The Inventor and the Phoenix

Something There

Warning: none, just fluffy shit

A/n: Hey, guys. Sorry I'm gone this long. I've been stuck in writer's block for a while now trying to figure out how to write this out. Plus, I've been busy with college and other things as well...like some of my stories.

Anyways, enjoy this chapter.

Fun fact: Listen to "Something There" from BatB 2017 Soundtrack

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It didn't take long for the fever to finally dissipate, and Aaliyah was able to roam around again, with the exception of Piper and Sam making sure she doesn't fall ill again. Rodney had also become acquainted with the living conditions of the Castle.

Aaliyah, Nabel, Cody, Josh, Fender, Piper, and Sam watched Rodney walk outside in the snow with Wonderbot from a balcony. The Princess smiled down at him from above. Her arm was wrapped in a bandage, stopping at her elbow.

Wonder squeaked with happiness and flew around Rodney, who chuckled lightly. Pallo barked, having appeared out of nowhere, and rushed past Rodney before landing on a small pile of snow. He shook off the snow from his head and barked again, dashing at him. The blue-haired man laughed as he caught him.

Aaliyah sighed dreamily, her hand resting against her cheek. Nabel saw the smile on her sister's face, smirking mischievously. "Is there something that caught your interest?"

"Huh? Oh, no, uh..." Aaliyah snapped out of her daze, her face blushing. "It's just...I've never felt this way about anyone. I wanted to do something for him, something as a sign of thanks."

"Well, we can always make him head of the household?" Fender stated.

"Fender," Nabel gave him a stern look.

"No, no, no, no, no. It's got to be something special. Something that sparks his interest and skills," Piper stated. Cody and Josh pondered about something for a moment until their eyes lit up.

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It wasn't long before Rodney and Aaliyah stood in front of a door leading to a larger room.

"Rodney, there's something I want to show you," Aaliyah told him. She was about to open the door, but she closed it again. "But first, you have to close your eyes."

Rodney gave her a questioning look in reply.

"It's a surprise," Aaliyah stated shyly. Rodney rolled his eyes playfully, but he did so.

Aaliyah waved her hand in front of his face. When he didn't open them, she suddenly swung open the doors and took him by the hands. She pulled him inside the dimly dark room, the curtains blocking out the sunlight.

"Can I open them?" Rodney asked her.

"No, no. Not yet," Aaliyah told him. Once they stopped, she let go of his hands, but his eyes remained closed. "Wait here." With a giddy grin, she rushed towards the curtains and drew them back to let the light flood in the room.

The lights were now already replacing the darkness, which made Rodney flinch in reflex. His eyes though remained closed. "Now can I open them?"

"Alright...now," Aaliyah beamed.

When Rodney did open his eyes, his jaw dropped open in awe. Thousands of books filled the shelves, two floors housing thousands more than he could have imagined. It was a grand sight for him to behold.

"I don't believe it. I've never seen so many books in all my life!" Rodney gasped with amazement.

"Do you like it?" Aaliyah asked him, rubbing her hands in an anxious manner.