Embers || Ikemen Revolution || Sirius

Chapter 15 ~ Payment

After dinner, I asked Sirius if there was anything I could help out with, as usual. I still don't have any ideas yet for the magic gathering, maybe working will give me some inspiration.

So, here we are, me and Sirius, both standing at the sink, washing the dishes. My wounds have healed already with my spell, so that's good. It's still slightly sore, but I can manage.

"Are you sure you wouldn't want some lotion for your hands," Sirius asked again as he scrubbed the dishes.

"Positive," I smiled back. "Don't worry about it, really. It's fine."

Sirius let out a long sigh. "But a lady like you should take good care of her body. Who knows what might happen."

I rolled my eyes as my hands scrubbed the dishes, careful not to drop them. "It's fine, Sirius. You sound way too old when you worry like that!"

Sirius gave me a wry smile. "Someone needs to worry about you, or you might just do something reckless and stupid."

I'm already doing something reckless and stupid, messing with magic and my lifespan.

"Relax," I said, my smile still on my face, but it didn't really feel real. I hope Sirius doesn't notice it.

I could feel Sirius' gaze linger on me for a moment, before he looked away, thankfully.

"Anything else I can help out with tomorrow," I asked, eyes still on the dishes.

"You'll see," Sirius replied back. I wonder if he'll ever run out of minor tasks for me to do. He'll probably make something up, just to keep me busy.

I let out a small sigh, but I didn't say anything as we washed the dishes in a comfortable silence.

Late into the night, I studied, again and again, but I really was stumped. Maybe if I bring some plants into my room, I can gather magic even if I'm resting or away or something.

My own magical abilities have increased tenfold. I think it's easier for me right now to learn how to use magic, since I've already learned all these spells once upon a time.

The next day really was filled with the same, needless tasks, all ending with a small treat at the end. It makes me feel slightly useless, thinking that all I'm good for were simple tasks without much heavy work, even though I knew that Sirius was just trying to protect me. Still, I wanted to do more.

Maybe if I figure out this whole Magic Crystal part, I'll be able to really help out.

"Is there any more tasks you need help with," I asked as I finished cleaning up after lunch in the kitchen.

"Yes, there is one very important task I need you to take care of," Sirius said.

It was probably something like dusting the windows or something. But instead, Sirius handed me a bag. I cocked my head curiously, shaking it, only to hear... coins?

"What's this," I asked as I opened it up. Sure enough, inside were a bunch of coins.

"That's your pay," Sirius smiled at me. "Did you really think you were doing those tasks without being repaid?"

"I thought that the treats were the payment," I said, giving Sirius a wry smile.

He chuckled, ruffling my hair. "Nah, I just felt like giving them to you."

I smiled faintly down at the bag of coins. It seemed like a lot, and I knew that the Black Army didn't have as much money as the Red Army. They should keep the money for the upcoming war. "Keep it," I said, shoving the money back to Sirius. "I probably won't use it, and it'll just be forgotten in my room. You guys will have a much better use for it, I'm sure."

"You'll be causing more trouble for the accountant," Sirius sang as he helped out around the kitchen. "By which I mean me."

I glared at the taller guy. "Then I'll help out with that as well!"

Sirius frowned at me, turning to Seth who was working across the kitchen. "Seth," he called out suddenly. "You have tomorrow free, right?"

"Yes," Seth said, coming over. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Can you take Emberlynn out to town tomorrow? She's got a full bag of cash waiting to be spent." Sirius smirked at me as he found the solution to my problem.

I sighed, crossing my arms with a pout. "I really don't need the money," I muttered. "But I guess I can find some way to spend it."

"Perfect," Seth beamed. "I'll make sure you have the best date ever."

My eyes widened on instinct as Seth hooked a finger under my chin, smiling at me.

"That's enough, Seth," Sirius suddenly said, pulling Seth back by the collar. "I told you to go shopping with her, not make a pass at her."

"A pass," I asked, my head tilted to the side. Is he talking about Seth hitting on me?

"Aw," Seth cooed at my curiosity. "Look at how innocent you are, Alice!" Seth pulled out of Sirius' grasp to hug me tightly.

I giggled a bit, squeezing Seth back until Sirius once again broke the blue haired male away.

"Seth," Sirius growled, the warning clear in his tone.

"Okay, okay," Seth shouted, hands up as if in surrender. "Geez, you're like an overprotective father!"

I covered my mouth as I thought of that. Sirius would also make a great dad, now that I think about it. But having him be my dad... pff.

"You were about to laugh, weren't you," Sirius said to me as he saw me, trying and failing to hide my smile.

"No," I sang, even as it was obvious that I was. "Totally wasn't. Nope."

Sirius sighed, gently patting my head. "That hurts my feelings, you know," he said, his face shifting to an overly dramatic sad expression.

I couldn't help the small smile that made its way onto my face as I stood up on my tippy toes, patting Sirius on the head. "Sorry, sorry," I hummed. "I'll be nicer from now on, promise!"

Sirius smiled as he took my pinky, hooking his through it. "I'm holding you to that," he said, a small smirk on his face.

"Hang on," Seth suddenly said, breaking us away from each other. "You just said not to make a pass at her, yet what are you doing right now!?"

I blushed slightly as I thought back to that moment. I guess it could be considered flirting... in a way. I didn't notice it until Seth pointed it out.

"Oh, but I'm allowed to," Sirius said, placing a hand back on my head. "I'm her guardian."

I scrunched my nose up as I thought about it. "How does being my guardian give you permission to flirt with me," I asked out loud.

"Exactly," Seth shouted. "It doesn't make any sense!"

Sirius sighed. "It's because as her guardian, I refuse to let anyone go near her. As her guardian, I have the rights to do that."

I rolled my eyes, patting Sirius on the head. "I'm nineteen, you know," I said, looking up at Sirius' violet eyes. "I'm technically an adult. I can take care of myself!"

"But you're too nice to tell someone you're uncomfortable with their flirting," Sirius smirked down at me.

I stuck out my tongue at him playfully with a huff.

"Are you really uncomfortable with my flirting," Seth asked, coming up to me with big eyes.

I giggled a bit, patting him on the head as well. "Don't worry about it, Seth. So, when should we leave tomorrow?"

"How about at eight?"

I beamed up at Seth, already thinking of all the gifts I was gonna shower the Black Army soldiers with. "Sounds like a plan." 

*~*~*~*~*~*~* 

A/N: 

Here's the update! 

Word Count (not including A/N): 1303 

2021/08/11