it out, it's not like we haven't gone through crazier stuff" Zane made a point as he put a hand over Vylads shoulder, Vylad chuckled at the statement and was slightly reassured that they'll find what caused it

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Gene stood on their back yarp under the tree, his finger colliding on the tree, Sasha stood behind him unnoticed as if she was waiting to be noticed "what are you doing out this late?" Sasha asked Gene had slightly shrieked at her voice"how long have you been standing there?" Gene asked turning around

"30 minutes at least" Sasha said stepping next to Gene, Gene sighed and looked into the forest behind their house "it's weird, the forest seems so familiar even though I've never been in it" Gene said eyes moving around the trees "yea, I get that feeling to" Gene turned to his right raising a brow "what do you mean?" He asked

"It feels like I've navigated that forest and know it like the back of my hand, do you think anyone else feels like this?" Sasha asked locking eyes with Gene, Gene hummed and looked back the at first "you never know, it may not just be us" Gene said

"What are you two doing looking at the forest?" Gene jumped at the voice, Sasha hadn't even reacted to the voice she just seemed unamused. Gene turned around to find Zenix "what is it with people and scaring me tonight, and to answer your question, we feel like we know the force like the back of our hands even though we've never went in to explore the place"

"Huh, so I'm not the only one?" Zenix said, Gene nodded "maybe there's more like us. We'll never know if we don't ask" Gene had pulled out his phone to text Dante to come over

Sasha didn't protest what she did though was pull out her phone and text someone "Who are you texting?" Zenix asked peeking over her shoulder "My cousin" Sasha said in her usual monotone voice, Zenix hummed

"Dante's on his way here" Gene stated "I'm cousin is coming" Sasha said "we finally get to meet this long lost cousin of yours huh Sasha?" Zenix said giggling "you could Say that" they heard the back door open, Dante was with his roommate

"Hey Gene!" Dante greeted standing by his brother's side "Hey Dante, I see you brought a 'friend' " Gene said smiling, Dante slightly nudged Gene embarrassed, Travis had started to talk with Sasha "hey Sasha when is your cousin coming?" Zenix asked "what do you mean? He already is here" Sasha said looking over to Travis