Alexia stirs with a groan, stretching as she sits up in bed.

  The room is dim, early morning light peeking through the thin hotel curtains.

  She blinks, then frowns.

  “Sixty-six… sixty-seven… sixty-eight…”

  Leaning over the side of the bed, she spots Markus wedged in the narrow space between the bed and the wall — doing push-ups. His arms tremble with effort, sweat already glistening on his brow.

  “Seventy-three… seventy-four… seventy-five…” he grunts, finally pushing himself upright and catching his breath.

  Alexia raises an eyebrow.

  “You sure that’s a good idea? Seventy-five push-ups seems a little overkill, don’t you think?”

  Markus gives a sheepish shrug, wiping his face with a towel.

  She’d definitely kill me if she knew it was actually a hundred and seventy-five.

  “Gotta stay in shape. For, y’know… when we have to fight stuff again,” he says, starting to stretch.

  Alexia crosses her arms, still groggy.

  “Well, don’t overdo it. We don’t need you getting sick again — and this hotel doesn’t even have a kitchen, so no soup.”

  Markus gives her a tired grin.

  “Alright, alright. I’ll wait until we’re home to collapse.”

  She rolls her eyes.

  “You know that’s not what I meant.”

  Under the covers, Liddle stirs, her hoodie bunched around her shoulders. She sits up slowly, rubbing one eye with the back of her hand. Her hair is loose and messy — and for once, her horns aren’t hidden.

  Markus smiles.

  “Good morning, Liddle.”

  She blinks at him sleepily. “Mornin’…”

  Still catching his breath, he tilts his head.

  “Y’know… I think this is the first time I’ve gotten a good look at your horns.”

  Liddle’s eyes widen. Her hand twitches toward them — but she hesitates, then glances down instead.

  “Oh, um…” she mumbles, cheeks flushing. “I forgot to tuck them away.”

  Markus steps closer, gently gathering her hair.

  “They’re… kinda cute, actually.”

  Liddle blinks up at him as he twists her hair into loose buns, her horns now tucked beneath. Her face turns bright red.

  “So… you like horny girls?” she asks softly.

  Alexia snorts with laughter from her bed, and Markus turns scarlet.

  “Check the mirror,” he mutters, flustered— tripping over his words “See if I did a good job.”

  The hotel’s breakfast room is tucked just past the lobby — a small but welcoming space filled with the warm scent of syrup, scrambled eggs, and toasted bread. Soft instrumental music drifts through the air, blending with the clink of utensils and the quiet murmur of sleepy travelers.

  On the drink bar, pitchers of orange juice, apple juice, and water glisten with condensation. A coffee machine hums in the corner, promising everything from espresso to hot chocolate at the press of a button.

  “It’s really all-you-can-eat?” Liddle asks, her eyes wide as she piles her plate high with pancakes and crispy bacon.

  “Help yourself,” Markus says, spreading cream cheese onto a plain bagel. He grabs a small coffee and an orange juice, carefully balancing both as he returns to the table.

  He sets them down in front of her.

  “I think you might like this,” he says with a small smile, sliding the orange juice toward her.

  Liddle blinks, then grins as she takes the glass.

  “Thanks,” Liddle says, cheeks already full of pancake.

  “It feels like it’s been a while since we just got to hang out,” Alexia says, biting into a strip of bacon.

  “It was, like, three days ago,” Markus replies, raising an eyebrow.

  “Yeah, but it was a really busy three days,” she shoots back, twirling her fork before sighing. “Y’know… cops, raids, secrets, near-death experiences. Just the usual.”

  Markus doesn’t have anything to add to that, so he lets her keep going.

  “What do you think we should do?” Alexia asks, poking at the last of her eggs.

  Markus sets his fork down. “Well… I don’t want to kill the mood, but your dad might still be hunting us. So maybe we grab some new clothes before anyone spots us. We could also hit the gym while we’re out.”

  Alexia raises an eyebrow, her voice dry. “Are you sure you don’t just want to go to the gym to show off in front of girls?”

  “Oh, you can show off in front of me,” she adds with a smirk, taking a sip of orange juice. “I’d love to watch”

  Markus turns red instantly. “N-No! I mean—well, that’s a bonus. But nothing compares to… y’know, making sure the world’s safe.”

  Liddle nods without looking up, still chewing. She gives a tiny, syrup-coated thumbs-up.

  “I’d love to get something clean,” Alexia says, eyeing her shirt with a grimace. “I tried to wash all the rat blood out, but… yeah. A proper change of clothes sounds really nice.”

  Markus turns to Liddle, who’s still working on her pancakes. “You need another hoodie?” he asks, already reaching over to refill her now-empty juice glass.

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  Liddle blinks up at him. “Maybe… it’s still kinda green, so…”

  Markus chuckles. “Alright. Hoodies and clean shirts for everyone. It’s a plan.”

  He finishes the last sip of his coffee, setting the cup down with a quiet clink. Across from him, Liddle lets out a satisfied sigh and scrapes the final streak of syrup from her plate.

  Alexia, already standing and stretching, pulls out her phone. “Alright, let’s see… where’s the nearest clothing store that won’t make us look like we just escaped a bunker?”

  She starts scrolling while Markus and Liddle stand and gather their things.

  As they turn the corner, Markus slows. Just ahead, an elderly woman is struggling with a bulky cardboard box, clearly too heavy for her. She wobbles slightly, arms straining to keep it balanced.

  Without hesitation, Markus jogs over.

  “Excuse me, ma’am — here, let me help you with that.”

  “Oh! Thank you, dear,” she says, startled but relieved as she gratefully hands it off.

  Alexia glances at Liddle with a small smirk.

  “He’s such a sucker for side quests.”

  Liddle just smiles, watching Markus help the old woman with quiet care.

  “Yeah… but that’s why we love him.”

  Alexia raises an eyebrow but doesn’t reply. The corners of her mouth twitch upward — just a little.

  Markus shifts the box in his arms and looks back over his shoulder.

  “You two go on without me — I’ll be right back.”

  Alexia shrugs. “Don’t take too long. If I end up picking your outfit, you’re getting something ridiculous.”

  Markus grins, then turns to follow the old woman toward her apartment building, the box cradled easily in his arms.

  It isn’t heavy — just awkward, full of old books wrapped in layers of duct tape that crinkle against his sleeve. He adjusts his grip, careful not to jostle it as he follows her down the sidewalk. She walks slowly, every step deliberate.

  Her steps are deliberate, leaning on a cane with one hand while the other gestures toward a nearby apartment building.

  Markus doesn’t mind the pace. Honestly, it’s kind of peaceful. After everything — the demons, the department, the fights, the fear — carrying a box for a stranger feels… normal.

  Grounding. It’s a reminder that there are still small things worth doing. That kindness doesn’t always have to come with magic or consequences.

  The woman glances up at him with a soft smile.

  “Not many young men would stop to help these days.”

  Markus smiles back. “I’m just doing what I can. That’s about all you can ask from anyone.”

  She thanks him again before disappearing into the building’s lobby. Markus gives a little wave, then turns to go.

  Everything feels calm. The sun is warm above him, birds chatter from the trees, and bees drift lazily through the air. Markus takes a deep breath, letting the stillness settle in his chest.

  And yet… something tugs at the edge of his thoughts.

  He glances down at his Mahoishi. Even dormant, he can feel it — the mana in the air, faint but distinct, like a breeze brushing just beneath the skin. It’s a new sense, one he’s still learning to understand. Not sight. Not sound. Something deeper.

  Markus shakes his head, pushing the feeling aside.

  Peace never lasts long in their world.

  Adjusting his jacket, he turns down the street toward Coals to meet up with Alexia and Liddle.

  They’re just outside the store when he arrives. Liddle is holding up a dress — the same style she’d quickly rejected back in Ohio City.

  “I’m getting that for me,” Markus jokes, nodding at the dress.

  “Liddle was just wondering if you’d like something like that,” Alexia says with a sly grin.

  “I said, what if I wore it?” Liddle mumbles, cheeks pink as she hurriedly puts the dress back on the rack.

  Markus raises an eyebrow, but before he can say anything, Alexia pulls a swimsuit from one of the bags.

  “I know you’d love to see what we picked out for her,” Alexia teases. “We also grabbed some super cute pajamas.”

  Markus chuckles, warmth in his voice. “As long as she likes wearing it… that’s what matters.”

  He doesn’t take long to choose his own clothes — a red-and-white striped polo, a pair of blue jeans, some sweats, and a plain white tee for sleeping.

  “Everyone ready?” he asks, glancing at the girls.

  They step out of the store together, shopping bags in hand. The sky above is perfectly clear, the breeze light, the sun pleasantly warm. For a brief moment, Markus lets himself sink into it.

  Why does peace feel so strange?

  “You seem quiet,” Alexia says, glancing over her shoulder at him.

  He walks a few steps before answering, eyes on the pavement.

  “Everything feels… nice,” he says softly. “This is perfect. The kind of life I always wanted.”

  He pauses, then adds, “But for some reason… I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not real.”

  His hand goes to his Mahoishi, fingers tracing its smooth edges.

  “With everything being different now — magic, demons, a government task force for aliens — it all feels a little surreal.”

  He looks ahead, eyes distant.

  “Sometimes, it’s like I never really woke up from the coma.”

  Alexia slows to walk beside him.

  “Oh, come on, Markus. There are still things that are the same.”

  Markus lets out a quiet laugh — not bitter, just weary.

  “I got evicted from my apartment, lost both my jobs, and now I’m in a completely new city. You’re the only thing that’s stayed the same.”

  “You hated your old life,” Alexia reminds him gently.

  “I know, I know… but that was my life.”

  He looks down, fidgeting with his Mahoishi, the weight of it grounding him in the moment.

  “If it makes you feel better,” Alexia says, “it was always around you. Even if you couldn’t see it. Like Liddle was in homeroom.”

  Markus gives a small, uncertain shrug.

  “Maybe,” he says quietly. “I know I should be happy. And it is great. But it still feels… wrong.”

  Liddle steps up beside them, her voice quiet but steady.

  “I’m far from my old life too… but maybe we can be happy together.”

  “I never really thought about how it must feel,” Markus says, lowering his voice. “Being so far from Hehl… from everything you knew.”

  “Don’t worry,” Liddle says softly. “This is so much nicer. No parents calling me stupid, or too short, or a burden… or an embarrassment.”

  Markus freezes.

  “Uh… Liddle,” he says gently, “is there… anything you want to talk about?”

  Liddle nods.

  “Just that I enjoy being with you.”

  “Come on, lovebirds,” Alexia says, rolling her eyes. “Let’s get back to the hotel before you two decide to hold hands or something.”

  “Um… can we?” Liddle asks softly, holding out her hand without looking at Markus.

  She flinches slightly at the sound of his sigh — but then feels his fingers slip gently into hers.

  Her gaze lifts in surprise, meeting his. For a moment, she can’t look away… until her eyes drift down to the little sparrow necklace resting against his chest.

  As they walk back to the hotel, the sun dips lower, casting a soft golden glow across the quiet streets. Their footsteps stay slow, unhurried — like none of them want the moment to end.

  “Hey, Alexia? Mind if I get a second with Liddle?” Markus asks as they reach the hotel room.

  Alexia smirks. “Good luck,” she says, flashing a thumbs-up before slipping inside and leaving the two of them alone in the hallway.

  Markus rests a hand gently on Liddle’s shoulder.

  “You’ve been… an amazing person. And I’m sorry, because I’m probably going to bring you down. I just—”

  “Markus,” Liddle interrupts, her voice soft but firm. “I’m a small demon. Even back in Hehl, I wasn’t wanted. Even there.”

  Silence settles around them like a held breath.

  “You accepted me when no one else did — demon or human. The care and kindness you’ve given me is already more than I ever thought I’d have.” She looks him in the eyes. “So don’t tell me you can’t afford some fancy ring, or take me to the best restaurant, or that you wouldn’t be a good boyfriend.”

  Her words are steady, certain. “I love you. And that’s that.”

  “Even if I come to bed crying,” he says quietly, “even if I don’t know what’s up ahead…”

  He sets her down gently on the edge of the bed, and she doesn’t let go of his shirt until he sits beside her. The world outside might still be full of magic, danger, and uncertainty — but here, in this quiet space, none of it seems to matter.

  And for the first time in a long while, neither of them feels the need to say anything more.