Chapter Text
Rain hammered against the pavement as he jogged down the street. The clouds ejaculating clear blue liquid all over.
"Tch, which way was it again" Wise said as he looked around the street signs until he senses his phone vibrating.
HOBGOBLIN: WHERE tf u at??? Moms makin me stand in the rain waiting for your dumb ahh.
❤️Wise❤️: I'm coming! I'm a little lost but I'll be there soon Belle.
HOBGOBLIN: fine. Don't make me wait too long. We miss you. I miss you.
He let out a long sigh. "This is the worst."
?????: "Well Well Well. What do we have a here? A lost puppy shuffling around the rain?" A stranger proclaimed with a confident smirk under her umbrella.
"Um, I don't really get what you said," he replied awkwardly. "B-But are you local here by any chance? I was hoping you could help me... Do you know where 6th street is at? I used up all data and I'm not good with directions. Besides… I’m getting soaked out here."
?????: "How pathetic for a guy your age. Don't you even own a umbrella?" The stranger scoffed. "Whatever. Guess you're lucky I'm feeling generous tonight. Go straight down this road and take two rights. You can't miss it Mongrel."
"Thank you," Wise said gratefully. He started to head down the road before stopping and glancing back over his shoulder. "Oh before I go... what's your name?"
She crossed her arms and looked away. "... It's Shukensha. Now hurry up and get going before you get even more pathetic."
The rain continued to pour long after he disappeared down the street.
---------------------Some time later----------------------
A lone bluenette stood beneath the dim glow of a streetlight, rain pattering against the pavement around her.
Water dripped from her hair, but she didn’t seem to care.
"Seriously... how do you get lost on the same street every time?" she muttered under her breath.
A series of hurried footsteps splashed through the puddles nearby.
She glanced up just in time to see a familiar figure running toward her, completely soaked in the weather's juices. In a way that looks almost indecent if she didn't already know it was just her idiot brother. Though, for a moment, she couldn't deny her pulse had quickened.
"Finally! You made it," she said, shaking her head.
"Yeah... sorry, I got lost again," he admitted, dripping wet.
"Figures," she muttered, rolling her eyes, "you really can't find your way anywhere, can you?"
“Well, it’s been a few years since I last came here. And wow… they’ve really been busy with all this construction.” Wise said as he looked as his surroundings.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Come on, let's get inside before you catch a cold."
He laughed nervously. "Yeah, let's go."
They ran the last few steps to the front door, shaking off the rain and stepping into the warm, familiar house.
The door closed behind them, shutting out the rain. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and hugged him tightly.
"I can't believe you're really back," she whispered.
He returned the hug in earnest. "Me neither... it feels good to be home."
"Man, you're completely drenched," she said, stepping back and wringing her hair out of her face.
"I... guess I underestimated the rain," he admitted.
He ran a hand through his wet hair, with water dripping onto his shoulders. She blinked, feeling an odd little flutter in her chest. Focus... it's just him, she scolded herself quietly.
"Seriously, you need a raincoat next time," she muttered, rolling her eyes. But a small smile tugged at her lips.
Before he could reply, a cheerful voice called from the kitchen.
"Finally! My baby is home!"
Carole Arna appeared in the doorway, arms wide, eyes sparkling. "Come here!"
Without waiting or warning, she pulled them both into a warm tight hug, ruffling his wet hair. "Look at you two all soaked. Let me warm up the hot chocolate right this instant."
Belle pulled back, crossing her arms and pouting. "It's your fault I'm soaked! You told me to wait for him outside!"
Carole chuckled. "Not my fault my idiot daughter didn't use a umbrella," she said, ruffling Belle's hair affectionately. "Now come on, both of you, let's get you two warmed up."
Carole led them through the nostalgic hallway, the smell of cocoa already filling the air.
"Come on, sit down before your hot chocolate gets cold," their mom urged, ushering them onto the kitchen table. Belle yeeted onto the chair with a dramatic sigh, while Wise pulled out the chair opposite her.
Carole poured her sweet, creamy nectar of chocolate full of a mothers love into the mugs, letting it swirl slowly and glisten under the kitchen light, before she leaned slightly closer to pass them to her children. "So, Wise," she said, a playful warmth in her voice, "how's life at college? Research going well?"
Wise took a careful sip before answering. "It's been busy. Classes, projects, labs... but good. I've been learning a lot, and I'm hoping to start helping out as a TA at your high school this year, Belle."
Belle nearly choked on her cocoa. The hot liquid coating and warming the insides of her throat. Eye's widening. "Wait-what? You a TA? At my SCHOOL?" Belle yelled in bewilderment.
"Yeah," Wise said, trying not to grin. "I'll be helping with some classes, and research on the side. Shouldn't interfere too much with you I hope." Wise said bashfully.
Belle crossed her arms. "Great. So now I have to deal with you telling me I'm doing everything and wrong and being my brother-slash-teacher?! You better not embarrass me bro or else!" The Hobgoblin said with a slight growl in her voice.
Carole laughed, setting her mug on the table. "Don't worry, you'll survive Belle. And Wise, I'm so proud of you. You've grown up so much. Everyday, you remind me more and more of your father. He would've been so proud." Carole said with a slight longing in her voice while ruffling his hair affectionately. She sighs and whispers "So much like him."
"Anyways, we have so much to catch up on," Carole said as her happy side switched back on. "I want to hear everything! From college life to what you've been doing at school."
Outside, the rain continued to patter against the windows. A small distraction from family reunion.
And yet... Belle couldn't shake the thought that having her brother as a TA might make the upcoming school year very interesting.