The hiking trail is beautiful—winding through forests that look too perfect to be entirely natural, leading up a mountain that seems to shimmer slightly in the sunlight.
Celestial realm hiking is definitely different from mortal realm hiking.
For one thing, I'm not out of breath despite the incline.
For another, the trees are singing softly as we pass.
"I still think we should have brought Lily," Naomi complains from behind me. "She would have loved this."
"She's a four-week-old kitten," Nalani points out patiently. "She would have gotten tired after five minutes and you'd be carrying her the rest of the way."
"I would happily carry her!"
"I know you would, sweetie. But Lily is better off napping at home."
Naomi grumbles something under her breath but doesn't argue further.
I'm walking near the front of our small group with Aethera, who's been quiet for most of the hike—just occasionally pointing out interesting plants or explaining the history of certain landmarks.
It's comfortable. Easy.
The kind of silence that doesn't need to be filled.
Eventually, Aethera speaks. "How are you doing, Cecil?"
The question is gentle but genuine. Not the performative "how are you" that people ask without wanting a real answer.
I consider it honestly. "Better. A lot better than I was when we first met."
"I'm glad." She smiles at me warmly. "You seem more settled. More at peace."
"I am." I glance back at where Naomi and Nalani are having a spirited debate about something. "I have people who care about me now. Friends. Family."
The word *family* feels significant somehow.
Aethera's smile widens. "You do. And I'm happy to count myself among them, if you'll have me."
The offer catches me off guard. "You—what?"
"You're important to Keith and Dylan," Aethera explains. "Which makes you important to me. And beyond that—" She pauses, her expression softening. "I've watched you grow over these past weeks. Watched you heal and open up and become more yourself. I'm proud of you, Cecil."
My throat tightens with unexpected emotion.
Proud of me.
When was the last time someone said they were proud of me?
"Thank you," I manage.
"I mean it." She reaches over to squeeze my shoulder gently. "You've come so far. Especially since Keith told you the truth about your past life."
"He was really good about it," I say quietly. "He didn't make it sound like he was trying to fix me or pitying me. He just... told me. Let me process it."
"I'm glad he handled it well," Aethera says warmly. "He was so nervous about telling you. But he wanted to do right by you."
"He did." The memory of that conversation still feels significant. Keith had been so careful, so present. "He really did."
Aethera nods, satisfied. "He cares about you deeply, Cecil. They both do." She pauses. "I'm glad my sons have a fated partner like you."
Heat floods my face immediately. "I—they—we're not—"
Aethera laughs warmly. "Cecil, you have a flower on your wrist that literally symbolizes your trust and connection to them. And I can see the way you light up when you talk about them. You're their fated partner. All three of you together."
"I guess so," I say quietly, still blushing.
"There's no guessing about it." Her voice is firm but kind. "You're family now. My family. Which means you're stuck with me whether you like it or not."
The words settle over me like a warm blanket.
Family.
Aethera—powerful, ancient, literally a goddess—is claiming me as family.
"I'd like that," I whisper.
"Good. Because I'm quite fond of you and I'm not planning on going anywhere."
We continue hiking in comfortable silence, and I think about what she said.
About being family. About Keith and Dylan caring about me. About being someone's fated partner.
About being *theirs.*
The thought doesn't scare me anymore.
It just feels right.
We reach the top of the mountain about an hour later, and the view is breathtaking.
The entire celestial realm spreads out below us—gardens and temples and cities that glow with their own internal light, all of it beautiful and impossible and real.
"Wow," I breathe.
"Right?" Naomi appears beside me, already pulling out her phone. "This is the best view in the entire realm. We have to take pictures."
She immediately starts directing us into various poses—some serious, some ridiculous.
Nalani rolls her eyes but participates good-naturedly.
Aethera proves to be surprisingly willing to make silly faces for the camera.
And I find myself laughing—genuine, unforced laughter—as Naomi insists we all do a jumping photo.
"One more!" Naomi calls. "Cecil, you need to be in the middle this time. Aethera on one side, Mom on the other, me jumping in the back—"
We arrange ourselves and Naomi sets the timer.
The camera clicks just as Naomi photobombs dramatically, and we all dissolve into laughter.
"These are perfect," Naomi declares, scrolling through the photos. "I'm sending them to everyone."
"Including Keith and Dylan?" I ask.
"Obviously. They need to see how much fun you're having without them." She grins mischievously.
After we've thoroughly documented the view and taken far too many selfies, we settle on some rocks to rest and have the lunch Nalani packed.
Aethera sits beside me, looking out over the realm with a contented expression.
"This was nice," she says. "Thank you for inviting me along."
"Of course. You're always welcome." The words come easily. "Actually—would you like to come over for tea later? When we get back?"
Aethera's eyes light up. "I'd love that. I haven't visited the apartment in a while. It'll be nice to see how you've all settled in together."
"Great. I'll let Keith and Dylan know we're having a visitor."
I pull out my phone to text them, but there's no signal this high up.
I'll just tell them when we get back. They won't mind.
---
The hike back down is easier, and we're all in good spirits by the time we return to the mortal realm.
Nalani and Naomi head off to their own place after promising to meet up again soon.
Aethera and I make our way to the apartment, still chatting easily about the hike and the photos Naomi took.
I unlock the door and step inside. "Keith? Dylan? I'm back! And I brought a visitor—"
The scene that greets us is completely domestic.
Keith and Dylan are on the couch, a nature documentary about jungle wildlife playing on the TV. Lily is sprawled across both their laps, purring loudly while Keith gently pets her and Dylan has one hand absently stroking her back.
They both look up when we enter, and I notice they both look slightly more rumpled than when I left—hair a bit messy, Keith's shirt slightly wrinkled.
"Cecil!" Keith's face lights up. "You're back! How was the hike?"
"Hi, Mum," Dylan adds, standing carefully so as not to disturb Lily. "This is a nice surprise."
"I invited her for tea," I explain. "I hope that's okay."
"Of course it's okay," Keith says, also standing—Lily meowing in protest at being displaced. "You don't need to ask permission to invite people over. This is your home too."
Aethera is looking around the apartment with interest. "It's been a while since I visited. You've made the place very cozy."
"Cecil's influence," Dylan says, moving to put the kettle on. "He's good at making spaces feel like home."
My face warms at the compliment.
We settle in the living room—Aethera in an armchair, Keith and Dylan on the couch with me between them, Lily now investigating Aethera with cautious curiosity.
"So this is the famous Lily," Aethera observes as the kitten sniffs her hand.
"The one and only," Keith confirms. "Naomi's been trying to steal her every chance she gets."
"I can see why. She's adorable." Aethera gently pets Lily, who immediately starts purring and rubbing against her hand.
Dylan returns with tea, and we settle into comfortable conversation.
I tell them about the hike—the views, the photos, Naomi's continued insistence that Lily should have come along.
Keith and Dylan tell us about their day—apparently they spent most of it cleaning, reorganizing some shelves, and then getting distracted by the documentary.
"It's about jungle predators," Keith explains, and I notice him exchange a quick glance with Dylan. "Really fascinating. Did you know jaguars are the only big cats that kill their prey by biting through the skull?"
"That's... intense," I say.
"Nature is intense," Dylan adds, and there's something in his tone that makes me think they're talking about more than just the documentary.
Keith's face is slightly flushed, and Dylan looks far too composed in that way he gets when he's deliberately controlling his expression.
Oh.
I get the distinct impression they weren't just watching the documentary the entire time I was gone.
But Aethera seems oblivious, watching the three of us with a soft smile, her gaze lingering on small details.
The way Keith's arm is draped casually along the back of the couch behind me.
The way Dylan's hand rests on my knee, his thumb tracing absent circles.
The way we all lean into each other naturally, comfortable in our closeness.
"You've all gotten very comfortable with each other," she observes gently.
"Yeah," I say, smiling. "We have."
"I'm glad." Her expression is warm. "When I first brought Cecil here, I hoped you'd all find your way to each other. But seeing it actually happen—seeing how well you fit together—it's more than I could have hoped for."
Keith reaches over to squeeze my hand. "Best thing that ever happened to us."
"To all of us," Dylan corrects, his hand tightening on my knee.
"To all of us," Keith agrees.
Aethera's eyes are suspiciously bright. "I'm so proud of all three of you. For being brave enough to open your hearts. For taking care of each other."
"We learned from the best," Dylan says, looking at her with obvious affection.
"Oh, stop. You're going to make me cry." But Aethera is smiling.
Lily chooses that moment to climb into Aethera's lap, apparently deciding she's trustworthy.
"Well," Aethera says, gently petting the purring kitten. "I think I've been approved."
We spend the next hour talking and laughing, Lily moving between all of us, the documentary playing quietly in the background—showing jungle cats stalking through undergrowth, their movements predatory and graceful.
I catch Dylan watching the screen with a slight smirk, and Keith's face goes red again.
Yeah. They definitely weren't just watching documentaries.
But Aethera doesn't seem to notice, or if she does, she's kind enough not to comment.
And I realize something.
I'm not just happy.
I'm content.
Surrounded by people who love me, in a space that feels like home, with a future that looks bright instead of terrifying.
This is what I've been searching for my whole life without knowing it.
Not perfection. Not the absence of problems.
Just this—people who care, a place to belong, and the certainty that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
Eventually, Aethera stands to leave.
"This was wonderful," she says. "Thank you for inviting me, Cecil. And for making my boys so happy."
"They make me happy too," I say honestly.
"I can see that." She hugs each of us—Keith first, then Dylan, then me, holding on just a bit longer. "Take care of each other."
"Always," we promise.
After she leaves, the three of us settle back on the couch.
Lily immediately climbs onto my lap, curling into a tiny ball.
"Your mum seems happy," I observe.
"She is," Keith says. "She's been wanting us to find our third for years. To see us actually together, actually happy—it means a lot to her."
"It means a lot to me too," I say quietly.
Dylan's arm comes around my shoulders. "Good day?"
"Really good day," I confirm. "The hike was beautiful. Aethera is wonderful. And coming home to you both—" I stop, glancing at the TV where a jaguar is stalking through the jungle. "Watching documentaries about jungle predators?"
Keith chokes on nothing.
Dylan's smirk widens slightly.
"We watched other things too," Keith manages.
"I'm sure you did," I say, unable to keep the amusement out of my voice.
"We cleaned!" Keith protests.
"I believe you."
"We reorganized the kitchen!"
"Also believe you."
Dylan just pulls me closer, not bothering to deny anything.
And I realize I don't mind at all.
They had their time together. Figured out more of their dynamic.
Just like we'll all have more time together.
In every possible combination.
"I'm glad you had a good day too," I say quietly.
Keith relaxes, understanding what I'm really saying. "Yeah. We did."
We sit there in comfortable silence, Lily purring on my lap, the documentary still playing quietly, all of us just existing together.
And I think about how I used to be so alone.
How I used to think I didn't deserve this kind of happiness.
How wrong I was.
Because this—all of this—is exactly what I deserve.
And exactly what I'm going to keep.
Forever.