Amara & Friends POV
The mansion garden was quiet, bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon. Birds chirped lazily in the trees, and the sweet scent of blooming flowers filled the air. For once, the group had a moment to relax—at least, that was what I hoped.
We had gathered under the sprawling cherry blossom tree, the petals drifting lazily in the breeze. Kael was away on another mission, Brown overseeing the undead legions, and REF hummed softly with the usual magical aura. For once, it felt peaceful.
But peace rarely lasted around us.
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Thorne's Secret
Lyra, ever observant, nudged me and whispered, "Amara… have you noticed how Thorne's been acting lately?"
I raised an eyebrow. "What about him?"
Before Lyra could answer, Pallas giggled. "Oh, I've noticed. It's obvious to anyone with eyes."
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Elian leaned against a tree, arms crossed, smirking. "Apparently, our fearless warrior Thorne has… a crush."
Vex raised an eyebrow. "A crush? On whom?"
Thorne, who had been polishing his sword nearby, suddenly stiffened. I could see his ears turn slightly red, and he avoided our gazes like a deer caught in the sunlight.
Lyra laughed softly. "It's obvious he's smitten with someone older than him. Three years, apparently. And from what I hear, she's… very beautiful."
I blinked. "Older than him?"
"Yes," Pallas said, tilting her head, amused. "Seems our Thorne only falls for older women. Funny, isn't it?"
---
The Confession
We cornered Thorne gently, our curiosity barely contained. "Thorne," I asked softly, "who is she?"
He hesitated, then finally sighed, lowering his gaze. "Her name is Zinnia. She's… older, yes, but she's strong, clever, and kind. And…" His voice dropped. "She loves me too."
We exchanged stunned looks. Lyra gasped. Pallas laughed outright. "I knew it! I knew someone would finally make you blush!"
Thorne's jaw tightened, but there was a faint, rare smile on his lips. "It doesn't matter what you think. I care about her, and she cares about me. That's all that matters."
---
Friends' Reactions
Elian chuckled. "Well, I never thought Thorne would actually fall for anyone. Much less an older woman."
Lyra smiled warmly. "It suits you. And she sounds wonderful."
Vex, ever analytical, simply nodded. "Compatibility seems high. Mutual respect, affection, and clear boundaries. I approve."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Thorne, you've surprised us all. But it's good to see you happy."
Pallas perched on a nearby branch, teasing. "Next thing we know, you'll be asking for marriage advice!"
Thorne groaned, hiding his face behind his arms. "Don't push it, Pallas."
---
Reflection on Friendship
As we watched him, I realized something important. Life in REF, missions, battles, celestial disturbances—they all demanded courage, skill, and strategy. But moments like this, small glimpses of love and friendship, reminded us why we fought.
We weren't just warriors, mages, and beast tamers. We were friends. Family. Allies in a world that constantly tested us. And seeing Thorne open his heart, even in this small way, strengthened the bond we all shared.
Lyra nudged me gently. "You know, Amara, it's not just Thorne who's allowed happiness. All of us, someday, we'll have moments like this. We just need to survive the chaos to get there."
I nodded, feeling warmth spread through me. Chaos was our constant companion, but these fleeting moments were worth protecting. Every dungeon cleared, every rogue mage thwarted, every beast tamed—it all led to these rare glimpses of normalcy.
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Planning Ahead
Pallas fluttered down, her eyes serious now. "Speaking of chaos, we can't get too distracted. There are still rogue nobles trying to undermine REF, demon cults, and other threats. Thorne's happiness is one thing—but our city still needs us."
I agreed. "Yes. Kael is out in another realm, and the rest of the team is handling various crises. We need to stay vigilant here."
Lyra's expression softened. "But taking a moment to celebrate small joys doesn't hurt. Thorne's love story… it reminds us what we're protecting. REF isn't just buildings and wards—it's people, lives, and happiness."
Thorne peeked from behind his arms, his smile faint but genuine. "Alright, alright… I get it. I'll keep my affections discreet while helping defend REF."
We laughed together, the sound mingling with the soft rustle of cherry blossoms. Even in a world teetering on the edge of war, moments like this made the struggle worthwhile.
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Closing Thoughts
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the garden, I felt a sense of calm I hadn't felt in weeks. Battles would come, monsters would rise, and Celestial War threats would continue—but our friendship, our bonds, and even these tender moments of love were worth fighting for.
And for Thorne, seeing him genuinely happy, even briefly, reminded me that even in a world filled with danger, life still had room for hope, laughter, and love.
For now, REF was safe. For now, we had each other. And that, I thought, was enough to face whatever tomorrow might bring.