Walkin' down the streets as they whistle, "Hi, hi!"
"Noel?"
"Hmm?"
"Where going to my parent's place."
"Ehhh!?"
˚₊‧꒰ა🍂🍁🧡 ໒꒱ ‧₊
Noel adjusted the hem of her dress nervously as she stood outside the small house. It was simple, ordinary—nothing like the grand halls of the Daemos realms and the atmosphere of Ava's apartment that she was used to. Yet, despite its modest size, warmth seemed to radiate from the inside, spilling out in the form of soft laughter and the scent of something baking. Her fingers tightened around the fabric unconsciously.
"You sure about this?" she muttered, keeping her gaze low, her hair catching the faint afternoon sunlight. She stole a glance at Ava, who stood beside her, relaxed, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Ava nudged her gently. “They're gonna love you,” she said with a reassuring grin, before lifting her hand and knocking on the door.
Noel swallowed hard. She wasn’t used to… this. Being welcomed. Meeting people without some formal ceremony or expectation of manipulation. Her stomach felt like it was tying itself in knots, her lips twitching slightly on her face.
A few heartbeats later, the door creaked open, revealing a tall man with light blond hair and blue eyes with a tan complexion. His expression immediately softened when he saw Ava.
“Ava! You’re here!” Devon exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug that lifted her slightly off the ground. Noel blinked, unsure whether to look away or stay perfectly still. She was used to structured greetings, not… affection.
As Devon pulled back, his gaze flicked past Ava, landing squarely on Noel. For a brief moment, she braced herself, expecting the usual reactions—fear, unease, suspicion at the sight of her unnatural and faintly glowing eyes. But instead, there was only curiosity, maybe even something like kindness.
Before she could process it, another figure appeared behind Devon. A pale complexion, gray hair with a short beard, and pine green, kind eyes crinkling at the corners and an easy smile. Andrew.
“This must be the famous Noel we've heard so much about,” Andrew said immediately, stepping forward without hesitation. He offered his hand outstretched, the gesture casual and familiar. “I'm Andrew. And that’s Devon. Welcome.”
Noel stared at his hand, confused for a split second. Back home, introductions were a far colder affair—titles, formal bows, elaborate words. None of this. Ava and Lorelai were the only humans she was used too. But then Ava gave her a subtle nudge.
Tentatively, Noel reached out and shook Andrew’s hand, trying to mimic how she’d seen humans do it. His grip was firm but warm.
Devon stepped aside, gesturing toward the interior. “Any friend of Ava's is family here. Come on in.”
Noel hesitated, glancing once more at Ava. Ava gave her a small smile, eyes gleaming, and mouthed, You’re doing great.
With a deep breath, Noel stepped inside.
˚₊‧꒰ა🍂🍁🧡 ໒꒱ ‧₊
The house was… cozy. That was the only word she could think of. Soft furniture, pictures on the walls, little knick-knacks on the shelves. None of it was overly grand, but everything felt lived-in, real. It was like Ava's apartment in a way, were all humans homes like this?
“Make yourself at home,” Devon said, moving toward the kitchen. “I’ve got cookies in the oven. They’re chocolate chip, but Andrew added walnuts because he can’t help himself.”
“I stand by my decision,” Andrew called over his shoulder, heading toward the couch. He turned back to Noel with a grin. “You like cookies?”
Noel blinked, then nodded uncertainly. “I… I’ve never had one, but I made some before.”
Both men froze momentarily before exchanging glances.
“First cookies,” Andrew whispered theatrically to Devon. “This is a sacred moment.”
Noel wasn’t sure if they were joking or serious, but the way they fussed over something as small as cookies made her chest tighten strangely. She found herself following Ava to sit on the couch, perching stiffly on the edge like she was afraid of damaging it.
“Relax,” Ava murmured under her breath, settling beside her. “They’re harmless. Promise.”
Devon returned a minute later, setting a plate down in front of them with a triumphant flourish. “Fresh out of the oven. Careful, they're hot.”
Noel eyed the golden-brown disks cautiously, as if they might be enchanted. She watched as Ava grabbed one and took a bite, crumbs falling onto her lap. Then Andrew grabbed one, dunked it halfway into a glass of milk, and winked at her.
Feeling like she was about to fail some crucial social test, Noel slowly reached out and picked one up. It was soft, warm against her fingers. She took a tentative bite—and froze.
It was sweet. But not like the overly cloying treats she’d had at royal banquets. This was warm, melty, comforting. Like the 'takeout' Ava gave her a week ago!
Devon laughed at the wide-eyed expression on her face. “Good, huh?”
Noel nodded quickly, unsure how to describe the feeling curling in her chest.
“So,” Andrew said casually, leaning back, “Ava tells us you’re from… far away.”
That was one way to put it.
Noel swallowed the bite of cookie. “Yes. Very far.”
Devon raised an eyebrow, smiling. “I imagine it’s pretty different from here.”
“That’s… one way to describe it.” She hesitated, unsure how much to say. “There aren’t many places like this back home.”
“Not enough couches and cookies, huh?” Andrew joked, earning a small chuckle from Ava.
Noel glanced around again, at the small family photos hanging above the mantle, the mismatched mugs on the coffee table. It felt so ordinary, yet so alien to her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a house like this,” she admitted quietly. “It feels… safe.”
Andrew’s smile softened. “That’s the idea.”
For a moment, silence settled over them, comfortable and unhurried. Noel felt herself relaxing a fraction.
“So,” Devon spoke up after a pause, tapping his fingers against his mug. “We’ve got one important question.”
Noel straightened instinctively. A test?
“What’s your stance on board games?”
Ava groaned loudly. “Dad, no—”
Andrew was already grinning. “Vital information, Ava. Crucial, really.”
Noel blinked. “Board… games?”
“Yup,” Devon said, pulling a box out from under the coffee table. “We take them very seriously around here.”
Noel exchanged a bewildered glance with Ava, who shrugged helplessly.
“Prepare yourself,” Ava whispered. “They’ll go easy on you... maybe.”
And for the first time in what felt like forever, Noel felt something unfamiliar creeping over her shoulders—not the weight of expectation, not the cold rigidity of duty, but something light. Laughter.
Maybe, she thought, she could get used to this.
˚₊‧꒰ა🍂🍁🧡 ໒꒱ ‧₊