Onyx

[ CH 8 ] - Warmth

( 7 / 2 / 24 : Typo Fixes )

"Cheers!" Voices mingled in a joyous chorus, laughter filling the room as they clinked glasses and took hearty gulps. Families gathered in Richard's home, bright smiles lighting up both the living room and the kitchen.

Well, most of them, at least.

Jon stood apart, a scowl on his face, his features marked by fresh bandages. "I get we needed to wait for our wounds to heal-"

"Your wounds, you mean. Mine healed from my mana already." Kory poked at himself, his perfect condition evident. Their clothing had been repaired, though their weapons were absent.

"OUR wounds." Jon repeated, making his partner laugh. "But aren't you guys worried about the Crimson Flame? They know that the Onyx Party exists now."

Richard's smile faltered slightly before he waved it off. "We'll deal with that bridge when we come to it. Tonight, we celebrate!" The smell of alcohol and roasted meats radiated from him like smoke from a fire. "Besides, when we get down to it..."

"They have no idea how strong you are, what you're trying to do, or even who you are!" He took a large gulp from his drink, grinning. "Their best bet is to go door-to-door in Aerilon asking for you two, or stake out for gods knows how long at the guild." Richard chuckled, leaning back on the couch with a relaxed smile.

Ben laughed, waddling over and wrapping an arm around the demi-human's shoulders. "As if any of us would actually tell them! They're a bunch of idiots! They'll never figure it out!" He patted Jon's back, knocking the grimace off his face. "Relax a bit! We're celebrating for you guys after all!"

"Uh-huh, celebrate... as in drink until you drop?" Kory scoffed at his father's lax words.

"Exactly, my dear kid o' mine!" Ben sent out a booming laugh that bounced off the walls. "'Tis is one of the essence of adventuring!" A swift bonk to the head made him wobble even more. "Gotta take it easy when you can!"

"Don't encourage our kids to drink too much! They're still young!" Cecilia glared at her husband, yet he took the words in stride, laughing along with Richard. She then gave a reluctant nod, "He's right though."

"Right in what parts?" Jon raised an eyebrow.

"Right when he said you gotta take it easy whenever life lets you." Cecilia nodded sagely.

"Told ya soooo~!" Ben slurred, grinning from ear to ear as Cecilia's teeth grinded against one another while her eyebrow twitched.

"Those guys are persistent, yeah. They'll find you eventually, but gods know when that'll happen. Especially since you have all of Aerilon on your side, backing you up right now." Cecilia ruffled her son's hair, much to his annoyance as she promptly followed after Ben- aiming straight for a cup of her own drink and a mischievous smirk.

"Ah, wait, mom, I don't think you should-"

"Nah, let her." Naomi chimed in, smirking as she leaned against the couch they were sitting at with her own smile.

"She's going to get drunk." Kory stated dully.

"I know." Naomi grinned, claiming her drink from the table. "That's why you should let her. It'll be funny." She bopped their shoulders with a gentle fist. "Try and relax for once."

"You won't be mad if I sleep on your couch then?" Jon raised an eyebrow.

"If that's what you want." She laughed, seeing the boy getting comfy.

Jon could feel a lingering pair of eyes that were watching them all, but decided against investigating. He was among friends and family within their home after all. He was safe.