Plutonic had never imagined his arrival would be met with such warmth.
In the back of his mind, he braced himself for resentment, even hostility—perhaps he'd be cast out of the clan altogether for abandoning them. Instead, he was enveloped in a torrent of embraces, shouts of joy, and the exuberant chatter of their plans for the upcoming Firewing ceremony. They discussed the brief delay of their trip, lightheartedly emphasizing that more time was needed to prepare their sanctuary—and, more specifically, the altar—in China.
He felt a weight lifting from his shoulders. He had silenced the chaos of the outside world; his phone lay switched off, untouched, and he resisted the urge to boot up his laptop, fully aware of the barrage of unread emails clamoring for his attention back in the office.
No. He was here now, surrounded by family, and his heart swelled with the need to catch up. So much had happened in his absence, and he wanted to know everything. His resolve was simple: he would devote himself fully to his kin, making up for lost time.
Though the clan welcomed him back, he noticed disapproving glances flicker his way when he unwittingly prodded them about certain personal matters. Their silent ire was palpable, and though it stung, he recognized that there was no place for grievances when he was the one trying to make amends.
"Lucky! You've had way too much candy! Put that chocolate bar back on the table!" he heard Ninah, his wife, admonish their son, casting him a look that was both stern and maternal.
"Lucky?" Plutonic echoed, his curiosity piqued as he turned to Ninah.
She chuckled, a blush coloring her cheeks. "Yep! That's what he goes by now. He loves it so much that he won't even answer to his real name." Her laughter brought a smile to Plutonic's lips, easing the ache that had settled in his heart during his absence. He'd missed her, every single part of her: that sweet laugh, that rosy flush, everything. He yearned to soak it all in again.
Pulling Ninah close, he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I must confess, I kind of like this moniker too. We might as well keep it," he teased.
"But what will happen when he starts school? He can't go by 'Lucky' there," Ninah replied, a mock frown tugging at her lips.
"Of course, I promise he'll use his real name in school." The warmth of her gaze ensnared him, and they became lost in each other, the world around them fading into a soft blur.
Lucky, observing this moment of connection, seized the opportunity for another round of candy. With a giggle, he darted through the hallway to Rufus' crib, eager to share his treasures. To his youthful sincerity, Rufus was like a brother—a bond foretold by their parents.
He plopped down next to Rufus, sticky chocolate fingers offering one of the Choco bars to his friend. Rufus accepted it gleefully, wrapping his arms around Lucky. A playful kiss landed on Lucky's cheek, leaving a trail of spit and sweetness.
"Gross!" Lucky laughed as he wiped the drool away, smudging chocolate across his own face.
"I love you!" Rufus beamed, his innocence splashing across his features. "I even saw Daddy kiss Mama after he gave her a piece of cake."
Lucky's eyes widened. "Oh, I saw Daddy pull Mama close too. They were smiling so big at each other."
Rufus settled beside Lucky, studying him intently. "Do you like this?" he asked, his voice a mixture of curiosity and sincerity.
Lucky nodded, drawn in by the warmth of Rufus' gaze. Their shared emerald eyes—a signature trait of the Phoenician clan—sparked with an uncanny connection, each little detail mirroring the other.
Rufus, with his pale complexion, looked almost ethereal next to Lucky's more familiar hue. The difference intrigued Lucky; they were both sensitive in their own ways, but there was an unspoken awareness that hung between them, far more complex than their shared lineage or friendship.
But Lucky felt something deeper, an intensity he couldn't quite understand. It troubled him. He worried that Rufus felt differently—like something more than friendship. The heavy scent of unspoken feelings drifted into the air, overwhelming him. He shot to his feet, retreating back toward the safety of his parents, desperate to escape that foreign sensation.
...
As the clan settled down for the night, most opted for flight to burn off their pent-up energy, but Lucky had fallen into a deep sleep while the others had retreated to their own chambers. Plutonic sat by his bedside, hand gently clutching his son's, while Ninah rested beside him, her love radiating like a warm glow.
"He's as quick as lightning," Plutonic remarked, his eyes shifting between the sleeping form of Lucky and his wife.
Ninah nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I'm so proud of him. He's a wonderful boy."
"I consider myself truly fortunate to have him as my son." The swell of love within him was overwhelming; he couldn't tear his gaze away from Lucky's peaceful face.
"I think you have a good idea now of why we call him 'Lucky'," Ninah chuckled.
Before Plutonic could respond, the door creaked open, and Rufus waddled in, rubbing one sleepy eye while clutching a plush teddy bear in the other hand. Compared to Lucky, he seemed so small and vulnerable.
"Does he do this often?" Plutonic asked, a tinge of protective instinct flaring within him, watching as Rufus climbed into bed next to Lucky.
Ninah chuckled lightly. "He does. Whenever Lucky feels sad or misses you, Rufus finds a way to comfort him. They're like brothers."
"I had a feeling he'd come!" Amina exclaimed from the doorway, her husband, Hamlin, trailing behind her. Rufus instinctively snuggled closer to Lucky, burying himself in the comfort of his friend.
"Looks like he's settled in for the night," Hamlin said, a playful tone in his voice. "He's better off here."
Amina turned, her senses suddenly piqued. "Wait—do you guys smell that?" She inhaled deeply, her expression turning serious as she focused on the air around them.
Ninah frowned, aware her humanity limited her understanding. "What do you smell?"
"It's Rufus…" Amina hesitated, brows furrowing in confusion. "But he's too young for that!"
"What are they too young for?" Ninah pressed, now keenly aware of the tension in the room.
"Lucky knows what I'm talking about," Hamlin stated, his gaze fixed on the boys, concern etching his features.
"What does Lucky know?" Ninah's heart raced, the feeling of exclusion prickling at her. She hated being left out of conversations that affected her family.
Amina felt the pulsing anxiety radiating from Ninah. Plutonic noticed as well; he reached out, offering compassion through the grip of his hand.
"Rufus is in love with Lucky," Amina declared, her voice resolute.
"Of course, they love each other!" Ninah laughed nervously, but the laughter waned as the seriousness of the situation hit.
"It's more than that," Hamlin added cautiously. "Rufus isn't just feeling brotherly affection. It's deeper."
"But he's too young for that! What does that even mean?" Ninah's voice wavered, her mind racing.
"I'm not sure what it involves," Amina admitted. "But there's something significant connecting them. Something powerful in how Rufus feels about Lucky."
"Lucky holds the three jade pieces," Plutonic interjected, suddenly serious.
Ninah's anger flared. "Why speak in riddles? What does that even mean?"
"It means Lucky will have three lifetimes," Hamlin shared carefully. "He's destined to reincarnate three times."
"Do phoenixes have that power?" Ninah asked, an air of skepticism mixing with the odd familiarity of the news. It wasn't entirely new after all; phasing back into life was a Phoenix trait.
"We only reincarnate twice," Hamlin was quick to clarify.
"But only one type of Phoenix can reincarnate three times," Amina stated with certainty.
"Which one?" Ninah's expression darkened with worry, focused on Plutonic, who had gone silent, the truth lingering heavily in the air.
He inhaled deeply, meeting her gaze. "The Golden Red Fiery Phoenix," he revealed.
Ninah gasped, bewildered and shaken.