Breaking the kiss, "Ned...We can't keep this up forever!" Garrick Whispered.
"Forever?!...it's only been like...what? Ten minutes?" Ned replied while catching his breath.
"We have to go back to the living room, lovely!
At this rate, with how we're both feeling...if we stay in your bedroom for one more minute...I don't think I'll be unable to hold back." Garrick said.
Chuckling, Ned rested his head on Garrick's chest so he can hear his heartbeats, "You're right...we need to go back." Ned replied, "Once we get rid of everyone, we can come back here, You and i...Then you won't have to hold back." he added then listened to the sound of Garrick's heart suddenly beating faster after hearing his words.
Flustered, "Do you mean it?...I can, I mean we can...go all the way?" Garrick asked shyly, "I'm not sure that i mentioned this before but back in your first life...we actually slept together the whole night, right after sealing our bond.
That's how Jasper and Jade were made." Ned replied smiling to himself as Garrick's heartbeats got even faster.
"Really?! was that my happiest memory?" Garrick asked, "You want to know what your happiest memory might be?" Ned asked his own question.
"Yeah! I do!" Garrick replied enthusiastically, "I'll tell you once we're back here, Maybe this time we can try recreating it." Ned replied, before he got off the bed.
...Meanwhile...
Due to Ned and Garrick's sudden display of love, things were less chaotic than before.
Everyone else has calmed down and were divided to two groups, sitting together in the living room and chatting among themselves, while waiting for Ned and Garrick to come back.
Faunus, Jasper, Jade, Yuri and Yurei, occupied one side of the room, while Thorn, Muriel, Tacito, Henrietta and Rapunzel occupied the other.
Fernando and Grey were each still in Their rooms, probably asleep and blissfully unaware of what happened so far.
"That was so sweet! seeing others in love, it never fails to makes my heart feel so warm!
Ned was so cool when he said those words to Garrick!" Muriel said, giggling happily while holding his blushing face.
Muriel has been like that ever since they went back to the living room, and for some reason Thorn was bothered by it, "So what if they are Mates officially now?
You're so happy about it that you're acting as if you forgot the shitty situation we're in!" Thorn replied but Muriel was so deeply fanboying, he didn't care what Thorn said.
"Can you not say something so stupid all of the sudden? Your Mate is obviously happy for them, Let him be happy you ignorant fool!" Rapunzel scolded him.
Thorn was annoyed by her, he wanted to reply back but he knew that Rapunzel was right as he looked at Muriel who was still giggling to himself, "You're right...That was actually quite romantic, the whole 'We're not even granted tomorrow' Thing...It was straight out of a movie!
That shit was really romantic, I'm jealous I couldn't come-up with something like That myself!" Thorn said annoyed, while Looking away from Muriel.
"Yes It is...we're truly not...granted even tomorrow." Tacito spoke-up smiling, "Even us immortals." he added.
"I guess so, Maybe I should take the opportunity while I can." Rapunzel said while glancing at Henrietta who sat silently with them.
It was obvious that Henrietta was angry, but the werewolf kept to herself and didn't say what's bothering her.
"I'm sorry Henrietta...I shouldn't have attacked you out there." Rapunzel said, "I realized how stupid I was acting." She added.
Sighing, "I wouldn't get mad at you even if you killed me Rapunzel...I betrayed our promise, I'm the reason why all of this happened, even if I didn't mean it." Henrietta replied.
"Do not Blame yourself, it is unfair for a victim to Carry the guilt of the crime committed against them." Muriel said, he went back to being serious All of the sudden.
"Wow...you truly speak like a king." Henrietta said Smiling gently, "No, I speak like a logical person...Henrietta, you are a victim, so do not blame yourself." Muriel replied.
"I can't help it...if I was just a little bit smarter, if I just doubted Lucas from the beginning and didn't blindly trust him...I know things would've been better.
How can I be a cop when I have such bad judgment of character...No wonder Ned hates my guts." Henrietta said sighing.
"You're right...things would've been different." Rapunzel said, "But it's too late to change that now...I should've thought of that when I tried to hurt you, that no matter what I do to you, it won't change the outcome." she added.
"It's okay Rapunzel, I forgive you so don't worry about this anymore." Henrietta replied, "I hope you can also forgive me...I couldn't hold on to our promise." she added.
"I wish you would've at least tried to hold on to our love as well." Rapunzel replied making Henrietta sigh.
"So you realized that too...huh..." Henrietta said chuckling sadly.
"It's okay, it's been 23 years, I didn't even dream that you'd still be in love with me." Rapunzel replied chuckling back.
Tacito, Thorn and Muriel watched as Henrietta and Rapunzel looked at each other with a sad expression and a soft smile.
Then suddenly, Rapunzel frowned and Slapped the back of Henrietta's head, "OWOW?! what was that for?!" Henrietta asked surprised.
"You can fall out of love with me, that's fine! but at least try to fall in love with good people or at least people that aren't mated you fucking asshole?!
How dare you fall in love with Your own son's mate?!" Rapunzel replied, "What?! how did you know I have feelings for Ned?!" Henrietta asked.
"You kidding me you SHITBAG?! you've been sulking ever since those two sealed their bond! it's obvious you were jealous! plus earlier you rushed to Ned's side to check on him, when he almost fainted.
Also did you develop a taste for men of science after marrying Lucas or something?! WHY NED?! why do you have feelings for your son's mate?!" Rapunzel replied Angrily.
Intervening, "Before you kill her Rapunzel, I gotta ask...your Master, the Guy who's controlling you.
What if he summons you like right now?" Thorn asked.
"If I remember correctly, you said that he can know where you are and summon you by force whenever he wants." Muriel said.
"Hmm that's right...Does he know?...That you're in Ned's...house?" Tacito asked.
"Probably...As for the summoning it's inevitable, he can summon me any second now." Rapunzel replied while looking down at the bracelets around her wrists.
"Isn't there something we can do to help you?" Henrietta asked, "Ned Did not tell us to do anything about her, did he?" Muriel questioned.
"And should we wait until Ned decides everything? he's probably busy right now anyways!" Henrietta said slightly angry, "We gotta help her now before that guy summons her!" She Added.
"Take it easy Henrietta! Muriel is right, this is Ned's house, we shouldn't just try to do whatever here!" Thorn replied, "I do not mean to be rude but just that we do not know what to do, or even if we should help you Rapunzel." Muriel said.
"It's okay, I understand." Rapunzel replied.
"C'mon! the guy can tell where she is and summon her any second! plus We need her help as much as she needs ours, we gotta do something!" Henrietta said desperately.
"Maybe...there's something...we can do." Tacito said while removing his earrings.
"Take these and...put them on...Rapunzel...we'll conduct an...experiment." He said handing over the earrings Yuri made to protect him from Fernando, to Rapunzel.
Meanwhile on the other side of the living room,"Where's the happily Mated couple? They're surly taking their time." Yurei asked, "Probably in Mom's bedroom, Making-out or whatever." Jasper replied annoyed.
"They're definitely Making-out!" Jade said cheerfully, "I can't believe they just tied their bond in front us...that was actually kinda cute." She added giggling.
Yuri noticed Jade's cheerfulness and sighed, "Hey Jade? when I first came here, I was looking for you.
I...needed to speak to you and Ned about something..." They said a little nervously.
"UGGGGGHHH! About damn time!" Jasper whined.
Surprised, "Do you know why I'm here?" Yuri Asked, "I do...And btw you have my blessings Yuri, Also don't count on me anymore about the Jihi thing.
I've lost interest a long while now." Jasper replied while Looking at Yurei who smirked hearing Jasper's words.
"Bro! So you're no longer interested in becoming Jihi?" Jade said surprised, "Is this why you came here Yuri? Is it about the Jihi position?" She added asking.
"How did your dumbass make it as an FBI agent?!" Jasper whined again while Faunus secretly laughed at him.
"You're so mean!" Jade replied frowning.
Sighing again, "I figured You'd refuse eventually Jasper...And I was headed for Faunus as my second best choice but because he's your mate...I suppose I'll give-up on him too." Yuri replied to Jasper.
"I am sorry Yuri, I have no interest in becoming Jihi as well...it is dangerous for both me and Jasper.
I am already the head of my own businesses and that by itself, brings me enough trouble on the daily basis." Faunus said.
"Oh no! whatchu gonna do now Yuri? You and Your Mate wouldn't be happy if you can't be with her!" Jade said surprising the rest.
"Mate? You have a mate?" Yurei asked, "I'll explain once Ned is here...I want to announce this to everyone at once, so I don't have to do too much explaining." Yuri replied.
Shrugging his shoulders, "Whatever suits you best...Besides, I have something special to discuss with you anyways." Yurei said.
"Yeah, I remember you said something like that when you teleported into the living room." Yuri replied.
"Yep! I wanted to talk to you about the Jihi position, I have a candidate!" Yurei said.
Suddenly, "Does this candidate know about the curse around Jihies?
Once a Jihi, A Jihi's mate or lover, becomes cursed with serious bad luck...their life will be in constant danger, deadly danger." Jade said making Yuri facepalm themselves.
"Deadly danger, You mean every Jihi's lover will get cursed?" Yurei asked.
"Well that's new." Jasper said, "Even more reasons to not be interested."
"Wait, Yuri you never told Jasper about this problem?" Faunus asked confused.
"Ah?...Well, he was single...And it didn't come in a conversation." Yuri replied chuckling nervously, "Besides, It's not always dangerous! as long as the Jihi's lover stays in the headquarters, they can live a lavish life and be 100% protected." They added.
"I know, but still! it is difficult to find a candidate who will accept being Jihi when Their lover could go through so much trouble." Faunus said.
"But What if the lover is okay with it?...my candidate's lover is okay with such living arrangements." Yurei spoke-up confusing them.
"How the Hell do you know they're ok?" Jasper asked.
"Because I am that Lover, I came here to suggest Tacito as a candidate." Yurei replied.
"WHAT?!" Yuri shouted, They were loud enough to grab the attention of Tacito and the others on the other side.
"I'll say it again, loud and clear...Make Tacito your next Jihi." Yurei said.
Tacito who approached them, heard That and asked, "Mi amor...what are you...doing?"
"Yurei, why do you want Tacito to be the next Jihi?" Jade asked.
"Because he's qualified obviously!" Yurei replied annoyed, "So hurry-up and choose him, So you can leave and go to your stupid mate or whatever, Yuri!" He added.
"About that...I think it's about time you explain the whole 'Mate situation' to me, Yuri." Ned spoke-up as he walked into the living with Garrick by his side.