Balun lounged comfortably on the couch, a wide grin tugging at his lips as his gaze flicked between Makai and Myra, seated on the opposite side of the coffee table. They truly seemed made for each other—a perfect blend of sharp business acumen and complementary personalities. Their dynamic was as seamless as it was endearing, and Balun couldn't help but feel a pang of warmth watching them interact. The oddball topic of Makai's trunks came up, leaving him both amused and somewhat relieved by their mutual conclusion.
"
Yeah, I think I'll pass on the offer, thanks though," he quipped, the grin on his face spreading into a soft chuckle. The mental image of himself in his brother's board shorts was too much to resist, and he shook his head at the absurdity. Myra's teasing comment about the shorts being
too revealing sparked his imagination—he could only assume they were scandalously short, likely stopping well above the knee. "
There's only so much I'm willing to share with my brother," he concluded with a laugh, shooting Myra a playful glance. His expression brimmed with genuine amusement and contentment; these lighthearted moments of camaraderie felt precious. It wasn't just about the humor, though—it was a chance to connect and get to know Myra, Makai's better half, on a deeper level.
He was about to steer the conversation toward Myra's own family history before she and Makai became a duo, but the thought was cut short by Persephone's arrival. She descended from upstairs, her arms full of various garments, accompanied by a measuring tape and clips. The sight gave Balun pause, a flicker of unease creeping in as he eyed the tools of what was clearly shaping up to be a
very thorough fitting session.
Balun had always been a bit of an oddball when it came to personal space, a remnant of his own insecurities and cautious nature. While Persephone was as close to a sister—or cousin—as he'd ever known, the idea of her, or anyone, invading his personal bubble was a hurdle he had yet to fully overcome. The only person who had managed to break through that barrier was
Nouqai Veil
, whose presence never left him feeling uneasy. Nouqai had a knack for creating a safe space for him to confront his anxieties, but even then, Balun preferred learning things the hard way—trial, error, and sheer stubborn persistence.
"
Right," he murmured, forcing himself up from the couch with a small sigh of resignation. As he stepped forward to meet Persephone halfway, he extended an arm to take the clothes she carried, a slightly awkward smile tugging at his lips. "
I guess I'll go try them on then," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of humor and trepidation. The weight of the moment felt oddly significant, as though slipping into these clothes would somehow reflect more than just his fashion sense. It was a reminder that in this unfamiliar but ever-growing family dynamic, every small step felt like a big leap.