Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 64: Three Simple Words

"A member of the coven has already informed us of your situation," Morgyn explained to Lilith as they walked inside Magic HQ. The double doors closed behind them as they turned to face each other. "From my understanding, she also works for The Arcane?"

"Yes," she nodded. "As of recently."

"The other Sages and I have already discussed this matter and we all agree that this place would be a wonderful shelter for all supernaturals alike." Morgyn smiled. "In other words, we want you to move your headquarters here as well as let all your supernatural friends, agents or not, know that this is a safe place. You see, the portal in Glimmerbrook that leads here is special. Humans can't see it. You can come with me and we'll all discuss the process of relocating your group..."

"This is great news." Lilith sighed. "We still can't determine who exactly the leader of The Triple A is, or why they're going this far. Nowhere is safe. But... with the announcement that there had been government-ordered alien experiments at FutureSim labs..."

"Perhaps our very government is against us." Morgyn looked down. "Or perhaps they were only curious about the existence of extraterrestrials?"

"I don't know," she said. "Only time will tell that..."

From a distance, Salem and Circe observed the two, though they struggled to make out much of the conversation. 

"Salem, are you really sure we should be snooping?" Circe whispered, her lips contorting into a slight frown. "Whatever they're talking about, it seems confidential."

"Exactly. Which is why we're snooping," Salem quietly replied. "But... I can't hear much from this far away. What do you think they're talking about?"

Circe was thoughtful for a moment. "I don't know, but... I get the feeling it's something big." 

'Careful,' Shadow communicated to Salem. 'You know what they say. Curiosity killed the cat.'

'And satisfaction brought it back,' Salem reminded him.

---

Orion stared blankly at the laptop screen in front of him, completely unable to concentrate on his work. Today was almost a regular day at the university.

 Almost.

He nervously glanced at the boy sitting at the desk beside him. As expected, Ura was staring at him, just as he had been doing for the past few days. Orion noticed that he'd been following him everywhere. In the halls, around the campus, purposely sitting beside of him in class so he could stare... it was starting to become unnerving, but he said nothing in fear that he might hurt Ura's feelings. Orion went through possibilities in his head endlessly. Maybe he didn't have friends, maybe he had a crush on him, maybe he was just weird...

Just as his mind returned to that same train of thought, he was startled from it by the sound of paper hitting the floor beside of him. Nervously, he glanced down and noticed it was a note, and with another sideways glance saw Ura grinning at him. '...It must be from Ura,' he thought as he discreetly bent down to grab it.

Orion carefully unfolded the note and read it, his eyebrows furrowing at the words. 'Meet me at the library after class? What does he want from me?' He sighed and folded the note back up, stuffing it into his pocket. 'I guess I'll find out...'

-----

After class, Orion quietly walked into the library. Somehow it was always empty at this time of the day, and he figured he'd find Ura in the same hidden corner he did when they'd first encountered each other. 

As expected, he found Ura there, who gave him a sheepish smile as he approached.

"Hey, um, thanks for coming..." Ura seemed nervous. "You're probably wondering why I wanted to talk to you. And, um, why I've been following you a lot..."

Orion frowned. "Yeah, but.. what's going on?"

"I was trying to determine if you were what I thought you were," Ura continued. "And if I could trust you. I think the answer is yes to both, but just in case I'm wrong, um... promise me you won't freak out about this."

"Freak out about what?" It was Orion's turn to be nervous.

"Just... I have to show you something!" Ura exclaimed. "We don't have much time. Someone could come in here, so just... be quiet and watch."

"Watch what--?"

Orion didn't get the chance to finish his sentence before a blue light engulfed Ura and quickly faded, leaving an entirely different form visible. He lit up in a wide smile, hardly believing his eyes. "Y-You're an...!?"

The now blue-haired boy grinned. "An alien. And, um, my name isn't Ura. It's Uranus. Sorry for lying to you, but... you know, normal humans don't really name their kids... stuff with the word 'anus' in it. I'd be the laughingstock of the school if I told people that!"

Orion chuckled. "Hey, I like Uranus much better than that fake name anyway. So, you said you wanted to make sure you could trust me before showing me this... does that mean you think I'm an alien, too?"

"Yeah, it's weird. I can almost... sense it," Uranus said. "...Are you one?"

Orion responded by simply transforming out of his disguise. "Um... surprise? Well, not really, considering you already figured it out..."

Uranus grinned and put his arms behind his head. "I knew it! You look way better without the disguise form."

"Wait, are you calling my disguise form ugly?" Orion playfully raised an eyebrow. "I like both of your forms."

"No, I'm just calling your true form beautiful," Uranus laughed. "I... really dig the pink hair."

Orion blushed. "T-Thanks."

The two were so caught up in conversation they didn't hear the sound of approaching footsteps.

Emiko gasped as she rounded the corner, easily recognizing her classmates. "O-Orion!? Ura...? Y-You're..." Her voice trailed off. She knew what they were from her studies, but she had never seen one in person. "...aliens..."

Orion and Uranus whirled around to face her, clearly stricken with terror. Neither of them knew what to say or how to explain, so they stammered out the first words that came to mind. 

"P-Please don't tell anyone!" Orion begged. "I know you've probably heard a lot of bad things about aliens, but..."

"We're nice guys! Really!" Uranus exclaimed. "I'll pay you five bucks to just leave us alone and forget about this!"

"Five bucks? Ura-- Uranus," Orion corrected himself, the stress evident in his voice, "what is that cheap of a bribe even going to accomplish? Emiko, please just listen, I--"

"Wait, c-calm down!" Emiko interrupted. "I'm not going to tell anyone anything!" 

"...You're not?" Uranus sounded skeptical. "Why wouldn't you? You're a human."

Orion nervously glanced between them, too afraid to say anything more. 

Emiko smirked. "Because..."

"...I'm not just a human." She lifted her arms and summoned a ball of magic between her hands, smiling as it began to glow softly.

Uranus gasped loudly. "Woah..." He stared in awe, completely mesmerized by her ability.

"You're... a witch?" Orion guessed as he broke into a smile.

"I am." Emiko nodded. "We might be different... but we have one thing in common: we're supernaturals, and supernaturals have to stick together."

With that, the three of them erupted into excited conversation. To find friends that they could trust with their true selves was a rare opportunity that they were grateful didn't slip past them.

---

By the time Orion was on his way home, the day had turned dreary. He made his way behind the college campus and toward the bus stop that was just ahead at the corner, silently hoping that he wouldn't have to wait long for the public transport to arrive in the downpour. He had almost reached his destination when seemingly out of nowhere, he heard rustling in the dumpsters beside him. Grasping the handle of the umbrella firmly in his hand, he nervously glanced over at the source of the noise and approached.

From behind the dumpster emerged a drenched and flea ridden cat, with orange and white fur and curious-looking green eyes. It held its tail at high alert when it spotted him, seeming a bit intimidated, but it didn't run away. Orion stopped in his tracks and gave the mangy creature a sympathetic frown. "Hey there... what are you doing all alone in the rain?"

The cat meowed and cautiously began to approach him.

Orion dropped his umbrella and edged closer to the cat. At first, it raised the hairs on it's back and hissed, but when he stooped down to offer his hand it seemed to momentarily relax. "It's okay," Orion said softly. "I'm not going to hurt you..."

The cat tested the waters with a few steps forward to sniff his hand. It seemed comfortable with his scent and proceeded to rub against him, demanding attention.

Orion smiled and gently ran a hand through it's brittle fur. "Good kitty..." He realized he couldn't bring himself to leave it alone and homeless. That wouldn't be right. "I don't know how I'm sneaking you onto the bus, but... you're coming home with me."

Slowly and carefully, he scooped the cat up into his arms. It seemed to have no objections.

"Alright, I'll take you home and get you some food. And a bath. You'll like that, right?" Orion's smile widened. The cat purred softly and huddled against him for warmth. He took that answer as a yes.

---

The house was far too quiet for Tiffany's liking. When she didn't feel like going out and Onyx and Amelia were busy, like today, she often found herself staring at the ceiling and contemplating meaningless thoughts. She wished there was something to do, but of course, you should be careful what you wish for. She was jolted from her thoughts at the sound of the doorbell. 'Fantastic,' she thought. 'Who would be visiting?'

It was with a great hesitance that she dragged herself out of bed and down the stairs to investigate the apparent guest.

As she reached the bottom of the staircase, her emotions surged with both confusion and anger. "...Dad?"

Claire and Jeremy were caught up in conversation, as if they didn't despise each other. They were laughing and smiling, perhaps even flirting...

"Dad!" Tiffany snapped, her voice much louder than last time. Her eyebrows furrowed in anger and she stepped closer. "What the heck is going on? Why are you here?"

Jeremy rolled his eyes and turned to her. "I'm here to take your lovely mother on a date. We'd like some privacy. Do you mind?"

Tiffany's mouth fell slack as she stared in disbelief. "You... you're divorced! You cheated on her and she hates you!" 

"Well, not that it's any of your business, but..." Claire looked away. "We've been trying to work things out the past few months. Things are going great, so I'm moving in with him and getting away from the rest of you. This place is intolerable. Onyx and Amelia can take legal ownership of this dumb house and I'll be on my way."

"You're moving in with him!?" Tiffany snapped. "He's nothing but a low-down deadbeat! Why do you want to be with him? He never cared about you, or me, or--"

Jeremy frowned. "Tiffany, that's enough disrespect."

"Enough disrespect?" Tiffany laughed dryly. "I couldn't disrespect you enough if I tried. I hate you! I hate both of you! You spent eighteen years being lousy excuses for parents and then you commit the final, ultimate betrayal!? You can love each other, the sorriest excuses of people in this world, but you can't love me!" Her fists clenched at her sides. 

Claire scoffed and turned toward the door. "How could anyone love you?"

Tiffany felt her blood boiling as her parents silently headed for the door. "Fine! Go ahead, leave! Walk away from me like you have for my entire life!"

"...s-see if I care..." Her voice cracked, her facade of anger defeated by the tears when the front doors slammed shut.

-----

It was only a few moments after the drama ended that Amelia and Onyx came downstairs and made their way into the living room, only to see Tiffany in tears.

"Tiffany," Amelia quietly began, "why are you crying? What happened?"

Tiffany turned away. "I-I'm not crying and nothing happened."

Onyx and Amelia exchanged worried glances and approached. Amelia circled around to the front of her and tried reasoning. "You can't lie to me about that. We heard arguing..."

Tiffany's eyes filled with fresh tears. "Mom and dad are back together. She's moving in with him and giving the house to you guys..."

"What?" Onyx frowned. "This is news to us."

"I got angry and all they could think to do was degrade me! I-I don't understand," Tiffany sniffled. "What did I do to deserve this?"

"Nothing. You never did anything." Amelia frowned. "If you ask me, this is a good riddance. She's always getting in the way of your happiness." 

Onyx nodded. "I agree. You'll always have us, Tiffany. This is for the best."

Tiffany tried to dry her tears and nodded slowly. "Maybe you're right..." 

She then tensed as she heard the doors creaking in the foyer. 'That better be Orion and not them. He took forever to get home anyway.'

"You're such a good kitty," Orion mumbled quietly as he walked in the door. "I know everyone here's going to love you. We'll have to pick out a name... um, once we figure out if you're a boy or girl..."

He didn't expect for there to be people when he walked into the living room, and he froze like a deer in headlights, suddenly nervous about the cat he was holding. 

Tiffany turned to him and crossed her arms, scowling. "Orion... what the heck is this?"

"Um... I-I found the cat by some dumpsters. It was raining and... I couldn't just leave it there!" He frowned. "So I brought it home. I thought maybe we could keep it..."

Onyx and Amelia joined in the conversation when they noticed the furry creature. "I know I'm more of a dog person," Amelia began, "but it's really cute. Onyx, can we keep it? Please?"

"I always wanted a pet..." Onyx smiled. "How much trouble can one little cat be? I say that we keep--"

"NO!" Everything seemed to happen in a flash. The cat scrambled out of Orion's arms as Tiffany lunged forward in anger and black mist enveloped her, turning her into dark form. "I have enough problems to deal with, and you come home late with this ugly, mangy cat to add to them!?"

Orion flinched and stumbled back, his hands defensively going up in front of him. "T-Tiffany!?" He had never seen dark form, nor did he know what it was. All he knew is that it was terrifying. "I'm... I'm sorry, I..."

"Tiffany," Onyx said calmly, "you need to get a grip on your emotions. This is just happening because you were so upset. I know it's hard to control, but--"

"You were gone, worrying about some stupid animal while I was crying my eyes out!" Tiffany snarled. "You're just as pathetic as my parents! I never should have married you!" 

The words penetrated deep, and he averted his gaze. "I-I'm sorry," was all he could quietly murmur. He was confused about what had happened and struggling to understand what he did wrong...

Amelia began to approach. "Tiffany...!"

Tiffany's snarls grew louder. "That's all you ever say! I'm tired of your meaningless apologies! I'm tired of you!"

Orion's eyes began to water. "You don't really mean that..."

"Get out of here," Tiffany growled.

"But--"

"Now!"

In a split second, she lunged for his throat, fangs bared. He shrieked and stumbled back, certain that his fate was determined, but Onyx and Amelia pulled her harshly away from him before she was able to complete her strike. The tears spilled from his eyes as he turned and ran upstairs, ignoring their pleas for him to wait.

-----

What felt like an eternity passed as Orion sat on the bench by the window, listening to the soothing sound of the rain and watching the droplets stream down the windowpane the same way the tears streamed down his cheeks. The cat -- which he had determined was a girl -- had managed to find her way back to him and lay peacefully in his arms, drifting to sleep as he ran his fingers through her fur. For once, his mind was blank. He couldn't think, he could only feel, and what he felt was an inexplicable aching in his heart. He slowly looked over at the bedroom door when he heard it beginning to open, and the cat jumped down from his arms to disappear under the bed.

"Orion...?"

He scrambled to his feet when Tiffany stepped inside the room, for once looking fearful. "T-Tiffany--"

"I can explain," she interrupted. "That...that was dark form. A vampire thing. I lost control of my emotions for... reasons that had nothing to do with you and I guess I kind of just... snapped."

"You were going to hurt me," Orion said softly. "You wanted to hurt me." 

Tiffany looked away. "No, I couldn't control it, I..."

Without another word, he turned away and sat on the edge of their bed. 

She sighed and sat down near him. "Orion--"

"How many more times will you not be able to control it?" He rubbed his arm nervously as he spoke. "And what if no one's there to stop you?"

"I...I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

"But you just said you can't control it..."

"I'll figure something out, okay?" Tiffany began to sound irritated. "Just trust me."

Orion felt tears forming in his eyes again. "How, Tiffany? How am I supposed to trust you when you only give me reasons not to?"

"I-I'm sorry, okay!?" Tiffany snapped, but then her voice softened. "I'm sorry. I... I love you."

Slowly, Orion turned to look at her. "...I... I love you too."

 No matter how upset he was, he couldn't deny it. They were three simple words he could hardly recall her ever saying to him. He replayed them over and over in his head; memorizing the sound so he wouldn't forget what it was like to hear her say it...

Tiffany crawled over to him and pressed an unusually tender kiss to his lips. Orion leaned into the kiss eagerly, desperately, the feeling of love that he'd craved for what felt like an eternity flaring up in his deprived heart. 

The kiss wasn't short, and he savored every second of it. He pulled her closer, entangling his hands in her hair, silently praying the moment wouldn't end. His prayers were answered as her hand trailed to the hem of his shirt, signaling that this was far from over. Her three simple words -- I love you -- gave him a high he hoped he'd never come down from: feeling loved, which in the moment, he wondered if he'd ever even felt before.