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Sometime later—I wasn't sure how much time had passed—Nico's voice woke me up.
"Do I want to know what's going on here?" I heard him say, but I couldn't see him. I tried to say something, but all that came out was a strange-sounding whimper.
It was enough to get Nico's attention, though, and I heard him walk deeper into the room before his face appeared in my line of vision.
"Uh-oh. Did you try to forcibly wake him up?" he asked, his face a mask of sympathy, and I hummed.
"Here," he said, brushing his finger over my face. "I can't completely override his magic, but I can let you speak."
"Thank you!" I gasped out, and he smiled. "And don't lie to me. I know your magic is stronger than his."
"Well, maybe I don't want to free you just yet. I still have some cleaning to do, and you have a habit of getting underfoot," Nico said with pursed lips.
"Why are you both so mean?" I whined, and Nico rolled his eyes before leaning down and smacking a kiss on my forehead.
"Come on, you can be good for a little while longer, right? I'll make whatever you want for dinner if you do," he promised, and excitement filled me. Whatever I wanted, huh?
"Except whatever you thought of just now," Nico cut in before I could speak, and I pouted.
"Aww, I'm gonna tell Dakota how mean you both are. That will make him like me more," I warned him, and he waved me off.
"Sure, you do that. Now, I'm gonna go clean. You think about what you want for dinner, okay?"
So that was exactly what I did. It didn't even occur to me that I could use my magic and try to get away now.
Dakota
After brunch, I helped my mom with some repairs around the house, and by the time I finally returned home, it was almost five.
I found Star in his usual spot on the couch, Moon happily napping away on his chest, while Ryk sat on one of the armchairs, giving his sketchbook his full attention.
They both looked up when I walked into the room, and Star gave me a two-fingered wave—which seemed to be all the effort he could afford to spend right now—while Ryk smiled widely.
"Hey, you're back! How was brunch?"
"Good. Mom asked me to bring all of you next time," I said with a chuckle, and his eyes lit up.
"Oh, that would be fun! I think Nico would really get along with her! And your dad and Star can be quiet together," he joked, and Star shot him a look from hooded eyes.
"I can see that happening," I agreed as I took the other armchair, and Ryk chuckled happily.
"I can't wait!"
"Can't wait for what?" Nico asked as he stepped into the room from the kitchen. It seemed to be Nico's favorite room in the house. He must really love cooking.
"We're invited to brunch at Dakota's parents' place next Sunday!" Ryk said before I could, and Nico turned his gaze to me, his dark eyes curious and maybe a little excited.
"Really?"
"Yeah. She wants to meet you all," I said, remembering how Mom had sung praises of Ryk and insisted on meeting the other two.
"Oh! Why don't you invite your parents here instead? I'll cook!" Nico suggested, surprising me.
"Wouldn't that be too much work for you?" I asked, and he shook his head.
"Cooking for two more people doesn't really need all that much extra," he said with a wave of his hand, and I smiled.
"All right, then. I'll let them know. And I'll help you with the cooking too. We all will, right?"
