That night
Over the past weeks, Aaric and Luna had shown Simon, Edwina, and Daphne the Dreamlands after Aaric had formed a connection with the tree.
"I will go get Mom and Dad. Can you get Daphne?" Aaric asked.
Luna nodded and waved before a portal appeared beside her.
With Aaric
Aaric entered a portal of his own and arrived in a beautiful natural landscape, where Edwina stood waiting with a smile.
She noticed him and kissed his cheek. "I learned how to lucid dream," she said proudly, holding his hand.
"Let us get your father as well. I wonder what monsters he is fighting this time," Edwina said.
Aaric laughed and waved his hand, opening another portal. Together, they stepped through.
Simon was at the Quidditch World Cup, sitting beside an Edwina with horns on her head and a furious expression as Veela danced in the arena.
"You glanced," the horned Edwina growled.
Simon stepped back, shaking his head quickly. "I did not, my love. I did not even know there were Veela in the stadium."
"Should we wait a bit?" Aaric whispered to the real Edwina, who was giggling beside him.
She pinched his nose. "You like seeing your father suffer, don't you?"
Aaric grinned but followed as she approached Simon.
She hugged him from behind, and Simon sighed as he felt the familiar warmth. Turning, he met the real Edwina's gaze and kissed her. His pleading expression begged her not to mention what she had seen. She simply kissed him again as an answer.
"Oh, gods, you old people," Aaric muttered in disgust.
Simon smirked. "You're one to talk… teenager."
Another portal opened beside them, and the three stepped into the beautiful scenery of the island. Luna stood there waiting, along with a red-faced Daphne.
Aaric smirked. "What were you dreaming about?" he teased, nudging Daphne.
Daphne pushed him away with a pout.
With Luna after she stepped in her portal,
After stepping through her portal, Luna found herself in a Hogwarts hall. Ahead stood Daphne and a dream version of Aaric.
Her eyes widened as she saw Daphne lean forward, trying to kiss him. But the dream Aaric turned away. "I'm with Luna. You know that," he said softly.
Daphne pushed him weakly. "You were supposed to be mine," she shouted, her voice breaking.
"We've known each other since we were children," she said, her voice trembling.
The dream Aaric gently patted her head. "I can't hurt Luna," he whispered.
Luna sighed and walked up behind Daphne, wrapping her arms around her. Daphne trembled.
When someone is dreaming, their senses are dulled and their emotions raw. But when touched by a dreamwalker like Aaric or Luna, the sensations become real and control returns.
That was what Daphne felt. She now knew the real Luna was hugging her.
Daphne didn't speak, just stared down at the floor. Luna stepped around to face her.
"It's okay," Luna said softly.
Daphne looked up, stammering, unable to form words.
Luna smiled and hugged her. "It's okay. I don't mind, as long as he's fine with it."
Daphne finally understood. "Why?" she asked quietly.
"Because I know you love him as much as I do," Luna said, tilting her head with a calm expression and a kind smile.
Daphne hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.
After they reunited
Aaric laughed and poked Daphne's cheek when he saw her pout. She swatted his hand away and went to greet his parents.
Edwina hugged her warmly. "Do not bully this adorable girl," she chided Aaric, making Daphne blush even more.
Simon chuckled and patted Daphne's head when she stepped away from Edwina. "Tell me if he bullies you. I'll teach him a lesson."
Daphne nodded quickly, still red-faced.
Simon then took Edwina's hand. "Let's explore. Hades told me he manages some fascinating worlds we can visit," he said, and the two flew off laughing.
Nearby, Luna was busy cuddling Cherry. She scratched the little dragon's chin. "My bubu is the best. Did you miss me?" she said in a baby voice, earning a satisfied purr from the red dragon.
Daphne took Aaric's hand. "I think they'll be in their own world for a while. Show me around?"
Aaric chuckled and nodded.
The island had grown larger over the past weeks. A faint, transparent shield shimmered around it, radiating from a massive metal orb floating above the golden tree. Tiny pixies fluttered about, tending to the plants.
Aaric pointed to a volcano in the distance. "That was made by Iggnesia. She creates fire spirits there," he said.
Daphne smiled. "Take me there."
Aaric grinned, picked her up, and took off into the air. Daphne wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest as they flew.
"It's not as warm as I thought it would be," she said, looking around once they reached the volcano.
"The spirits regulate the temperature," Aaric explained as colorful fire wisps danced nearby.
Daphne turned toward him and hugged him tightly, resting her head on his chest.
"I love you," she whispered.
Aaric froze. "I… Luna—" he began, but Daphne placed a finger on his lips.
"She told me she's fine with it. I understand you need time to decide," she said softly, still holding him close.
"Tell me when you have decided. I'll be waiting," she whispered, kissing his cheek before walking toward the volcano to explore.
Aaric stood still for a moment and sat down on the ground in thought before a portal opened beside him and Luna stepped through.
She knelt, meeting his eyes, and kissed him. "What she said is true," Luna whispered before kissing him more deeply.
Aaric didn't ask stupid questions like why. He just kissed her back.
Luna cupped his face. "If you say yes to her, know that it won't hurt me," she said.
Aaric looked into her eyes, searching for any trace of falsehood. There was none.
He cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead before pulling her close.
A/N
Please leave your thoughts before leaving.
Gimme power stones or Aaric's parents will be turned into character development, and Aaric will become an emo dark protagonist collecting girls like Pokémon.