The Demon And The Angel | Brypu Cult AU

Chapter 29

Bryan's POV

Normally, on days where I have off, I invite Bri over so she can have dinner with the kids and I.

I loved nights when we had family dinner, mostly cause it gave me an excuse to ignore anything supernatural that happened cause my kids like playing pranks on Bri.

Since I still had time to wait for Bri to arrive, I started to work on dinner, which gave me a bit of time to  make sure everything was perfectly set up.

Crystal and Artemis were both working on their homework, so I wasn't going to bother them for help with dinner, I just told them to make sure everything is cleaned up once they finished.

Despite the fact I still talked with Bri, my mother was another story, she didn't know what happened, I didn't want to tell her, she was the first one to give up on me, so why should I tell her anything.

Around an hour after I started working on dinner, I was about to put everything on the table, when I heard the doorbell ring.

The kids got to the door first, and once they came back over, Bri was with them and they all sat down at the table.

At first, I planned on just having them talk while I set the table, but per usual, the kids didn't let me and had me sit at the table while they grabbed what needed to be brought to the table.

Dinner was mostly uneventful, most of the conversation was about how things were in life for us, so it wasn't too interesting.

Once we finished dinner, I sent the kids to go do whatever while I cleaned up from dinner.

"You know, ever since you told them about Inpu, they've been taking it fairly well"

"Yeah, but I wish I didn't need to tell them at all, had it not been for Crystal's symbol coming in, there would've been no need to tell them"

"At least they understand and are willing to help you with the trauma any way they can"

"I did get very lucky, didn't I"

"They are some of the best kids I know, I really think you should at least get someone special in your life though"

"You know I can't, two kids and job that pulls me away most of the time isn't a good match for someone looking for love"

"That, but I know you too well at this point, what else is on your mind"

"Inpu was the only person I ever grew to love, he brought me out of my shell, but in the end, he wanted to harm me, so I won't open myself up for that hurt again"

"Do you know if the kids are ok with this, I think they'd want you to be happy and let yourself out there"

"I can't, I don't know what I'd be doing, who's to say I don't mess up and do something stupid?"

"That's part of actually dating, the best you can do is explain and hope they understand, and you try to make the best of it" 

"Its nothing I can do right now, I still need to get my life in order"

"How so? You have a good job, a good home, and super awesome kids, your life seems pretty in order to me"

"The last person I grew close with romantically wanted to use me, I have a ton of trust issues I need to work through before I try dating again"

"Trust issues aren't something I know how to handle, but I can put you in contact with a therapist who is known for helping people in your situation, so like how you became a doctor for those in similar situations so you could help, he is the same way"

"Do you think it'll actually work?"

"Maybe, but in the end of the day, talk to your kids, they are the ones growing up without a second parent, it should be an agreement with them"

"I guess you're right, I just don't want to jump in and end up getting hurt badly again"

"If you ever need a babysitter or someone to come get you after a bad date, you can always call me"

"Thank you, you don't know how much I appreciate that"

"No problem, that's what siblings do!"

Bri left not long after, and since it was getting pretty late, I started to get ready for bed.

Before I went to bed I figured I'd bring up Bri's idea to the kids before I forget.

I went over to Arti's room where they were both hanging out and made a small knock to tell them I was there.

"Hey, you both mind if I talk to you real quick?" [Bryan]

"Alright, what's up?" [Crystal]

"So I was thinking, and I was considering opening myself up to the dating world, but I don't want to do it without both of you being ok with it" [Bryan]

"I'd be fine with it, as long as you aren't bringing home a different man every week, I think it would be nice to have someone else in here every now and then" [Artemis]

"Its not an issue with me, you deserve to be happy, so if you can find someone to fill the void, go ahead and do it" [Crystal]

"Alright then, do you guys want to set up any boundaries or rules? The last thing I want if you a potential partner to do something to you both and I not know until its made clear to me" [Bryan]

"You wait a month or two before we meet them, that way you establish a good relationship before we have to deal with whatever they bring to the table" [Crystal]

"And if we don't like them for any reason, we don't have to be around them, I don't care if it means break up or not, but I don't want to be put in a situation I don't like" [Artemis]

"I think those are reasonable, and I promise you both, if they do anything to you, physical or emotional, they will be gone, I will NEVER put you in a situation you don't like" [Bryan]

Both of them just nodded at me before they both yawned.

Artemis started to get comfortable in his bed as I left the room with Crystal, but I could tell something was on her mind.

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You're a lot more quiet today, is something wrong?"

"No, but during archery practice, the stray that hangs out around the school kept coming up to me, which she never does, so it worries me a bit"

"Why? Cause she could be alerting to something?"

"That, or she could be warning me, I'm going to go to the pet store tomorrow and try and get some stuff to care for her, even if I just leave her at school, I can't help but feel like something it up"

"Bring her home, if you think she could be telling you something, I don't want you to figure it out alone"

"Alright, that'll be tomorrows job then, goodnight"

"Goodnight"

We both went to our rooms, and not long after I hit the bed, I fell asleep.