After Celine and Miyanna discussed the bet and agreed on the terms, they went towards the tent where Blanc was.
"We're back," said Celine as they entered.
Blanc sat at the corner of the bed, lost in his thoughts to the point he did not even notice they came in.
"Hubby," said Miyanna out loud, which made Blanc acknowledge their presence.
"Ah, you're back," he said, looking at the two.
"Yes, the food was delicious, thank you," said Celine as she went to her bag to look for something.
"Yeah, thanks for the meal," Miyanna added as she placed her weapon atop her bag.
"You are welcome," said Blanc, but his tongue could not hold the question that followed any longer, "So, what have I done?"
"Should we head to the pool?" Celine asked, ignoring his question.
"Are you serious?" Blanc asked, a frown forming on his forehead.
"Yeah, I think it's a good idea," Miyanna replied to Celine, grabbing some clean, dry clothes.
"Let's go then," Celine said, as she managed to grab something for herself, before she turned around and, with Miyanna exiting first, they were out of the tent, heading towards the pool.
Blanc stood there dumbfounded. Not believing what just happened.
He could only watch their backs as they left the tent.
And his monologue returned, even though he felt like laughing and crying at the same time.
Did I really anger them this badly to deserve such treatment? Did I forget something?
No, that can't be.
But what happened then? Was that jump over the waterfall the issue? Was it that I did not kill or follow the turtle the issue that angered them?
No, they were angry before I mentioned the turtle.
But they laughed when Kael and Lune left the pool.
And I want to laugh now, even though I am angry. One does not mean the lack of the other.
True. What then?
It may be just one of Celine's games, trying to tell me something.
Telling me directly would be way better than playing with my mind.
I agree, and maybe Miyanna got dragged into it.
Or maybe she is learning to play the games Celine is playing.
Frightening.
Indeed, but why would they do this? What could they get by ignoring me?
Maybe that's the thing. Maybe they want me angry.
Why?
A lesson, maybe? Or just for fun?
If it's a lesson, is in poor taste.
But if it is for fun?
They chose the wrong person to play these types of games with.
So, that means…
Yes, if they want to have fun with my mind, I will have fun with theirs and give them what they want from me.
Sound plan.
Until next time, then.
I'll be here.
I know.
With what he had to do next, and frustrated enough, with the game Celine and Miyanna were playing already solved in his mind, he took some clothes and left the tent, heading towards the pool.
The pool where Celine and Miyanna were already bathing naked in the pool.
For just a moment, Blanc forgot what he was there for, even his anger dissipated for a single second, as he laid his grey eyes upon them and their angelic bodies.
"You came," Celine said as she was pouring water over her shoulder, her back to Blanc.
"What is this really all about?" Blanc asked, "What game are you two playing?"
"Game? Since when is not eating with us a game?" Celine replied with her own question.
Blanc chuckled as he began removing his clothes near the pool, "You two were mad before that, and left me all alone while I was making the fire and cooking."
"Why did you not call for us, then?" Celine asked, turning to face him.
"You have a mouth, use it," Miyanna added.
"Oh? You two have mouths as well, and you still decided not to use them. So why not tell me directly what I have done wrong? Why play these games of silence?" Blanc wondered.
"Why do you keep calling this a game when it's clearly not a ga-" Celine said, but Blanc's entering the pool made her fall silent as she and Miyanna watched him.
"If it's not a game, tell me, my loves, why was nothing wrong before I left, and now, when I'm back, you two are angry with me and decided to anger me as well?" Blanc asked.
"Oh, you are angry, hm?" Celine replied, getting to her feet in front of Blanc.
"Isn't that what you planned for me to be? Why act with such innocence?" Blanc asked.
"Truth be told," Miyanna began, getting to her feet as well, and going toward the two, "You really angered me today, husband."
"Did I? And what do you suggest, wife?" He kept himself in front of the two as they watched him speak.
But that question was met with a kiss from the two as they slowly walked through the water until the three were basically pressing against each other.
"You have to calm our anger first, dear husband, before we can calm yours, don't you think?" Celine asked as she kept kissing his neck.
"I don't think it's a good moment, I'm still angry with you two," Blanc whispered, his body already at the limit of reason.
"Threatening us with what we exactly want is a bad way to change our minds," Miyanna said, her body already beyond the reason Blanc attempted to hold onto.
"Well then," Blanc spoke as his mind was preparing to let go, "Let me calm you two down."
It was almost midnight after their minds calmed down enough to take a break and wash away the sweat they had built up inside the pool.
A truly unique place for them to enjoy themselves, but an experience that the three will surely not forget.
"We must get you angry more often," sighed Miyanna, slightly exhausted but clearly satisfied, as she finally managed to relax her sore muscles.
"Indeed," Celine agreed, "but there was truth to our anger, my love."
"Was it? What happened?" Blanc asked, curious, "I do not mind doing this, but if I did something to anger you, please tell me."
"Well, the Raw Vita of the gorillas is one reason, to be fair, I feel more easily angered, but the real reason is that you always act like you need to do things alone," Celine asked, "Are we not married?"
"We are," Blanc nodded, "But I did not do things alone, I requested things of you with the Metamorphs, and today too, I always lean on you two for support, so why act like I do things alone?"
"Lean on us for more, Hubby. If you keep us at arm's length with things, you might break at one point," Miyanna said.
"Well said, sister," Celine nodded.
"What things?" Blanc asked.
"Everything," Celine replied the next moment.
"Fine," Blanc nodded, "But I feel the need to ask for your forgiveness even now, because I know, in certain moments, I might forget to do that. When I do, please remember me."
Celine and Miyanna nodded at his words, satisfied with the result.
"Seems I won the bet," Celine giggled.
Miyanna sighed, "You did."
"Bet? What bet?" Blanc asked, confused.
"It doesn't matter," Celine grinned, getting on her feet, "Let's go back to the tent. The night is still young."
"Are you not tired?" Blanc asked.
"Oh, please, I need to get my fill before the pregnancy stops me from being able to do it for a while," Celine explained as she grabbed her clothes in her hands, "So, until then, you have to work hard, husband."
"You heard her, hubby," said Miyanna, following closely behind Celine as they walked towards the campsite.
"May the Vita give me strength," Blanc whispered as he left the pool, remembering Mera's advice that she offered him during his and Celine's betrothal.
'Remember this, Blanc. A smile from the women who love you will save your life more than any ally ever would.'
Perhaps you were right, mother, Blanc thought to himself as he walked towards their tent.