New Normal

Life settled into something resembling routine. Mio streamed regularly now—talking openly about the relationship, answering questions, building community. Blood sessions became as mundane as shared meals. She went outside once a week with Akira. Small steps. Progress.

Akira officially accepted the liaison position. Started consultations with vampire-human couples. Found purpose in helping others navigate what they'd figured out themselves.

Reina prepared for her policy job—reading Council documentation, building strategy for institutional pressure.

Momo built her content empire—two million followers and growing, teaching other vampires how to be visible.

Ren continued being Ren—phasing through walls, neutralizing threats, sending invoices.

Found family. Comfortable chaos. Home.

But one thing loomed: dinner with Akira's mother.

Tomorrow night.

Mio was more terrified than she'd been facing the Council.

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"What do I wear?" Mio asked, staring at her closet.

"Something nice but not trying too hard," Reina said. "Conservative. Respectful."

"What if she hates me?"

"She might. Initially. But you're meeting her anyway. That's what matters."

"What if I say something wrong?"

"You will. You always do it when you're nervous." Reina adjusted Mio's collar. "But you'll survive. You survived a Council trial. You can survive one dinner."

"The Council didn't give birth to my boyfriend."

"Fair point."

Momo bounded in, phone already recording. "Pre-dinner panic! This is GOLD!"

"Stop filming me!"

"Never! The people need to see this! Vampire coven lord terrified of meeting future mother-in-law!"

"We're not even engaged!"

"Yet! Ren already ordered rings!"

Mio groaned into her hands.

Through the bond: Akira's amusement. And his own nervousness. They were both terrified.

Perfect.

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Akira's childhood home was modest. Warm. Completely normal.

His mother answered the door. Mid-fifties, kind face, nervous smile.

"Hello," she said. "You must be Mio."

"Yes. Thank you for inviting me. I brought tea. Expensive tea. I hope that's okay." Mio held out the box like a shield.

"That's very thoughtful. Please, come in."

They entered. The dining table was set beautifully. Traditional meal for Akira. And at Mio's place…

No food.

A selection of drinks instead. Juices, tea, water.

Mio stopped. Stared.

"I wasn't sure what you could have," his mother said. "My son mentioned you don't eat regular food. So I thought..."

The consideration. The thought. The effort.

"Thank you," Mio said quietly. "That's…no one's ever…thank you."

His mother smiled. "It's just drinks. Please, sit."

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They sat. Ate. Drank. Made awkward small talk.

Mio felt like she was in the most important job interview of her life.

"So," his mother said carefully. "How serious are you two?"

"Very serious," Mio said. Too formal. Too stiff.

"Have you discussed the future? Where this is going?"

Through the bond: Akira's embarrassment starting.

"We've discussed long-term compatibility. The blood pact implies permanence…"

"How far have you gone?"

Mio blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"In the relationship. I'm trying to understand if this is serious or just..."

"It's serious!" Akira protested. "Mom…"

"Then she should be able to answer questions." His mother turned back to Mio. "What do you like about my son?"

"He's…he's kind. Patient. Intelligent…"

"What attracted you initially?"

"His blood…I mean his PERSONALITY…when I first met him he was very calm under pressure and also I accidentally bit him so that was…"

"You're nervous," his mother observed.

"VERY nervous." Mio's hands shook. The juice glass rattled. "This is scarier than facing the Elder Council…"

She stopped.

Her posture shifted. Straightened. The nervous fidgeting ceased.

Oh no.

Akira recognized the signs immediately. The anxiety inversion. When anxiety maxed out, Mio.exe stopped running normal protocols and switched to backup programming: AGGRESSIVE OVERCONFIDENCE MODE.

"Actually," Mio said, voice different now, smooth, assured, "let me answer properly."

"Mio…" Akira started.

"You asked how far we've gone? Very far. Your son is exceptionally attractive. Have you SEEN him?" She gestured dramatically. "And the SEX? Outstanding. Top-tier. Very attentive…"

"Mio." Akira stood up.

"...and we should discuss…"

He grabbed her face. Kissed her.

The inversion broke. He felt it through the bond—confidence shattering, anxiety flooding back.

She pulled away. Blinked. Looked at his mother.

At Akira's horrified expression.

Processed what she'd just said.

"Oh no."

"Yep."

"Did I just…"

"Yes."

"To your MOTHER…about…"

"Yes."

She covered her face. "I want to phase through the floor like Ren."

His mother was laughing.

Actually laughing. Real, genuine, can't-breathe laughter.

"I'm so sorry," Mio said through her hands. "I get nervous and my brain malfunctions and I become a different person who has no filter and…"

"That was the funniest thing I've seen in years," his mother gasped.

"It was humiliating…"

"It was honest. And adorable." She wiped her eyes. "I was expecting…", she gestured vaguely, "Cold vampire queen. Manipulative. Seductive. Like in movies. The kind of woman who'd wrap my son around her finger and control him."

"I'm not…"

"You're an anxious disaster who gets so nervous meeting me that you malfunction and overshare about my son's... anatomy." But her tone was warm. Amused. "That's not manipulative. That's endearing."

Mio slowly lowered her hands. "You're not horrified?"

"Oh, I'm a little horrified. But I'm also relieved. You're real. This is real. You actually love him."

"I do. So much."

"Then that's enough." His mother paused. "Though maybe less detail next time?"

"There will be a next time?!"

"If you want one."

Through the bond: Akira's relief. His gratitude that they were both trying.

"I'd like that," Mio said.

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After the awkwardness settled, they talked seriously.

About the blood pact. About Uncle Kenji, his mother's brother who'd dated a vampire traditionally. How it ended badly. How the family never recovered.

"He didn't have a choice," his mother said. "The vampire made all his decisions. But you're letting my son choose."

"Always," Mio said.

His mother asked to see the pact mark. Mio held out her palm. The scar, permanent proof.

His mother touched it gently. "He really chose this. Freely."

"He really did."

"Then I'll try. To trust that. To trust you." She squeezed Mio's hand. "Take care of him. Even though he's stubborn."

"I will. I promise."

"And come back for dinner. Less traumatizing next time."

"I can't promise that. I'm socially incompetent."

"I think it's charming."

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Back at the mansion, Mio collapsed on the couch.

"I told your mother we have sex."

Akira sat beside her. "You told her in great detail."

"I told her about your…" She couldn't even finish.

"Yeah. That happened."

"I'm never leaving this house again."

"You're leaving tomorrow. We have our walk scheduled."

"Cancelled. Retiring from society."

Through the bond: his amusement. His love. His pride that she'd faced her fear.

The doorbell rang.

Ren materialized. Everyone jumped.

"Courier. Council insignia." He handed Mio an envelope. "Scanned for threats, clean."

He phased out.

The envelope was heavy. Official seal. Expensive paper.

Mio opened it.

Read.

Her stomach dropped.

"What is it?" Akira asked.

FORMAL JUDGMENT HEARING
Council of Elders
Three weeks from date of notice

Subject: Recognition of Progressive Vampire-Human Relationship Methodologies

Coven Lord Mio must appear to present evidence of:

Safety protocols and success rates

Long-term sustainability of methods

Risk assessment and mitigation strategies

Testimonials from affected parties

Failure to provide sufficient evidence may result in prohibition of non-traditional relationship structures.

Attendance is mandatory. Witnesses permitted.

"Three weeks," Mio said. "We have three weeks to prove everything works."

"Or?"

"Or progressive vampirism becomes illegal."

Silence.

The weight of it. Not just them. Every progressive coven. Every couple trying to do things differently.

"Then we'd better prove it," Akira said.

Through the bond: his determination. His certainty they could do this.

"Together?" she asked.

"Together."