Next day came, Carter woke up, stretching his body lazily while letting out a deep yawn. His blue hair was ruffled from sleep as he sat on the edge of his bed. "Ah, another day... another step toward the dream," he muttered dramatically to himself, his voice filled with exaggerated determination. "Today, I meet Gerard, the property manager, and buy the perfect shop. But what kind of property will it be? Something close to nature? A spot near the adventurers' guild? Choices, choices!" He laughed to himself before rubbing his eyes. "No pressure, Carter. Just changing your life again, no big deal."
He stood up and stretched again, his joints popping slightly. As he opened his door, he was greeted by Ivy and Thistle, the Verdant Fox and Moonlight Owl, perched near the living room. Ivy wagged her tail excitedly and chirped at him while Thistle flapped her wings gently, letting out a soft hoot. "Well, good morning, you two," Carter said with a grin, kneeling down to pet Ivy and extending a hand to Thistle, who nuzzled against his fingers. "How was your night?" he asked, his voice soft.
Ivy barked happily in response, her tail wagging so hard it shook her small body. Thistle tilted her head and let out a melodic hoot, as if agreeing. Carter chuckled. "I see you two are already bright and energetic. You're like my little team of cheerleaders, huh?" He ruffled Ivy's fur, causing the fox to yip in delight. "Alright, partners, let's get started with breakfast, shall we?"
Walking into the kitchen, Carter began pulling out ingredients from the pantry. "What to make today? Something hearty but simple. Pancakes, maybe? Eggs and toast? Ah, the possibilities." He spoke to himself as he gathered everything he needed, his hands moving efficiently. Ivy and Thistle watched him intently, occasionally making noises as if offering suggestions. "Oh, you two think you're helping, huh? Alright, I'll whip up something you'll both enjoy too," Carter said, laughing as he placed a small plate aside for Ivy and Thistle's portions.
The aroma of cooking soon filled the air, wafting through the entire treehouse. Upstairs, the girls began stirring from their sleep. Elara, ever the elegant elf, sat up in her bed and stretched delicately. She sniffed the air, her sharp senses catching the scent of the meal Carter was preparing. "Is that... pancakes?" she murmured to herself, her voice still groggy. She rose gracefully, smoothing her hair as she prepared to head downstairs.
Raena, in contrast, was more abrupt. The tiger demihuman blinked groggily, her sharp ears twitching as the smell reached her. "What's that? It smells… amazing," she muttered, half-asleep. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, her protective instincts momentarily on edge before realizing it was just Carter's cooking.
In another room, Lily was already halfway out of bed, dramatically sniffing the air. "Caaaaake!" she cried, though it wasn't actually cake. Still, her enthusiasm was unmatched as she bolted upright, grabbing Ivy's stuffed toy that she kept as a comfort. "I'm coming, food!" she declared, stumbling toward the door like a little zombie.
Aria stretched lazily, her red eyes half-lidded as she sat up and sniffed the air. "That smells divine," she murmured. "Carter's at it again."
The girls all began making their way downstairs, their footsteps dragging slightly as they shook off the last remnants of sleep. By the time they reached the kitchen, their tired expressions had been replaced with wide-eyed delight at the sight of Carter bustling around with plates of food.
"Good morning, ladies!" Carter greeted with a bright smile, flipping a pancake expertly onto a plate. "Breakfast is served."
Lily plopped down at the table, her eyes sparkling. "Big brother, you're the best! I'm starving!" she declared dramatically, making the others laugh.
Elara took a seat gracefully, her emerald eyes watching Carter with appreciation. "You certainly know how to start a day, Carter."
Raena nodded, her fierce expression softening. "It smells amazing," she said quietly, her voice filled with gratitude.
Aria smirked, leaning against the counter. "You're going to spoil us, Carter."
As everyone began eating, the room filled with cheerful chatter. Carter looked around, taking in the lively scene with a satisfied smile. "So, what's everyone's plan for today?" he asked, taking a bite of his own food.
Lily, her mouth full of pancake, raised her hand. "I'm going to play with Ivy and Thistle!" she announced, earning laughter from the group.
Elara dabbed at her lips with a napkin before answering. "I'll be heading back to the city later, but I'll visit again soon. It's always so peaceful here."
Raena, ever loyal, simply said, "I'll be nearby if you need me."
Aria leaned closer to Carter, her tone playful. "I'll be at the potion shop, as usual. Don't forget to come by later, okay?"
Carter nodded at each of them. "Sounds like a plan. As for me, today's the big day. I'll be meeting Gerard, the property manager, and hopefully securing the perfect shop for us."
Thistle hooted softly, while Ivy barked, both seemingly encouraging him. Carter laughed, scratching Ivy behind the ears. "Thanks, partners. I'll do my best."
The group continued their meal, the air filled with warmth and camaraderie. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they felt like a family, bound together by shared experiences and a growing sense of belonging.
After breakfast, Carter headed to his room to get dressed. As he picked out his clothes, he muttered to himself, "Alright, Carter, just play it cool. This is a big step… talking to the property manager, making a good impression. What am I even going to say? 'Hi, I'm Carter, and I want to buy a shop?' No, too casual… Maybe something more professional…" He shook his head, chuckling at his own nervousness.
He adjusted his shirt and ran a hand through his hair before stepping out of his room. As he closed the door, he glanced down the hallway and saw Elara exiting her room. Their eyes met, and they shared a smile.
"Good morning, Elara," Carter greeted warmly.
"Good morning, Carter," Elara replied, her voice soft yet steady. She hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course. What's on your mind?" Carter asked, curious about her serious tone.
Elara folded her hands in front of her, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "How do you feel about… harem relationships? Loving more than one person at a time?"
Carter froze, the unexpected question catching him off guard. His mind raced as he tried to process her words. *A harem? Where did this come from?* he thought. He looked at her, noting the gentle yet earnest expression on her face. Clearly, this was something important to her.
He cleared his throat, buying himself a moment to gather his thoughts. "Well," he began, speaking slowly, "that's not a question I expected this morning. But… if I'm being honest, I think it's complicated. I've always believed that love is about connection and understanding. If there are multiple people involved, it would take a lot of trust, communication, and mutual respect to make it work."
Elara nodded, her gaze unwavering. "And do you think you could… love more than one person?"
Carter hesitated, searching his feelings. "I don't know," he admitted. "I've never been in that situation before. But I do know that love isn't something you can always control. Sometimes it grows in ways you don't expect. What matters is being honest and making sure no one feels left out or hurt."
Elara's eyes softened, and a warm smile spread across her face. "That's a thoughtful answer," she said. "I've been thinking about it a lot… ever since I've spent more time with you. Carter… would you ever consider me as… another lover?"
Carter's heart skipped a beat. He blinked, stunned by her directness. "Elara, I…" He paused, running a hand through his hair as he tried to find the right words. "I care about you a lot. You're kind, smart, and one of the most genuine people I've ever met. I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it. But this isn't something I want to rush. Relationships are important to me, and I want to make sure everyone involved feels valued and respected."
Elara's smile widened, her eyes glimmering with affection. "I understand. I just wanted to be honest about my feelings. Spending time with you has made me realize how special you are, Carter. You have this way of making everyone around you feel seen and appreciated."
Carter felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words. "Thank you, Elara. That means a lot to me. And… I'll be honest, the thought of having you as part of my life in that way… it's not something I'd ever dismiss. But I want to take things one step at a time."
She nodded, her cheeks still faintly pink. "That's fair. Thank you for being honest with me, Carter."
"Always," he said with a smile. "Now, I should probably get going. Gerard's not going to wait forever, and I've got a shop to buy."
Elara chuckled softly. "Good luck. I'm sure you'll do great."
Carter grinned. "Thanks, Elara." As he walked away, he couldn't help but feel a little lighter, her words lingering in his mind.
Carter, Aria, and Elara left the treehouse together, heading toward the city. Elara walked a few steps ahead of them, her graceful strides matching the calm energy of the morning. Meanwhile, Carter and Aria held hands, their fingers intertwined as they strolled along the forest path. The couple exchanged lighthearted teasing and flirtation, but Carter's mind seemed to wander elsewhere.
Aria noticed his distracted expression and nudged him gently. "Alright, what are you thinking about?" she asked, her crimson eyes studying him with a playful curiosity.
Carter hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "It's Elara. Earlier this morning, she told me how she feels about me," he admitted, his tone honest but cautious. "I'm still processing it."
Aria's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Took her long enough," she said, her voice tinged with amusement. "So, how do you feel about her?"
Carter glanced at Aria, searching her face for any hint of unease. When he found none, he decided to speak his truth. "I… I care about Elara a lot. She's kind, intelligent, and just being around her feels… natural. But," he paused, squeezing Aria's hand, "I need to know if you're really okay with this. I know you've mentioned being fine with the idea of a harem, but this is different. I need to be sure."
Aria's expression softened, and she stopped walking, turning to face him fully. "Carter, I'm alright with it. Truly. I've always known you're the kind of person who draws people to you. But let me be clear about one thing." Her gaze sharpened, though her smile remained warm. "I will always be number one."
Carter chuckled, his tension easing at her playful tone. "Of course. No one could ever take your place."
Aria leaned closer, her voice dropping into a teasing whisper. "Good. Don't forget it."
They both laughed, the moment dissolving into a comfortable lightness. As they continued walking, Carter spoke again. "You know, Aria, you're the best partner I could've ever asked for."
Aria's cheeks tinged with a soft blush, though her confident demeanor didn't waver. "Of course I am. But why don't you tell me why, exactly?"
Carter grinned, taking the opportunity to tease her. "Well, you're gorgeous, for one. Smart, too. And you've got this incredible ability to keep me on my toes. But most of all, you believe in me. You make me feel like I can accomplish anything."
Aria's blush deepened, and she retaliated with her own playful jab. "Well, someone has to keep you grounded. And let's not forget who's been helping you make all those amazing potions."
They both laughed again, their bond feeling stronger than ever. The conversation shifted to the reasons they'd fallen for each other. Carter explained how Aria's unwavering confidence and kindness had drawn him in, while Aria revealed that his sincerity and ability to see the good in others had melted her heart.
At one point, they stopped walking altogether, turning to face each other. The world seemed to fall away as they shared a slow, passionate kiss, a testament to the love they'd built in such a short time. When they finally pulled apart, Carter smiled and whispered, "I love you."
Aria's eyes glistened, and she cupped his face gently. "I love you, too."
Their tender moment was interrupted by Elara's voice from up ahead. "Are you two coming, or should I keep walking alone?" she called, her tone laced with humor.
Aria smirked, grabbing Carter's hand to pull him forward. "Come on, lover boy. You still owe me a proper first date."
Carter chuckled, allowing himself to be led along. "Alright, alright. I'll make it unforgettable."