Sunny leaned back against the couch, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
His plan was already in motion.
All the countless times Nephis had teased him countless times.
No more.
His table shook, where his telecommunicator lied.
Effie had sent a message:
We're coming over.
'Perfect.'
A few minutes later, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house.
Effie, Kai, and Cassie had entered.
Effie stretched lazily before flopping onto the couch beside Sunny, while Kai leaned against the wall with a knowing smirk.
Cassie took a seat, her blindfolded gaze still managing to make Sunny feel like she could see right through him.
Effie grinned and nudged Sunny. "So, what have you been up to?"
Before he could stop himself, the words spilled out. "Sleeping with Nephis."
Silence.
Nephis, who had been casually sipping tea, choked mid-sip.
Her silver eyes widened in horror as everyone turned to her in shock.
Sunny, meanwhile, was struggling to keep his expression neutral.
Kai was the first to break the silence, bursting into laughter. "My little boy has finally grown up!" he said, wiping a nonexistent tear from the corner of his eye.
Effie, on the other hand, was cackling. "Oh my gods! I was just teasing, but you actually-?!"
Sunny tried to remain composed, but the slight blush dusting his cheeks gave him away.
"Yes," he said simply.
Nephis turned even redder, setting down her cup with an audible clink.
"Sunny…" she muttered, glaring at him.
Cassie tilted her head.
"I see. Congratulations?" she offered, her tone unsure on what to think.
Effie nearly fell off the couch laughing. "Oh, this is the best day ever. I wish I had recorded that moment."
Sunny smirked, thoroughly enjoying Nephis's rare flustered state.
But before Effie could press further, he decided to divert the conversation. "So, what are we doing today?"
Effie, still giggling, took a deep breath to steady herself.
"Right! We're going on an outing. There's a festival happening in the outer city, and we thought it'd be fun to check it out. Food stalls, games, and even some combat exhibitions."
'She only wants to go because of the food.' Sunny thought.
Kai nodded. "Plus, it's rare we get a day without training or impending doom. Might as well enjoy it."
Nephis, regaining her composure, nodded. "That sounds nice."
Sunny stretched. "Fine by me."
Effie smirked. "And don't think I've forgotten about your little confession, Sunny. This isn't over."
He merely smiled. "We'll see."
---------
[insert festival description, i cba to write]
Sunny walked alongside Nephis, traversing the grounds of the festival.
He brushed his fingers against hers purposefully for a while, and when she wanted to brush against his, he pulled his hand back.
Effie, as expected, had already locked onto her first target.
A food stall.
Without hesitation, she grabbed Kai's arm and dragged him along, her eyes gleaming with hunger.
Cassie, though blind, had managed to maneuver the crowd as if she had her vision. A small, content smile was plastered her lips as she listened to the music and distant chatter.
The group soon arrived at a game booth where floating targets hovered in midair, challenging participants to knock them down with wooden throwing knives.
Effie nudged Sunny with a sly grin. "You should give it a shot."
He shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "Why? We already know I'd win."
Kai rolled his eyes. "Cocky as ever."
Nephis, standing beside Sunny, glanced at the targets and then at him. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "I'll do it."
Sunny raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"
She tilted her head slightly. "Unless you're afraid of losing?"
Effie let out an exaggerated gasp. "Oh, this just got interesting."
Sunny sighed dramatically. "Fine. But don't cry when I win."
The game began, and they took turns throwing.
Unsurprisingly, both hit their targets with ease.
The vendor, realizing their skill, increased the difficulty, making the targets move faster and further away.
From the looks of it, he was probably deeply worried inside as he didn't expect individuals to win in his 'fair' game. The game was mostly designed for awakened and above, and he didn't expect a short kid with his friends to be able to do any good.
A small crowd gathered, watching in fascination as neither missed a single throw.
The tension rose with each perfect shot until, at last, the vendor raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright! You both win. Take whatever prize you want."
Effie snickered. "Poor guy didn't know what he was getting into."
Nephis picked a simple silver bracelet, while Sunny chose a small black stone pendant.
He turned to her and smirked. "Want to trade?"
She hesitated briefly before nodding. They exchanged items, and for some reason, the gesture felt more significant than it should have.
Kai groaned. "This is getting way too sweet for my liking."
Effie smirked. "I think it's adorable."
Cassie, as always, simply smiled.
(such an outsider)
------
They continued playing games as time grew near.
Effie challenged Sunny to a strength test, where he barely won against her by secretly enhancing himself with his shadows.
Kai then challenged both Sunny to a reflex game, which turned from a friendly competition to their lives on the line.
Meanwhile, Cassie and Nephis engaged in a different challenge - a puzzle-solving contest, which Cassie won.
At some point, the crowd naturally pulled them apart, leaving only Sunny and Nephis walking side by side.
They came across another game booth, a classic festival challenge where players had to knock down stacked bottles with a gun.
Sunny turned to Nephis, smirking. "How about a little bet?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What kind of bet?"
"If you win, I'll do anything you want for the rest of the night."
Nephis's eyes lit up instantly. "Anything?"
"Anything."
She didn't hesitate. "You're on."
She took her shot.
- Bam!
The bottle tumbled.
He watched with a face of confidence but inside he was a bit worried as to what happened if she won.
She continued.
- Bam!
But just as victory seemed within reach, the last bottle wobbled and stubbornly remained upright.
Sunny chuckled. "Looks like I win."
Nephis frowned but didn't seem too disappointed. "Guess I'll have to wait on that favor."
He leaned up, placing his hands on the back of her neck to pull her closer to him.
'Damned my height.'
He then planted a teasing kiss on her lips before pulling away with a smug expression.
"Shame. I was almost looking forward to it."
Not willing to accept defeat so easily, Nephis crossed her arms. "Double or nothing. Another game."
Sunny's smirk widened. "And what's in it for me if I win?"
She paused before replying, "You can ask me to do anything you want tonight."
Sunny considered it for a moment before nodding. "Deal."
They moved to the next game - a ring toss.
Once again, she tried, but to no avail as he secured another victory.
She clenched her fists. "Best two out of three."
They went to a dart-throwing challenge.
Sunny won again.
"Best three out of five," she insisted.
A shooting gallery. Another win for Sunny.
"Best four out of seven."
A reflex test. Sunny's streak remained unbroken.
By the time they reached the seventh game, Nephis stood silently, her arms crossed as she stared at him. She was pissed.
Finally, she sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. "Fine. I give up."
Sunny laughed, tilting his head playfully. "I did warn you."
He leaned in, whispering in her ear.
"Prepare yourself, Nephis."
A faint blush dusted her cheeks, but she didn't pull away.
Instead, she met his gaze with a quiet resolve. "We'll see."
With that, they rejoined the others, who were already gathered near the main festival plaza, watching a firework display light up the sky.
Effie glanced at them suspiciously. "What were you two up to?"
Sunny smirked. "Just some friendly competition."
Nephis, ever composed, simply nodded. "He won."
Kai scoffed. "Of course, he did. When does this guy ever lose?"
Effie nudged Sunny. "Well? What's your prize?"
Sunny glanced at Nephis, his smirk softening slightly. "Her."
Silence again.
Luckily, no one had heard it except Effie.
Effie smirked, "Oh wow… I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
As the fireworks had finally exploded, painting the night with mixed colors.
Sunny felt a sense of contentment settle over him.
The festival, the laughter, the teasing, and Nephis by his side.
It was a night he wouldn't forget anytime soon.
And as he watched the glow of the lanterns reflect in Nephis's silver eyes, he knew one thing for certain.
He had already won far more than just a game.