Joshua awoke with the dull glow of morning sunlight creeping into his room. He reached up to his face, touching it cautiously with his fingers.
"I'm sure of it now. I have super regenerative powers when I sleep," he muttered, his tone dramatic and contemplative, as he sat on the edge of the bed like some worn-out philosopher staring into the void.
As he rubbed his jaw, he noticed a wooden chair tipped over on the floor.
"What the hell?" Joshua blinked. "I know I had a weird dream… but I can't remember it. Am I haunted or something?" His voice dropped to a half-whisper, filled with grim excitement. "I've been waiting my whole life for this…"
He darted toward his drawers and yanked them open, retrieving a wooden stake and a hammer, his anti-ghost hunting kit. With cautious steps, he checked behind his curtains, under the bed, and inside the closet like a paranoid vigilante.
That's when Merlin opened his door and froze, eyes wide in horror at the sight before her. Her brother, in pajamas, crouched like a lunatic with a hammer in one hand and a stake in the other.
"Joshua, what the hell are you doing? You look like a crazy person," she said flatly, unimpressed.
"I'm searching for ghosts."
"You don't kill ghosts with a wooden stake and hammer. That's for vampires, idiot."
Joshua let out a disappointed sigh and shoved the tools back into his drawer.
"So… why'd you come see me? Miss your little brother already?"
Merlin scoffed. "No. James asked me to introduce him to you. He's afraid of you, and after seeing that whole mental breakdown, I think he's even more terrified now."
Joshua glanced toward the door where James, the shy noble boy, peeked in like a rabbit spotting a wolf.
"Oh yeah," Joshua muttered, "I never talked to him after what happened."
"Hey dude, you can come in. I won't hurt you," he said calmly.
James stepped in, hesitantly.
"So… how old are you?" Joshua asked.
"Fifteen."
Joshua nodded thoughtfully. Same age as Jack's sister. "Cool. Just give me a sec to change, okay?"
"Alright, we'll wait in the hall," Merlin said, leading James out and closing the door behind them.
Joshua dressed in casual clothes, leaving his armor in its place for once. "Day off from training," he muttered, combing back his hair and tidying up.
He stepped into the hallway, where Merlin, James, and Tiffany were chatting.
"Hi, Joshua," Tiffany greeted him, cheeks pink as she waved.
"Hey, Tiffany," Joshua replied, eyes glued to the floor. (If I don't look at her, I won't have any bad thoughts.)
Merlin eyed the awkward tension between the two, arms crossed. They made up… but something's definitely going on.
Thankfully, James broke the silence.
"Joshua, can you help me get supplies from the slums? I usually go with Jonathan, but he's working for the king today."
"Bodyguard work?" Joshua asked, intrigued.
James nodded. "Yeah. Also, I don't really know the area that well."
Joshua shrugged. "Alright. Let's go."
As he passed Tiffany, they exchanged a quick glance and both blushed. Merlin raised a brow, watching them with growing suspicion.
"Tiffany," she said once the boys were gone. "What's going on with you and Joshua?"
"Umm… nothing. What do you mean?" Tiffany stammered, avoiding her eyes.
"I know you like him. But he's dating Blanchette. Don't be a homewrecker," Merlin snapped before walking off, irritation plain on her face.
Tiffany flinched, guilt flickering in her golden eyes.
Merlin… is definitely going to have a word with me, Joshua thought as he carried the boxes beside James through the bustling streets.
"I thought you hated Tiffany," James said suddenly. "You two looked all lovey-dovey earlier."
"What?" Joshua blinked. "No. Tiffany's alright, I guess, but there's nothing going on. I'm with Blanchette."
"If you say so," James said with a smirk.
Meanwhile, at the slum's house…
Jack blinked awake to find Jessica asleep on his chest, both of them covered by a blanket. His face turned crimson just as Jessica's eyes fluttered open and locked onto his. They sprang apart like startled cats.
Sam sat up across the room and looked at them with amused suspicion. "Did you guys have sex or something?"
Jack and Jessica nearly choked.
"N-no!" Jack stammered.
"I… I think?" Jessica replied, confused.
Did we? they both wondered.
Sam grinned. "Relax, you didn't. I was joking."
Jack and Jessica laughed nervously, their hearts racing.
Jessica stood. "Jack, today's our day off. Want to go shopping? You guys barely have clothes."
Jack frowned. "We don't have the money."
"I'll pay. Don't worry."
"You said that yesterday. I ended up paying."
"Think of it as a thank-you for taking me out yesterday."
They blushed.
"Stop being weird," Sam said, rolling her eyes. "Let's go already."
They headed to the shops, where they spent the day trying on clothes, joking, laughing, and rating each other's outfits. It was a blissfully normal day, until they reached the checkout.
"I had fun today," Jessica said warmly.
"Me too," Jack replied.
Sam smirked. "Even though you're a muscular whore, I think you and Jack make a good couple."
Jessica turned beet red. "What did you call me, you pipsqueak?!"
She chased Sam out of the store while Jack chuckled and then realized he was alone at the counter.
"How much?" he asked the shopkeeper.
"Five bronze coins."
That's cheap, Jack thought. Still… I'm running low.
Outside, he found Jessica scanning the crowd.
"You said you were going to..."
"I think I lost Sam," she said, panic rising.
Jack tensed. "You lost my sister?!"
"I think she ran that way!"
"Then let's go!"
They sprinted down the road.
Back near the slums…
Joshua grunted, weighed down by boxes. "You could at least carry one, man!"
"I'm too weak," James muttered, eyeing his skinny arms.
"Yeah, only real men can carry these boxes."
"At least I'm not cheating on my girlfriend."
Joshua froze. "What did you say, you little shit?!"
He bolted after James, boxes still in hand.
"Walala pela! You can't catch me!" James yelled, slapping his butt and dashing away.
Joshua huffed and eventually lost him. He plopped down onto the boxes, breathless.
"Where the hell did that brat go…"
Elsewhere…
Sam giggled, having outrun Jessica, but soon realized she was alone, in a narrow alley. Two men blocked the exit, a mangy werewolf and a greasy human.
"Well, well," one of them leered.
"Fresh pup," the werewolf smirked.
Sam backed into the wall, trembling. "S-stay away!"
Just then, James arrived. He stepped in front of Sam, eyes blazing with fury.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he growled.
"Ooh, two for one," the werewolf grinned.
"I like this one," the human sneered. "He's pretty."
"I'm a guy, dumbass," James snapped. "And you're not laying a finger on her."
He dropped into his Aikido stance, body trembling but his heart resolute.