It was the evening prior to their birthday and Red was out finishing up last second errands, one of which was settling down some disgruntled parents. 'Oh Anecus…'
Jane was at home putting up last minute decorations, and stealthy hiding two cakes Amara and her had made.
Cassia was passed out on the couch, one leg hanging off. Naia was sitting beside her, up straight with a book in her lap. Trying to fight off sleep.
Anecus was sitting on the floor, legs crossed, thinking. 'This has happened more than once…more than a dozen times.' he looked at Naia's sleeping face. 'Does she feel it too?'
looking into the fire…it was extra lively tonight. 'Maybe I should ask mom about this.' Almost on que Jane sat down behind him and ran her hand through his hair. "You need a haircut."
Before any protest could be known Jane had a pair of scissors trimming away.
Closing his eyes 'this feels good' he found himself enjoying the haircut. The process, his mothers fingers moving through his hair. 'It's comforting.' he let out a heavy sigh. 'Maybe now is a good time.'
Jane noticed her son's shoulders lax and a sigh that seemed too old for someone his age. "Is everything ok Ane?"
She had an idea and decided to tease him a little, "having girl problems?" she chuckled 'hopefully not for a while'
Anecus blushed instantly "w-what!? No." looking back into the fire 'damn it.' after a beat of silence he glanced at Naia to make sure she was asleep. "It's about Naia."
Jane's hand froze '...shit, me and my mouth.' continuing the haircut "what about her?"
'How do I even say this…I can feel her emotions? Who would believe me.' after a moment to think about his words. "It's happened more than once, especially during intense situations. But I find myself having these emotions that feel natural…but somehow I know they aren't just mine."
Anecus looked up behind him and said, "I can feel Naia's emotions."
Jane had stopped trimming halfway through 'so it's time.' she looked at her son who was looking up at her for reassurance. Knowing what he wanted to ask she chuckled "first of all, no you're not weird…well."
Anecus "momm!"
"Ok ok." Putting up her hands Jane smiled. "What you are experiencing is rare but perfectly normal. It's a Bond."
Anecus "A bond?"
Nodding her head "yes, it's a special connection that happens when two people either spend a lifetime together…or as people say 'find the one.' It's a bond between souls." she said while resuming cutting his hair.
"Your father and I are Bonded partners."
"Really!?" He clenched his hands "So I'm not alone."
Jane felt a little heart ache at his words. "Ane, you are never alone, but yes, there are others out there with Bonded partners, and they spend their life together. I actually noticed yours and Naia's forming early on. Amara and I were worried at first."
Whipping some hair off his shoulder 'luckily nothing happened.'
Anecus shaking a towel over his head, "So what do I do?"
Jane "that depends. What kind of relationship do you want with her? Just because you are Bonded doesn't mean it's romantic."
Anecus fell into silence looking at Naia 'what kind of relationship? I cant Imagine a life without her. She's my family, does that need to change?'
Looking up at his mother "I don't know if anything has to change but what I do know is that Naia's family...I don't want a life without her."
Taken by his earnestness shw wanted to pinch his cheeks 'Smooth talker.'
Hugging her baby boy who was growing to quick. "That is a start. Just know whatever you decide we'll support you." She started pinching his cheek.
"You better make sure to not keep her in the dark. When you come to a decision she has the right to know."
Anecus. "I understand, thank you mom."
Naia's POV
Naia woke up halfway through the discussion and pretended to be asleep she could only think of one thing. 'Oh my twelve Oh my twelve Oh my twelve. A lifetime with Anecus!?'
She Clearly misunderstood some points of the conversation. P-ppartners? Relationship?' She was flustered to say the least while not even fully understanding half of the concepts discussed.
However something she easily understood was the idea of spending a life with Anecus '...I mean who else would it be? I've already been doing that haven't I?'
She watched with one eye slightly open as Anecus finished wiping his hair. It was short on the sides and a little long on the top…'just enough to play with...' her heart skipped a beat when thinking about it.
"Well go wash up we have a big day tomorrow." Jane said side eyeing Naia.
Anecus "alright."
Naia let out a sigh of relief as she heard Anecus run up the stairs 'ok, they didn't notice I just need to wait until aunt jane leaves...'
"I know you're awake young lady."
Naia winced, 'guess not.' she slowly opened her eyes to Jane standing there, arms crossed. Not in a mean way but an expecting way. "So?"
Naia doe eyed in an attempt to look innocent "what?"
Jane "I know you heard our conversation, It applies to you as well. You'll need to think about what relationship you want going forward whatever form that is."
Naia was nervous, she had an answer but didn't know if it was enough.
Jane began turning, until she heard Naia's shy voice "I-I want to make him happy." Jane turned to look at her, still waiting. "I just don't know what that means yet."
Jane finally kneels down in front of her, with a smile of a mother. "That's ok, It's a start." Jane's teasing side surfaced a little. "Better be quick though...I have a feeling our little Ane will have many girls chasing after him."
Naia on impulse said. "No!" Causing Jane to release a hearty laugh. Naia was left to sulk in her embarrassment.
It wasn't a confession but the start of something, no one knew what. But it was something that would stand against all odds.