As Cassie nestled comfortably into my embrace, her warmth radiating through me as we strolled back toward the house, I could feel her contentment. A gentle hum escaped her lips, her glowing tattoos flickering faintly—our bond deepening with each passing moment. Autumn walked beside us, her tall, elegant figure moving with the grace of an ancient spirit. The faint rustle of leaves accompanied her every step, her reddish-brown hair catching the light as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Her crimson eyes sparkled with curiosity, amusement, and something else—something that only grew stronger as she spent more time around me and Cassie.
"You really do spoil her, don't you, Rosé?" Autumn teased, her tone light but her words carrying the depth of a connection between us.
I chuckled, pressing a kiss to Cassie's forehead. "What can I say? Cassie's a handful, but she's earned it."
Cassie giggled, resting her head against my chest as she looked up at me. "I'm his favorite, right?"
Autumn laughed, her eyes flickering with amusement. "Is that so? Well, I might need to see where I stand. After all, I am the oldest spirit here."
I smirked, glancing at her as we walked. "You're certainly in a league of your own, Autumn. But favorites? I'm still working that out."
Autumn's smile deepened, and she tilted her head slightly, her crimson gaze lingering on me. "I suppose I'll just have to try harder to earn that spot then, won't I?"
Before I could respond, Rosalia's voice chimed in from behind, soft yet teasing. "It's only been a short while, and already you have everyone wrapped around your finger." She shot me a playful glance, her pink eyes gleaming mischievously. Her long pink hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, and she seemed at ease despite her words.
I met her gaze with a grin. "Wrapped around my finger? Or maybe I'm just lucky to be surrounded by such amazing women."
Rosalia rolled her eyes but smiled, walking up to me and linking her arm through mine. "Lucky, huh? You should be careful with that charm of yours."
"I'll take my chances," I replied smoothly, earning a soft laugh from her.
Autumn's laughter followed shortly after, her voice rich and melodic. "I can see why Rosalia and Cassie are so taken with you. You really are quite the charmer."
Rosalia smirked, giving me a sidelong glance. "Oh, you've barely seen anything yet."
We continued toward the house, the air filled with warmth and teasing banter. Despite being newly introduced into our dynamic, Autumn fit in as if she'd always been there. The ease with which she slid into our conversations, her ability to flirt and tease with the same lightheartedness that had become second nature in our household, made her feel like family already.
When we reached the house, Cassie slipped out of my arms, darting toward the kitchen with a bright grin. "I'm going to help with lunch!" she announced, rummaging through the cupboards in her usual whirlwind of energy.
Autumn followed us inside, her eyes sweeping over the room as she took in the homely atmosphere. She settled herself near the counter, her regal posture contrasting the playful energy that danced in her eyes. Rosalia joined me at the stove, her presence warm and familiar as she leaned in close.
"Seems like we've found a new tradition," Rosalia teased, her pink eyes gleaming. "You cooking every meal."
Autumn crossed her arms, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I wouldn't mind that. Cassie's already been singing your praises, and I'm curious to see if it's as good as she claims."
I glanced between them as I began gathering the ingredients, unable to resist smiling. "Looks like I'm going to be stuck in the kitchen at this rate."
"Oh, definitely," Rosalia said with a playful grin. "No escape for you."
Autumn's eyes followed my movements closely, her smile never faltering. "He doesn't seem to mind all that much."
Rosalia stepped closer, her hand brushing against mine as I chopped the vegetables. "He's a softie at heart."
I raised an eyebrow at her but didn't pull away, enjoying the feel of her warmth against me. "Softie? I don't remember agreeing to that."
"You don't have to," she teased, leaning in closer, her voice softening. "It's in the way you treat everyone. Don't think we haven't noticed."
Autumn leaned back in her chair, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she watched the interaction between us. "Seems like you're quite the catch, Rosé. How many more hearts are you planning on stealing?"
I shrugged, smirking as I caught Rosalia's gaze. "Depends on how many are willing to be caught."
Rosalia's playful expression shifted slightly, her pink eyes softening. "You've already stolen all of mine my sweet baby ."
For a moment, the lighthearted teasing between us faded, replaced by something deeper. Her words hung in the air, and I found myself smiling, my heart warmed by her sincerity. But before the moment could stretch into anything more, Cassie bounced back into the room, interrupting the charged atmosphere with her bright energy.
"Is lunch ready yet?" she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Almost," I replied, turning back to the stove.
Rosalia moved beside me, offering to help where she could, though her hand often brushed against mine as we worked. Autumn, seated nearby, seemed content to watch, her crimson gaze flicking between us with an amused smile. It wasn't long before the meal was ready, and we gathered around the table to eat.
As we sat down, the conversation picked up again, filled with more teasing and flirtation. Autumn, who had once been more reserved, seemed fully immersed in our dynamic now, her laughter blending effortlessly with Rosalia's and Cassie's.
"You know," Autumn said between bites, her eyes lingering on me, "I never imagined I'd find myself part of a family like this. It's…nice."
Rosalia smiled at her, warmth in her pink eyes. "We're glad to have you, Autumn. You've been gone for too long."
Autumn nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at Rosalia. "I remember you from before…during the first disaster. You were so young back then, but already so strong."
Rosalia's expression faltered for a moment, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her eyes. "I remember you too. You saved so many of us. I can't believe I didn't recognize you earlier."
Autumn smiled gently. "It's been a long time, Rosalia. But I'm glad to be here now."
There was a beat of silence, a quiet recognition of the past they shared. Then Rosalia broke the tension with a light chuckle. "Well, now that you're here, we're not letting you go so easily."
I leaned back in my chair, smiling at the ease with which they accepted each other. "Autumn's part of our family now."
Rosalia glanced at me, her smile growing. "I guess we're just adding more to our ever-growing list of loved ones."
Autumn's gaze flickered toward me, her crimson eyes softening as she smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."