~~Nova’s POV~~

The morning sun spread warm light through an open window, stirring me awake. The sight I saw made my cheeks heat up. Blaze was asleep still, his bare chest rising slowly before falling as he breathed. His hair was a mess and I noticed he needed a haircut - unless he was planning to grow his hair out.

There was a very light knock on the door. As slowly as I could, to not disturb Blaze, I slipped out of the bed and walked to the door. Quinn was standing outside, already dressed for the day in athletic wear.

“Good morning,” Quinn’s voice was quiet and a warm smile made me think he was too happy this early in the morning. “I am going to make breakfast. The rest of us are downstairs. Come down when you are ready.”

I nodded, offering a soft -sleepy- smile in return. He left afterwards, heading back downstairs. Well, I guess I should get ready too.

I was not ready to begin training again, however I was feeling happy that the rest of the group is willing to help us. The more power the better chance we have. Though, I don’t know what the chances are of finding him anyways.

As quiet as I could be, I got out a few spare clothes of Quinn’s (since I hadn’t brought any) and began changing. When I was basically naked, still wearing my boxers, I remembered that Blaze was still in the room.

“If I could wake up to this sight every morning, I’d die a happy man.” Blaze’s rough voice froze me.

It was at this moment I knew I made a mistake. He has never seen me this naked and I was not ready for him too. Though embarrassed, my blush was more due to his comment.

“I’m sorry.” I mumbled as I slipped a shirt on. Despite Quinn being the next shortest person, the shirt was still pretty big on me. Stupid small body.

“It’s okay. It was a compliment, Nova.” Blaze sat up and stretched. “You don’t have to worry. I won’t ask about the scars. I can wait until you want to tell me about them.”

My eyes snapped onto his. I was shocked. Normally, if someone saw them (which was rare), they would also pester me with questions. I knew the scars were visibly as they were quite large and a shade darker than my pale skin. Though I did have a few smaller ones that were fading by now as a lot of time had passed since I had received them.

“Thank you.”

Blaze smiled and patted the bed next to him. “Come here. Please.” I went to put on my shorts, but Blaze stopped me. “Set them aside. Come here first.”

Confused, I followed the instruction and set the shorts on the dresser. I sat down beside him, my head slightly cocked as I looked up at him. His golden eyes having their warmth returned after the night’s rest.

Blaze gently placed his hand on my cheek, softly rubbing my skin with his thumb. “I want to kiss you, Nova.” My cheeks went red immediately. “But, I won’t. Not until you are ready.” I assume he felt my nervousness through our bond, as I hadn’t cancelled it since yesterday. He leaned forward, placing a soft kiss against my forehead before pulling away.

My heart was racing faster than …. I don’t know what. A cheetah? His hand dropped slowly as he watched me. I knew my eyes were wide and my cheeks were red as a tomato, but I couldn’t move. Part of me wanted him to kiss me. Part of me was terrified as I’ve never been kissed. Well, not in a loving way at least.

“Nova?” Blaze’s quiet voice made me blink and return to reality. “Go and finish getting dressed. We should eat before the food goes cold.”

I nodded, wondering what Quinn was making anyways. I got back up and finished slipping on the shorts. Blaze had now gotten up, stretching his whole body. His back and shoulders cracked loudly, making me look at him shocked.

“I am okay. Go ahead and head downstairs. I wanna shower again. I think a hot shower will make me feel a little better.”

“Okay.” I smiled and walked up to him. He looked down, a bit confused. “Bend down, you are too tall.”

Once Blaze bent to my level, I placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for not rushing things.” I smiled before leaving the room. Blaze’s soft smile as I left became a beautiful memory in my mind.

Downstairs, the group was loud, chatting away. The smell of bacon, pancakes and something with fruit filled the air. Entering the kitchen/dining area, I saw Quinn wearing a bright pink apron, cooking and moving around the kitchen as comfortable as a ballerina on a stage.

“Good morning,” Victoria smiled, waving from the dining table. West sitting beside her, exhaustion evident in his face. I wonder if he even slept at all.

“Morning.” I smiled, looking at everyone.

I noticed Riot watching Quinn, barely acknowledging me - which is okay. His cheeks were faintly red. I know they shared a room, but I hope something happened. Even I am aware they like each other. West yawned loudly as I sat down across from him and Victoria.

“Did you even sleep last night, West?” Quinn asked as he poured pancake mix into a waffle maker.

Ah, waffles. Haven’t had those in a long time.

“A bit,” West mumbled as he ran a hand through his hair. It was down, cascading down his back and shoulders. It made him look a bit more feminine than normal. And the color was fading a bit, making it a lighter shade now.

“You good to train today?” Riot asked, finally tearing his eyes off Quinn to look at West. “Oh, hey Nova.”

“Hi.” I smiled. Thanks for seeing me now, dumb-dumb. I laughed a little at my own thought, though no one noticed.

“Yeah, I should be fine. I’m usually tired anyways.” West shrugged, leaning against his hand as his arm rested on the table. Now, I noticed the faint dark circles under his blue eyes. It did seem common for him to be tired.

“Good morning everyone.” Blaze’s voice sounded from behind me. I turned to look at him as everyone responded to his greeting. He wore a loose pair of athletic shorts and a tight long sleeve shirt. “Can’t believe you’ve had this shirt still, Quinn. I left this like two years ago.”

Quinn’s laughter was warm, matching the sun’s brightness coming through the window. “Yeah, I have a lot of everyone’s things.”

“Still.” Blaze chuckled as he sat down beside me. 

“Alright, food’s done.” Quinn began placing plates of bacon, waffles and fresh blueberry muffins. “Also, I can always just return everyone’s items.”

“No,” Victoria laughed. “It’s nice not having to bring a bunch of stuff here every time we come over.”

We all began eating. The group chatted away about random topics.

~~~~~

~~Blaze’s POV~~

We were all outside now, standing on the tarmac looking at the field. There were areas for different styles of training, physical or magic based. I was not ready to train again. My body’s dull throbbing in various places reminded me of the training sessions I had previously.

“Okay. Pair up and train. We can take breaks when necessary.” The group acknowledged my order and moved off to a safe distance from each other.

Nova stood beside me. His head turned up as his eyes met mine. There was a pause, a heartbeat of silence, and then he spoke. “Stay. We won’t be training.” His voice was rough. I wondered if it’ll ever sound different if he continues talking more.

“Nova, we have to train,” I mumbled. My hand laid on his shoulder before I gently held his cheek, a sad smile on my face.

Nova leaned into my touch as he closed his eyes. “No, I will train. I need to be stronger and you can help me.”

Giving up, I agreed and we began training.

~~

The sun seemed to fly overhead through the sky and fell past the horizon. Dusk settled, streaming purples and blue across a sinking orange and red sky.

Everyone was on the tarmac again, sweating and breathing heavy.

“I can order us food.” Quinn choked out, holding his chest.

I shook my head. “No, I will. You guys go wash up and relax. Anything specific?”

“Steak.” Riot mumbled out, cracking his back as he stretched. “Or burgers.”

“Oh, burgers sound great.” Victoria spoke through her heavy breathing.

“Fuck, I don’t care.” West groaned as he moved his shoulder. “I think I pulled a muscle. Ugh.”

I shook my head. “Burgers it is. Go inside and shower.”

The guys left except Nova. “Blaze, I don’t know if I can walk up the steps.”

The small male had overexerted himself in training. I nodded. “I can carry you up there and order after.”

And I did as I said. I picked up Nova as carefully as I could and carried him in my arms into the home and up the stairs.

~~~~~

~~Quinn’s POV~~

Oh my god, my body, my soul, fuck this pain.

I slumped against my door as I opened it before stumbling into my room.

“You can -“

“Go ahe-“

Riot and I both stopped talking.

“Um, you can shower first.” Riot mumbled.

I glanced at him and then the bathroom door. Am I about to… Oh please don’t let this backfire.

“Or…” Riot looked at me in confusion as I continued, glancing at him before casting my gaze on the ground. “We could shower together.” There was a brief pause, the sound of Riot’s sharp inhale before I stumbled over words again. “I mean.. With food being ordered… and, well, cold burgers aren’t pleasant. Plus, it would save time and .. water.” I whispered the last word, trying to stop talking. “But we don’t have to. It was a stupid suggestion.”

“No.” Riot’s voice caused my gaze to snap to his. I realised now he had moved closer to me. “We can. I am okay with that.”

I nodded, unsure of my words now. Oh sweet life, I don’t think I am prepared for this.

We both entered my bathroom. It was a decently sized bathroom, enough room for both of us for sure. I went to take my sweat drench bodysuit off, but I couldn’t.

Oh no.

Riot’s voice made a cold shiver jolt it’s way down my body. “Do you… need help?” I swear I could hear his voice shutter as he gulped. I didn’t want to face him, I knew my face was red as a tomato.

“Please.” My voice fell out in a soft whisper, my vocal cords not wanting to work for me.

My body tensed as I inhaled sharply when I felt Riot’s hand began pulling the suit down. Slowly. Why his moving so slow, fuck I might die here. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

“Do you feel okay?” Riot’s voice was rough as he whispered from behind me. “I mean, with the training. I know I probably overworked you.”

I shook my head slightly. “No, I am okay.” I turned my head to look at him. “I promise.”

His eyes met mine as his hands settled on my waist, the suit now off from my waist up. My eyes shifted to his lips as they parted slightly before looking back at him.

Before anything happened, I stepped away, missing his hands around my waist immediately. “I think I can get the rest off. Thank you.” I smiled for a second as I began removing the rest of the suit.

Riot choked out, “Yeah, of course.” He cleared his throat and I could hear him beginning to take his own body suit off as well.

Ignoring my obvious nervousness at beginning completely naked, I turned my attention to turning the water on to have a nice warm shower. A hot shower would be nice since I know my body is going to be sore tomorrow. Hell, it might be sore before I even go to sleep.

A moment later, I was in the shower, slowly washing the sweat and dirt off my body. The warm water did feel very nice to my sore muscles. My mind was a tornado of thoughts and emotions as I tried to ignore Riot. I avoided looking at him, though I have seen him shirtless, I have never seen him naked.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Riot spoke. “Quinn, are you okay? You are trembling. Is the water too cold?”

I glanced at him, using all my energy to not look down. “Y-Yes,” I cleared my throat as we switched spots and I rinsed the soap and shampoo off. “Just sore.” I mumbled, scared that my voice would stutter again.

“Okay.” Riot sounded strained. Was he okay? I tried to clear my thoughts as I finished and stepped out of the shower.

My nerves came back back full force as I accidentally brushed against Riot’s bare chest on my way out of the shower. Luckily, I hope, Riot didn’t see my red face.

I quickly left the bathroom after drying off to slip into some pajamas. A second later I heard Riot come out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Quinn.” Riot’s rough voice caused my gaze to snap from my comfy bed to his eyes. I watched as he took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. His gaze met mine, intense and serious. 

“I like you.”