The sizzling of the pan filled the quiet apartment, the morning light filtering through the windows.
The smell of breakfast lingered in the air
Just like how he liked it.
But his mind was elsewhere.
Last night.
He hadn't stopped thinking about it.
The way her fingers curled against his skin, the heat of her body pressed against his.
It was... everything. Possibly even better then getting a new core.
And the harsh truth that dwelled deep inside him was that...
'I want to do it again.'
Not just that.
The thought made his stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with hunger.
He wanted to take her out, to do something… romantic.
Sunny scowled at himself.
"Ridiculous," he muttered, flipping the egg onto a plate.
And yet, the thought remained.
Wiping his hands on a towel, he grabbed his telecommunicator, scrolling through the web in search of ideas.
A fancy dinner?
'No, that's too noble-like.'
A festival?
'Who do I look like?'
A museum?
'I'd rather fight that fallen knight back at the dark city.'
Nothing felt right.
Then his eyes landed on something simple. Something easy.
The beach.
Sunny exhaled, setting the device down.
'Yeah. That could work.'
Closing his telecommunicator and sofly placing it on his table, he walked up the stairs towards his room.
Where she was.
As he reached his bedroom, he found Nephis lying on his bed, casually scrolling through her telecommunicator. Her silver hair cascaded over the pillows, the soft glow of the screen reflecting in her eyes.
Before even saying anything, he took a second to appreciate how beautiful she was.
'So pretty...' He quickly snapped out of it.
"Breakfast's ready," he said.
Nephis hummed in acknowledgment but didn't move, her attention still focused on the device. "In a moment."
Sunny leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "What are you even looking at?"
She tilted the screen slightly, allowing him a glimpse of what seemed to be a discussion board about Dreamscape combat rankings. "This new guy that randomly appeared, his name is apparently 'Mongrel' and he took on 12 people at once at the recent tournement."
Sunny's brows twitched.
Nephis continued, her voice carrying a hint of intrigue. "He's been rising through the ranks ridiculously fast. No one knows who he really is, but his combat skills are… exceptional."
She finally turned her gaze toward him, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "I wonder who he is."
Sunny stilled.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "What, interested in meeting him?"
Nephis nodded. "If he's as strong as they say, then yes. He could be useful."
Sunny chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, congratulations. You've already met him."
...
...
...
Nephis blinked.
...
...
...
"...What?"
Her mind paused as she processed Sunny's words.
'Mongrel is… Sunny?'
A flicker of shock passed through her usually nonchalont expression before she schooled it back into composure. But inside, her thoughts were racing.
Sunny had a slow, knowing smirk creeping onto his face. "You look surprised, Neph."
She exhaled quietly, forcing herself to remain calm. "I just wasn't expecting it to be you."
His smirk widened. "You mean to tell me you were impressed by some unknown fighter, but the moment you find out it's me, you're suddenly unimpressed?"
He clutched his chest in mock offense.
"How cruel."
Nephis frowned slightly, realizing she had unintentionally fed into his arrogance.
"...That's not what I meant."
Sunny chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
"So, what exactly were you thinking when you wanted to meet Mongrel?"
He leaned in just a fraction.
"Were you hoping to recruit me? Maybe something more?"
Nephis didn't take the bait. Instead, she simply stared at him, her silver eyes steady. "I was thinking that he... or rather, youwould be useful."
Sunny huffed a laugh.
"Is that so?"
By the time she turned her head, he was already across the room, standing by the doorway with a triumphant grin.
"Come on, Changing Star," he teased, voice light with amusement. "Eat first. Then we're going somewhere."
Nephis took a slow breath, still feeling the ghost of his lips against her cheek.
She schooled her expression, rising from the bed. "...Where?"
Sunny's smirk deepened.
"You'll see."
---------
Sunny placed the plates side by side, and obviously holding the chair for Nephis.
She chuckled before replying, "What a gentelmen."
Sunny quietly laughed with her, "Yeah, yeah."
They sat together side by side, the quiet clinking of utensils filling the space between them.
Sunny momentarily paused, glancing at Nephis out of the corner of his eye.
She was eating slowly, her usual composed self, but he couldn't help but wonder-
"…It's good," she said simply, without looking up.
Something in his chest eased at that.
He let out a small huff, returning to his own meal. "Of course it is. I made it."
Nephis gave him a look but didn't argue.
After a few more bites, Sunny decided to bring up their plans. "We're going somewhere after this."
Nephis arched an eyebrow. "Where?"
"The beach."
There was a brief silence. Then, to his surprise, Nephis smirked. "You just want to see me in a swimsuit."
Sunny almost choked on his food.
What?
For a second, he considered being flustered, stuttering a bit.
But then, a slow smirk of his own crept onto his face.
Instead of backing down, he leaned in, his voice dropping lower.
"I'd prefer it if I saw you with no clothes."
Nephis blinked, her expression faltering slightly.
Before she could react, Sunny closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a deep kiss.
Just as she started to lean in to kiss him back-
Sunny yet again had stepped into the shadows back into the kitchen.
Nephis stared at him for a long moment, her silver eyes sharp. Then, finally, she exhaled through her nose, shaking her head slightly.
"Idiot."
Sunny just smirked.
"Finish eating, Changing Star. We've got a beach to get to."