IV

4 years later…

Tay King was sitting on the windowsill of apartment 22. His hair was pulled back in a loose bun and he was wearing only sweatpants. It was snowing outside, which Phan said was rare, but he had left Shanghai looking like a big city of gray, white, and blue ice. Christmas had been the same way, with him and Phan and Cassandra and Mew and the Dark Heirs huddled in that apartment, eating and talking nonstop.

The arcane still remembered how surprised he would be at what he felt that night; comfort, even though Phan had spent the entire day urging them to celebrate Christmas. They had just been through a difficult time, so Tay didn't want to turn down this moment.

"Now let's get ready for the new year!" Phan had exclaimed that morning, all happy and excited.

"I thought I'd spend this day with your family," Tay grumbled over breakfast.

"My parents and siblings haven't returned from their trip yet, so I'm going to have to celebrate right here, and you're going to participate.

Tay stopped eating and fixed his gaze on the food, he was remembering the last time he'd celebrated New Year's, and how annoying and terrible he'd been. A death had happened that night and Zorya had managed to become leader of the Magistrates, even though many of his anti-normal laws were not accepted by the Divine Triary, his presence was still an advantage to the few who believed that normals shouldn't exist. . The Tay of the past had been happy with her nomination right after the events at the ball were behind them, but now he felt ashamed, not wanting the normal in front of him to discover the satisfaction he had felt.

"Fine, but don't do too much.

So Tay had simply stayed out of the way of Phan who had spent the day tidying up the apartment. Tay produced some golden ribbons and made them curl around the ceiling, always in motion, like a sea of ​​liquid silver, Phan had loved it and he had felt warm with his happiness.

"You should take a shower and get dressed, the guys will be here soon." Phan came into the room and Tay's eyes widened in surprise. He was handsome, his hair neat, wearing a floral blouse and beige pants with white shoes — What is it?

"Nothing." Tay cleared his throat and stood up. "So why did you tell me to shower?" I stink? He approached Phan slowly, like a lion ready to pounce on his prey.

"Of course not, but I thought you wanted… Tay!

Tay had pulled him up and was holding him in his arms.

"You said I didn't stink, so hug me!" Tay teased "Let's go!"

"For! You are… cleaving!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Oh, yes it is!" Phan laughed as he tried to extricate himself from his arms" The others will come!

Tay let go of him still laughing, his hair had come loose and Phan was leaning against the counter, red and laughing. Tay sat on the arm of the couch."

"Get ready soon," Phan ordered.

"Your orders, master." Tay bowed amusingly, and as he lifted his hand, it brushed Phan's face and then went into the bedroom.

Four years ago he'd promised himself he wouldn't celebrate these normal things again, but now, he'd promised himself, as he closed the bedroom door, that he would celebrate anything that made Phan happy.