In Lucien’s apartment.

"That... Was... DELICIOUS!!"

The voice of a young Mikky roared out, ringing through the entirety of Lucien’s cramped parchment of a home. Following the satisfied roar was a not-so-subtle childish giggle as Michael, all giddy and satisfied, paced around a dormant Lucien, who sat still on the cold marble tiles, emerald eyes regarding the two empty plastic plates that lay on the ground in front of him.

Mikky’s little whimsical action prompted a soft chuckle from Lucien, who, in all honesty, was feeling quite satisfied himself. It was always a good feeling to satiate one’s hunger. And, he had to give it to Darrell, the old man could cook.

Lucien had battled with a raging stomach on their way home; the damn thing kept reacting to the sweet, sweet scent of the food. Even Mikky had been practically drooling.

Those were probably part of the reasons why it didn’t take them up to fifteen minutes to devour the two plates of fried rice the moment they got home.

Feeling satisfied, Lucien heaved out a relieved sigh, resting his back on the soft edge of his bed, so that he looked toward the white plastic door at the end of the room. The door that led to Michael’s room.

’Breakfast done,’ he thought to himself, feeling the calm morning breeze that filtered through the open window.

As Lucien sat in that position, he knowingly disrupted Mikky’s little rabid exercise, giving the boy no space to circle Lucien.

Michael stopped running and stood just in front of Luci, long-sleeve-covered arms crossed, and a rather cute pout present on his face as he stared daggers at Lucien with his wide, glistening blue eyes.

Lucien blinked, crossing his own arms in an act of petty challenge. Honestly, he was about to laugh his ass off. But he remained quiet, staring at Mikky.

Emerald eyes held onto a deep blue.

Finally, Lucien gave up, freeing his arms as he chuckled, shaking his head.

"What is it?" He asked the boy.

The boy’s arms were still crossed, brows beginning to furrow.

"You interrupted my victory parade."

"..."

’Victory?’

"What victory? I don’t remember you winning anything, Mikky," Lucien cleared his throat, pushing down a rising chuckle. "Hm?"

"We ate fried rice! Takeout!"

"Mn hm?"

"And..."

Lucien raised a brow, curious.

"And?"

"And you aren’t going..." The boy’s words became an inaudible, mumbled, jumbled-up mess. Probably because he was pouting. Maybe.

However, Lucien cracked a small smile, raising a hand.

"You gotta speak so I can hear you, kiddo."

"I said! You... aren’t going to work today. I can tell because normally you’ll be restless and in a hurry, but now," Mikky’s pout dissolved as he unfolded his arms, staring downward. "I’ve always wished for a day like this, where you don’t go out, to come, Luci," He suddenly looked at Lucien, smiling fiercely. Although Lucien didn’t know if he could describe the kid’s smile as fierce. It just seemed that way to him for some reason. The boy’s blue eyes practically twinkled. "It’s my victory!"

Lucien’s eyes widened as he stared at Michael.

He was perfectly still for a second. But then, his widened eyes reverted to their narrow shape. And he smiled, nodding.

"Yeah. It is your victory... I’m not going to work anymore." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Mikky dramatically raised a clenched fist.

"More time to play with me!"

’With the way I see my plans going, I don’t think there’ll be much time to play, Mikky.’

But of course Lucien couldn’t say that out loud. He only smiled.

Suddenly, the boy let down his raised fist, donning a contemplative expression. That look didn’t really suit a child.

"But... How are we going to... eat? I– I mean..."

"Don’t worry about that! I’ll... sort it out."

"You’re sure, Luci? If it’s because of me, I can–"

"I’m sure."

Michael paused. But then he stared down at Lucien, gazing into his deep emerald eyes. And for a calm moment there, Lucien could swear he saw a flash of something more... wise in the depth of the kid’s blue eyes. The boy was frowning.

"Remember what you said, Luci. We’re a team, you and me... right?"

Lucien smiled, nodding.

"We’re a team."

Mikky’s frown melted, and a pleased expression colored his face as he sucked in a large breath. And held out a pinky finger.

"Pinky promise?"

Lucien, a bit hesitant, held out his own pinky finger.

"Pinky promise."

They shook on it. If twisting pinky fingers together could be called a handshake. Maybe a fingershake?

"Now!" Mikky yelled, breathing out. "Another victory lap!!"

Immediately, Michael scurried off to a corner of the small room, giggling.

The boy would continue his shenanigans until the loud knocks of exhaustion began to echo, and then he would fall asleep. There was nothing left to do anyway. He’d already taken his bath. And eaten.

"Was the food really that good?" Lucien asked himself in a low voice.

After a second of contemplation, he nodded to himself.

Yes. The food was that good.

Shaking his thoughts off, Lucien let out a soft sigh.

"Okay, that’s enough of that," he whispered, straightening his posture and interlocking his fingers. His facial expression took on a serious shade as he mumbled, "Time to integrate the rewards. And fully map out my plan."

Lucien’s heart began to pulse softly, the drums of expectation echoing incessantly.

He smiled, blinking.

This was his life now. And although it wasn’t a highly significant step up from his past life, it was still a step up. It was a life he could definitely work with.

This life was not hopelessly mundane; it was not devoid of real connection. He had someone who cared for him, someone who he actually cared for.

And now, he had something supernatural in his life, too. Supernatural! In fact, his new life was far from mundane.

Yes, he was currently sitting at the rock bottom of this world. But this time, in this life, he could actually see a way out of it. A way upward.

After all, when a person hit rock bottom, there was no other way to go but up.

Resolving himself, Lucien swallowed his thoughts and widened his grin as his brain tingled.

And then, one single thought echoed in his mind:

’Integrate returns.’