The door creaked open slowly as Ren was guided inside by Lyra and her father.
Her mother stood in the kitchen, already preparing dinner. She didn't ask questions—she just cooked, like she already knew he'd be coming.
From the hallway, a voice snapped out.
"Dad! Why would you bring a hu—"
A look. That's all it took.
The father's eyes cut across the room, and Lyra's brother fell silent.
---
Adjusting was hard at first. Not because they weren't kind, but because it was unfamiliar.
The small things threw Ren off. Like not having to share his bed. Like sitting down to eat together—at a real table. Like a real family.
---
Time passed. Emotions simmered. The brother kept his distance. He didn't yell. He didn't speak. He just watched.
---
One day, Ren and Lyra were outside playing—same as always.
She dashed through the grass, barefoot and laughing, before stopping beneath a massive oak tree.
"I bet I can climb this faster than you!"
And just like that, she was off.
Ren stared—amazed. Not scared. Just… amazed.
She was fast. Like wind through branches.
Halfway up, she froze.
"Ugh! Humph—ugh!"
Her tail had caught between two thick limbs. She tugged, squirmed, grunted—but it wouldn't budge.
Ren took a breath. Then climbed.
His hands weren't strong. His legs weren't fast. But he made it. He reached her.
Carefully, gently, he freed her tail.
Pop.
The sound startled them both—and then they laughed. Loud and bright. The kind of laugh that didn't know it was healing something.
They climbed back down together.
---
That was life now. Quiet. Simple. Filled with laughter and love.
---
Three years pass.