Welcome to the Verexa Clan, I Guess?! 💝

His normally  innocent, huge eyes darken.

His aura flares for a quick moment, just enough to make every talisman in the hall flutter like startled birds. The cousins scramble back. Someone drops the deck of cards. Even the screen door trembles from the pressure. He’s glaring at me.

At me?… I forget how to breathe. Why me?

‘Uh… what’s… what did I do?’ 

No answer. Shit.

His aura curls around him like smoke, but not attacking. Only reacting...  Reacting to my tone.

Only then do I realize exactly what I did.

I stomped into the room. Shouted at everyone. Called him “this one.” Demanded to know why we kept him alive.

Oh… Oh no.

His voice is low, quiet, trembling with emotion rather than rage. ‘…You… don’t want me here? After everything?’

Oh no no no!! My heart actually breaks in hearing that.

Everyone is watching me. Mother leaning in the doorway, Aunt Eudora clutching her prayer beads, cousins frozen mid-breath.

He lowers his head slightly, shadows still licking off his shoulders. ‘I thought… I was doing well.’

And suddenly, my snarky attitude tastes bitter on my tongue.

I drop the wooden ladle. I walk toward him slowly.

‘It’s… it’s not that. I’m just… overwhelmed. And tired. And you keep dropping the talisman and smiling like you know exactly how to give me wrinkles.’

His aura flickers like flaming glitter.

‘But I don’t hate you. I don’t not want you here.’ I swallow hard. 

‘I just… didn’t realize everyone else already accepted you.’

My mother clears her throat. ‘Of course we did.’

I turn around so fast I nearly snap my neck.

‘Excuse me?!’

She shrugs gracefully, as if explaining the weather.

‘We decided last night, after assessing his aura. He shows no malice. His energy is stabilizing. And…’ she sighs, ‘he clearly adores you.’

He perks up behind me. He absolutely beams. I glare at him. He beams harder.

Cousin Eula adds, ‘We didn’t tell you because you panic when you’re emotional, dear.’

‘Y-you WHAT?’

Cousin XXX nods. ‘We’re giving him a trial integration period.’ Forgot his name

Grandma finally waddles in, whacking her cane on the floor for attention. ‘What is all this noise?’

I can only pout at her. She assess the situation within one glance.

‘Child, the fox-thing is family now. Stop shouting at him.’

‘I…‘ I can’t even speak. Me? Me who always have a word or two to say.

The dark aura melts entirely away, replaced by warm gold. He stands straighter and looks at me with a gentle expression I have never seen before.

‘I… only glared because… I thought you didn’t want me.’ He rubs the back of his neck, shy for the first time ever.

‘Of course I want you!’

The room gasps.

I slap both hands over my mouth. ‘I MEAN… I WANT YOU ALIVE! SAFE! IN ONE PIECE! WITH A TALISMAN ON!’

‘I… UH….’ I look around for back up. None came. That’s why I don’t remember your names! Nobody actually is a god cousin in times like this!

My mother sighs. ‘Melodette, darling, just accept the sentiment.’

I want to evaporate. Our friend steps forward (the barrier flickers to let him move — what the heck?) and kneels lightly so we’re eye level.

‘Then I will try even harder,’ he says softly, ‘to be someone your family can trust.’

Then, with a mischievous grin he adds, ‘But you still need to keep the talisman on me. That part stays.’

The room erupts in laughter. My grandmother claps. My cousins cheer. And this being looks smugly delighted with himself. I throw my hands in the air.

‘FINE. FINE! I’LL KEEP THE TALISMAN ON YOU! BUT STOP SMILING LIKE THAT!’

He does not stop smiling. Not even a little… Cunning piece of work!

And just like that…

I finally understand. 

My snark won’t keep him in line. Threats won’t keep the talisman steady. And pushing him away only hurts him. He doesn’t want freedom. He wants belonging.

He wants to be part of the Verexa family. 

And somehow, they’ve decided to let him. Slowly and carefully. I already see it happening… And now it’s my job to guide him through it.

I sigh deeply and dramatically. With all the weight of the world on my shoulders.

‘I am doomed,’ I declare.

He beams at me, the talisman glowing neatly on his forehead (for once).

‘Doomed together,’ he says.

I groan. Everyone laughs.

Maybe it won’t be so bad having a handsome gopher? 

THANK YOU FOR THE FEATURE HONEYFEED! THANK YOU FOR READING EVERYONE! 

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