Later that day,
Aaric was on a date in the world Luna had created and named Pandora with Luna and Daphne.
The planet had no moon or sun, only a sky filled with stars in every direction as if the entire dome shone at once.
Aaric lay on his back with Luna and Daphne on either side of him, clinging to him as they watched the sky.
Luna suddenly shifted. She turned fully toward him and placed one hand on his chest while propping herself up with the other. Her hair fell around her like a waterfall as her face hovered inches from his, curiosity written across it.
"What answers are you trying to find on my face, angel" Aaric asked gently as he tucked a few strands behind her ear and cupped her cheek.
"I was just wondering" Luna whispered as she leaned in a little, their faces even closer.
"I made this planet myself. I was blessed by gods. My mother is one door away and I can revive her. And this is because of you." Her head tilted slightly as she gazed into Aaric's black eyes with more intent.
"Well, you were the one who took us to the dreamlands." Aaric whispered back, his thumb brushing her cheek.
Luna leaned into his touch, closed her eyes, and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.
When she pulled away, Aaric turned to Daphne and drew her in as well, unwilling to let her feel left out.
Daphne did not speak after their lips parted. She simply rested her head on Aaric's chest, lost in her thoughts.
"Just.. thank you" Daphne whispered after some time, turning her head to lock eyes with him.
"You both earned everything you have" Aaric said to them with a smile.
The girls smiled back and let the comfort of his presence keep them from drifting into their thoughts again.
"Should we go meet Mum now" Luna asked with an excited smile. "She wanted to meet both of you."
Aaric and Daphne shared a quick glance before they both nodded and rose.
A dark suit appeared on Aaric and a green dress shimmered onto Daphne. They conjured mirrors to check themselves.
Aaric turned to Luna, raising an eyebrow. She gave him a thumbs up and a bright giggle. Daphne mirrored the gesture with a nervous smile of her own.
"You are breathtaking, my Light" Aaric said, and he took Luna and Daphne's hands before they walked toward the silver door leading to Pandora's haven.
Luna reached out and opened it.
They stepped into a forest clearing with a lake and a cylindrical house beside it that resembled a rook piece carved from stone.
"Give me a moment" Luna said before skipping to the house and calling out to her mother.
Aaric and Daphne waited hand in hand until Luna returned, practically dragging a blonde woman toward them with excitement radiating from her.
"Mum, this is Daphne. My best friend" Luna said as she released her mother's hand and moved behind Aaric.
"And this is Aaric, our boyfriend" Luna added, holding Aaric's cheeks from behind as if proudly presenting him.
Aaric's lips twitched as he recalled how he would pick Luna up to introduce her. Now he knew what it felt like on the receiving end.
He made a mental note to spank her later and gave Pandora a small bow.
Pandora laughed softly at Luna's antics and gestured for them to enter the house.
"Luna has told me all about you two. I have been looking forward to meeting you both" Pandora said kindly as Aaric, Luna, and Daphne settled on the couch.
Pandora waved her hand and tea appeared for them. She lifted her own cup, holding it as if savoring its warmth.
"I have been looking forward to meeting you as well" Aaric replied with a polite smile.
"I will be honest. I do not know how to treat you right now. You gave my girl the ability to meet me even after my death. I know her strength and abilities, and she told me you can do even more. I cannot imagine what lies beyond that" Pandora said with a quiet sigh before sipping her tea.
She grew solemn for a moment. "I have been watching my girl from here since the day she met you and Daphne. And you both protected her simply because she is herself." Pandora reached out and brushed Daphne's cheek with a tender smile.
"You should treat me like your daughter's boyfriend and nothing more" Aaric said, scratching the side of his face.
"Oh" Pandora murmured before glancing at Luna and Daphne. "Can I speak to you alone then"
The girls vanished from the room a heartbeat later, leaving them alone before Aaric could respond.
"I will not ask you if you love her or if you will keep her happy. I have eyes" Pandora said.
Aaric nodded.
"What I want to know is if she will be safe" Pandora asked, gaze steady.
"Yes, Mother in law, she will always be safe. She is a pure soul and there are even gods who would protect her at any cost" Aaric said with a cheeky smile before giving an answer that held weight.
Pandora's amusement shone when he called her Mother in law, but she relaxed more at his certainty.
"Would you" she asked.
Aaric nodded at once.
"She told me it was her idea to bring Daphne into the relationship. Still, my little girl deserves to be cherished with your whole heart and not as a second" Pandora said with a faint frown.
"I agree. She deserves the world and more. And I promise I cherish her with every part of my heart" Aaric said, hand placed over his chest.
Pandora reached out and brushed a hand through his hair, nodding in approval before letting out a quiet sigh.
"Are you thinking about her offer for your revival?" Aaric asked.
Pandora hesitated before nodding.
"I am dead, Son. I died because of my own foolishness. Would there not be consequences if I returned" Pandora asked. She longed to live with her husband and daughter, yet she feared the cost of reaching beyond her limits.
She had reached beyond her limits once.. and that is why she was here.
Aaric rose, knelt before her, and took her hands.
"I promise there will be no consequences. We can even raise you higher being than you once were. Then it would not defy fate or death to bring you back" Aaric told her softly.
Pandora did not understand the laws he spoke of, but she trusted him. She nodded and smiled.
"I will speak to her then. Bring them in, dear" Pandora said and patted his cheek.
Aaric brought Daphne and Luna back inside. Luna looked at her mother with anticipation shining in her eyes.
Pandora smiled and pulled Luna into a hug, then moved to Daphne.
"Thank you for protecting my girl" she said while hugging her as well.
Daphne nodded with a warm smile.
Pandora took both girls by the hands and settled them beside her. She then beckoned Aaric to sit in front of her.
"Tell me about school now. I want to hear the latest Hogwarts gossip" she said with a playful spark.
A/n: Give me your thought on the chapter and reviews on the fic.
And.. you got any power stones? Well, hand em over then.