Aurensvale was breathtaking, even by Velanthor’s otherworldly standards. The city sprawled across rolling green hills, its streets lined with elegant, curving architecture that seemed to grow naturally from the land itself. Buildings of marble and polished wood stood adorned with flowing vines and glowing crystals, their colors shifting subtly in the sunlight. The air carried a faint floral scent, mingling with the distant hum of magical energy that seemed to pulse through everything in this world.

  Evan walked beside Lyrin, who was practically glowing with excitement. She had insisted on giving him a proper tour, her arm looped through his as she guided him through the bustling streets. Her violet eyes sparkled as she pointed out various shops, street performers, and landmarks, her enthusiasm infectious.

  “You’ve been here before, right?” Evan asked as they passed a shop displaying shimmering fabrics that seemed to ripple like liquid light.

  “Only briefly,” Lyrin admitted, her silver hair catching the sunlight as she turned to him. “But I’ve always wanted to explore more. This city is... special. It’s said that Aurensvale was blessed by Seralith herself, long ago. Her light imbues everything here.”

  Evan glanced around, taking in the way the very air seemed to shimmer subtly, like a perpetual golden hour. “That would explain why it feels like I stepped into a fairy tale.”

  Lyrin laughed softly, squeezing his arm. “Perhaps you have.”

  The first stop on their tour was a tailor’s shop, where Lyrin insisted on getting Evan proper clothing for Velanthor. “You can’t keep walking around in Earthly attire,” she said, tugging him inside. “You stand out too much.”

  The tailor, an older elf with sharp eyes and nimble hands, measured Evan quickly and efficiently, pulling various tunics, trousers, and boots from the racks. Lyrin hovered nearby, offering suggestions and occasionally holding up garments to judge how they’d look on him. She seemed particularly fond of deep greens and blues, which, to Evan’s surprise, actually suited him quite well.

  “You clean up nicely,” Lyrin teased as Evan emerged from the fitting room in a dark green tunic and brown leather boots. “You look almost native.”

  “Almost?” he replied, raising an eyebrow. “What gave me away? The lack of pointy ears?”

  She giggled, her laughter like music, and shook her head. “No, it’s the way you keep fidgeting with the sleeves. You’ll get used to it.”

  After settling on a few outfits, they continued on to a park Lyrin had been eager to show him. The park was like nothing Evan had ever seen before—a sprawling magical garden filled with glowing flowers, sparkling streams, and trees with leaves that shimmered like stained glass. The air buzzed faintly with enchantments, and tiny motes of light flitted about, like fireflies with minds of their own.

  Lyrin tugged him along a winding path, her excitement bubbling over. “Look at this!” she exclaimed, pointing to a fountain in the center of the park. The water didn’t just flow—it danced, forming intricate, ever-changing shapes in the air before cascading back into the basin.

  “It’s beautiful,” Evan said, watching the display with a mix of awe and disbelief. “How is this even possible?”

  “Magic,” Lyrin replied simply, her tone playful. “But it’s more than that. This park is meant to inspire wonder and joy. It’s a place to remind us of what we’re fighting for.”

  Evan glanced at her, his chest tightening at the sincerity in her voice. She wasn’t just showing him around for fun—she was sharing something deeply personal, a piece of herself. He felt her hand slide down his arm to take his hand, her fingers warm and delicate against his.

  They lingered in the park for a while, soaking in the serenity before heading to their next destination: the weaponsmith’s shop. About time, Alara's voice sounded in his head. You’re finally getting a real weapon, huh?

  Apparently, Evan replied, feeling a little overwhelmed as he took in the rows of swords, axes, and other deadly instruments displayed on the walls.

  Lyrin beamed. “Ask Alara to help you pick something. She knows more about this than I do.”

  Under Alara’s guidance, Evan tested several swords before settling on a cut-and-thrust side-sword. Its blade was slim but sturdy, and the hilt was an intricate design of interlocking rings that offered both protection and elegance. It felt right in his hand—balanced, versatile.

  Good choice, Alara said, nodding approvingly. It suits you. Not too flashy, but effective.

  Lyrin smiled warmly as Evan paid for the sword. “Now you’re truly ready for anything,” she said, linking her arm with his again as they left the shop.

  Their final stop was a small, cozy restaurant with tables set beneath a canopy of enchanted trees. The leaves above glowed softly, casting a warm, golden light over everything. They shared a meal of roasted meats, spiced vegetables, and a sweet, fizzy drink that Lyrin insisted he try. The conversation flowed easily, filled with teasing remarks and moments of quiet understanding.

  When the meal was over, they walked together through the softly lit streets, the city quieter now as the evening settled in. Evan escorted Lyrin back to her rooms near Seralith’s temple, the silence between them comfortable but charged with something unspoken.

  As they reached her door, Lyrin hesitated, her cheeks tinged with pink. “Would you... like to come in for a moment?” she asked softly, her eyes searching his.

  Evan’s heart skipped a beat. He nodded, stepping inside as she held the door open. Her quarters were modest but warm, filled with soft light and the faint scent of flowers. They stood there for a moment, neither quite sure what to say, until Lyrin took a step closer.

  “I... I’ve never met anyone like you, Evan,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “You make me feel... safe. Like I can face anything.”

  Evan reached out, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face. “You’re stronger than you think, Lyrin. But I’m glad I can be here for you.”

  She looked up at him, her violet eyes luminous, and before either of them could think twice, they leaned in at the same time. Their lips met, tentative at first but quickly deepening as the connection between them ignited. Lyrin’s hands slid up to his shoulders, while his found her waist, drawing her closer. The world outside faded, leaving only the warmth of her touch and the softness of her lips.

  Her fingers tangled in his hair as the kiss grew more fervent, her body pressing against his as they lost themselves in the moment. Evan’s hands roamed her back, feeling the delicate fabric of her robes and the warmth beneath. It wasn’t long before the kiss escalated, their breaths mingling as they clung to each other.

  For the first time in what felt like forever, Evan let himself stop thinking and simply feel. This, whatever it was between them, felt right—like a piece of a puzzle he hadn’t realized was missing. And for now, that was all that mattered.

  His hands left her waist to slip downwards along her body and slide over her delightfully full rump. His fingers sank through the folds of her skirt to grasp onto her pliant flesh. He squeezed lightly to begin with, then more firmly as he felt Lyrin squirm delightfully. He began to knead even more firmly as he pulled her hips into him until she gasped into his mouth. “More..”

  ----------

  The room was quiet now, the soft glow of magical lanterns casting warm light over the simple but cozy furnishings. Evan sat on the edge of Lyrin’s bed, pulling on his boots as she leaned against the doorframe, watching him with a serene, contented smile. Her silver hair was slightly mussed, her cheeks still flushed, and her violet eyes held a warmth that hadn’t been there before. The barriers between them felt thinner now, replaced by a sense of comfort and possibility.

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  “You’re sure you don’t want to stay?” Lyrin asked softly, her voice teasing but laced with genuine affection. “It’s late. The portal can wait until morning.”

  Evan finished tying his laces and stood, turning to face her. “Tempting,” he admitted, his lips curving into a small smile. “But I’ve got work tomorrow, and if I don’t show up, someone’s going to start asking questions. I don’t exactly have a good excuse for being late because of interdimensional... uh... adventures.”

  Lyrin laughed softly, stepping closer to him. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his. “Then I suppose I’ll have to let you go. For now.”

  He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. “For now,” he repeated, his voice quieter. He hesitated, searching her face. “Lyrin... about tonight. About us.”

  Her expression softened, her free hand coming up to rest against his chest. “It’s okay, Evan. You don’t have to say anything right now.”

  “No, I do,” he said, his tone firm but gentle. “I just... I don’t know where this is going. We’re in two completely different worlds—literally. And I’m not sure how this is going to work, with everything else going on. But—” He paused, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “I want to try. I want to see where this leads.”

  Her eyes shone with emotion as she nodded, stepping even closer. “I feel the same. I know it won’t be easy, but... I believe it’s worth it. You’re worth it.” She smiled, a hint of her usual playfulness returning. “Besides, if Seralith approves, who are we to argue?”

  Evan chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, still wrapping my head around the fact that a literal goddess gave us her blessing. No pressure or anything.”

  They shared a quiet laugh, the tension of the moment easing as they stood there, holding each other’s hands. After a moment, Lyrin leaned up, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his cheek. “Be safe, Evan. In both worlds.”

  “You too,” he said, his voice earnest. “I’ll see you soon.”

  With one last smile, Lyrin stepped back, letting him go. The portal shimmered to life in the corner of the room, its light casting shifting patterns across the walls. Evan gave her a final nod before stepping through, the familiar sensation washing over him as he transitioned back to Earth.

  When he emerged, he found himself back in his apartment, the hum of his refrigerator and the faint glow of the city lights through the window grounding him in the mundane reality of his life. He set his bag down by the door and sank onto the couch, his mind racing.

  He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply. Tonight had been... incredible. Lyrin was incredible. But as the high of the evening began to fade, the weight of what it all meant started to sink in.

  His life was complicated enough as it was. Between his job, his responsibilities as a father, and the increasingly dangerous missions in Velanthor, he already felt like he was juggling two completely separate lives. Adding a relationship—especially one as unique and challenging as this—felt like stepping into uncharted territory.

  “How the hell am I going to balance all this?” he muttered to himself, leaning back against the couch cushions.

  His thoughts drifted to Jason, his ten-year-old son. Jason was his world, his anchor, and the reason he kept pushing forward, no matter how overwhelming things got. How would this relationship affect him? Would Jason even understand, if it ever came to that? And what about his parents, who were already concerned about how much time he spent away, even if they didn’t know the truth?

  Then there was work. His job as a senior product development engineer wasn’t just a paycheck—it was his way of providing stability for Jason. But how much longer could he keep slipping away to Velanthor without raising suspicion? He’d been lucky so far, but luck wasn’t a strategy. He needed to figure out a way to manage this double life before it all came crashing down.

  And yet, despite all the uncertainty, he couldn’t bring himself to regret what had happened tonight. Lyrin had a way of making him feel like he belonged, like he was part of something bigger than himself. She saw him—not just as a warrior or a protector, but as a person. And that meant more to him than he could put into words.

  A small, wry smile tugged at his lips as he stared at the ceiling. “Guess I’m in it now,” he muttered. “Might as well see where it goes.”

  For now, he decided, he’d take things one day at a time. He had a mission to prepare for this weekend, a son to take care of, and a life to live—both here and in Velanthor. It wouldn’t be easy, but then again, nothing worthwhile ever was.

  And as he drifted off to sleep, the thought of Lyrin’s smile and the feel of her hand in his gave him a rare sense of peace. Whatever the future held, he would face it head-on. Together.

  The morning sunlight streamed through the windshield of Evan’s car as he pulled into Sarah’s driveway. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the familiar tension that accompanied these hand-offs. Jason’s overnight bag was already on the porch, neatly packed as always. Sarah stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression cool and distant.

  Jason came bounding out of the house, his face lighting up as soon as he saw Evan. “Dad!” he called, running down the steps with the boundless energy only a ten-year-old could muster.

  “Hey, buddy,” Evan said, crouching down to catch him in a hug. Jason’s enthusiasm was the perfect antidote to the lingering awkwardness of his interactions with Sarah. “How was your night?”

  “Good!” Jason said, pulling back and flashing a grin. “Grandpa let me help him with his trains, and Grandma made cookies.” He leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “But Mom only let me have two.”

  Evan chuckled and straightened up, ruffling Jason’s hair. “Well, we’ll see if we can sneak in a third cookie this weekend, huh?”

  Jason’s laughter filled the crisp autumn air as Evan grabbed his son’s bag. He turned to Sarah, who stepped out onto the porch, her arms still tightly crossed.

  “He’s been good,” she said, her tone clipped. “But he’s got a book report due Monday. Make sure he actually works on it, okay?”

  “I’ve got it,” Evan replied, his voice steady. “I’ll make sure it gets done.”

  Sarah hesitated for a moment, her gaze flitting to Jason before returning to Evan. “Just don’t be late dropping him off on Sunday,” she added. “He’s got soccer practice.”

  “I won’t be,” Evan said, nodding. “Have a good weekend.”

  Sarah gave a brisk nod before turning back into the house, closing the door behind her. Evan sighed, slinging Jason’s bag over his shoulder and leading him to the car.

  As they drove back to Evan’s apartment, Jason glanced over at him, his brow furrowed. “You look tired, Dad. Did you have to work late again?”

  Evan glanced at him, smiling faintly. “Yeah, something like that,” he said, his tone light. “It was a late night.”

  Jason studied him for a moment, then shrugged, turning his attention to the window. “You should take a nap,” he declared matter-of-factly. “You’re grumpy when you’re tired.”

  Evan laughed softly. “Thanks for the advice, kiddo. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Back at the apartment, Jason kicked off his sneakers and flopped onto the couch, grabbing the TV remote. Meanwhile, Evan set Jason’s bag by the door and poured himself a cup of coffee, his thoughts already drifting to how he’d juggle parenting, work, and his increasingly complicated life in Velanthor.

  “Hey, Dad?” Jason’s voice broke through his thoughts.

  Evan joined him on the couch, mug in hand. “Yeah, bud?”

  Jason looked up at him, his face serious. “Do you think Mom’s still mad at you?”

  Evan’s chest tightened at the question. He set his mug down on the coffee table and turned to face Jason fully. “It’s not really about being mad,” he said carefully. “Sometimes, grown-ups don’t get along, even if they used to. But that doesn’t change how much we both love you. That’s the most important thing.”

  Jason nodded slowly, his small hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. Then, with a sudden mischievous grin, he added, “So... are you and Lyrin, like, boyfriend and girlfriend now?”

  Evan blinked, startled by the question. “What? No, we’re not—”

  Jason cut him off with a laugh. “Come on, Dad. I saw the way she looked at you last time. And she’s always, like, standing super close to you. Plus, when I said you were her boyfriend, she didn’t even deny it. She just smiled at you like this—” Jason scrunched his face into an exaggerated smirk, mimicking Lyrin’s soft, amused expression.

  Evan groaned, running a hand down his face. “I... look, it’s complicated, okay?”

  “Complicated? That’s what grown-ups always say when they don’t want to answer,” Jason said, crossing his arms and giving Evan a knowing look. “I think you like her.”

  Evan sighed, shaking his head, though he couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. “Alright, fine. You got me. Lyrin and I... we’re dating now.”

  Jason’s eyes widened, his grin returning in full force. “I knew it! She’s cool. Kind of weird, though.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re not wrong,” Evan said with a laugh. “She’s from a very different place, so things are... a little unusual with her.”

  Jason tilted his head, his expression turning thoughtful. “So does that mean she’s gonna be, like, my stepmom?”

  Evan nearly choked on his coffee. “Whoa, whoa, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, buddy. Lyrin and I just started dating. It doesn’t change anything about our time together. Our weekends are still for us.”

  Jason considered this for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. But I like her. She’s nice. And she’s got that cool magic stuff.”

  “Well, I’m glad you like her,” Evan said, ruffling Jason’s hair. “That makes this a little easier.”

  Jason leaned back against the couch, eyeing Evan with a sly smile. “Just don’t mess it up, Dad. She’s, like, way too pretty for you.”

  Evan laughed, shaking his head. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, kiddo. I’ll do my best.”

  As Jason turned his attention back to the TV, Evan leaned back against the cushions, his thoughts drifting. He hadn’t expected Jason to take the news so well—or to tease him so relentlessly about it—but it was a relief to know his son was on board. Still, the weight of his double life loomed large. Balancing his responsibilities on Earth and Velanthor was already a challenge; adding a budding relationship to the mix only made things more complicated.

  But as he glanced at Jason, who was now laughing at a cartoon on the screen, Evan felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could make this work. For Jason, for Lyrin, and for himself. It wouldn’t be easy, but then again, nothing worthwhile ever was.