The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room. Alvin stirred, his body cocooned in the warmth of the bed, reluctant to face the day.
The sound of running water ceased, and moments later, Xavier emerged from the bathroom, a towel draped around his neck, droplets of water glistening on his skin.
"Time to wake up," Xavier said, approaching the bed with a smile.
Alvin groaned, burying his face deeper into the pillow. "Five more minutes..."
Without waiting for further protest, Xavier leaned down, slipping his arms beneath Alvin and lifting him effortlessly.
"Hey!" Alvin exclaimed, his eyes snapping open. "Put me down, you brute!"
Xavier chuckled, carrying him towards the bathroom. "You need to freshen up."
Alvin sighed dramatically. "I'm lucky to have such a diligent servant."
Xavier paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Servant, am I?"
He leaned in, capturing Alvin's lips in a gentle bite. "I'm your husband, remember?"
Alvin smirked. "Your behavior isn't much different from a slave's."
Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Careful, or I might just remind you who's in charge."
Alvin laughed, the sound echoing in the tiled bathroom. But beneath the humor, a sense of unease began to creep into his consciousness. His sixth sense, honed through years of magical practice, tingled with a warning.
Downstairs
In the sunlit parlor, Alice sat on a plush armchair, her fingers gently tracing the contours of the bracelet on her wrist—the last tangible memory of Clara.
Though her eyes no longer perceived the world, her other senses had sharpened.
She felt the subtle shift in the air as someone approached and sat beside her.
"You're quiet today," a familiar voice said.
"Jex," Alice responded, turning her head towards him. "You always sneak up on me."
He chuckled, reaching out to pat her head. "You remind me of my younger sister."
Alice's expression softened. "Where is she now?"
Jex's smile faded slightly. "She passed away from cancer when she was just a child."
"I'm sorry," Alice whispered.
He shrugged, a bittersweet smile on his lips. "It's the past. Nothing to worry about now."
They sat in comfortable silence, the weight of shared memories hanging between them.
Suddenly, Jex's gaze was drawn to the sky. A brilliant streak of light tore across the daylight heavens, descending rapidly.
His eyes widened. "That's not a shooting star..."
Luis stood on the terrace, his eyes scanning the horizon.
The fiery object hurtled towards the earth, leaving a trail of smoke and fire in its wake.
His heart raced. This was no ordinary meteorite.
He turned on his heel, sprinting towards the stairs. The others needed to be warned.
-
The scent of eucalyptus and steam filled the air.
The marble bathroom was still clouded with warmth from Xavier's earlier shower, the mirror fogged up, and the cool tiles now kissed by condensation. Alvin stood barefoot on the floor, still groggy and lazily brushing his teeth at the sink.
Xavier, shirtless, towel slung around his shoulders, leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed — watching.
Alvin's sky-blue hair was disheveled, still tangled from sleep, and clung slightly to the back of his neck. He didn't look up. He didn't need to.
"I can feel you ogling me," Alvin muttered around his toothbrush.
Xavier grinned. "What gave it away?"
"You breathe too loudly when you're impressed."
"Oh?" Xavier pushed off the door and stepped closer, slow and sure. "Then maybe you should stop being so impressive."
Alvin rolled his eyes, spat into the sink, and rinsed his mouth. "That line would've worked better if I hadn't just seen you trip on your towel five minutes ago."
"I was distracted," Xavier said, now fully behind him. His arms slid around Alvin's waist, his bare chest pressed lightly against Alvin's back. "You were in bed. Shirtless. Hair all over the pillow."
Alvin's breath caught slightly at the sudden contact, but he covered it well. "Don't flatter me just because I mocked your balance."
"I'm not flattering you," Xavier murmured against the shell of his ear, voice a low rumble. "I'm stating facts."
Alvin glanced at him through the mirror, one delicate brow raised. "You planning to seduce me before breakfast?"
Xavier leaned in further, brushing his lips along the curve of Alvin's ear. "Only if you don't stop me."
Alvin smirked. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're blushing."
Alvin scoffed and turned around in Xavier's arms — only to realize exactly how close they were. His breath stilled for a second. Xavier's eyes were warm, unwavering, and all-consuming in the soft bathroom light.
For a long, charged moment, they said nothing.
Then Xavier cupped Alvin's face gently, thumbs brushing just under his cheekbones. "Every time I think I've gotten used to you… you look at me like that."
Alvin blinked. "Like what?"
"Like I matter."
Alvin's sarcastic reply died in his throat.
He tried to look away, but Xavier caught his chin. "You've been alone for too long. I want to change that."
Alvin's voice softened. "You're already doing it."
The kiss that followed was slow, deliberate. Their lips moved together like a quiet conversation, a promise exchanged in silence. It wasn't rushed. It wasn't wild.
When they finally pulled apart, Alvin's hand slid up to Xavier's shoulder, lingering there. "You're dangerously good at this."
"I'm just trying to match my husband's standards."
Alvin chuckled. "High praise."
"I'm aiming for full devotion."
They drifted out of the bathroom, Xavier's hand still clasped loosely around Alvin's. The bedroom was still dim with morning haze, the curtains not yet drawn. Their bed, rumpled and warm, seemed to call them back.
Alvin sat on the edge of the mattress, running his fingers through his damp hair. Xavier followed, kneeling beside him.
"I can't decide if I want to kiss you again or throw you back in bed."
Alvin tilted his head. "Why not both?"
Xavier leaned forward, lips brushing Alvin's again, and deepened the kiss. This time, the tension unfurled — sweet and addictive. Alvin sighed into it, his fingers curling in the front of Xavier's shirt.
Just as Xavier was lifting him gently into his lap, there was a knock.
Three short, polite knocks.
Alvin froze. Xavier groaned against his shoulder.
"Don't," Alvin warned, breathless.
"I wasn't going to."
Another knock. Then a muffled voice. "Xavier? Dad wants to ask if you—"
"Not now!" Xavier barked toward the door, not even opening his eyes.
The voice paused, then vanished. Footsteps retreated.
Alvin blinked. "Did you just tell someone off mid-kiss?"
Xavier smiled, eyes still half-lidded. "Of course. Priorities."
Alvin stared at him for a moment, then laughed — a real, full laugh, echoing into the room.
"You're really in love with me, huh?"
Xavier's gaze was deadly serious. "Hopelessly."
Alvin kissed him again, hand pressed to his cheek. "Good. Then you're mine."