The evening air was thick with the scent of grilled suya and the sound of distant traffic. Olutola, Zara, and Lina sat on the balcony, enjoying the tranquility after the day's chaos. The moon cast a silvery glow over them, adding to the serene atmosphere.
Olutola stretched, feeling the tension ease from his muscles. "It's nice to have a quiet moment for once," he said, his voice relaxed.
Zara and Lina exchanged a look, then Zara took a deep breath. "Olutola, there's something we need to talk to you about."
Olutola raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
Lina hesitated, then spoke. "It's about us. About how we feel."
Olutola leaned forward, sensing the seriousness in their tones. "Go on."
Zara took his hand, her grip warm and reassuring. "We've been wanting to tell you this for a while, but we weren't sure how you'd react."
Olutola's heart began to beat faster. "Tell me what?"
Lina took a deep breath. "We both have feelings for you, Olutola. Strong feelings. We care about you deeply."
Olutola blinked, his mind racing. "Both of you?"
Zara nodded. "Yes. And we know it might be unusual, but we wanted to be honest with you."
Olutola looked between them, his emotions swirling. He had always felt a strong connection with both Zara and Lina, but he hadn't realized the depth of their feelings.
"You're both incredible," he said slowly. "And I care about you too. But how would this work?"
Lina smiled softly. "We don't have all the answers, but we want to try. We want to be with you, Olutola. Both of us."
Zara squeezed his hand. "If you're willing to have us."
Olutola felt a wave of emotion. "I am. I want to be with both of you too. We'll figure it out together."
Zara and Lina both smiled, their relief palpable. They leaned in, enveloping Olutola in a warm embrace. For a moment, they simply held each other, letting the newfound understanding sink in.
---
Later that night, as the city quieted down, the three of them lay together in bed. Olutola felt a deep sense of peace, his worries and fears melting away. Zara and Lina were on either side of him, their presence a comforting balm.
Zara traced a finger along his chest, her touch light. "Thank you for understanding, Olutola. It means a lot to us."
Olutola kissed the top of her head. "Of course. I care about you both deeply."
Lina snuggled closer, her voice soft. "We're a team now. Together."
Olutola nodded, feeling a sense of completeness he hadn't known he was missing. "Together."
---
The next morning, Olutola woke up to the smell of breakfast. He stretched, feeling a pleasant soreness from the previous night's activities. Zara and Lina were already up, bustling around the kitchen.
"Morning," Olutola greeted, joining them.
Zara handed him a plate of akara and bread, while Lina poured him a cup of coffee. "Morning," they chimed in unison, their smiles bright.
As they sat down to eat, Olutola felt a surge of gratitude. Despite the challenges and dangers that lay ahead, he knew he wasn't alone. With Zara and Lina by his side, and his shadows at his command, he was ready to face whatever came next.
---
After breakfast, Olutola decided to train with his shadows. He stepped into his training room, the air crackling with energy. His shadows materialized around him, their forms dark and imposing.
"Let's see what you can do," Olutola said, his voice firm.
The shadows moved in unison, their attacks coordinated and precise. Olutola countered each strike with ease, his movements fluid and powerful. As he fought, he could feel himself growing stronger, his connection with his shadows deepening.
---
Meanwhile, Zara and Lina watched from the doorway, their admiration clear. They whispered among themselves, their bond with Olutola growing stronger each day.
"He's incredible," Zara said, her voice filled with pride.
Lina nodded. "And he's ours."
They both smiled, their hearts full of love and determination.