Max leaned back in his chair, dramatically patting his stomach as he let out an exaggerated sigh. "I'm so full… I might never move again," he declared, his golden eyes half-closed in contentment. "That was amazing. I'm not sure if it's because I was starving or if the food was just that good, but either way, I'm in heaven."
Seria giggled softly, crossing her arms as she leaned on the table. "You say that every time you eat, Max. I'm starting to think you just like being dramatic."
Lira smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Oh, it's definitely the drama. He's a natural at it."
Max raised an eyebrow, sitting up slightly. "I'll have you know, my dramatic flair is one of my best qualities," he said, grinning. "But seriously, what should we do tonight? We've finally got some downtime, so let's make the most of it."
Seria tapped her chin thoughtfully. "We could go check out the market. It's always lively in the evenings, and there might be some interesting stalls."
Lira tilted her head, her smirk growing. "Or we could hit up the tavern. A few drinks, some music… it's been a while since we've had a chance to relax properly."
Max nodded, considering their suggestions. "Both solid ideas. The market sounds fun, but the tavern…" He trailed off, a grin forming on his face. "You two just want an excuse to make me buy drinks, don't you?"
The twins exchanged a look, then burst into laughter.
"Caught us," Lira admitted, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"But you can't blame us," Seria added, her smile warm. "You do owe us, after all."
Max chuckled, leaning forward. "Alright, fine. Let's keep brainstorming. What else should we do?"
Lira leaned closer, her smirk turning playful. "You know," she said, her tone light and teasing, "if you're really trying to make it up to us, you could take us out on a date."
Seria giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "Yeah, Max. A proper date. You know, something special."
Max blinked, his eyes widening slightly as their words sank in. "A… date?" he repeated, his voice quieter.
The twins laughed, watching his reaction with amusement.
"What's wrong?" Lira teased. "Cat got your tongue?"
Max hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. Then he straightened, his expression softening as he met their gazes. "Actually… I've thought about it before," he admitted, his voice steady. "You two mean a lot to me. More than I think I've realized until now. And if you're serious about the date thing… I'd like that."
The twins' laughter faded as they exchanged surprised glances, their cheeks reddening slightly.
"You really mean that?" Seria asked softly, her green eyes searching his.
Max nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I do. You've been with me through everything, always supporting me and having my back. I can't imagine doing any of this without you. So… yeah. If you'll let me, I'd like to make it up to you with something special."
Lira cleared her throat, her usual smirk replaced by a genuine smile. "Well, I guess we'll have to see if you can impress us, huh?" she said, her tone softer than usual.
Seria's cheeks were still flushed, but she smiled warmly. "Alright, Max. We'll hold you to it."
Max grinned, leaning back in his chair. "Deal. Let's figure out the details later. For now, let's just enjoy tonight."
The three of them settled into a comfortable silence, the bond between them growing stronger as they shared another lighthearted moment in the midst of their adventures.
Max sat at the guild table, his golden eyes staring blankly at the wooden surface in front of him. His head rested on his hand, and his fingers tapped absentmindedly as he muttered to himself.
"Okay, Max, think," he murmured, his voice low. "What do you do for a date? A real date. Do I take them to the market? Maybe the tavern? No, too loud. What about somewhere quiet? A picnic, maybe? Ugh, why is this so hard?"
Seria and Lira, sitting a few seats away, watched him out of the corner of their eyes. They exchanged amused glances before leaning closer to talk quietly.
"He's really taking this seriously, isn't he?" Lira said, her smirk softening into a genuine smile.
Seria nodded, her green eyes glinting with warmth. "It's kind of sweet, don't you think? He wants it to be perfect."
Lira chuckled softly, resting her chin on her hand. "Yeah. For all his recklessness, he's surprisingly thoughtful. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or worried about what he'll come up with."
Seria's smile widened as she glanced back at Max. "Whatever he decides, I'm sure it'll be something special. He always puts his heart into everything he does."
The two girls continued talking, their voices low but filled with affection.
"You know," Lira said, her tone softening, "he really has this way of making you feel like you've known him forever, even when you've only just met."
Seria nodded, her green eyes thoughtful. "Yeah. He's… unforgettable. Like he's meant to be part of our lives."
Meanwhile, Max's thoughts were still clouded as he continued to weigh his options.
"What if they don't like it?" he muttered to himself. "What if I pick something too simple? Or too fancy? Do they even like picnics? Maybe I should ask. No, that ruins the surprise. Ugh."
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, Max. You've faced wraiths and giant frogs. You can handle this. Just… think."
His fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he continued to brainstorm ideas.
"What about a stargazing spot?" he thought. "Or maybe a quiet dinner somewhere? I could even… No, that's too much. Focus."
The twins watched him quietly, their giggles soft as they tried not to disturb his focus. Despite their teasing earlier, they couldn't help but feel touched by how much thought he was putting into the idea.
Max sat at the table, his golden eyes focused but distant as he mulled over ideas. He leaned back, tapping his fingers on the surface, his thoughts racing.
"Dinner," he muttered under his breath. "Something special. Something romantic, but not too fancy. What can I even make?"
His mind wandered to meals from his past. "What about that stew mom used to make?" he thought aloud. "Or maybe that roasted dish… something warm and comforting. Would they like that?"
Max sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, focus. It's not about the complexity; it's about the thought. What would make them smile? Something meaningful. Maybe pasta? Or roasted chicken with herbs?" His eyes lit up as an idea struck him.
"That's it," he said with a grin. "I'll make roasted chicken with vegetables and a creamy sauce. Simple, but heartfelt."
Standing up, he stretched and grabbed his things. "Alright, time to grab the ingredients. This is going to be great." Turning to the twins, who were chatting nearby, Max called out, "I'll be back soon. See you at the apartment, okay?"
Seria looked up, her green eyes curious. "Where are you going?"
Max waved her off with a grin. "Just running an errand. Don't worry about it."
Lira smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Alright, but don't keep us waiting too long. You know how impatient we can get."
Max chuckled as he headed out. "I won't. Promise."
---
As the door closed behind him, the twins exchanged glances, their playful expressions softening.
"He's definitely up to something," Lira said, her tone thoughtful.
Seria nodded, a small smile forming. "You can tell he's putting a lot of thought into it. Whatever it is, it's for us."
Lira chuckled, leaning back. "He's been acting so serious lately. It's kind of cute. What do you think he's planning?"
Seria's cheeks turned faintly pink. "Maybe something simple but thoughtful. That's just who he is. He always puts his heart into everything."
Lira smirked, her expression softening. "Yeah, it's one of the things I… like about him. He's always trying to make us happy."
Seria's smile widened, and her voice grew quieter. "He's special, isn't he? In just four days, he's changed so much for us."
Lira nodded, her smirk fading into a genuine smile. "Yeah. He really has. Whatever he's planning, I know it'll be special."
The twins sat in comfortable silence for a moment, their thoughts drifting to Max and the bond they had formed in such a short time. Despite the teasing and challenges, they couldn't deny how much they cared for him.
---
Meanwhile, Max wandered through the bustling market, weaving through the crowd as he scanned the stalls. The scent of fresh produce and baked goods filled the air, mingling with the hum of lively chatter.
"Alright, let's see," he muttered to himself, inspecting a pile of vegetables. "Carrots, potatoes, onions… that'll work. And maybe some fresh herbs for flavor." He picked out the best produce he could find, his mind already envisioning the meal coming together.
At the butcher's stall, he selected a fresh chicken, nodding as the vendor wrapped it up for him. "This is coming together," Max thought, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe I'll grab a bottle of wine too. That'll add a nice touch."
As he moved from stall to stall, gathering everything he needed, his thoughts lingered on the twins. "I just want them to know how much I appreciate them," he mused. "They've been by my side through everything. They deserve something special."
With his arms full of supplies and his heart full of anticipation, Max headed back toward the apartment, ready to create a night the three of them would remember.
*To be continued…*