Family system

As they strolled back toward the house, the atmosphere remained calm. The night seemed to wrap around them like a protective cloak. The moon's soft glow illuminated their path, casting long shadows across the ground.

The sight of their home greeted them as they stepped inside, the familiar comfort wrapping around them like a cozy blanket. Jack removed his jacket and hung it by the door, his eyes drifting to the others as they settled in.

Valentina flopped onto the couch with her usual flair, stretching her arms above her head. "Alright, who's making tea? I'm too comfortable to move."

Elena raised a brow at her, smirking. "You're the one who's always bragging about having too much energy. What happened?"

"Energy spent wisely," Valentina replied with a cheeky grin, winking at Jack. "I deserve to relax."

Isabella rolled her eyes good-naturedly as she moved to the kitchen. "I'll make the tea. You can repay me by doing the dishes later."

Valentina made a dramatic groan but waved her off. "Deal."

Jack settled onto the couch beside Valentina, pulling her close as Elena sat on his other side. Isabella returned shortly with a tray of steaming cups, placing it on the table before joining them.

They spent the next hour chatting quietly, sharing bits of chocolate, and enjoying each other's presence.

The night passed peacefully, their quiet conversations eventually giving way to comfortable silence as they basked in each other's presence. Jack felt the warmth of the women around him cocooned him in a sense of safety and love.

By the time they headed to bed, the moonlight streaming through the windows was soft and dim, a gentle reminder that rest was necessary after their time in the other universe.

The next morning, the warmth of the previous night lingered, but Jack knew the peace wouldn't last much longer. The first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows as he dressed, careful not to wake the woman still curled up on the couch. They deserved the extra rest after everything they had endured.

As he left the room, he felt a tug of hesitation. He wanted to stay in the comforting bubble of their shared moments, but duty called. His path took him to the private meeting chamber where Aphrodite and Hana waited. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of magical energy emanating from the crystalline table in its center.

Aphrodite was already seated, her pink hair cascading over her shoulders as she absentmindedly played with one of the golden curls. She looked up as Jack entered, her pink eyes lit with warmth. She gracefully rose from her seat and crossed the room, throwing her arms around him.

"You look too serious this morning," she murmured, kissing his cheek. "They should have kept you in bed longer."

Jack chuckled, holding her close for a moment before gently stepping back. "We've got important things to discuss, Aphrodite. I can't exactly relax forever."

"Shame," she teased, though her voice softened as she took his hand and led him to the table. Hana stood on the other side, her expression calm and composed, though a faint smile tugged at her lips as she observed their interaction.

"Hana," Jack greeted as he took his seat. "Thanks for being here."

"Of course," Hana replied. "I've already compiled what we know so far about the state of the Arbiter's empire. The relay cores' destruction has caused significant disruption, but the empire is far from crippled. They've already begun adapting."

Jack nodded, leaning forward. "What's their focus right now?"

"They're trying to stabilize communication internally," Hana explained. "Without the cores, they've reverted to older methods—messengers, localized mana beacons, and emergency circuits. It's inefficient but effective enough to maintain their grip for now."

Aphrodite chimed in, her tone more playful than the topic warranted. "And don't forget their overfed council of incompetents. They're probably too busy drowning in wine and indulgence to notice half of what's happening."

Jack smirked despite himself. "We can't rely on their laziness forever. What's our next move?"

Hana's expression hardened slightly. "If we want to weaken them further, we need to target their resources—supply lines, weapon caches, and ley line anchors. Their empire relies heavily on those to maintain control. Disrupting them would cause widespread chaos."

Aphrodite, still holding Jack's hand, rested her chin on his shoulder and sighed theatrically. "All this talk of chaos and destruction and nothing about what you'll do after. You can't keep running into battle without a break, Hana. You need balance."

Hznz turned to her with a small smile. "Balance is important, but so is planning. This isn't a fight we can afford to lose."

She pouted, though her eyes sparkled with affection. "You're lucky, and you're my blessed. Otherwise, I'd have dragged you off to some secluded and beat the shit out of you."

Hana cleared her throat lightly, moving their attention away from the topic. "We need to prepare carefully before moving again. The Arbiters may be incompetent, but their god is not. Any misstep could tip them off to our larger plans."

Jack nodded, his focus sharpening. "We'll give everyone time to recover and rest. But I want our next steps laid out and ready. Hana, work with the others to refine our targets. Aphrodite..."

"Yes?" she asked, her tone as sweet as her smile.

"Help me keep everyone sane while we prepare," Jack said with a wry grin. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

Aphrodite laughed, her voice light and melodic. "That, my love, is something I excel at. But don't think I'll let you off the hook. You owe me a proper date after this meeting."

Jack squeezed her hand, his expression softening. "Deal."

…

After the meeting, Jack lingered in the room, watching as Hana left with her usual efficient stride. She nodded respectfully at him before disappearing through the doorway, leaving him alone with Aphrodite.

Aphrodite turned to him with a radiant smile, her pink eyes glimmering with excitement. "Now, my love, a deal's a deal. It's time for our day."

Jack chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

"Why would I? Every second with you is precious," she murmured, her voice soft yet possessive. She trailed her fingers along his jawline, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that made his heartbeat. "And I don't like sharing. Not today."

Jack smirked, his possessiveness flickering in his eyes. "Good. Because today, you're all mine."

Aphrodite's smile widened, and she leaned up to brush a kiss against his lips. "Then, let's not waste any time."

The two of them began their day by strolling through the nearby gardens. The flowers were in full bloom, their vibrant colors painting a breathtaking backdrop. Jack held Aphrodite's hand, their fingers entwined as they walked. She tugged him closer occasionally, her pink hair catching the sunlight like a halo.

"You know," Aphrodite began, her voice lilting, "this place is beautiful but pales compared to you."

Jack raised a brow, though his grin betrayed his amusement. "Flattery? Should I be worried?"

She stopped walking, turning to face him. Her hands slid up to cup his face, her pink eyes burning with adoration—and something darker. "No, you should feel loved. You're my everything, Jack. You know that, don't you?"

Her intensity took him aback momentarily, but he matched it with his unwavering gaze. "And you're mine. Aphrodite, no one else could ever take your place."

Her expression softened, though the possessive edge in her eyes didn't waver. "Good. Because I'd destroy anyone who tried." Her words were spoken lightly, but the underlying truth sent a shiver down his spine—not of fear, but of their raw devotion.

He leaned down to kiss her, his lips meeting hers in a slow, lingering embrace that seemed to freeze time. When they finally pulled apart, her cheeks were flushed, and her smile was more radiant than ever.

The day continued with quiet moments of joy. They shared a private lunch at a cozy café tucked away in the corner of the town. Aphrodite insisted on feeding Jack bites of dessert, her giggles infectious as he played along.

"You're spoiling me," Jack teased as she offered him another forkful of cake.

"Of course I am," she replied, her tone unapologetic. "What's the point of being a goddess if I can't spoil my love?"

Later, they found themselves on a hill overlooking a serene lake. Aphrodite rested her head on Jack's shoulder, her arms wrapped around his as they sat on a blanket beneath a shady tree. The sound of water lapping gently at the shore mixed with the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze.

"I don't want this to end," Aphrodite whispered, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

"It doesn't have to," Jack replied, his hand tightening around hers. "We'll have more days like this. I promise."

She tilted her head to look at him, her expression tender yet fierce. "You'd better keep that promise. Because if anyone tries to take you away from me..."

Jack cut her off with a kiss, his hand cupping her cheek. "No one will. I'm not going anywhere."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they returned home, their bond stronger than ever. Aphrodite leaned against Jack as they walked, her contented sigh warming his heart.

"You do make everything better," she said softly.

Jack smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "And you keep me grounded."

She stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. "Don't you ever forget how much I love you, Jack? Because it's everything. You're everything."

"I won't," he assured her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "And don't forget how much I love you, too."

Their day ended in each other's arms, their shared moments of love and laughter becoming another cherished memory.