{Chapter: 375 Games in the Water}
The sun rose high over the shimmering ocean, its light scattering across the white sands like golden glitter. The day had turned vibrant and full of life.
Alice, Ada, Pepper, Jane, and White Queen spent most of the morning playing in the water or relaxing along the shoreline. Their laughter occasionally echoed across the waves, mixing with the rhythmic lapping of the sea. The beach, remote and untouched, felt like a hidden paradise.
Only Sif sat away from it all.
Under the shade of a lone palm tree, Sif rested with her arms crossed, her armor discarded beside her, but her expression still battle-ready. No matter how many times the others called to her or waved her over, she remained rooted in place—stoic, proud, and unmoved.
White Queen floated lazily in the sea, her long raven hair drifting around her like seaweed. She turned toward William with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Your new lady over there has quite the attitude. Sitting there like someone owes her a fortune and forgot to pay up."
William stretched his arms and grinned. "It's just a phase. Don't worry. There's no woman on Earth or Asgard I, William, can't conquer."
White Queen scoffed. "Still naïve, I see. One day, you'll meet a girl who turns that smug mouth of yours into a quiet whisper."
"Impossible." William smirked and suddenly slapped the water with both hands, creating a dramatic splash.
Ada swam over, her movements graceful, her dark red outfit clinging to her curves. "So… what did Sif say to you last night when she was drunk?"
White Queen waded beside her, flipping her hair. "It's either hate or love. That's always the case with strong women. The more they growl, the more their hearts bleed. I know the signs."
William let out a smooth laugh. "Exactly. Women…"
But he didn't get to finish his thought. White Queen smirked, then splashed a wave of saltwater straight into his face. "That's for always being a smug perv."
Before William could react, Ada joined in, sending a burst of water toward him.
"Two against one, huh?" William's eyes narrowed, playful but dangerous. "You dare to challenge the king of this beach? Prepare yourselves for war."
He vanished beneath the surface and then emerged suddenly behind White Queen, wrapping his arms around her small frame. She squealed and flailed, her feet kicking in the water.
"Put me down, you brute!" she shouted, laughing despite herself.
"Don't tempt me." William nuzzled against her wet cheek with a devilish grin. "This king punishes naughty subjects."
"Ada, let's push this guy into the water and make him a cuckold, as he will always bully us." White Queen flapped her arms vigorously, splashing the sea water.
"Okay," Ada said with a smile, and then splashed water on William.
"Okay, you two want to play with me, right? Then come on, and see how I kill you." William laughed.
From their spots on colorful inflatable rings, Pepper and Jane floated quietly, bobbing up and down with the gentle waves.
"Pepper…" Jane glanced over, her voice soft and curious. "Can I ask you something?"
Pepper opened one eye, clearly savoring the sun. "Hmm? Sure."
"Well, how do you… get along with the others?" Jane asked hesitantly, her cheeks coloring slightly. "I mean, Ada and Alice. Aren't you… bothered? You know, about William?"
Pepper gave a small chuckle. "You mean, do I want him to only love me?"
Jane nodded sheepishly. "Yeah…"
Pepper rolled her head to the side, looking at her. "At first? Of course. It felt weird, unnatural. I thought I'd have to fight for attention or prove myself to keep his affection."
"And did you?" Jane asked.
"No." Pepper smiled, wistful. "When I decided to abandon everything and follow William, I thought that I would not suffer any loss. If Alice, Ada and others bullied me, I would definitely fight with them and make a scene to make William favor me." Pepper's face was full of memories.
"I realized I didn't have to. Alice and Ada… they don't play those games. There's no scheming or jealousy. They're just... themselves. Honest. Calm. They take life with this strange ease."
"We get along very well, they are all very nice people." Pepper smiled.
"Really? I mean, you don't want to monopolize William. Even if it's not monopolization, don't you want William to love you more?" Jane stammered.
Pepper looked at Jane, "Jane, you think too much."
"Why?"
"It's very simple. When you integrate into the group, you will find that these are unnecessary." Pepper looked like an experienced person.
"How should I put it? They are different from us. There should be a difference in thinking. Even if you attack them verbally or deliberately make trouble, they don't care. I can't say for sure. In short, they are very happy together."
Jane said, "Okay, I hope I can get along well with them. By the way, William won't discriminate in treatment? For example, if he likes someone particularly."
"You said about him, he is a beast who only knows how to possess. There is no such thing as liking or disliking anyone particularly. The woman he likes can only be his, so he treats them the same." Pepper shook her head.
"That's it." Jane looked surprised. "So... you just accepted it?"
Pepper laughed softly. "No one just accepts it. I struggled. But after a while, I realized there was nothing to fight over. William… he doesn't divide his heart the way you'd expect."
"Still, he's not exactly a woman."
"No," Pepper said, her smile widening. "He's a beast. But he's my beast. And theirs too, I guess. And maybe soon, yours."
Jane's eyes widened. "Wha—? No! I-I mean—"
Pepper leaned in slightly. "Jane, you don't have to decide anything right now. But if you ever do step into this strange little world… you'll find that you're not alone."
Jane looked down into the water. "That doesn't scare you?"
"It used to," Pepper admitted. "But now? I know he'd protect me with his life. He makes me feel safe. Even if he's a walking disaster, even if he flirts like he breathes… he's mine in the ways that matter."
Jane blinked at her. "That's… weirdly sweet."
"Don't tell him I said any of that," Pepper said quickly, her face warming. "White Queen would never let me live it down."
"When I was with him…" Pepper said softly, letting her toes drift lazily in the cool seawater, "…I found he wasn't vicious at all. He's not the monster people think—killing, burning, trampling over everything like some force of chaos."
Jane turned her head slightly, curious.
Pepper continued with a wry smile. "He's more like… a weird, impulsive guy who cracks bad jokes and doesn't know how to be normal. He's reckless, yes. Dangerous, always. But when he's around us, when he's around me… he's just William. Not the big bad wolf."
Jane raised a brow, intrigued. "That's oddly poetic."
Pepper shrugged. "Don't get me wrong. I wish he could be a better person. That'd be perfect. But that's just not who he is. He's chaos. That's how he's built. But if he can be gentle with me, protect me, and make me feel safe, then… honestly, that's enough. I don't need a hero. I just need him."
Jane blinked at her friend, surprised by the maturity and calm in her tone. There was love in Pepper's eyes—complicated, seasoned, and grounded in reality.
"That doesn't sound like a compliment," Jane teased. "More like a psychological analysis."
Pepper laughed. "Maybe it is. But it's mine."
Jane smirked. "I'm going to tell him you said all that. He'll never let you live it down."
"No, please don't," Pepper cried quickly, reaching to grab Jane's arm. "I'll be teased for weeks—especially by that troublemaker, White Queen."
Jane grinned. "Relax. I'm kidding."
Pepper sighed with exaggerated relief, flicking some water at her. "You're evil."
"But seriously," Jane said more softly, "you said William treats Alice and Ada like that too? That he's just as kind to them?"
Pepper nodded confidently. "Absolutely. He's a storm, Jane, but when you're close to him… you get used to the lightning. He's possessive, yes. But he treats us all with the same devotion. He doesn't pick favorites."
Jane glanced away thoughtfully. "Huh. That's… oddly comforting."
Pepper smiled. "I mean it, Jane. If you ever choose to step into this mess with us, you won't be alone. We're a team. Weird, wild, unconventional—but a team."
"Pepper," Jane said quietly, "you've changed."
Pepper's smile softened. "Maybe. Or maybe I've just found peace."
SPLASH!
A sudden burst of seawater hit both of their faces. They flinched, startled, coughing and sputtering. A sleek head popped up from beneath the surface like a dolphin, smiling with playful mischief.
"Alice?!" Pepper gasped, wiping her eyes.
Alice grinned wickedly, water dripping from her dark hair. "Thank you, Pepper. That was a very heartfelt review. I appreciated it."
Pepper froze. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear that our dear William is a beast with a heart," Alice teased, folding her arms atop a floating ring.
"Oh my god, don't tell him!" Pepper nearly jumped off the inflatable in panic.
"Why not? It'll make his entire week. You know how he gets when someone praises him." Alice gave a devious wink.
"Noooo, please, Alice, don't do this to me!"
"Hmm…" Alice tapped her chin dramatically. "What's in it for me?"
Pepper glared at her with mock betrayal. "You're evil."
Alice leaned forward, smiling like a cat about to pounce. "Call me sister, and I won't say a word."
Pepper's lips trembled in embarrassment, but then she muttered softly, "…Sister."
"Good girl," Alice said sweetly, reaching up to ruffle Pepper's red hair like a big sibling teasing the younger one. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me."
Jane stared at them, blinking in disbelief. "Wow… You really are like sisters."
"We've been through a lot together," Alice said with a warm smile, turning to Jane. "And don't worry. None of us are here to pressure you. Take your time."
Jane nodded slowly. "I appreciate that."
"Now," Alice added brightly, "enough floating like lazy ducks. Let's go splash around a bit. William, White Queen, and Ada are causing a ruckus over there."
Pepper's eyes widened. "Wait—he's still playing with White Queen?"
"Yes," Alice said dryly, "and White Queen keeps yelling 'traitor' every time he dunks her. Come on!"
She reached out and grabbed both Jane and Pepper's wrists, pulling them off the float. The girls shrieked in surprise, water splashing in all directions as they tumbled into the sea.
"Hey!" Pepper sputtered, but she was laughing.
Jane wiped water from her eyes, already smiling. "You're a menace!"
"I take that as a compliment," Alice said proudly.
In the distance, William's laugh echoed as he swam circles around Ada and White Queen, his energy endless. The sun gleamed above them, warm and bright. The sea sparkled with laughter, ripples, and the unspoken bond slowly weaving them all together.
This wasn't just an escape. It was becoming a home.