𝓣𝔀𝓲𝓷 𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

The months gradually faded into each other. The weather was getting warmer and the moods of the two boys, or at least Kohaku's mood, was certainly starting to lift.

While Leehan was almost always cooped up in his room working on art commissions, ones that he never spoke to anyone about, Kohaku was out looking for a job. Despite nothing happening yet, he didn't let that dampen his spirits.

Barista, cashier, library assistant, at this point he wouldn't be picky about where he ended up. But time was getting on, what if no one would take him on?

For now though he shakes that thought away and makes his way back to the apartment. The sun cast an orange red in the sky as it began to dip over the horizon. He'd have to annoy Leehan when he gets home to see if he can help with his resume... if he'll even come out of his room. Maybe he should bribe him with a treat?

Alura would teach in the bag and pull out a small pack of powdered donuts, her favorite. Golden eyes that slightly illuminated in the dark would finally look up at him. She’d notice the way his ears shifted and would give a small half smile- forced. She always thought it was so cute, how easy he was to read but would never admit to it.

“This time of year is just.. hard for me.” Alura didn’t want to say it but her birthday was coming up. Now it wasn’t like it was never celebrated growing up but it made her miss her mom and brother. Though, she didn’t want to admit to him exactly why it brought her down- Alura had become more honest in letting him understand what went on in her little world. “I just miss my family is all.” It’d be the first mention of anything surrounding her family. Alura couldn’t remember if she had mentioned that they had passed away or not- it wasn’t something she liked to speak of.

Her eyes would widen slightly as she watched the smile spread across his perfect features. His golden eyes meeting hers and for a moment, she only could focus on him. Her heart fluttered after the pause, ‘a lot’. Just like her, it wasn’t a love confession or some grand gesture of affection but it was clear that they both knew what the other meant. When he stepped forward, she’d twitch slightly but again, no where to run. His hand would reach up and grab hers, pulling it away from her mouth so her face was completely exposed. The soft circles he drew against soft skin would ground her into the moment. Her eyes wouldn’t leave his face- drifting down to his lips, then back up to his eyes as if searching for something.

Her head would tilt slightly at his joke about a fire extinguisher. Alura knew it wouldn’t stand a chance against her but the gesture was still very sweet and silly. The tension would ease slightly between them and a small polite grin would pull at her lips. “Yeah, I’ll try.”

“For you.”

Her tone was light but sincere- there was a hint of something more than just kindness. Love. Alura agreed easily, there honestly wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for Felix anymore. Now that he’s told her he likes her and that he wants her around? It felt like a door opening to a new world that felt like home.

That night Alura would take a shower and wear one of Felix’s shirts, since she still didn’t keep many clothes on her and the ones she did have were dirty. After a nice meal that he had made personally for her and now that she was in a fresh change of clothes, it was hard not to relax. Curled up in his bed, in the soft clean sheets that smelled freshly of laundry softener- it didn’t take long at all for her to fall asleep. There was no anxiety and no attempt to try and fight it, she simply just rested.

The next morning Alura would sleep in a good amount. For someone that was usually an early riser, she sure slept past the sun coming up. A small whine would escape her as she stirred awake- her body sore from the amount of walking she had done and her throat slightly sore. Now, Alura wasn’t prone to getting sick- most viruses not being able to withstand the natural high body temperature she possessed but, that didn’t mean she was immune to similar symptoms- especially with how worn down her body was. Finally being able to relax, the flight or fight mode began to vanish which only revealed her true state of being.

She’d slowly sit up, leaning forward and letting out a few coughs. Her eyes looking around the familiar room she had stayed in many times but this time, there was a moment of relief when she realized that she’d never have to worry about it being a memory. This was it. What little life her and Felix could build together was something so uncertain to her. They weren’t exactly just friends were they? But it wasn’t like they were dating.. another cough pulled her away from those thought and she’d shake her head.

The months gradually faded into each other. The weather was getting warmer and the moods of the two boys, or at least Kohaku's mood, was certainly starting to lift.

While Leehan was almost always cooped up in his room working on art commissions, ones that he never spoke to anyone about, Kohaku was out looking for a job. Despite nothing happening yet, he didn't let that dampen his spirits.

Barista, cashier, library assistant, at this point he wouldn't be picky about where he ended up. But time was getting on, what if no one would take him on?

For now though he shakes that thought away and makes his way back to the apartment. The sun cast an orange red in the sky as it began to dip over the horizon. He'd have to annoy Leehan when he gets home to see if he can help with his resume... if he'll even come out of his room. Maybe he should bribe him with a treat?

Alura would continue hanging up her coat and putting her things where they belong, making sure to always pick up after herself and leave little trace she existed. As he got up she’d watch him, still keeping her voice down incase Leehan had fallen asleep. As he stopped her lips would part slightly- ready to answer before shutting and spreading into a thin line. She didn’t reply right away but he could tell by the slight hesitation that something was wrong.

The months gradually faded into each other. The weather was getting warmer and the moods of the two boys, or at least Kohaku's mood, was certainly starting to lift.

While Leehan was almost always cooped up in his room working on art commissions, ones that he never spoke to anyone about, Kohaku was out looking for a job. Despite nothing happening yet, he didn't let that dampen his spirits.

Barista, cashier, library assistant, at this point he wouldn't be picky about where he ended up. But time was getting on, what if no one would take him on?

For now though he shakes that thought away and makes his way back to the apartment. The sun cast an orange red in the sky as it began to dip over the horizon. He'd have to annoy Leehan when he gets home to see if he can help with his resume... if he'll even come out of his room. Maybe he should bribe him with a treat?

Ever since she had moved in Alura was hardly home and if she was, she’d be sleeping in her room. Leaving from sun up to sun down and the longer the days would become, the longer her absence would last. There wasn’t any discussion of what Alura did during her time away- she still helped pick up when she was home and would always set out coffee on the pot or some snacks she picked up for them.

Tonight wasn’t any different than any of the others except her rerun home was way later than anticipated. As she opens the door quietly as though trying not to wake any one she would notice Kohaku sitting on the couch. Alura looked tired- more so than usual as though she had a rough day. “Oh hey, I thought everyone would be asleep by now.” Her voice would come out as a loud whisper- as though she was still trying to be quiet.

The more he spoke though.. the harder it was for her to rationalize other reasons in her head. In the back of her mind, she knew Felix meant what he said. He did care about her- if he didn’t, he wouldn’t go through so much trouble to make her feel safe. The way he held her cheek- that wasn’t something someone did just because was it? In that moment Alura tried to think back on situations she had witnessed between other- movie scenes that she had seen and other forms of media. No, Felix wanted her to stay and he’s choosing this.

There was relief when he admitted to there not being anyone else. A relief she hadn’t realized would come after unknown tension. The slow realization of her own feelings made her heart race in her chest and her face heat up more. Her eyes would widen just as she was about to pull away, his arms wrapped around her to pull her in. Her whole body tensed and her breath hitched at the sudden contact but she didn’t fight it. Instead, it was as though she melted in his arms. Her own hands reaching around his torso and hugging him in close- her face pressing into his chest as if to hide the embarrassment.

“Are you sure? You worked so hard for all this by yourself. I can’t just.. mooch off of you.” She’d then finally look up at him and her face said it all- the realization of something and the way the blush ran across her cheeks up to her ears. The second he pulled away she’d quickly step back, not making it very far as the counter behind her stopped her from moving any further. Her eyes refusing to look at him and her hand instinctively covering her mouth. This was definitely an ‘oh shit’ moment for her- she liked him and she didn’t want to leave and that, terrified her.

“I.. I can’t Felix. There’s better people out there, more stable people who have more going for them and aren’t a walking fire hazard. Pretty girls.. cute boys.. just-“ she’d cut herself off and her brows would furrow. Alura couldn’t bring herself to say the last part, ‘someone better.’ The back and forth in her mind was torture- feeling like a sea of murky water clouding her mind and filling up her lungs.

There was only a small pause before she’d finally say three words that’d replaces her agreeing to stay,

Her eyes would widen slightly as she watched the smile spread across his perfect features. His golden eyes meeting hers and for a moment, she only could focus on him. Her heart fluttered after the pause, ‘a lot’. Just like her, it wasn’t a love confession or some grand gesture of affection but it was clear that they both knew what the other meant. When he stepped forward, she’d twitch slightly but again, no where to run. His hand would reach up and grab hers, pulling it away from her mouth so her face was completely exposed. The soft circles he drew against soft skin would ground her into the moment. Her eyes wouldn’t leave his face- drifting down to his lips, then back up to his eyes as if searching for something.

Her head would tilt slightly at his joke about a fire extinguisher. Alura knew it wouldn’t stand a chance against her but the gesture was still very sweet and silly. The tension would ease slightly between them and a small polite grin would pull at her lips. “Yeah, I’ll try.”

“For you.”

Her tone was light but sincere- there was a hint of something more than just kindness. Love. Alura agreed easily, there honestly wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for Felix anymore. Now that he’s told her he likes her and that he wants her around? It felt like a door opening to a new world that felt like home.

She was silent for only a beat of the heart before the question left her mouth, “do you want me to stay?” There was disbelief in her tone but also some hope. Alura knew Felix wasn’t a liar but the way those words came out was like she was assuming he was. Still, despite the mixture of emotions, they didn’t come out unkind.

When his hand reached up to trace her jaw she’d tense slightly, her cheeks tinting in color and her hands loosely balling into fists as she refused to look away. Her lips would part slightly as she’d let out a shaken breath. There was no sense in hiding anything from him anymore- she couldn’t leave him wondering any longer. “I didn’t tell you because I wouldn’t think you’d approve. I went because I don’t want to hold the sun anymore.” Those words felt heavy. Alura lacked any knowledge of why she was chosen or how the whole embodiment worked- there had to be a way to get ride of it. She was human in appearance but was her souls really that of a mortals? She had no idea. But if Azriel was dead.. then, why is she still here? And if things had gone according to her wishes, would she really have returned? Would she have had the guts to face Felix as someone who looked the same but was entirely different?

Her heart ached when he finally confessed that he worried she wouldn’t return. As if there was anywhere she’d rather be- as if there was anywhere she truly belonged. “I don’t belong anywhere. I promised you I’d return.” She’d finally look away- a habit she had when she was thinking or.. when the blush on her cheeks got too hot for her to ignore. “I’d always return.. eventually.” She’d then let out a long sigh as her body relaxed. “I kept wondering if you made friends or perhaps met a pretty girl at your work. I thought you’d be okay if one day I stopped visiting.” Which is something she always assumed with everyone she met.

"Of course I want you to stay," he replied, cupping her face in his hands, gently stroking her cheeks. "You're not temporary. You've become... important to me." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I would rather have you here sometimes than not at all. But if I'm being completely honest, I'd rather have you here more often."

He listened as she explained her reasons for leaving, her confession about not wanting to hold the sun anymore weighing heavily in the air. The thought of her carrying such a burden, of feeling trapped by something so fundamental to her very existence, sent a pang of sympathy through him. He understood better than most what it was like to be defined by something you couldn't control.

"I know I said that," he said softly, gray eyes searching hers. "But I was wrong. We're not defined by what we were. We're defined by what we choose to be now." His expression grew more serious. "And I choose to be your friend, to be here for you, whatever that means, whatever challenges it brings."

When she admitted to worrying that he might forget about her, that he might build a life without her, Felix felt a surge of botu affection and frustration. How could she not see? How could she not understand that she had become an integral part of his life, that the thought of building anything without her felt incomplete? "I could never forget you, Alura," he said. "And as for meeting someone else..." He let out a humorless laugh. "There's been no one else. You're the one person I can truly be myself around."

The more he spoke though.. the harder it was for her to rationalize other reasons in her head. In the back of her mind, she knew Felix meant what he said. He did care about her- if he didn’t, he wouldn’t go through so much trouble to make her feel safe. The way he held her cheek- that wasn’t something someone did just because was it? In that moment Alura tried to think back on situations she had witnessed between other- movie scenes that she had seen and other forms of media. No, Felix wanted her to stay and he’s choosing this.

There was relief when he admitted to there not being anyone else. A relief she hadn’t realized would come after unknown tension. The slow realization of her own feelings made her heart race in her chest and her face heat up more. Her eyes would widen just as she was about to pull away, his arms wrapped around her to pull her in. Her whole body tensed and her breath hitched at the sudden contact but she didn’t fight it. Instead, it was as though she melted in his arms. Her own hands reaching around his torso and hugging him in close- her face pressing into his chest as if to hide the embarrassment.

“Are you sure? You worked so hard for all this by yourself. I can’t just.. mooch off of you.” She’d then finally look up at him and her face said it all- the realization of something and the way the blush ran across her cheeks up to her ears. The second he pulled away she’d quickly step back, not making it very far as the counter behind her stopped her from moving any further. Her eyes refusing to look at him and her hand instinctively covering her mouth. This was definitely an ‘oh shit’ moment for her- she liked him and she didn’t want to leave and that, terrified her.

“I.. I can’t Felix. There’s better people out there, more stable people who have more going for them and aren’t a walking fire hazard. Pretty girls.. cute boys.. just-“ she’d cut herself off and her brows would furrow. Alura couldn’t bring herself to say the last part, ‘someone better.’ The back and forth in her mind was torture- feeling like a sea of murky water clouding her mind and filling up her lungs.

There was only a small pause before she’d finally say three words that’d replaces her agreeing to stay,