The Home

Victor had never been happier to be face down in his front yard.

He found himself lying on the ground, head spinning. Earth's air was like sweet elixir spilling into his lungs, the dew brushing against his cheek a godsend. His front yard was considered shabby to most, but right now, it was pure nirvana.

Victor's vision blurred as he shoved himself upward, savoring the sight that lay out before him.

It was evening, the sun starting to sink into the horizon in a collage of reds and pinks. The radical differences between the dimensional time zones made Victor feel both ill and tired, but Victor figured he could deal with jetlag later. He was home, and that was all that mattered.

His house, a quaint, if almost ominous, two story-structure, stood over him like a like a safe haven, beckoning him onto its poorly lit porch.

A hand clenched Victor's shoulder. He flinched, glancing up to see Esper standing beside him.

Oh, right, Victor thought, face flushing, I almost forgot. In the fog of teleportation and the euphoria of his homecoming, the past events had slipped from his mind.

Near him, laying on the grass, Seraph was still unconscious, his face relaxed. Victor frowned, stomach aching in sympathy.

"I think it's finally over," Esper murmured, sighing.

Victor blinked, taking in his weary, worn expression. Blood still clung to his robe, a remnant from his battle with Celeste.

"Back there," Victor whispered, "When you fought with Celeste...that was amazing. I didn't know you were that strong."

A soft smile played on Esper's lips. "I am an equal to Gaea, but no where near Celeste. I could only hold her back, nothing else." His wings shuffled, multicolored feathers making a slow descent into the grass. "I'm a strong mage, but I hate using such an excess of magic. It's so draining."

Victor noticed Esper's hand trembling, like he was having trouble standing. He looked tired, exhausted emotionally and physically. The subtle lines on his face spoke of his past trauma, painful memories he was forced to relive over the past couple days.

Biting his lip, Victor pushed himself into Esper's arms, hugging him tightly. It was a small gesture, but poignant in its delivery. Esper stood still, seemingly in shock, but finally reciprocated. He gently kissed him on the cheek, running a few fingers through his oily hair.

"I'm sorry," Victor said, voice heavy.

"There's nothing to apologize over, Victor." Esper sounded distant. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"I'm sorry all of this happened. Just...all of that."

"I can't change what happened in the past. I can only hope I can atone."

"Well," Victor rasped, the sweet smell of Esper's scent drifting through his nose, "You're doing a pretty good job to me. I love you, you know?"

Esper made a sobbing noise, hugging Victor tightly. Was he crying, in the heart-wrenching way a person without eyes could cry? "I love you too, Victor."

Victor took a deep breath, feeling at ease in Esper's embrace. It was odd, thinking about how they had been complete strangers only a couple months ago. Esper had been just as gentle as he was now, administering the life-saving antidote Victor with extra care.

"You're a good kid, Victor," Esper mused, twisting a lock of Victor's hair between his fingers. "I can only hope your parents will be as understanding. I've got to tell them, I have no choice."

"It'll be okay," Victor assured, but he wasn't sure if it was true. Would Umbra and Matthew accept him, even after his grievous mistakes?

With one last peck on the cheek, Esper pulled away, kneeling down before Seraph. He slowly lifted the spirit onto his back, careful not to disturb the wound on his hip.

Following Esper, Victor pushed through the front door, spotting Matthew in the kitchen, hovering over the oven and tending to a pot. Umbra and Aunora were piled on the couch, loudly talking over some television program, deep into a debate.

Matthew turned around, smiling.

"Ah, so you finally decided to show up-" Matthew started playfully, but then his brain registered the blood and Seraph's unconscious form, "Was?! Wei?! Ich-" he slurred, slamming his hand onto the counter behind him fro steady himself.

"Matthew, what's gotten into you-" Umbra turned around, mouth gaping, "Kids!"

Umbra and Aunora rushed into the kitchen, fawning over their loved ones. Umbra, to Victor's distaste, preformed a full-body pat down to clear him of any injury.

"What happened?" Matthew cried, he and Umbra holding Victor in a smothering hug.

"And why is Seraph still here?" Umbra asked, touching the spirit's back.

Esper sighed, rubbing his chest. "Victor, take Seraph up to your room. He needs to sleep," he said, allowing Victor to support his friend with his shoulders.

Waiting for the boy to fully travel upstairs, Esper turned his attention back to Umbra and Matthew.

"We need to talk."

Author's Note- ahah, double update!! :D ive had a little too much free time lol

i think i nailed the narration on this part. the prose was a little more professional than it usually was,,,,guess im improving lol

(matt said: "what?! how?! i-")